Harris Corporation tactical radio systems successfully connected soldiers on the move with their command headquarters during the initial demonstration of the U.S. Army's new Mid-Tier Networking Vehicular Radio (MNVR) program.
The MNVR program is designed to seamlessly connect vehicular-based soldiers to the Army tactical network. The program can also extend Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) services into the terrestrial network, providing enhanced throughput and range for communication requirements at the tactical edge.
Soldiers used the Harris Falcon III® AN/VRC-118 MNVR solution, operating the JTRS Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW), to provide wireless enterprise services including email, tactical chat and rapid file downloads. The effort was conducted during the Army's Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) 14.2 at Fort Bliss, Texas, in advance of initial delivery of production units in June of this year.
The Army awarded the $140 million MNVR contract to Harris in September 2013 following a competitive procurement. The radios for this demonstration were delivered within six months of contract award.
“This successful demonstration represents a very important step for the Army in fielding a critical mid-tier solution that will enhance the robustness of the tactical network,” said George Helm, President, Department of Defense business, Harris RF Communications.
“This is the first time soldiers have used the MNVR and government-owned WNW in the field for transmitting high-bandwidth tactical information. The performance of Harris' AN/VRC-118 MNVR solution with WNW sets the stage for a successful limited user test this fall and showcases industry's ability to quickly deliver breakthrough capabilities through full and open competition in tactical radios,” Helm added.
The Harris AN/VRC-118 system provides two channels of tactical voice and data capability. In addition to WNW, the radio also operates the government-owned, open-standard Soldier Radio Waveform. Harris is the global leader in tactical wideband networking, with more than 45,000 Falcon III wideband radios deployed around the world.
