ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (September 21, 2018) -- The Army recently awarded a competitive contract for the procurement of a 2-Channel Leader Radio. The 2-Channel Leader Radio effort supports the Army's Network Modernization strategy, Security Force Assistance Brigade communication needs and Network Cross-Functional Team experimentation efforts with a software-defined radio capable of providing data and voice communications via multiple waveforms. With the 2-Channel Leader Radio, Soldiers will only carry one radio instead of the two currently required for voice and data.
Software defined radios allow for flexibility to upgrade waveforms as new technology emerges, meaning the Army does not have to buy a new radio to upgrade capability.
"This is an important step in providing critical tactical communications capabilities that are interoperable and effective in a contested electronic warfare environment," said Colonel Garth Winterle, Project Manager Tactical Radios.
The 2-Channel Leader Radio contract is firm fixed price, ten year indefinite delivery indefinite quantity and structured to maximize flexibility. The Army can use the contract to procure radios through yearly competitive delivery orders and it is flexibly structured to allow for integration of new capability as requirements emerge.
The contract provides the radio, ancillaries, vehicle mounting hardware, and logistics and training support. Two vendors, Thales Defense and Harris Radio Corporation, received awards on this effort. "These radios are also capable of incorporating future capabilities to keep pace with the threat," said Winterle.
The program office intends to exercise a delivery order for 1,540 Leader Radio sets and 338 vehicular mounting kits from each vendor within a few weeks of the contract award.
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