Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company, and Cubic Corporation, a global leader in defense electronics and data links, have conducted technology demonstrations that significantly enhance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) situational awareness by distributing Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) video and targeting data across wideband ground tactical communication networks.
The Harris/Cubic solution integrates Cubic’s Common Data Link (CDL) transceiver technology for receiving video from UAS platforms with the Harris Falcon III AN/PRC-117G open-standard wideband tactical radio. The system is geared to deliver UAS video to military forces operating at the tactical edge with the greatest need for immediate intelligence.
Currently, ISR data and ground tactical communications are handled using separate and often non-interoperable technologies. Combining the two in a single system creates a versatile solution that links high-bandwidth video into wideband voice and data radio networks — leading to greater situational awareness, faster decision-making and improved operational planning, all while lightening the soldier’s load.
“Marrying CDL ISR technology with our first-of-its-kind wideband networking radio provides warfighters with a solution that is highly scalable, and is interoperable with major UAV platforms, which will result in significantly improved situational awareness,” said Brendan O’Connell, president, Department of Defense business, Harris RF Communications. “It is critical for today’s tactical radio systems to be able to adapt seamlessly to emerging mission requirements. Integrating ISR data into the wideband architecture of the Harris AN/PRC-117G is another example of our ability to respond to customer needs.”
“Cubic and Harris have demonstrated a two-in-one solution for a major problem in contemporary warfare — moving ISR video from UAVs to tactical radios operated by ground troops in real time,” said Robert Kalebaugh, director of business development, Cubic Defense Applications. “Cubic’s compact and lightweight data link technology makes this game-changing technological achievement possible.”
The Harris AN/PRC-117G radio is the first wideband manpack radio system with a JTRS-certified Software Communications Architecture and NSA Type-1 certified information security. The radio’s wideband architecture enables applications such as streaming video, simultaneous voice and data feeds, collaborative chat, and connectivity to secure networks. This provides warfighters and field commanders with critical real-time information through a smaller, lighter and more capable man-portable radio.
Cubic offers a comprehensive family of data link products that provide ISR capabilities for land, air, and sea military operations. The data links allow military commanders to obtain near real-time images and data to precisely locate and identify enemy targets — anywhere, at anytime — in a network-centric environment.
Harris RF Communications is the leading global supplier of secure radio communications and embedded high-grade encryption solutions for military, government and commercial organizations. The company’s Falcon family of software-defined tactical radio systems encompasses manpack, handheld and vehicular applications. Falcon III is the next generation of radios supporting the U.S. military’s Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) requirements, as well as network-centric operations worldwide.
Cubic Corporation is the parent company of three major business segments: Defense Systems, Mission Support Services and Transportation Systems. Cubic Defense Systems is a leading provider of realistic combat training systems, cyber technologies, asset tracking solutions, and defense electronics.
Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $6 billion of annual revenue and more than 16,000 employees — including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists.
