Thales Secures Ongoing Contracts for Army’s Cutting-Edge Leader Radio Initiative
Thales has received its third delivery request from the U.S. Army to supply the AN/PRC-148D Enhanced Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (IMBITR®). Under the Army Leader Radio initiative and in aid of Capability Set deployments into the Integrated Tactical Network (ITN), this newest contract elevates total IMBITR radio orders to over 6,000 units.
In partnership with the U.S. Army and under previous deployments, Thales supplied the IMBITR to numerous operationally engaged units to garner essential Soldier insights for testing and risk mitigation ahead of the U.S. Army’s official Operational Test and Evaluation in January 2021. Critical capability feedback from Soldier Touch Points – both as an independent radio and as a device embedded in the ITN framework – was overwhelmingly positive, affirming IMBITR’s capacity to deliver advanced tactical communications for both mounted and dismounted Soldiers.
Currently, the IMBITR features an extensive array of operational waveforms and functionalities including Beyond-Line-Of-Sight SATCOM, Integrated Waveform SATCOM, and enhanced frequency hopping options. The Thales IMBITR Vehicular Amplifier Adapter for mounted platforms consistently surpasses all threshold and objective range specifications, offering maneuver commanders superior voice and data communication ranges. The AN/PRC-148D also integrates added security measures for secret and below classifications on the wideband side, granting Commanders increased adaptability for a dynamic environment and securing a contemporary, robust tactical network.
IMBITR stands as the inaugural 2-channel handheld radio delivering Soldiers essential narrowband and tactical communication capabilities, alongside a secondary wideband channel that features the industry-leading WREN-TSM™ mobile, ad hoc networking waveform. Collectively, these features ensure reliable, simultaneous networked voice, data, and video communications for enhanced situational understanding and swift decision-making. At present, 4,800 IMBITR radios are operationally deployed and thriving, supporting Security Force Assistance Brigade and Infantry Brigade Combat Team/Stryker Brigade Combat Teams.
“Thales is delighted to remain a pivotal contributor to the Army’s Leader Radio Program and its deployments in support of the Integrated Tactical Network. With the new Thales AN/PRC-148D IMBITR radio, Soldiers will continue to reap the benefits of a decisive tactical edge that comes from utilizing the most advanced radio available on the market,” stated Mike Sheehan, CEO, Thales Defense and Security, Inc.
