The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Mission Systems a contract modification to improve high-frequency (HF) communications for the Navy’s four-channel, AN/USC-61(C) Digital Modular Radios (DMR).
According to General Dynamics, the 3G High-frequency 3rd Generation Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) increases transmission rates from radio to radio by 24 percent and reduces static and other noises that hinder clear, crisp voice communications quality.
The system can also supplement satellite communications (SATCOM) when SATCOM networks are overloaded or unavailable, the company added.
“This improved HF capability gives sailors and their commanders a communications advantage with improved communications reliability and higher data capacity, particularly when beyond line of sight networks are unavailable,” said Paul Parent , a vice president of General Dynamics Mission Systems. “DMR also provides a more effective alternative to satellite communications in locations where satellite connectivity or capacity is limited or unavailable.”
The General Dynamics’ software-defined DMR provide military voice and data communication channels including ultra-high frequency satellite networks, very high frequency and line of sight radios, single-channel ground and airborne radio systems (SINCGARS) and other tactical radios.
General Dynamics added that the radios are also equipped with General Dynamics Advanced Infosec Machine (AIM) encryption chip, certified by NSA to carry classified information at the Type 1 – Top Secret level and below. The radios also communicate simultaneously at multiple levels of security, on each of the radios four channels.