U.S. JTRS Proves It Can Talk To Other Radios

The U.S. Defense Department completed its first successful interoperability quick-look laboratory test on Soldier Radio Waveform, proving the service’s Joint Tactical Radio System can communicate with radios from outside companies.

Developed primarily for radios carried by dismounted soldiers, Soldier Radio Waveform
completed testing with HMS Production Rifleman Radio, Harris’ Falcon III (AN/PRC-117G), ITT’s Soldier Radio and Northrop Grumman’s Software Defined Multi-Function Device.

Engineers completed the testing in May at Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Center-Atlantic in Charleston, S.C., using the waveform’s Network Manager “to configure and monitor all of the radios throughout the test period,” according to a Navy release. ITT Corporation’s Communications Systems is the lead contractor for Soldier Radio Waveform.

The test took place a month before the Army is set to launch a test on the Army Network that includes JTRS at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.

“This test’s success demonstrates the viability of the JTRS Enterprise Business Model in proliferating waveform software reuse to increase competition and interoperability while reducing total ownership costs of defense communications networks,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Jeff Hoyle, the JTRS Network Enterprise Domain program manager.

Defense News By MICHAEL HOFFMAN