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U.S. Army Selects Thales's Mounted Soldier Cordless Communication System

24 July 2009

Thales Communications, Inc., a pioneer and global leader in the development, manufacture, and support of multiband, software-defined radio (SDR) equipment, announces the award by the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command for the development and delivery of Mounted Soldier Cordless Communication Systems.

Today's warfighters require the capability to dismount from their vehicle while maintaining secure communications over the vehicle intercom system (VIS) and the vehicle's combat net radio. Current intercoms necessitate the warfighter being tethered to the vehicle by a cable. This results in lost connectivity when transitioning from mounted to dismounted operations. Thales has leveraged the flexibility of the battle-proven AN/PRC-148 JTRS Enhanced Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio, or JEM, to provide a Type 1 secure wireless connection between the dismounted soldier and their VIS, seamlessly extending the reach of the VIS for full crew station functionality. Thales's Mounted Soldier Cordless Communication System enables warfighters to move freely inside and outside the vehicle without losing critical communications.

The core of the Thales system is the AN/PRC-148, the smallest, lightest, and most power-efficient multiband, tactical, handheld radio in use today covering the 30-512 MHz frequency range. The radio's Software Communications Architecture (SCA)-compliant platform hosts all of today's key waveforms, including SATCOM IW, and enables the integration of new waveforms and advanced capabilities, such as increased data rates, tactical networking, and situational awareness. The AN/PRC-148 radios, including those currently fielded, are able to add the latest technology and most innovative features via simple software upgrades, thereby serving warfighters far into the future.

"We have built on our unique experience in producing secure tactical radios and vehicular intercom systems to create a low-risk, reliable solution for the Army," said Felix Boccadoro, Director of Business Development and Legislative Affairs for Thales Communications, Inc. "We are able to provide new products that expand the warfighter's capabilities, enabling them to operate more effectively and safely."