Mounted Soldier Cordless Communications System


		Integrates the AN/PRC-148 JEM into vehicle intercom system (VIS) When tethered connection is broken, comms with the VIS are maintained Based on battle-proven, Type 1 radio operating in tactical bands Through software upgrade, fielded AN/PRC-148 JEMs can be integrated

Description

Overview:

Today’s warfighters require the capability to rapidly dismount from their vehicle, while simultaneously maintaining secure communications over the vehicle intercom system and combat net radios (CNR). Current intercom systems require the warfighter to be physically tethered to the vehicle by a cable, which results in a lost communications link when transitioning from mounted to dismounted operations.

Challenge:

Typically, each tactical vehicle is equipped with an AN/VIC-3(V) Vehicle Intercommunications Set (VIC-3). The crew member wears intercom headsets that physically connect to the intercom system via cables. The crew member’s mobility is severely restricted within the vehicle during operations by being physically tethered to a specific crew station by the intercom cable. The intercom cable further impedes effective intra-vehicle movement because it snags on multiple pieces of equipment in the vehicle. When a crew member dismounts the vehicle or moves from one location in the vehicle to another, they must disconnect from the vehicle intercom system. While the crew member is disconnected, they neither have access to voice traffic on the intercom from fellow crew members nor to voice traffic coming into the vehicle through the CNRs. A wireless extension to the VIC-3 can provide crew members with full mobility within, and while dismounted from, the vehicle while maintaining effective communications.

MSCCS Solution:

To meet this challenge, Thales Communications developed the Mounted Soldier Cordless Communications System (MSCCS) , a wireless intercom extension based upon our AN/PRC-148 JEM. The MSCCS has been integrated with the VIC-3 intercom system on various U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) vehicular platforms in a similar configuration as shown above.

The MSCCS solution provides a tethered, as well as a quick-disconnect wireless untethered, link to the vehicle intercom system. This wireless link allows crew members to maintain voice communications through the vehicle intercom system, allowing total freedom of movement. The wireless link in the MSCCS is implemented with the combat-proven AN/PRC-148 JEM. Each crew member carries an AN/PRC-148 JEM as the wireless link to communicate back into the intercom system when untethered from the system. On the vehicle, an AN/PRC-148 JEM, embedded in an Interface Box (IB) physically connected to the intercom system, bridges voice traffic between the dismounted/ untethered crew member and the wired vehicle intercom system. Both the IB embedded radio and the dismounted radio are standard AN/PRC-148 JEM hardware configurations, with software upgraded to support the MSCCS capability. With the utilization of the AN/PRC-148 JEM as the intercom device, all tactical radio capabilities remain available to the crew member.

Benefits of the MSCCS solution include:

Lightens the warfighter’s carry load
Leverages existing radio product in the U.S. Government inventory
Provides a robust NSA-certified Type 1 encrypted wireless link in the military band
Allows users to maintain voice communications with the remainder of the crew when untethered from the system, either within or dismounted from the vehicle
Functions as both a tactical radio and a cordless communications system
Implements a software-only upgrade to the AN/PRC-148 JEM to establish MSCCS cordless communications modes
Software programmable and upgradeable
Supports JPEO JTRS Waveforms
Leverages extensive re-use of proven and existing logistics support

Because the MSCCS solution is essentially a software upgrade to an existing AN/PRC-148 JEM, it retains all of the desired features and performance of the AN/PRC-148 JEM.

The MSCCS is part of the AN/PRC-148 communications solution for mounted and dismounted operations.

Visitors to this page were also interested in our press release on the Mounted Soldier Cordless Communications System.