Harris Corp.’s new Highband Networking Radio™ (HNR) provided interoperable, long-range backbone communications for stationary, on-the-move and airborne platforms, including the Boeing A160T “Hummingbird” Unmanned Aerial System, at the US Army’s C4ISR On-the-Move Event at Fort Dix, NJ. The radio was co-developed with BAE Systems. The event was held last summer and marked the Army’s largest-ever Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) and networking technology demonstration.
The airborne communications layer provided by the A160T Hummingbird unmanned aerial system allowed Harris to demonstrate the system’s ability to bridge air/ground communications between two geographically dispersed networks. The Army exercise also demonstrated that the Harris system could operate in both C-band and Ku-band simultaneously within a single, integrated network, thereby providing Brigade-and-above echelon commands with robust communications for tactical operations. During the exercise, 11 C-band and Ku-band HNR systems were demonstrated. Harris intends to support and participate in C4ISR OTM E09 and continue to leverage its relevant environment to further develop and accelerate features and capabilities in the HNR system.
“The performance achieved by the Highband Networking Radio in the C4ISR OTM event was an important milestone in the production of this product and provides continued validation of the capabilities of the Harris-developed Highband Networking WaveformTM in a variety of applications,” said Wes Covell, President of Defense Programs for Harris Government Communications Systems.
The Highband Networking Radio integrates directive-beam technology with mobile, ad hoc mesh networking, and achieves burst data rates of up to 54 Mbps. It has been implemented on a variety of fixed-wing rotary-wing and airship platforms, including piloted aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems. Applications of the Highband Networking Waveform and HNR extend to numerous scenarios, including terrestrial tactical communications augmented by air-to-ground and air-to-air nodes, as well as air-and-missile defense missions. The waveform and radio also can be used to extend the battlespace network into the maritime force contingent, connecting expeditionary forces with near-shore support and blue-water platforms. HNR was recently deployed to the US Army 101st Airborne Assault Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team in Baghdad, Iraq.