Thales JTRS Handheld Radio Selected for U.S. Military Service

CLARKSBURG, Md., June 29, 2007 – Thales Communications, Inc., has been awarded a firm, fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide its AN/PRC-148 Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Enhanced Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio, or JEM, system to all services of the U.S. Military. The consolidated, interim, single-channel, handheld radio (CISCHR) award was the result of a competitive procurement. The JTRS Joint Program Executive Office (JPEO), through the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) procurement authority, has consolidated handheld radio purchases for the U.S. Department of Defense, significantly reducing unit costs and allowing all participating agencies to purchase JTRS equipment. Under this IDIQ contract, Thales will compete for future awards of formal delivery orders, which will ultimately determine contract value. CISCHR has a one-year contract period with four additional one-year options.

Designed, developed, and manufactured under a U.S. Department of Defense program of record, Thales’ AN/PRC-148 JEM has been tested, evaluated, and validated by the U.S. Government. The JEM’s powerful Software Communications Architecture is capable of hosting future waveforms, making it both an interim and long-term solution in the battlefield. Further, the JEM supports cryptographic modernization, enabling secure communications through a future-proof, software-based approach. An evolution of the AN/PRC-148 Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio, or MBITR, the JEM leverages the proven platform that has been serving our warfighters for years in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other areas throughout the world.

As part of this contract, Thales will also be supplying its dual radio AN/VRC-111 Vehicle Adapter Amplifier (VAA) and its Base Station. The VAA consists of two Thales Vehicle Adapters, two JEM handheld radios, and a SINCGARS interface tray. The VAA provides multiband, multimode capability beyond basic SINCGARS and offers unique, one-second, cable-free radio dismount that enables a seamless transition from mounted to dismounted operations. The power-boosting Base Station, designed for fixed command center operations, supports and maintains all functionality of the JEM and Vehicle Adapter. The JEM, VAA, Vehicle Adapter, and Base Station are part of a complete system solution for the warfighter that also includes a self-contained Tactical Repeater for range extension; compact, rugged Man Portable System for dismounted operations requiring higher power output; and a complete line of accessories.

“This contract vehicle enables us to continue our support of the JPEO JTRS in their initiatives to bring much-needed communication capability to our warfighters,” said Mitch Herbets, President and CEO of Thales Communications. “This is the first production contract award by the JPEO, highlighting Thales’ continuing leadership in bringing JTRS technology to the warfighter.”

In addition to being the prime contractor on the JTRS JEM program of record, Thales is participating as a key team member in other JTRS programs, including HMS JTRS (Handheld, Manpack, and Small Form Factor), AMF JTRS (Airborne, Maritime, and Fixed Station), and MIDS JTRS (Multifunctional Information Distribution System).

Editor’s Note: There are almost 100,000 AN/PRC-148 MBITRs fielded, almost 10,000 AN/PRC-148 JEMs shipped or on order, and more than 12,000 VAAs shipped or on order.

About Thales