TACTICAL
COMMUNICATIONS ed to be submitted with the two channel LIGNex1 XPRC-10K, and Samsung Thales also displaying a solution dubbed, ‘Next Generation Hand Held Radio’. The ROKA’s prime CNRs currently are the VHF PRC-999K and the smaller PRC-96K although the two are not compatible. Both are produced by LIGNex1 with the company also creating an export variant the PRC999KEC; to date however only acquired by Indonesia. The PRC-999K is matched with the Huneed sourced 50W vehicular mount to create the VRC-946K, -967K and -949K. In the HF domain, Huneed have developed the PRC-950K and in conjunction with the ADD have created the new digital version, primarily focused on export markets. In addition to TICN related efforts, to meet the country’s requirement for future soldier systems, an RFP for which is expected in 2013, companies are developing concept systems. As part of their concept, Samsung Thales showed a mock-up of their 2.4Ghz Soldier Radio Unit at the Seoul event. Other possible contenders include the PRC-210 a ‘PRR’ type radio developed with LIGNex1 and partner A R Tech which uses a three hop MANET waveform and Yeonhab’s 155-162MHz and 2.4GHz PRC12K with range of 1-4km and with throughput of up to 10Mbps. While Korea has adopted a clearly domestically sourced focus for its efforts a number of overseas companies are intending to work in partnership initially aiming at working with Korea’s Agency for Defence Development (ADD) and others, to meet tactical communications requirements. These include Rafael who believe that their 3G/LTE TacMAX solution can play a part at multiple levels of TICN. TacMAX combines mesh and cellular communications to produce a series of base stations. As part of its efforts, Rafael is creating a 600-700g hand held or worn device with a range of 2-3km with initial devices due for completion at the end of 2011, ready for initial military trials. A key feature of the networking capability of TacMAX at this level would be the ability of two or more solder worn nodes to operate in isolation, away from a core network which the company believes distinguishes it from other solutions and give it more battlefield resilience and able to supplement more traditional hand held and worn radios.
The two channel LIGNex1 XPRC-10K shown on the right, next to the PRC-96K which is to be replaced under a competitive programme for a new hand held SDR known as the Next Generation Hand Held Radio © AJB
Company Developments
Elbit Systems recently added to its Tactical
l
DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012
l
33