L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) has been awarded a development prototype contract from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) for the L3Harris Falcon® Wideband Airborne HF Radio and will now be part of a down-select competition to replace the service’s AN/ARC-190 airborne HF radio.
The L3Harris Falcon Wideband Airborne HF Radio is a software-defined, digital multi-mode, wideband radio with the capacity to augment space-based Beyond-Line-Of-Sight (BLOS) systems, providing a much-needed alternative capability in a SATCOM-denied environment. The radio addresses the USAF HF Radio Modernization requirement and will enable airmen to communicate data at speeds up to ten times greater than the legacy ARC-190 radios.
The L3Harris Falcon Wideband Airborne HF Radio features embedded encryption, electronic counter-counter measures (ECCM), low probability of intercept and low probability of detection (LPI/LPD) and is upgradable to accept new waveforms and software delivered capabilities. The form factor combines three different pieces of equipment into a single package to reduce size, weight and power consumption, which is critical for airborne applications.
L3Harris was selected by the USAF in a competitive prototype effort and will now be part of a competitive down select. The initial development phase will lead to low-rate initial production followed by a full production decision.
Ryan McCarty, VP and GM, DoD Tactical Communications, L3Harris Communication Systems, said the capabilities provided by the L3Harris Falcon Wideband Airborne HF Radio will be a game-changer for the U.S. Air Force, with L3Harris’ modernized software-defined technology that is designed to overmatch in contested and SATCOM-denied environments. This prototype development selection expands the company's airborne product line and brings L3Harris leadership in tactical HF radios to the airborne segment.”
