Vanguard Magazine

www.vanguardcanada.com APRIL/MAY 2016 33 T Talking Tech the individual soldier with secure voice communications and the ability to send messages, access mission-related applica- tions and share soldier position location using embedded Global Positioning Sys- tem (GPS) technology. A key element of the army's Nett Warrior system, the Rifleman radio integrates with a soldier-worn power and data management systems and an Android-based end-user device (EUD) which hosts mission-specific applications. Over 20,000 Rifleman radios have already been fielded with 10 Brigade Combat Teams (BCT's) as part of Capabil- ity Sets 13 and 14. The Nett Warrior system, integrated with the Rifleman radio, has ensured de- ployed forces have access to reliable digital communications and situational awareness improving mission effectiveness and force protection. Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (Thales) is proud to be one of two ex- clusive suppliers of the Rifleman radio to the U.S. Army. The latest component, design and pro- duction technologies have allowed radio manufacturers to make large strides in smaller and lighter radio designs that incor- porate expanded features and capabilities. To cover a broad mission set, today's soldiers are forced to carry a significant amount of equipment including sensors, armor, weapons, power systems, and com- munications devices. Converging functionality into smaller, lighter, integrated, and multi-function de- vices can dramatically reduce the soldier's carry load. A good example of this is the modern fires team. A typical forward observer (FO) may carry, as part of the standard mission kit, a standard narrowband handheld radio for communications with aircraft or support- ing elements, a Rifleman radio for network connectivity, a ROVER video receiver and a GPS receiver. Including the cabling and power these devices require, the total weight can quick- ly exceed mission weight requirements. The Thales MBiTR2 Leveraging the latest technology, Thales has developed a multi-channel handheld radio that incorporates the functionality of all four of these communications devices into a single, two-pound, handheld radio that is approximately the same size as a standard traditional single-channel hand- held. The Thales MBITR2 along with the full motion video mission module (FMV MM), significantly reduces the soldier car- ry load while maintaining full capability in a single integrated package. The U.S. Army has embraced the con- cept of a two-channel handheld radio and is currently developing a new requirement based on this concept for its future Leader Radio. While product development is driv- en by U.S. requirements, the majority of these operational needs are relevant to the Canadian Army, bridging the communi- cations gap between future mounted and dismounted forces. Once again, pushing the boundaries of innovation, Thales' MBITR2 achieves un- matched performance, typical of a larger and heavier Manpack Radio in a handheld form-factor. With embedded GPS and running all traditional narrowband waveforms, includ- ing SINCGARS, HaveQuick II, and UHF SATCOM, while also simultaneously sup- porting the army's wideband Soldier Radio Waveform, the MBITR2 is the first two- channel handheld on the market. The ad- dition of the FMV MM as a third-channel capable of receiving full motion video from, for example, an unmanned aerial system (UAS), the MBITR2 provides a significant increase in mission capability for the soldier in a significantly reduced form-factor. The MBITR2 has been integrated both with U.S. Army Nett Warrior and Fires Warrior systems. It has undergone ex- haustive testing and trials with operational Army and Special Operations Forces (SOF) units receiving glowing endorsements on its performance and capabilities. Today's tactical radio solutions provide expanded features, functions and capa- bilities in a significantly-reduced size and weight form-factor. Providing network ac- cess at the tactical edge, these new radios give the dismounted soldier enhanced situ- ational awareness and improved mission effectiveness. Using open-standard inter- faces, these new radio solutions are easily integrated into advanced soldier systems including sensors, C2 and power systems. Adopting software-defined design stan- dards, these new radios are also able to adapt to new waveforms and new features through software updates ensuring their long-term viability. Today's smart radios ensure the technology we provide our armed forces keeps pace with the evolving mission and ensures the decisive advantage on the battlefield. Thales MBITR2, two-channel Handheld Radio Converging functionality into smaller, lighter, integrated, and multi-function devices reduces the soldier's carry load.

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