Soldier's Network Delivery Update: 2,300 HMS Manpack Radios Now Delivered by General Dynamics to Keep Soldiers Safer and Better Informed

TAUNTON, Mass., Oct. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics C4 Systems and Rockwell Collins have delivered more than 2,300 secure, two-channel AN/PRC-155 Manpack radios to the U.S. Army under a Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract awarded in November 2012. The contract ordered 3,726 PRC-155 radios to be built by General Dynamics C4 Systems in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

The PRC-155 radios have completed extensive government testing and are on schedule for distribution to soldiers as part of the Army's Capability Set (Cap Set) 13, an integrated suite of networked communications equipment, and Cap Set 14, scheduled for the first quarter of 2014. The two-channel Manpack radio is the only NSA-certified, two-channel radio that can operate using multiple government-owned waveforms to simultaneously connect soldiers on foot, in vehicles, in aircraft and helicopters to the Soldier's Network. 

"These radios are deployed and successfully connecting soldiers with their commanders and higher headquarters using legacy and next-generation communications waveforms, which keep soldiers continuously connected to the Soldier's Network and never alone," said Chris Marzilli, president of General Dynamics C4 Systems. "By authorizing additional LRIP production now, the Army can continue to meet fielding requirements and ensure that every soldier is connected with this lifesaving radio, on schedule."

"With the AN/PRC-155 Manpack networking radio, soldiers can be confident they will have access to lifesaving voice and data communications," said Phil Jasper, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Rockwell Collins. "The hundreds of Iowa employees involved with this effort look forward to delivering the balance of these radios, making our soldiers more capable and more secure."

The PRC-155 Manpack radio allows soldiers using the AN/PRC-154A Rifleman radio to connect to the Army's backbone network, the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) Increment 2. The PRC-155 Manpack also bridges networks – legacy to future, lower to upper echelons and unclassified to classified guard – allowing everyone, from the command center to the soldier on the edge of the battlefield, to stay connected to the Soldier's Network. 

General Dynamics C4 Systems and Rockwell Collins manufacture the AN/PRC-155 two-channel Manpack radios. The radios built under the current LRIP sustain hundreds of skilled technical jobs in Arizona and Iowa.  More than 100 PRC-155 Manpack radios are built each week in support of the Soldier's Network that engages more than 300 small business and 7,000 workers nationwide.

General Dynamics C4 Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). More information about General Dynamics C4 Systems is available online at www.gdc4s.com. For more information about the General Dynamics family of HMS tactical networking radios, visit www.gdradios.com.

Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronic solutions for both commercial and government applications. Our expertise in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications, information management, and simulation and training is delivered by 19,000 employees, and a global service and support network that crosses 27 countries. To find out more, please visit www.rockwellcollins.com. 

SOURCE General Dynamics C4 Systems