Thales Communications changed the way special forces throughout the world do their job by reducing their combat load of radio equipment from 60 pounds to 2 pounds with the software-defined AN/PRC-148 Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (MBITR). The unparalleled performance of the AN/PRC-148 MBITR led to Thales’ selection by the U.S. Government to develop the AN/PRC-148 JTRS Enhanced MBITR, or JEM. With almost 200,000 units deployed, the AN/PRC-148 is the smallest, lightest, and most power-efficient multiband, tactical, handheld radio in use today.

The AN/PRC-148 JEM’s Software Communications Architecture (SCA)- compliant platform hosts all of today’s key waveforms and enables the integration of program enhancements, future waveforms, and additional modes of operation, all via simple software upgrades. Waveforms can be loaded onto the JEM’s SCA platform based on mission requirements, allowing the radio to be used for a wider variety of applications and providing maximum user flexibility.

The AN/PRC-148 radio is the cornerstone of a complete system solution providing warfighters with additional communications capabilities for both mounted and dismounted operations. Vehicular installations, all with cable- free, 2-second radio dismount, include 50 Watt and 20 Watt dual channel and single channel configurations. Other ancillaries include a 20 Watt 1.6– 512 MHz (HF, VHF, UHF) user-centric tactical Extended Band Manpack, 20 Watt Man Portable System, 20 Watt Base Station, 20 Watt Tactical Repeater, and Remote Control Unit with GPS.

The company continues to invest in tactical communication solutions for use in size, weight, and power-constrained environments, providing communication solutions to our customers across a myriad of operational environments including airborne systems.

Thales Communications was an early participant in the JTRS initiative, helping to shape the development of the SCA, which is the backbone for the future’s network-centric force. An integral player in developing JTRS technology where size, weight, and power are key challenges, Thales was the first company to receive JTRS certification of a product and the first company to deliver JTRS radios to warfighters (AN/PRC-148 JEM). Thales also participates on the Airborne, Maritime, and Fixed Station (AMF), Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS), and Handheld, Manpack, and Small Form Fits (HMS) JTRS programs. Under HMS JTRS, Thales is collaborating with General Dynamics on the development of the AN/PRC-154 Small Form Factor-C(V)1, known as the Rifleman Radio^TM. The Rifleman Radio is a low-cost, Soldier Radio Waveform-enabled, networking radio with embedded encryption and GPS and basic commonality with the AN/PRC-148.

Thales Communications has leveraged its expertise in SDR technology to meet the challenges of the homeland security and first responder communities. Currently, U.S. public safety agencies communicate over four different frequency bands and various operating modes. This has caused interoperability issues during major events, such as 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and even the Super Bowl. In order to communicate, personnel have to carry multiple radios depending on the agencies with which they need to work. Thales’ Liberty^TM Multiband Land Mobile Radio (LMR) is the first portable radio that provides coverage across all four U.S. public safety bands (136-174, 380-520, 700, and 800 MHz). The Liberty LMR provides all modes standardized for public safety use, including analog FM and Project 25, both conventional and trunked. The Liberty LMR provides full encryption capabilities, including DES, AES, and OTAR. Introduced in February 2008, the Liberty LMR was certified by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission in early 2009.

Leveraging decades of shipborne high frequency experience, state-of-the- art radio technology, fully integrated communications systems, and automated radio room design, Thales Communications is serving the naval and maritime domains, delivering Thales’ automated, integrated shipboard HF communication systems into the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. These solutions improve performance, reduce weight, provide more capability in less space, and optimize workload reduction. In support of its U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard customers, Thales Communications has shifted the production of core elements of Thales’ shipborne HF communications systems from Thales UK to Thales Communications’ Maryland manufacturing facilities.

We continue to invest in tactical communication solutions for use in size, weight, and power-constrained environments, enabling us to provide communication solutions to our customers across a myriad of operational environments including airborne systems.
 

Thales Communications also serves as a “gateway for technology”. The company is broadening its offerings to the U.S. Department of Defense and civilian agencies with the diverse portfolio of the wider Thales organization including Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) domain technologies and products.