A small, lightweight, embeddable radio developed by Harris Corporation has received Type 1 certification from the National Security Agency, paving the way for its use in high-security, space-constrained communications applications such as unmanned aircraft systems, vehicles and shelters.
The Harris Small Secure Data Link (SSDL) provides embedded encryption capabilities in a single-channel, multiband, multi-mission radio. Measuring less than 25 cubic inches and weighing just 18 ounces, it is the smallest size, weight and power (SWaP) Type 1 VHF/UHF software-defined, embeddable radio available today. The SSDL is based on the battle-proven Harris Falcon III® AN/PRC-152(C) handheld radio – the world’s most widely deployed, software-defined tactical radio, with more than 150,000 units delivered.
“This is a much-needed solution for unmanned vehicles, where the lowest SWaP and secure communications are critical to mission success,” said Sheldon Fox, group president, Harris Government Communications Systems. “We are honoured to be able to bring this new capability to the warfighter, and excited that the SSDL already is being designed into unmanned vehicle Communication Relay Payload (CRP) solutions.”
“Our (Harris) customers also are pleased that we are able to consolidate and replace multiple legacy radios to give mission planners greater flexibility as a result of the SWaP savings achieved with the SSDL,” Fox added.
The SSDL supports multiple VHF/UHF waveforms that enable a wide variety of missions, including ground-to-ground, ground-to-air and air-to-air communications. Multiple SSDL radios can be controlled from a single, remote interface. In addition, the SSDL supports the Variable Message Format (VMF, MIL-STD-188-220); is Improved Data Modem (IDM) interoperable; and provides enhanced support to Combat Network Radio (CNR) and Digital Close Air Support (DCAS) missions.
Source: Press Release