ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (September 24, 2021) – The Army recently awarded Full Rate Production delivery orders for the Manpack and Leader tactical data radios.
The 2-Channel Manpack and Leader radio effort supports the Army’s unified network strategy by providing radios that enable multiple communications options for commanders and allow for flexibility to upgrade waveforms as new technology emerges.
The award follows two years of operational experimentation with the First Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, which culminated an Initial Operational Test and Evaluation held at Fort Bragg in January. The test helped to inform a full rate production decision.
“We continue to enhance our radio capabilities with the vendors based results from the operational test and continued Soldier feedback from radio fielding and operational use,” said Col. Garth Winterle, Project Manager for Tactical Radios, assigned to Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications-Tactical.
Leveraging a multi-vendor IDIQ contract, the Manpack radio award is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) delivery order for approximately $226,500,000, awarded between L-3 Harris for 2,320 radios, and Collins Aerospace for 1,547 radios.
Also based off a multi-vendor IDIQ contract, the Leader radio award is a FFP delivery order for $118,700,000, awarded between L-3 Harris for 2,498 radios, and Thales, Inc., for 1,096 radios.
The Manpack and Leader radios will support capability set fielding to multiple Infantry Brigade Combat Teams within the 25th Infantry Division, the 2nd Calvary Regiment Stryker brigade combat team, and will support the Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model and Tactical Satellite Modernization efforts.
“Full rate production of these radios across the force will provide our warfighters with the most advanced radio network capabilities available for enhanced situational awareness, which is critical for mission success,” Winterle said.
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