General Dynamics and Rockwell Collins to provide Army with 3,726 AN/PRC-155 radios
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., 30 Nov. 2012. The U.S. Army is buying 3,726 AN/PRC-155 manpack radios from manufacturer General Dynamics C4 Systems in Scottsdale, Ariz., under terms of a $306 million order, announced today.
The two-channel PRC-155 handheld, manpack, small form fit (HMS) military radios and vehicle integration kits are part of the Army’s Capability Set 13 networking and communications equipment that will deploy with Army brigade combat teams next year, General Dynamics officials say.
The company has started building these radios in anticipation of this new production order, and started deliveries this month.
The RF communications system provides line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight, high-bandwidth waveforms for on-the-move voice, sensor, data and position-location capabilities on soldiers or in vehicles.
The two-channel PRC-155 manpack radio is certified by the National Security Agency to communicate classified voice and data at the top secret level and below.
The Army first purchased 100 AN/PRC-155 manpack radios from General Dynamics in July 2011. The radio connects upper to lower tiers, legacy to future waveforms, and terrestrial to over-the-horizon links, says Chris Brady, vice president of assured communications for General Dynamics C4 Systems.
General Dynamics and Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will manufacture the manpack radios; two qualified manufacturers ensures the radios remain cost-competitive, General Dynamics officials say.
For more information contact General Dynamics C4 Systems online at www.gdc4s.com.
John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
