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Battle comms on show
By Sgt Brian Hartigan

Edition 1167, May 31, 2007
 
Radio head: WO1 Peter Semczuk and Leut Joe Linehan, both DNOC, HMAS Harman, talk over AN/PRC-152 multiband handheld radios at a field demonstration in Canberra.
Photo By Sgt Brian Hartigan
A LARGE team of Harris Corporation representatives from the USA visited Majura Field Firing Range in the ACT in April and May to demonstrate an exciting new array of battlefield communications equipment and sensors.

The demonstrations were aimed at Defence and AFP personnel and showcased a wide range of new systems.

Connectivity and interoperability was central to the Harris message with demonstrations showing that secure communications across multiple band widths was possible, from the dismounted soldier in the field right up to formation-level headquarters.

Richard Barwise, Tactical Information Exchange Office (TIE IO), said the demos allowed Harris an opportunity to demonstrate current and emerging capabilities in what they have termed the “battlefield communications architecture”.

“It was also an opportunity for TIE IO and the wider Defence community to remain abreast of the latest communications technology for the lower tactical level,” Mr Barwise said.

For the man or woman on the ground, Harris’ new RF-300U-TR secure personal team radio offered the most tantalising prospects for improvement in battlefield communications.

Weighing just 500g including the battery, this radio can provide digitised voice and data communications to all members in a squad. The squad can remain in discreet contact with each other within a 2km radius, even in urban environments, and commanders can see exactly where each team member is, thanks to simultaneous data transfer from the built-in GPS.

Capt Nick O’Day, Future Land Warfare, Army Headquarters, said Army’s future networked battlespace would require communications systems that were flexible and robust enough to support HNA on the modern, complex battlefield and be interoperable with joint and coalition forces.

“This communications network is currently being configured through a number of projects,” he said.

“This will affect the soldier in the field through increased situational awareness combined with the ability to communicate with joint and coalition assets.

“It will provide the section commander the ability to coordinate effective fire on an enemy more accurately while negating the concern of potential fratricide.”