Harris Corp. is deploying the largest number of Falcon III® wideband radio systems for the next U.S. Army Network Integration Evaluation (NIE), taking place in May and June at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. This is the final NIE before the Army begins fielding Harris Falcon III radios and other equipment as part of its baseline network architecture for Brigade Combat Teams.

Harris is deploying and supporting more than 500 Falcon III AN/PRC-117G, AN/PRC-152A, AN/PRC-152A Appliqué systems and RF-7800W wideband radios in various configurations to connect soldiers on foot and in vehicles to commander-level networks for real-time situational awareness and decision-making. Proven both in combat and in prior NIE events, the Harris radios bridge disparate networks to enable seamless voice and data communication across the entire battlefield exercise.

The evaluation includes the two-channel Harris wideband AN/VRC-114 vehicular system, which uses AN/PRC-117G radios to transfer cross-domain networked information between classified and unclassified networks. This allows data traffic to flow directly from dismounted soldiers to leaders on the move or in command posts.

This NIE, designated as 12.2, involves the largest and most complex network architecture test and evaluation of the Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW) to date. SRW was developed by the Joint Tactical Radio System Joint Program Executive Office to provide a common platform for voice and wideband data. The AN/PRC-117G, AN/PRC-152A and AN/PRC-152A Appliqué are operating SRW during the evaluation. The AN/PRC-117G is the only full-production radio with its NSA certification for Type-1 implementation of SRW. Harris expects to receive certification later this year for Type-1 implementation of SRW in the AN/PRC-152A handheld.

Also under evaluation is the Adaptive Networking Wideband Waveform Revision C (ANW2C), operating on AN/PRC-117G vehicular radio systems. ANW2C utilizes Dynamic Channel Allocation technology to improve system data capacity to up to 10 Mbps in 30 node networks.

"The scope of the Army's NIE 12.2 is impressive, involving one of the most complex tactical networks ever designed," said Retired Army Maj. Gen. Dennis Moran, vice president of government business development, Harris RF Communications. "Harris Falcon III systems are providing the backbone to that network in configurations that will soon be fielded to the first Army Brigade Combat Teams. Our radios have proven their reliability and security in the lab, in previous NIE exercises and on the battlefield, offering the Army an affordable, low-risk solution for this important set of communication requirements. We are committed to making NIE and the Army's wideband network a success."

Harris radios at NIE are installed in more than 400 military vehicles, including M1 Abrams Tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, HMMWVs and MRAPs and MRAP ATVs. Soldiers also are deploying to the exercise area with AN/PRC-117G radios in rucksacks. In support of the NIE, Harris has conducted more than 350 individual training classes.