Forging Bonds: How General Dynamics Boosts U.S. Army Forces in the Pacific
The General Dynamics Mission Systems AN/PRC-155 MUOS-Manpack radio served as a vital communication hub, connecting soldiers deployed in the U.S. Army Pacific region with the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) communication network. A multitude of dual-channel AN/PRC-155 MUOS-Manpack radios, located in and around the Hawaiian Islands, empowered troops to converse, share information, and maintain communication aboard Army vessels as well as across various terrestrial locations. Equipped with a MUOS high-power amplifier and operating on the MUOS waveform, these radios enabled personnel to disseminate mission command, creating a consolidated operational perspective through the MUOS communication network among participating military members.
“This successful demonstration, along with the joint U.S. Army-Navy evaluation conducted in November 2015, showcases the military readiness of the MUOS communications network and confirms that the AN/PRC-155 MUOS-Manpack radio is the sole radio that can effectively link military personnel with the advanced MUOS network in various operational contexts,” stated Mike DiBiase, vice president at General Dynamics Mission Systems. “As the Army determines deployment priorities for the AN/PRC-155 MUOS-Manpack radios, soldiers can reliably depend on it to ensure connectivity and high-quality voice communications, no matter their deployment location, particularly in scenarios where geographic obstacles significantly impede network access.”
Conducted within the Army Pacific region, the demonstration consistently affirmed how the AN/PRC-155 MUOS-Manpack radio leveraging the MUOS network provided reliable and uninterrupted communication connectivity, tackling a challenge for Army operations in remote and difficult terrains.
By deploying the Manpack radios outfitted with a MUOS applique alongside the Joint Battle Command Platform (JBC-P) system, soldiers on a Logistics Supply Vessel (LSV) navigating between two islands were able to communicate and transmit data and images to their fellow troops in Oahu and Hawaii. In addition to preserving ongoing voice and data communication from the LSV to the mainland, commanders could monitor the vessel’s position utilizing the JBC-P system. This exercise illustrated how interconnected systems can deliver communication and situational awareness data to small units and USRPAC logistical operations.
The General Dynamics AN/PRC-155 MUOS-Manpack radio incorporates a MUOS high-power amplifier that guarantees the signal strength necessary for reaching MUOS satellites in geostationary orbit. Utilizing both channels, the AN/PRC-155 acts as the essential link connecting various radios and waveforms used by soldiers across a mission area. The AN/PRC-155 MUOS Manpack receives calls from a tactical radio on one channel, processes and retransmits it on the second channel, routing it towards a satellite communication network like MUOS or other tactical communication systems.
To date, 5,326 AN/PRC-155 Manpack radios have been supplied to the Army, providing secure line-of-sight and satellite communication capabilities for Army personnel in regions where alternative communication networks are either unavailable or obstructed.
The MUOS waveform serves as the digital dial tone connecting personnel utilizing the AN/PRC-155 MUOS-Manpack radio with the MUOS communication network, enabling seamless exchanges of voice, text, and mission information. As the Army shifts towards a more deployable force, it is crucial for soldiers to sustain connectivity to the network at all times, across all environments, and during all operational phases.
The Lockheed Martin-manufactured MUOS communications network affords military and government personnel access akin to smartphone usage, ensuring voice clarity comparable to the experience civilians enjoy with their daily cell phone usage.
