[SatNews] Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) has received an $11 million order to provide the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) with Falcon III® multiband handheld radios and vehicular amplifier systems.

The U.S. Air Force is acquiring the Falcon III® AN/PRC-152(C) multiband, multimission handheld radios to provide line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight tactical communications. The AN/PRC-152(C) is the most widely fielded NSA Type-1 certified, JTRS SCA-certified handheld radio, with more than 130,000 units deployed worldwide.

The DoD also is acquiring Falcon III® AN/VRC-110 systems for use in multiple variants of the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. The AN/VRC-110 is an amplifier adapter that includes two AN/PRC-152(C) radios, which serve as handheld transceivers.

The Air Force and DoD are acquiring the AN/PRC-152(C) radios and AN/VRC-110 systems via the Consolidated Single-Channel Handheld Radio (CSCHR) contract through the Joint Program Executive Office for the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS). The AN/PRC-152(C) was developed using the JTRS Enterprise Business Model (EBM). The EBM encourages companies to develop next-generation solutions in tactical communications using their own research and development capital to integrate JTRS waveform software. In doing so, the EBM stimulates competition, increases innovation, and reduces costs through software re-use.