US-based defence contractor Harris has secured National Security Agency (NSA) Type-1 certification for its AN/PRC-163 multi-channel handheld networking radio.

With the certification, the company will be able to provide enhanced and improved capabilities to the soldiers.

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Combining communications and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, the AN/PRC-163 radio can address the unique mission requirements of the user in a small, portable form factor.

The NSA Type-1 certification will enable the Harris equipment to transmit secure voice and data communications up to top secret level on both channels for applications that include very high-frequency (VHF) / ultra high-frequency (UHF) line of sight and satellite communication (SATCOM).

Harris communication systems president Dana Mehnert said: “This important NSA Type-1 certification is a key milestone in delivering revolutionary capability in a handheld radio to our warfighters.

“AN/PRC-163 is a software-defined radio that can be easily modified and includes a mission module expansion slot to incorporate changes based on growing mission requirements.”

“The ability to securely transmit information using VHF / UHF line-of-sight, SATCOM, and mobile ad-hoc networking, as well as future applications in increasingly challenging communications environments, is critical to the warfighter.”

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AN/PRC-163 is a software-defined radio that can be easily modified in the field and includes a mission module expansion slot to incorporate changes based on growing mission requirements.

Equipped with TSM‑X mobile ad-hoc networking technology, the radio offers dual-channel crossbanding capabilities in a single size, weight and power-optimised handheld system.

The equipment has been designed to operate in challenging environments and meets rigorous requirements for small, lightweight, multiband, multifunction and multi-mission tactical radios.

In September, Harris received an order from the US Army for the delivery of 1,540 units of AN/PRC-163 handheld radios.

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