Phoenix radios prove capabilities in US Army exercise

BAE Systems has announced that its Phoenix-2C radios have successfully provided tactical networking capabilities during recent US Army exercises at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona. During the exercises, soldiers were able to communicate more than 20 kilometers, double the mid-tier network requirement.

According to the company, these exercises were designed to begin assessing candidate capabilities for mid-tier networking radios and were part of an excursion linked to Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) 13.1. The excursion will provide the US Army with feedback as it moves through its mid-tier radio candidate assessments. NIE 13.1 supports comprehensive army modernisation plans to support a synchronised vehicle and network fielding strategy that prioritises capabilities for deployed forces and improves alignment of limited resources. 

Phoenix radios allow soldiers to communicate voice, data, and video for enhanced battlefield awareness. The family of radios includes three variants which allow for multiple configurations – a two-channel with SINGCARS, a two-channel, and a four-channel that each uses the next-generation, government-owned Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW) and Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW). With the robust WNW, all Phoenix variants provide full anti-jam modes to protect communications in hostile environments and when using jammers such as CREW. The off-the-shelf radio system offers a low size, weight, and power design that is designed to integrate easily into the SINGCARS radio space already allotted on US Army ground combat vehicles.

Joseph Senftle, vice president and general manager of Communications and Control Solutions at BAE Systems, said: ‘We have developed a radio that gives our soldiers a critical advantage, by seamlessly, securely, and reliably bridging the communications gap between the soldiers on the ground – both on the front lines and in the rear – and those at headquarters. We look forward to participating in the next phase of field testing.’