SAN DIEGO – U.S. Navy strategic communications experts needed networking equipment for an HF and UHF radio communications system for Navy ships, submarines, aircraft, and shore sites. They found a solution from L3Harris Technologies in Camden, N.J.
Officials of the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific in San Diego announced a $30.3 million order to L3Harris last week for network equipment, components, and spare parts for the Battle Force Tactical Network Resilient Command, Control, and Communication System Enhancement High Frequency system.
This communication system, know as BFTN RC3 or just BRSE, provides tactical RF networked communications for naval forces afloat, airborne, ashore, and submerged. It operates over high-frequency (HF) bands between 2 MHz ad 30 MHz, and ultra high frequency (UHF) bands to transport critical command and control (C2) data.
The BFTN RC3 is to ensure command, control, and communications even in hostile environments, including those with interference and denied satellite communications. This order was awarded on 2 Oct., but was not announced until 12 Nov. because of the government shutdown.
Improved RF waveforms
The enhancement includes new waveforms like Robust Communications for Challenging Environments or RoCCE to improve communications reliability and dynamic range across HF frequencies.
The system also capitalizes on automated HF communications planning tools that use real-time ionospheric and propagation data to optimize HF channel selection in difficult conditions such as enemy RF jamming or global thunderstorms.
This HF system is part of the broader Battle Force Tactical Network modernization that focuses on shipboard and tactical communication capabilities for continuous communication in degraded or denied environments where satellite communications might be unavailable.
On this order, L3Harris will do the work Camden, N.J., and Germantown, Md., and should be finished by May 2027. For more information contact L3Harris Technologies online at www.l3harris.com/all-capabilities/resilient-c5isr-jadc2-network-communications, or the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific at https://www.niwcpacific.navy.mil/.
