General Dynamics [GD] Tuesday said it received an Army contract with a potential total value of $13 million to support upgrades to the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) waveform used in the Army’s AN/PRC-155 two-channel MUOS-Manpack radios.
The waveform provides the digital “dial-tone” to connect with the Navy’s new MUOS satellite communications network that will provide U.S. military and government personnel smartphone-like voice clarity and data connectivity.
The contract includes waveform integration into the PRC-155 radios, radio/waveform testing, field support and soldier training.
“From developing the MUOS waveform and the PRC-155 MUOS-Manpack radio, to building the four MUOS ground stations located around the world, General Dynamics Mission Systems provides what soldiers need to connect with the game-changing MUOS tactical communications system,” said Chris Marzilli, president of General Dynamics Mission Systems.
MUOS waveform upgrades will improve voice clarity and the cyber security of voice and data communications across the MUOS communications network.
Other waveform enhancements include improved connectivity with other MUOS-Manpack radios, ground stations and satellites.
Art: Lockheed Martin
In August, General Dynamics demonstrated that soldiers using the PRC-154A Rifleman radios could connect through PRC-155 Manpack radios at the platoon level and below. The GD-funded demonstration connected soldiers some 2,000 miles apart over MUOS satellites.
In January 2014, the Navy accepted three General Dynamics C4 Systems-built MUOS ground systems located in Hawaii, Virginia and Australia. Navy personnel operate the stations.
GD Mission Systems led development and delivery of the ground stations and MUOS communications system
Lockheed Martin [LMT] is the prime contractor for the entire MUOS system.
The MUOS communications network is expected to achieve global communications coverage in 2016.