SPECTRUM - PIONEERING NIGHT VISION'S NEXT FRONTIER FEATURED | 12 - L3Harris
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SPECTRUM
L3Harris Communication Systems Publication | Spring 2021 Edition
FEATURED | 12
PIONEERING
NIGHT VISION’S
NEXT FRONTIER
The Future Battlefield
Network’s Hub | Page 6
Force Multiplier | Page 9
The Leading Edge of Tactical
Radio Modernization | Page 14
Spectrum is an L3Harris Communication Systems publication. The magazine provides the most-up-to-date information about innovative technologies, products and customer solutions through interactive features and in-depth story telling.
CONTENTS
L3Harris Communication Systems Publication | Spring 2021
NEWS BRIEFS 4
THE FUTURE BATTLEFIELD NETWORK’S HUB 6
Ready to ship in May, the new L3Harris Falcon III® RF-7850D
Multi-channel Modular System is the world’s first three-channel,
triple-crossband radio in a third of the size of comparable solutions.
FORCE MULTIPLIER 9
The merger of L3 Technologies and Harris Corporation has enabled the
company’s newly formed Global Communication Systems organization
to provide end-to-end solutions, meeting customers’ most-urgent needs.
THE LEADING EDGE OF TACTICAL 14
RADIO MODERNIZATION
L3Harris’ latest tactical communication solution recognizes the
ever-changing landscape of asymmetrical warfare with an adaptable,
upgradable Software Defined Radio that ensures reliable, resilient
connectivity regardless of mission.
FEATURED
ON COVER 12 TAG: BRIDGING THE BEST OF COMMERCIAL 16
AND DEFENSE SOLUTIONS
PIONEERING L3Harris’ innovative Transport Aggregation Gateway ensures
NIGHT VISION’S mission-critical communications by providing end users access
to a swath of integrated Commercial and Military Satellite
NEXT FRONTIER communications solutions—from LTE/5G and Line-Of-Sight radio
to SATCOM—to complete their missions.
During a light-starved THE STRENGTH OF ENTERPRISE 19
night, with no moon and
cloud-obscured stars—that is
IN AUSTRALIA
The enterprise-wide inventory of L3Harris solutions provides an
when the superiority of L3Harris
accelerated path toward sovereignty and coalition partnerships
Technologies’ night-vision tube
for the Australian Defence Force.
performance is time-proven.
THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP 22
Inside Cover photo:
L3Harris Public Safety and Professional Communications customers
A U.S. Marine with Alpha Company, Infantry Training have the combined strength of the company’s full catalog of solutions
Battalion, School of Infantry – West, programs an
AN/PRC-117 multiband manpack radio as part of the
and local service support through its two-tier distribution model and
capstone exercise for the Infantry Marine Course on partnerships with its indirect channel dealers.
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, April
28, 2021. IMC is a 14-week pilot course designed
to create better trained and more lethal entry-level
infantry Marines prepared for near-peer conflicts.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jeremy Laboy)
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual
information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
LEARN MORE,
VISIT OUR L3Harris is a proud mission partner of U.S.
Non-Export Controlled Information VIRTUAL SOFIC
and Allied Special Forces. Mission success
L3Harris Technologies is an agile global EXPERIENCE
aerospace and defense technology
hinges upon the courage, professionalism
innovator, delivering end-to-end solutions and skill of those elite forces, enabled
that meet customers’ mission-critical needs. by key L3Harris technologies. Use your
The company provides advanced defense and
commercial technologies across air, land,
smartphone’s camera to activate the
sea, space and cyber domains. interactive experience.
Spring 2021 |3
NEWS BRIEFS
U.S. Marine Corps Awards
L3Harris $88 Million for Panther
Satellite Terminals
The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded
L3Harris Technologies a five-year,
$88 million ceiling, single-award IDIQ
contract for a small, lightweight satellite
terminal that delivers extremely reliable
high-bandwidth voice, video and data.
L3Harris will provide its Panther II
Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT)
as part of the Marine Corps Wideband
Satellite-Expeditionary (MCWS-X)
program. The MCWS-X terminal consists
of the 96 cm Panther II VSAT in The Falcon III® family of
a tri-band configuration radios have been proven in
with multiple modular the field and trusted by more
than 700,000 warfighters
modems and worldwide.
power options.
Bahrain Defense Forces Selects L3Harris Technologies C4I Systems
Bahrain Defense Forces has selected L3Harris Technologies to provide a
C4I system as part of the country’s effort to implement enhanced battlefield
management and integrate ISR solutions across its ground, air and naval forces.
The L3Harris C4I system will provide the Bahrain Defense Forces with Initial
Operational Capabilities (IOC) and will integrate its Falcon III® radios, delivering
network-centric communications for superior Command and Control.
L3Harris Launches Next-Generation Power Amplifier
L3Harris Technologies introduced a for multiple power amplifiers. It is
next-generation, software-defined power lightweight and provides radio-agnostic
amplifier at the International Defence capabilities and multiband support.
Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2021 The radio offers seamless access to
in Abu Dhabi. networked voice and data, over the
frequency range of 30-2600 MHz.
The L3Harris RF-410 NGPA maximizes
Waveform coverage includes wideband
mission flexibility and enhances
and legacy narrowband communications.
tactical agility by eliminating the need
4 | Spectrum Magazine
“Partnering with PoliceGrantsHelp.com
and FireGrantsHelp.com helps public
safety and emergency response customers
overcome purchasing challenges by
identifying and providing grant assistance
services. We’ve also created a dedicated
lineup of L3Harris communications
U.S. Army Selects L3Harris’ solutions to help them complete
Enhanced Night Vision Goggle their missions.”
Technology Nino DiCosmo
The U.S. Army has selected President, Public Safety and
Professional Communications, L3Harris
L3Harris Technologies’ Enhanced
Night Vision Goggle—Binocular
(ENVG-B) to enhance Situational
Awareness and increase soldier L3Harris Helps Public Safety Police1.com and Firerescue1.com
mobility and protection. Agencies Access Grants For Critical respectively, provide first responders
Radio Technology access to a national database of available
L3Harris received an initial L3Harris has partnered with grants. Under this partnership, experts
$18 million Other Transaction PoliceGrantsHelp.com and guide public safety customers through
Authority (OTA) award from the U.S. FireGrantsHelp.com to provide grant the grant process, including identifying
Army for the ENVG-B Program of support to public safety agencies available funds, applying for and helping
Record, which has a total value of seeking funding to purchase the to secure funding for the products they
$442 million. L3Harris is one of two newest radio solutions. need. To date, the organization has
companies to receive initial funding secured more than $250 million
under this OTA. PoliceGrantsHelp.com and in agency grant funding.
FireGrantsHelp.com, part of
L3Harris Awarded $233 Million to enhance army soldiers’ ability to
to Support Key ADF Modernization locate and engage threats—improving
Initiatives their Situational Awareness, mobility
The Australian Defence Force has and safety. The award follows L3Harris’
awarded L3Harris Technologies successful delivery of night-vision
contracts totaling $233 million (USD) technology for Tranche 1 of the Land 53
to deliver secure communications and program in 2020.
advanced night-vision goggle L3Harris will deliver its Fused Night
technology to support the country’s Vision System (FNVS), which incorporates
key modernization initiatives. the latest in night vision capabilities—
L3Harris was awarded a three-year, fusing image intensification technology
$115 million follow-on FFP contract with thermal imagery to provide soldiers
under the Direct Commercial Sale with enhanced Situational Awareness,
(DCS) arrangements for the Australian targeting and identification capability in
Defence Force’s Delphic—Cryptographic all battlefield conditions and light levels.
Modernization program. L3Harris will When combined with the L3Harris smart
deliver tactical radios, waveforms battery pack, the FNVS delivers critical
and ancillaries that support emerging battlefield information directly to the
cryptographic modernization standards. soldier’s eye.
The company also was awarded a Both contracts include full
$118 million contract to provide in-country support and repair
advanced night vision goggle technology capabilities in Australia.
Spring 2021 |5
THE FUTURE BATTLEFIELD
NETWORK’S HUB
Ready to ship in May, the new L3Harris Falcon III® RF-7850D Multi-channel
Modular System is the world’s first three-channel, triple-crossband radio
in a third of the size of comparable solutions.
National defense organizations will soon have available UNLEASHING THE ‘POWER OF 3’
a true hub for the connected battlefield network—a system L3Harris is leveraging mature and field-proven capabilities
that bridges legacy tactical waveforms to new and emerging from the Falcon III® RF-7850 family of radios to create a
ones, and links operators at the edge of the battlespace two-channel solution—with the flexibility to add an additional
to decision-makers across the echelon with uninterrupted, channel—in one compact system. Its first channel acts as the
resilient communications. multiband backbone, providing the full RF-7850 waveform
suite, with continuous coverage from 30 to 512 MHz, according
Smaller, more-powerful and with general capabilities and a
to Young.
waveform library far more extensive than current offerings on
the market, the L3Harris Falcon III® RF-7850D Multi-channel This first-of-its-kind approach effectively provides three
Modular System is the world’s first triple-crossband radio, simultaneous networks that can enable interoperability
capable of operating from Very High Frequency (VHF) between generations of radio; three separate, non-competing
to S-Band. channels; and all in a package three times smaller than
comparable systems.
REDUCED SIZE AND WEIGHT
IN A POWERFUL RADIO “The end user, on channel two, has a choice: they can either
run another one of those channels, or they can push it up
Roughly the size of a video gaming console, the RF-7850D
into the higher part of the spectrum for a more-data-centric
is the smallest multi-channel modular system on the market
application,” Young said.
with enough power to meet emerging interoperability and
networking requirements in an ever-evolving operating The system operates up to 2.5 GHz, spanning four bands
environment. of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Without a requirement for a shock rack or specialized mount, This flexibility makes the RF-7850D the world’s first
this low-Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) characteristic triple-crossbanded radio. It can bridge existing RF-7850
broadens its applicability for space-constrained vehicles products to Falcon II® solutions, airborne assets and legacy
and tight installation specifications. waveforms, including L3Harris’ best-in-class offerings, further
enhancing the suite of interoperable solutions.
The radio’s low-profile design allows for easy-to-install
upgrades for any form factor radio. Further, the associated The system forms the nucleus of the RF-7850 family of tactical
power amplifiers detach from the radio, facilitating a variety radios, delivering full battlespace interoperability and a bridge
of configurations if space is a concern, Ian Young, L3Harris for air-to-ground backbone networks through long-range,
Product Line manager, said. dual-channel communications. The RF-7850D supports faster,
better-informed decisions through the seamless exchange
“For example, we were approached with a need for a drop-in
of voice, data, images and Full Motion Video up and down
upgrade for the existing fleet of legacy radios,” he said. “With
echelon.
the low profile of the RF-7850D, all we needed to incorporate
were two L3Harris RF-410 power amplifiers with a lightweight “The RF-7850D is the center of the battlefield
rack for an easy-to-install, simple upgrade to meet the network,” Young said.
customer’s needs.”
“It’s able to bring all the L3Harris Type 3 radios together and
Like the RF-7850D, the RF-410 Next Generation Power make them interoperable. We wanted to make it simple to
Amplifier was introduced at the International Defence configure the radio with a lot of different choices. We can tie
Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) 2021 in Abu Dhabi in February. into the rest of the echelons with our RF portfolio.”
The NGPA has a software-defined architecture for fast
upgrades to emerging and future waveforms and provides EXPANDED CAPABILITY
seamless access to networked voice and data, The RF-7850D offers deployed teams with expanded
over the frequency range of 30-2600 MHz. connectivity options with L3Harris’ Mission Module.
6 | Spectrum Magazine
This plug-and-play add-on
acts as a third channel with
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RF-7850D
independent capabilities, allowing
users to share more information.
“Out of the box, the RF-7850D
is a two-channel modular radio,
but you can extend its capabilities
using the Mission Module,” Young
said. “The mission module gives
them more control on how they
interface with the radio.”
Options for the Mission Module
also include full-motion video or
aerial Intelligence, Surveillance
and Reconnaissance (ISR) data.
“The options are endless,” Young
said. “It gives us the opportunity
to go out to our customers and
find out what’s important to them,
then bring that capability and
make it extendable into the
RF-7850D platform.”
During the product’s unveiling
at IDEX earlier this year, several
commanding officers were
interested in the RF-7850D
following a “highly successful
demonstration” in the region,
according to Tim Soine, L3Harris
Product Management director.
Many attendees noted how
they could leverage the
triple-crossbanding technologies,
according to Soine, including
one who said, “We can have one
channel running our command
net, a second channel for air
support and the third channel
mission module connecting to the
edge soldiers, but bridge all the
Continued
available
channels
3 3
3X
simultaneous
smaller than
the competition
3
3X
smaller than
simultaneous
networks thenetworks
competion
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual
information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
Spring 2021 |7
THE FUTURE BATTLEFIELD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
position reports into the command net with no bridge device— “The further the military goes in its capability requirements,
this is what we have to have in the command vehicles.” the more Electromagnetic Interference becomes a concern
because of the amount of equipment that’s going into the
Those who visited the booth were also impressed with the
vehicles,” Hall added.
customization options of the mission module capability
and the streamlined design of the product, he added. Design engineers for the RF-7850D were also keen on
developing common accessory interfaces for the radio and
ENHANCING PROVEN PERFORMANCE its counterparts. This is a trend Hall sees going forward for
Much of the RF-7850D’s interoperability capabilities stem from the company, as it lowers the cost for customers to transition
the premier performance from legacy solutions within its family to next-generation solutions within the radio family.
of radios, tailored for the two-channel solution.
Work began in the start of 2018, when there was increasing
For example, the RF-7850 family of radios’ Web-based User market demand for an “international two-channel radio,”
Interface (WebUI) carries forward to the RF-7850D model; according to Soine. Soine and Hall were tasked with designing
L3Harris engineers designed a new interface for simultaneous an L3Harris version that was as small and capable as possible.
two-channel control, providing a unified operating picture,
The team, along with L3Harris International Sales personnel,
according to Brad Hall, L3Harris lead product analyst.
met with customer stakeholders around the world and took
Incorporating commercial edge device technology into a
their feedback to ensure the radio included key product
two-channel tactical soldier interface is a first for the industry,
requirements and specifications needed to make it a success.
he added.
For instance, one customer had focused his attentions on
“We worked with engineers to develop the radio with
the Mission Module requirement; the customer related that
functionality similar to a personal cell phone,” Hall said.
if the system supported VHF/UHF channels with the added
“Managing it becomes much more intuitive when
capability to connect secure personal radios through such a
seconds count.”
capability, it would be the “perfect solution” for their upcoming
In addition to the WebUI, the family’s Shared Situational modernization effort, Soine said.
Awareness and Blue-force Tracking capabilities are expanded
Following a week-long Kaizen between the RF-7850
for two-channel operations in the RF-7850D with a built-in
Engineering team and sales, the final product was born—
WPAN side adaptor for WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity,
one that was three times smaller than the competition
Hall said.
while providing three available channels and three
L3Harris runs the RF-7850D through the same suite of product simultaneous networks.
testing as its predecessors, but it includes more-advanced
Electromagnetic Interference and Compatibility activities,
he said.
8 | Spectrum Magazine
FORCE MULTIPLIER
Effectively leveraging Command, their capabilities in large, complex Through the merger of L3 Technologies
Control, Communications, Computers, systems. and Harris Corporation to form
Intelligence, Surveillance and L3Harris Technologies, the new Global
“We’re uniquely positioned as a mission
Reconnaissance (C4ISR) assets Communication Systems group can
solution provider,” Chris Aebli, president
across an area of influence is critical provide a full spectrum of national
of L3Harris Global Communication
in maintaining sustainable sovereign security capabilities in its product
Systems (GCS), said. “L3Harris has a
defense postures. offerings with one point of contact
large tactical radio install base and has
for its customers.
With technologies for both defensive introduced tactical networks to many
and offensive capabilities advancing of our international customers around “We now have access to a broader array
at lightning speed, the strategic role of the world. We are a world leader in of technologies and expertise in ISR and
Situational Awareness has been elevated tactical voice and data communications, integrated systems,” Aebli said. “It’s a
in recent decades. As such, government cameras and sensor data, as well as natural progression for us to be able to
and military organizations, large and battlement management systems design, supply systems that are tightly integrated
small, value reliability, resiliency and integration, installation and support.” with tactical networking radios. It gives
affordability when looking to advance
Continued
The merger of L3 Technologies and
Harris Corporation has enabled
the company’s newly formed
Global Communication Systems
organization to provide end-to-
end solutions, meeting customers’
most-urgent needs.
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual
information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
Spring 2021 |9
FORCE MULTIPLIER
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
us a nice position to be able to provide
some pretty unique, cost-effective
solutions at the system level.”
L3Harris’ legacy companies have
long-standing expertise and field-proven
technologies to meet customer needs.
The merger has strengthened the L3Harris’ Global Communication Systems division designs complete systems of customized
sector’s ability to lower the cost sensors, networking, hardware, software and communications technologies. GCS has
mobilized its top scientists, engineers and experts to redefine, design, manufacture and
of ownership throughout the life
rapidly deploy the most-capable VSATs on the market.
of a system, according to Aebli.
The new GCS organization ensures integration and testing—right through and development, according to Aebli.
reliability, resiliency and affordability deployment, training, field service, This necessitates a different plan during
of its products by leveraging L3Harris’ maintenance and sustainment. proposal processes to ensure adequate
reputation as a trusted partner and training courses are offered in areas such
the company’s decades of expertise “We’re creating packaged solutions
as electrical engineering and software
in a wide array of multi-tier C4ISR that provide flexible, scalable,
design, as well as transfer-of-knowledge
communications solutions. Further, quick-deployment vehicle and
tactics. L3Harris’ foreign in-field support
GCS Engineering teams are agile shelter systems to meet border
includes building facilities, hiring local
enough to focus on specific customer security, observation and surveillance
employees and purchasing material in
requirements. The organization has requirements,” Aebli said. “These
the country, further lending to its national
proved itself as a strong product mission solutions enhance the users’
sovereignty.
integrator that can build local support battlefield Situational Awareness
for every medium of military tactical “Our commitment is that we will always
infrastructure to bolster national
communications.” spend the proper time upfront with our
sovereignty.
customers to understand what they
L3Harris’ extensive international partner While the business is exploring
really want to accomplish—we want to
network, and the experience and opportunities in emerging border
be a partner, not a supplier,” Aebli said.
capabilities it brings to bear, allows the security, land Command and Control,
“It’s a commitment to quality, delivery,
company to provide end-to-end solutions intelligence operations and fire
support, and, ultimately, our customer’s
with fewer subcontractors and process control markets, it is also enhancing
success. We’re going to provide high-
layers, resulting in reduced cost and its support for organizations with an
performing systems—we’re not going to
quicker unit delivery, he added. increasing focus on building local
over-design them. We’re going to deliver
capabilities and expertise. While this
on time, and then we’re going to be there
GCS supports customers in identifying traditionally has been a maintenance
to support them.”
capability gaps, performing network and sustainment exercise, customers
design, equipment selection, system are looking for increased help in design
GLOBAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS
L3Harris’ Global Communication business is a leading Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence,
Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) integrator for defense customers around the world. Based on tactical radio solutions,
the sector’s capabilities span to sensors, soldier biometrics and other data sources to tie together the entire battlefield for
personnel at the edge. They include leading-edge solutions to support militaries’ ability to gather, synthesize and act on
real-time intelligence.
GATHER SYNTHESIZE ACT
Our solutions support agencies that need Sovereign nations require mobilization
We transform sensor data into a better-
to monitor an entire border by using an of actionable intelligence across varied
informed Common Operational Picture
array of integrated high-frequency sensors terrain and missions at a moment’s notice.
to support informed decisions based on
that gather and share data securely.
actionable intelligence.
10 | Spectrum MagazineCOVID-PROOFING CUSTOMER RELATIONS “The demo targets 80 percent of the needs for a lot of different
No customer is willing to purchase a product without end-users and we can talk to the remaining 20 percent,”
performing due diligence on its capacity to meet their needs, Williams said. “It’s general enough so that we can apply
and military customers buying in bulk with national fiduciary it to many different users. It’s also one of the first
and personnel safety responsibilities are no exception. demonstrations we’ve been able to do as L3Harris
that shows our cross-segment capabilities.”
As the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe, travel restrictions
—combined with IT security concerns—created a complex This tactic allowed participants to see operators responding
environment in which L3Harris Technologies’ Sales teams to their real-time commands and the systems’ interfaces.
needed to maneuver to bring nations the critical solutions According to Williams, this gave some of the decision-makers
they require. a closer view of the product than they would normally see only
if some team members traveled to the United States for an
“Our customers’ missions didn’t stop—COVID happened,
in-person demonstration. Additionally, these meetings allowed
but they still need to accomplish their mission,” Jake Williams,
discussions around mission requirements to be addressed so
L3Harris Business Development director, said. “We could
the company can provide tailored offerings to customer needs
no longer fly in to meet them face-to-face, so we had to find
when in-person meetings do take place.
new ways to demonstrate our capabilities.”
“They didn’t realize these disparate solutions were ready
For example, in lieu of in-person demonstrations, L3Harris
to go today and integrate as a full network,” Williams said.
teams coordinated with representatives from various countries
“The demo gives them intimate, crucial knowledge that the
to provide virtual presentations that both fully demonstrated
system is ready to go at least 80 percent, and that gives them
the capabilities of the company’s Integrated Tactical Area
confidence that we’re the people they should trust to deliver
Communications Mobile Operations and Surveillance Shelter
their mission capabilities.”
Systems (ITACS) and relieved customer concerns related
to the security of telepresentations. In the future, Williams sees L3Harris continuing to use virtual
meeting capabilities, because it allows more company experts
The two-fold solution was a Zoom-enabled demonstration
to participate in customer engagements, provide more insight
and a two-minute product video. The demonstration allows
about particular capabilities and design customer-tailored
customers to examine the shelter’s unique features at their
solutions faster.
own pace and discuss how to meet their specific needs.
The video provides context as to how the power of the new
L3Harris enterprise could enhance the capabilities that ITACS
provides in itself.
STRENGTHENING SATCOM “No one understands tactical radios L3Harris technology and product
Like GCS, L3Harris Communication better than the legacy Harris business roadmaps ensure alignment among
Systems’ Satellite Communications within L3Harris, and this legacy L3 group investment, customer needs and the
(SATCOM) products division has leads the market in deployable SATCOM. quickly evolving battlespace, Adams
embraced the benefits of the merger. Now, as we pull this together, we are added. The SATCOM Products group
The division provides very small aperture able to leverage the same customers is uniquely positioned to deliver
terminals that provide high-bandwidth, on the SATCOM side that we had on the emerging capabilities customers desire,
Beyond-Line-Of-Sight data to military tactical radio side. L3Harris has a unique including protected waveforms to
forces and federal agencies worldwide, footprint, and we deliver solutions across counter near-peer threats, and secure
including U.S. Federal Emergency the entire spectrum, where most of our access to Low- and Middle-Earth Orbit
Management Agency, Southern competitors don’t have that full product constellations.
Command, Marine Expeditionary portfolio that can allow you to do that.”
“We promise to stand behind our
Units (MEUs), U.S. Army and the Army
L3Harris’ international footprint enables products and drive our technology
National Guard.
the company to grow the business in roadmaps to meet the mission
The division now has access to more other markets where it already has a requirements of our customers,” he said.
technological expertise as a result of strong foundation in certain specialties, “Part of that is we have to spend time
the merger and is making significant Adams added. with our customers. Customer intimacy
investments to enhance the performance is extremely important.”
“The merger has allowed us to leverage
of its products to keep end-users safe
advanced technologies across multiple
while performing their duties. LEARN MORE
businesses,” he said. “This allows us to ABOUT OUR SATCOM
“I think [the merger] completes the deliver complex, integrated end-to-end TECHNOLOGY
whole picture,” Jerry Adams, SATCOM solutions that would previously not
products division general manager, said. have been possible.”
Spring 2021 | 11PIONEERING NIGHT VISION’S
NEXT FRONTIER
L3Harris’ next-generation night-vision solutions fuse white phosphor tube and thermal-imaging
technology to provide the most-advanced Situational Awareness for soldiers at the edge of the
battlefield, regardless of weather or light conditions.
During a light-starved night, with no “Our customers want overmatch and Key breakthroughs in L3Harris’
moon and cloud-obscured stars—that mobility,” John Burnsed, L3Harris designs include advances in spacing
is when the superiority of L3Harris director of Engineering and Design, requirements between the components’
Technologies’ night-vision tube said. “Our devices are so sensitive, on photocathodes and Micro Channel Plates,
performance is time-proven. the darkest of nights you can have great according to Burnsed.
Situational Awareness through hi-res
With the advantage that L3Harris L3Harris tube components are closer
images. You understand the world
Technologies’ gear provides, U.S. forces together and have a finer pitch for higher
around you faster through what feels like
are able to take down an entire defensive resolution, reduced halos and delivery of
a daytime environment.”
force—even against armed guards with a much higher-quality image. The team
night-vision goggles—before they know has increased tube Figure of Merit (FOM)
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO PHYSICS
anything happened. performance by 50 percent in the last
The unfilmed tubes, miniaturization
five years, according to Horwath.
“We have the highest-performing of critical tube components and white
tubes in the world—the best imaging, phosphor advances are keys to improving “The higher the FOM number, the more
the highest reliability,” Tom Horwath, customer capabilities. All of these precisely operators can detect and
L3Harris director of Business technologies are achieved through identify targets,” Burnsed said. “You
Development, said. “We can justify it with materials engineering bordering on want a great level of sharpness and
data where others can’t. That, and the applied physics. image stability without distortion.”
fact that the world’s most-elite forces
Burnsed says physics touches “every When the unrivaled FOM clarity and
prefer our equipment, is testament to
discipline at our tube manufacturing durability L3Harris tubes provide
their quality.”
center in Tempe, Arizona — our specialty are combined with thermal-imaging
L3Harris engineers and manufactures glass process, the optics. We manipulate technology, as is the case with ENVG-B,
the industry’s only unfilmed Gen III matter at the atomic level every day.” soldiers are equipped with the most-
Image Intensification tubes. Each year,
the company ships tens of thousands for
ground, aviation and weapon-mounted
systems to government, military and law
enforcement customers worldwide.
“We listen carefully to our customers to
determine their needs,” Horwath said.
For example, company representatives
have worked directly with U.S. Army
end users over the last two years to
evolve Enhanced Night Vision Goggle –
Binocular (ENVG-B) design elements to
ensure the solution is optimally suited for
the soldier at the edge of the battlefield.
Since 2018, L3Harris has delivered more
than 4,500 combat-ready systems under
the program’s $391 million Directed See ENVG-B
Requirements contract. in action
12 | Spectrum Magazineadvanced Situational Awareness filmed tubes, but this has been proven
goggle on the market today. Benefits definitively wrong in U.S. government
of this fused technology include flexible contract-mandated testing for many
40-degree Field-of-View with options years.
of white-hot, black-hot and outline
“We have never run them long enough
modes, as well as precision targeting and
to make them fail,” he said. “In fact, we
identification capabilities in all battlefield
have a growing body of data that shows
conditions and light levels.
the unfilmed tubes have longer gain life
Next-generation advances in display than the filmed tubes, making them more
technology, such as the incorporation of robust to high light exposure regularly
Augmented Reality in solutions including seen in mixed, urban environments.”
ENVG-B, enhance soldiers’ effectiveness
further by allowing them to keep eyes CUSTOMER-DRIVEN FUTURE
on target without having to look down The most important role of a night-vision
to read maps or check radios for critical goggle is to ensure the warfighter can
information. see in the dark. L3Harris continues to
demonstrate the critical role image
L3Harris also spearheaded the effort
intensifier technology plays to enhance
with the U.S. government to nearly
Situational Awareness and provide full
double gain level, bringing more light
complementary advantage to sensor
into goggles and sights. Burnsed said
fusion, improving real-time mission
L3Harris is “now offering over 100,000
capability for the warfighter. Despite the
gain, which is significant for the user’s L3Harris’ system-of-systems approach
expanded roles and capabilities enabled
ability to maintain image resolution in to night vision further enhances soldier
by L3Harris’ technological improvements,
ultra-dark conditions, validated with capability. For example, ENVG-Bs
traditional analog technology also
Department of Defense (DOD) technical connected with Thermal Weapon
ensures continuity of operations if the
experts at the Night Vision and Electronic Sight-Individual solutions bring weapon
warfighter is disconnected from the
Sensors Directorate in Fort Belvoir.” site images directly to the goggle,
network.
allowing troops to see around corners
As L3Harris works with DOD to upgrade
L3Harris will continue to drive its quality without risk of exposure as well as
10-to-12-year-old aviation goggles,
and reliability to benefit customers, identify, assess and engage targets
Horwath says L3Harris white phosphor
with higher FOM, better resolution with greater accuracy and speed, all
tubes will boost performance by
and sensitivity, according to Burnsed with proven clarity, even in degraded
50 percent.
and Horwath. This level of ultra-low battlefield conditions.
“Horizontal wires are very concerning for light sensitivity and resolution remains
These offerings are designed to be
helicopter pilots,” he said. “We’re getting unmatched by all current and proposed
enclosed within and powered entirely
reports that pilots in the same aircraft digital technology approaches.
by the existing night-vision systems so
are having different results with white
L3Harris has been focused on integrating they can be added investments at a
and green phosphor. For example, the
displays to enable information sharing, more-reasonable price than having to
one pilot wearing the white goggle with
without sacrificing the capability the buy all-new systems. L3Harris’ innovative
our tubes can see the wires seconds
tubes provide, by creating a portfolio approach does not add the weight and
before the pilot right next to him wearing
of overlay display capabilities that can bulk of external clip-on displays and
the green goggle—which, if you’re flying
be tailored to the varying needs of each associated power sources.
low and fast, is a big deal.”
warfighter. The newest L3Harris tube has
“We want to give all our customers more
Another customer advantage is the ability a monochrome peripheral overlay display
capabilities without complexity or taking
of L3Harris tube systems to operate for with information covering 10 percent of
away from their general Situational
up to 30 hours on a single AA battery, the top center of the goggle’s view.
Awareness, so they can use our
and, according to Burnsed, unmatched
“They can see their direction, heading, technology to be more effective, more
reliability.
location of team members,” Burnsed survivable,” Horwath said. “Because
Many continue to falsely claim that said, “and get texts and maps.” everybody wants to come home after the
unfilmed tubes have poorer gain life than mission is complete.”
Spring 2021 | 13THE LEADING EDGE OF TACTICAL
RADIO MODERNIZATION
L3Harris’ newest
communications and network L3Harris Technologies is providing Special Operations Forces (SOF) more network
connectivity, global interoperability, Situational Awareness and resilience than
system recognizes that
ever before.
missions demand speed and
The AN/PRC-167 Next Generation Manpack is a new L3Harris Software Defined Radio
agility. The Falcon® 4 AN/PRC-
in the company’s next-generation Command, Control, Communications, Computers,
167 multi-channel manpack Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) family of systems. Leveraging
ensures resilient connectivity decades of tactical communications support for the U.S. warfighter, this product line
no matter what the mission, provides the most-interoperable and capable system in the world, creating a complete
ecosystem of leading-edge C4ISR capabilities with resilient capabilities against
and software upgradeability
near-peer threats.
for emerging needs.
“Special Operations Forces are constantly pushing boundaries to execute their
missions with greater stealth and speed,” Dana Mehnart, L3Harris Communication
Systems president, said. “The AN/PRC-167 provides situational understanding
between the tactical edge and command elements, allowing cognitive overmatch
in any operational scenario.”
As part of the Falcon® IV family of tactical radios, the AN/PRC-167 shares the same
interface as other products within the family, including the AN/PRC-163 multi-channel
handheld radio. This commonality speeds deployment by minimizing training time
and, further, reduces sustainment costs via compatible cables, connectors, batteries
Falcon® IV Next Generation Tactical and accessories.
Communications (NGTC) family of radios
Learn more
about the
AN/PRC-167
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual
information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
14 | Spectrum Magazine“Special operations are making significant modernization
advancements. Hyper-enabled teams address the toughest problems
our operators will face at the most fundamental level: how they shoot,
move, communicate, and survive in highly contested environments.
Organic capability is what we will need to fight mobile, independently,
and disaggregated. We must be able to process a large amount of
real-time information and deliver precision organic fires all while
staying undetected. We are investing in low-probability of intercept
and detection high bandwidth resilient communications networks …
and any technology that minimizes our signature or provides
‘digital camouflage.’”
Lt. Gen. Francis Beaudette
U.S. Army Commanding General, United States Special Operations Command, before the Senate
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense Armed Services Committee Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, April 28, 2021
(DoD) visual information does not imply or
constitute DoD endorsement.
Since October 2020, the company operating anywhere from 30 MHz to to reinvest in a new platform. It keeps
has received more than $150 million 2.6 GHz, with similar Size, Weight and the interface familiar, so there’s a lot
in USSOCOM AN/PRC-167 orders as Power of the AN/PRC-117G, John Serio, less retraining. You can deploy multiple
part of the Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite L3Harris Product Line manager, said. mission modules to adapt the radio to the
Quantity (IDIQ) contract under the Next mission. There’s a lot of flexibility in this
“These are very frequency-agile
Generation Tactical Communications model, and it provides a lot of advantage
receivers,” Serio said. “Further, we
(NGTC) program. In addition to the for the customer and the end user.”
have a very impressive waveform library.
AN/PRC-167 contract, USSOCOM
The waveforms themselves are the tools In addition to the three-channel
awarded the company an IDIQ contract
the customer uses to communicate, capability when including the mission
for Falcon® IV AN/PRC-163 multi-channel
enabling them to pick the right tool module and L3Harris’ extensive resilient
handheld radios.
for the job with the turn of a knob.” waveform library, the AN/PRC-167
In November 2020, the U.S. National provides built-in PACE (Primary, Alternate,
The AN/PRC-167 is also the first
Security Agency granted L3Harris Type-1 Contingency, Emergency) capability.
multi-channel manpack radio that is
certification for the AN/PRC-167. This enables operators to adapt among
software upgradable and features
communications alternatives as needed
The initial U.S. Defense Department mission-specific adaptability through
– from MANET networks, to resilient
AN/PRC-167 concept was a two-channel a mission module. This feature opens
MANET networks, to multiple LOS and
crypto-modernization replacement to opportunities for rapid software upgrade
SATCOM alternatives. The AN/PRC-167
the combat-proven AN/PRC-117G. SOF transitions for emerging capability
also shares a new and easy web user
customers also sought enhanced Mobile requirements.
interface (WebUI) with the AN/PRC-163.
Ad-Hoc Networking (MANET) capabilities
“The mission module now allows the
to power tactical mission networks. LOOKING FORWARD
user to easily add on new, emerging or
“Their vision was for multiple functions niche technology by creating a mobile The AN/PRC-167 — with software-
and channels, embedded into a single phone-size device that does exactly what defined, hardware-enabled flexibility
system,” Robert Gnam, L3Harris you want,” Gnam said. “You plug it into — is gaining momentum and acceptance
USSOCOM Team lead, said. “We set the port on the radio and it behaves in various programs, from dismounted
out to accomplish several ambitious as if you added a third channel.” users to maritime operations in addition
goals: integrate multiple devices into to integration activities on ground
These modules can extend beyond
one to reduce weight and increase vehicles and rotary- and fixed-wing
specifically communications, to include
interoperability; add data routing and aircraft. Further, L3Harris’ deep and
additional processing, data routing,
high-speed MANET networks; create broad technology enterprise enables
interfacing or Full-Motion Video
crossbanding and gateway functions to standards-based, interoperable, end-to-
capabilities, Serio added.
connect networks together; and innovate end solutions for all customers.
a flexible mission module concept.” “The value of the mission module is
As customers realize the full potential
that it allows the radio to evolve with
of the product and its application to a
INDUSTRY-LEADING TECHNOLOGY the customer,” he said, noting L3Harris
variety of missions, “the AN/PRC-167
One of the key advantages of the radios provide Type 1 security to the
will play a central role in the vision for
AN/PRC-167 is access to two channels, modules. “As their needs change, the
the resilient network of the future,”
radio can change, so they don’t have
Gnam said.
Spring 2021 | 15TAG: BRIDGING THE BEST OF
COMMERCIAL AND DEFENSE
SOLUTIONS
L3Harris’ innovative Transport
Aggregation Gateway The U.S. Department of Defense and For years, Tactical Operations Centers
ensures mission-critical partner forces around the world are would have several disparate satellite
set to benefit from a game-changing terminals operating at the same time,
communications by providing
technology employed by television without interconnections to perform
end users access to a swath networks to ensure the highest quality tasks such as load-balancing. As
of integrated Commercial in coverage of the Super Bowl and operators’ thirst for data increases, and
and Military Satellite Olympic Games. as adversaries enhance their ability to
limit, deny or jam communications, the
communications solutions— L3Harris Technologies has partnered
strain on integrated tactical network
from LTE/5G and Line-Of-Sight with connectivity specialist Dejero to
infrastructure intensifies in kind.
offer Transport Aggregation Gateway
radio to SATCOM—to complete
(TAG) software, which ensures mission- In a vision statement released last year,
their missions. critical armed forces communications Gen. Jay Raymond, head of both U.S.
across the modern battlespace— Space Force and the U.S. Air Force’s
including denied or degraded Command- Space Command, stated: “Adversaries
and-Control environments. understand the advantage SATCOM
brings our warfighters and are working
TAG solves a critical capability gap that
to deny, degrade and destroy these
has been plaguing expeditionary units
capabilities.
for decades, according to Shane Sims,
L3Harris product director.
TAG Gateway Remote Terminal
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
16 | Spectrum Magazine“The single, integrated SATCOM
enterprise will enhance integration
between the military and private sectors,
with a goal to enable warfighters with
the ability to transition between their
networks and terminals to alternate
resources with little or no disruption,”
the statement continued.
The Transport Aggregation Gateway now
offers that capability.
TAG IN
The L3Harris solution is based on
commercial technology originally
designed for mobile news teams covering L3Harris’ Transport Aggregation Gateway (TAG) is based on commercial technology originally
designed for mobile news teams covering major sports events, providing them with a unified
major sports events, providing them with
gateway that enables multiple transmission paths across satellite, cellular—3G, 4G and 5G—
a unified gateway that enables multiple and Line-Of-Sight communication networks.
transmission paths across satellite,
cellular—3G, 4G and 5G—and Line-Of-
Sight (LOS) communication networks. optimizes capacity by providing user is linked using LEO and the signal
network resiliency and elasticity as becomes degraded or jammed, the
Enabled by Artificial Intelligence and
communications systems join or leave capability will switch you to MEO, and
Machine Learning algorithms, TAG
the network, he added. then if needed to GEO.”
features Smart Blending Technology
(SBT), designed to deliver dynamic load “This commercial technology has now Describing TAG’s application across the
balancing, enhanced quality of service progressed to a point where it has modern battlespace, Sims illustrated a
and multi-path diversity to warfighters become something useful to the DOD,” specific scenario that involved an early-
operating in contested environments. Sims said. entry expeditionary force experiencing
limited levels in connectivity as low as
The physical footprint includes the TAG Following a successful proof of
256 kbps.
Gateway Remote Terminal, tasked with concept to the U.S. Army in December
the management of inbound data links, 2018, L3Harris has made a series of “As the campaign progresses, more and
applying SBT to determine optimal modifications to TAG in order to optimize more capabilities show up, and they build
network routes for outbound data flow. its deployment across the armed forces. up over time,” he said, “and, in the past,
some of the lower-end capabilities would
The TAG Concentrator also exploits SBT Upgrades included the introduction of a
be put away, and the communications
algorithms to aggregate traffic across special algorithm to “smooth out” varying
were very much stovepiped, or they’d
multiple networks to ensure maximum latency levels witnessed across different
all be used and some users would be
levels in data throughput. communications networks.
disadvantaged.”
“There’s no requirement to reconfigure “When satellite links either degrade
Today, TAG can aggregate and blend
anything,” Sims said. “TAG takes or break, TAG will adjust the traffic
together the various data capacities of
advantage of all available bandwidth or to the remaining links to ensure the
multiple networks—meaning there are
throughput across disparate networks, Soldier never loses connectivity,” Tyler
no longer any disadvantaged user sets
no matter which vendors are supplying Cook, Managed Multi-Orbit SATCOM
across the battlespace. A single data
them.” lead for Product Lead Unified Network
stream exploits multiple network links
Capabilities and Integration, Project
By utilizing all available communications simultaneously to ensure maximum
Manager Tactical Network, under PEO
links simultaneously, TAG automatically levels in data throughput.
C3T, said in a service statement. “If the
Continued
Spring 2021 | 17TAG CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17
transport diversity, which means, if a unit
is being jammed by enemy forces, they
can still use alternative communications
paths to fulfill their mission.”
L3Harris has conducted more than
20 demonstrations for the U.S. Army,
Marine Corps, Special Operations Forces,
Customs and Border Protection agency,
as well as the White House.
TAG is also expected to support the
Army’s NetModX Exercise and Project
Convergence, which is concerned with
leveraging Artificial Intelligence and
Machine Learning to optimize battlefield
management systems.
“As new equipment comes online, it’s
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. the ease of integration with TAG that is
critical,” Lindenmayer said. “Warfighters
TAG automatically optimizes capability by providing network resiliency and elasticity as want a guaranteed service, just like
communications systems join or leave the network via its enhanced algorithmic Smart you do at your home right now through
Blending Technology, delivering dynamic load balancing, enhanced quality of service and
multi-path diversity. cellular network providers. We’re going
to offer the same thing to the military—
they just need to tell us how much
“Take a SpaceX Starlink terminal for paper released by U.S. Transportation bandwidth they need. This SATCOM-as-
example, you’re going to add into the Command’s Joint Communications a-Service concept is the big requirement
TAG network an additional 100 mbps Support Element. “Transport diversity we’ll see arising out of the Army in
with very low latency, thereby providing requires an appropriate combination 2023, and I believe that TAG is a critical
an even greater capability when of military satellite communications component to that service. We are
aggregated with other existing tactical (MILSATCOM), commercial satellite in a unique position to actually be able to
networks in the battlespace,” Sims said. communications (COMSATCOM), deliver on the vision that the
“No reconfiguration of end-user devices tropospheric communications, LOS military wants.”
is required. Instead, devices just need communications. Integrating multiband,
to be plugged into the gateway.” multi-path, and multi-technology GATEWAY TO THE FUTURE
transport channels…ensures a degree L3Harris hopes to deploy TAG across four
TAG can support a variety of combat
of resiliency necessary to support JFHQ U.S. Army Brigade Combat Teams
roles, supporting mounted and
D2C2E operations.” in 2022 as the company continues
dismounted teams in addition to tactical
to upgrade the capability further
operations centers. For instance, TAG One of the greatest assets of TAG’s
in the future.
has been integrated on U.S. Special SBT is in its support of tactical
Operations Command MRZR Light communications in contested L3Harris is also looking to upload TAG
Tactical All-Terrain Vehicles as part environments where connectivity can software on its smaller handheld and
of a demonstration. be disrupted by enemy forces, according manpack Software Defined Radios, such
to Ray Lindenmayer, L3Harris Business as the AN/PRC-163 and -167 models
CONTESTING THE Development director. designed specifically for the U.S. Army
CONTESTED ENVIRONMENT and Special Operations Command.
“If one of the networks gets knocked
“Diversity in transport channels, for
out by a jammer, communications “Part of the development roadmap is to
both intra-theater and inter-theater
can be maintained, because TAG is push the technology down to the tactical
communications…delivers capabilities
automatically rerouting traffic to the edge,” Sims said.
needed by customers to operate in
other operational transports using
a contested electromagnetic (EM)
SBT,” Lindenmayer said. “This is called
environment,” according to recent white
18 | Spectrum MagazineTHE STRENGTH OF ENTERPRISE
IN AUSTRALIA
The enterprise-wide
inventory of L3Harris After two decades of extensive contemporary and future operating
solutions provide an engagement in counter-insurgency environments, according to Chief of the
campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, Australian Army Lt. Gen. Rick Burr.
accelerated path toward
the Australian Defence Force (ADF)
sovereignty and coalition is repivoting its strategic interests
The Australian Army is open to adopting
new capability and concepts across
partnerships for the back to the Asian-Pacific region.
a variety of areas, including “human
Australian Defence Force. As part of a wider effort across the region performance; information advantage;
to ensure security and stability, the cyber; data; smarter and smaller
Australian Army is upgrading its ability distributed systems; [and] robotic and
to conduct expeditionary operations autonomous systems,” Burr wrote in
against peer and high-capability 2020. “Together, these actions will
adversaries. Critical to this endeavor enable [the] Army to prepare more
is the “Accelerated Warfare” concept, teams, for more tasks, more often to
which will enable the force to quickly meet the demands of Defence Strategy.”
adapt to emerging threats across
Continued
LEARN MORE
ABOUT
L3HARRIS
SOLUTIONS
IN AUSTRALIA Spring 2021 | 19You can also read
