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.

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.