Rockwell Collins’ AN/PRC-162(V)1 software-defined military radio has successfully passed the critical mobile user objective system (MUOS) testing.

The manpack radio has become the first tactical ground radio to pass the test to meet security requirements required for operation with the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) final version of the MUOS.

Dubbed ‘Do No Harm’ (DNH), the critical test on the AN/PRC-162 radio has been carried out by the US Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR).

SPAWAR has used the current version of the MUOS waveform to conduct testing.

Rockwell Collins communication, navigation and electronic warfare solutions vice-president and general manager Troy Brunk said: “MUOS will provide the warfighter with more mobility, improved signal quality and availability, which is especially important for units on the ground if they’re operating in rough terrain or communicating beyond line of sight.

"MUOS will provide the warfighter with more mobility, improved signal quality and availability."

“We understand how critical MUOS is to the future success of our armed forces and we’ll continue to lead the development of this technology both for use in the air and on the ground.”

MUOS is a next-generation upgrade over the current ultra-high frequency (UHF) satellite communications (SATCOM). It will provide military forces with worldwide, crystal-clear voice, video and mission data over a secure high-speed internet protocol (IP) based system.

In addition, the system will provide a connection into the Global Information Grid and the Defense Switched Network, and can distribute integrated broadcast service (IBS) messages.

AN/PRC-162(V)1 is a two-channel networked communications ground radio, which features multiple waveforms, and the latest in-theatre IP-based waveform communications.

In February last year, Rockwell Collins’ ARC-210 RT-2036(C) radio became the first airborne radio to pass ‘Do No Harm’ testing for MUOS SATCOM.