Two-channel handheld radio contract awarded to L3Harris Technologies
NewsDecember 15, 2020
MELBOURNE, Fla. L3Harris Technologies has received a $57 million competitive award for its Falcon IV AN/PRC-163 two-channel handheld radios, along with related equipment and services, as part of the U.S. Army’s two-channel Leader radio IDIQ contract. Delivery is expected to begin in early 2021.
The AN/PRC-163 is designed to enable warfighters to share information, integrating voice and data across the Army’s Integrated Tactical Network (ITN). The radio is intended to enable robust command and control by integrating into soldier systems such as the Army’s Nett Warrior and Enhanced Night Vision Goggle – Binocular (ENVG-B) programs.
According to the company, a key component of the ITN, the AN/PRC-163 delivers networking and wideband and narrowband satellite communications in a compact form factor. It is engineered to communicate over multiple channels and crossband between them.
It is designed to be capable of satellite communications, mobile ad-hoc networking (MANET) waveforms, and the Army’s SINCGARS waveform. It also offers a path to future software-only updates for SATCOM, SATURN and other anti-jam and resilient waveforms, according to the company.
This is the third Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) order for L3Harris after two previous delivery orders on this contract. The IDIQ contract includes a 5-year base and an additional 5-year option, with a ceiling of $3.9 billion. The Army expects to purchase approximately 100,000 two-channel Leader Radios under the IDIQ.
