Lockheed Martin AMF JTRS demonstrates new communications and tactical data sharing at U.S. Army exercise

Posted by Skyler Frink

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 19, 2011. A Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team recently demonstrated how software-defined radios can extend the Army’s tactical network by connecting disparate ground troops with the Airborne and Maritime/Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radio System (AMF JTRS). During a recent Army exercise, AMF JTRS demonstrated the system’s range and capability by relaying a combination of voice, data and imagery from a test bed AH-64 Block III Apache helicopter to ground forces over the Internet-Protocol enabled Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW).

AMF JTRS is a software defined radio that is capable of providing internet like connectivity, providing a secure infrastructure for joint forces to send data, imagery, voice, and video.

The Apache and the ground forces were communicating using joint tactical radios enabled with SRW. By using mission applications on the AMF JTRS radio, ground nodes in the tactical operations center were able to mark-up imagery and re-distribute to users connected by the JTRS network. Throughout the simulated mission, Apache pilots, using AMF JTRS, were able to exchange command and control and situational awareness messages with six groups of disparate ground forces (each equipped with JTRS-enabled radios).

Lockheed Martin’s AMF JTRS team includes General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and BAE Systems.