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Satnews Daily
March 25th, 2015

U.S. Army's PRC-155 Manpacks Connect With General Dynamics DMRs In MUOS Test Lab


[SatNews] The General Dynamics Mission Systems-built four-channel Digital Modular Radios (DMR) successfully completed a Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite communications test at the General Dynamics MUOS test facility in Scottsdale, Arizona.


General Dynamics
Digital Modular Radio.

Using the MUOS satellite communications and ground station simulators, the DMR radio successfully completed voice calls and data transmission to and from the DMR to an Army AN/PRC-155 two-channel Manpack radio. DMR is the U.S. Navy's networking radio currently operating on many Navy vessels and on shore locations.

Built using open architecture standards, the DMR radios will continue to provide improved functionality and interoperability while accommodating next-generation communications waveforms such as MUOS, the Integrated Waveform and future advanced network communications waveforms that will be added to the U.S. military's waveform library.


Pictured are four Digital Modular Radios (on the right) aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) supercarrier.

Photo is courtesy of the U.S. Navy.

DMR was the first software-defined radio used by the U.S. military. As a digital radio, adding new operating upgrades and enhanced capabilities, like connecting with the narrow-band MUOS satellite network, are completed by software with few hardware changes keeping the radio operationally current and cost-effective for the Navy. There are currently 500 secure, four-channel DMR radios supporting Navy operations worldwide.

"The success of this test is important because it demonstrates the Navy's work, in collaboration with the Army, to deliver on the promise of the MUOS satellite communications to joint forces worldwide," said Chris Marzilli, president of General Dynamics Mission Systems.

General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) combined the resources of Advanced Information Systems and C4 Systems into "General Dynamics Mission Systems" on January 1, 2015. For more information about General Dynamics Mission Systems, please visit gdmissionsystems.com