Coalition forces get tactical radio boost

The Defense Department has placed a $14.4 million order with Harris Corp. for handheld tactical radios to be used by coalition forces to improve communications between their troops and U.S. forces.

The Defense Department has placed a $14.4 million order with Harris Corp. for handheld tactical radios to be used by coalition forces to improve communications between their troops and U.S. forces. 

Under the order, Harris will deliver to the International Security Assistance Force multiband, software-defined RF-310M-HH tactical radios that include Type-1, Suite B encryption algorithms for protecting voice and data transmissions up to secret level classification, company officials said today.

The new radios are expected to help improve coordination and mission planning among U.S. and coalition forces and also reduce risk of friendly fire.

The encryption capabilities embedded in the RF-310M-HH will boost secure communications interoperability for coalition forces communicating with U.S. forces using other Suite B tactical radio products such as the Falcon III AN/PRC 152C handheld and AN/PRC-117G manpack radios.

The DOD is providing the radios through the Coalition Readiness Support Program.