Army awards contracts for new radio

The Army on Friday awarded production contracts to two firms to produce a voice and data radio intended to modernize the service's existing system, according to an Army announcement.

L3Harris and Thales Defense Security were awarded an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for the new Combat Net Radio, according to an Army release issued Monday. The Army placed an initial delivery for more than 1,100 radio assets, according to the release, which includes those designated for first article test and to satisfy the required minimum government purchase.

The delivery order is for $20.6M for L3Harris and $18.2M for Thales Defense, according to the announcement.

The Combat Net Radio is part of a “holistic effort” to phase out the Army’s Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System, according to the release. It supports multiple National Security Agency, Defense Department and Army modernization goals and increases the number of communications options available to commanders, according to the release. The CNR will provide “assured command and control voice, and limited Fires and Air Defense data in environments where access to the Integrated Tactical Network is degraded.”

The capability will improve frequency hopping and transmission security and will be available to mounted and dismounted missions, the release adds.

The Army intends to field the first CNR units in FY-24, according to the release, and the overall CNR contract ceiling is $6.1 billion.