General Dynamics [GD] C4 Systems yesterday said it received a new order valued at approximately $53.9 million from the Army for an additional 13,000 Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Handheld, Manpack, Small Form Fit (HMS) AN/PRC-154 Rifleman radios and accessory kits.
This is the second Army order for PRC-154 Rifleman radios, bringing the number of radios ordered by the government to more than 19,000.
Both the JTRS HMS PRC-154 Rifleman and two-channel AN/PRC-155 Manpack networking radios are planned for inclusion in the Army’s Capability Set 13, which is to be delivered to Infantry Brigade Combat Teams beginning in October 2012.
Capability Set 13 delivers a package of network components, associated equipment and software to soldiers, enabling networked voice and data capabilities to reach the tactical edge, even while units are moving across the battlefield.
“The order for more PRC-154 radios ensures the individual soldier is included in the big Army network. His voice can finally be heard, his message received and his position-location reported,” said Chris Marzilli, president of General Dynamics C4 Systems. “Equally important is the two-channel PRC-155 Manpack that allows commanders to talk to their team on one channel and on the second channel, simultaneously exchange information with higher headquarters. Having both radios puts the full power of the big Army network in the hands of soldiers significantly improving mission effectiveness and individual soldier safety.”
A “positive” assessment came in the 30-day after action review by the Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan which conducted the first combat evaluation late last year after completing an initial operational test and evaluation and Network Integration Evaluation (Defense Daily, Dec. 16, 2011, March 26, 2012).
Low-rate initial production of the radios began in October 2011 (Defense Daily, Oct. 10).
The PRC-154 Rifleman radio enables soldiers on the battlefield to have mobile voice, video and data communications capabilities similar to those available through commercial cellular networks. The two-channel PRC-155 Manpack radio is the only JTRS radio to successfully demonstrate all three transformational government waveforms: the Soldier Radio Waveform, the Wideband Networking Waveform and the Mobile User Objective System satellite-communications waveform. It is also interoperable with legacy waveforms including SINCGARS. These capabilities will keep the two-channel PRC-155 Manpack radio relevant for decades to come.
General Dynamics and Thales Communications will manufacture the Rifleman radios. Having two qualified manufacturers ensures the radios remain cost competitive.
The JTRS HMS program supports more than 400 high technology and associated jobs located in Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.