[SatNews] Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) has received a $9.6 million order for the Harris RF-310M-HH, a new handheld tactical radio designed to simplify and improve secure communications interoperability for U.S. and allied forces in combat.

Harris is supplying RF-310M-HH multiband, multi-mission, software-defined radios under the U.S. Department of Defense Coalition Readiness Support Program to provide secure communications interoperability to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The RF-310M-HH is the first NSA Type-1, Suite-B certified tactical radio for protecting voice and data transmissions up to SECRET level classification. This capability will enable secure communication between coalition units using RF-310M-HH radios and U.S. forces using either RF-310M-HH or other Suite B tactical radio products, such as the Falcon III® AN/PRC-152(C) handheld and AN/PRC-117G manpack radios. The AN/PRC-152 and AN/PRC-117G radios contain U.S. Type-1 Suite A and Suite B encryption, providing secure interoperability with the RF-310M-HH in support of various operational scenarios.

The RF-310M-HH radio uses the Sierra IIB programmable encryption module, certified by the NSA in June 2009. In addition to allowing secure interoperation with other tactical radios, the RF-310M-HH also hosts the APCO P25 waveform. The P25 waveform provides interoperability with radios used by police and other emergency response organizations, allowing the RF-310M-HH to span the gap between tactical and public safety networks. With its programmable encryption technology, Software Communications Architecture (SCA) and coverage of the entire 30-512 MHz frequency range, the RF-310M-HH is the ideal solution to interoperability challenges presented in coalition operations.