In the face of rising aggression from adversaries, allied countries in the Indo-Pacific region must ensure their defense technologies are keeping pace with accelerating next-generation symmetric and asymmetric threats. In order to protect their borders and preserve their way of life, these nations need secure, interoperable and battle-tested multi-domain technology that is ready today.
The need to modernize tactical communication networks and platforms is more urgent than ever. Strengthening the information backbone enables faster decision-making, tighter sensor-to-shooter integration and improved survivability across all domains – while remaining adaptable to evolving threats and technologies.
L3Harris Technologies, a global leader in resilient and interoperable communication solutions, has an entire portfolio of ready-now systems and datalinks to enable and enhance joint-domain sensor-to-shooter Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR). The company specializes in assisting countries around the world with strengthening their deterrence and defense through modern, indigenous and asymmetric capabilities that are ready to instantly interoperate with allies and partners.
“Our solutions extend ground tactical communication capabilities into multi-domain, resilient networks, connecting sensors to shooters via radios, datalinks and soldier systems,” said Kevin Steubing, Vice President, International Sales and Business Development, L3Harris. “We are the go-to global defense tech company with the heritage experience, unstoppable agility and relentless innovation to ensure any sensor anywhere in the world can connect to any effector at any time.”
Lessons From the Edge
Real-world lessons about the critical need for network modernization are being learned from recent conflicts in Europe. Namely, the ability to protect devices and networks from enemies with sophisticated Electronic Warfare (EW) technologies is vital for operational success and personnel safety.
In combat against sophisticated adversaries, if communications aren’t secure, they will almost certainly be intercepted. Fixed frequency communication can easily be detected, located and jammed; the stronger electronic counter-countermeasure capabilities are, the more effective communications will be in surviving electronic warfare threats. Software-defined networks allow for the rapid insertion of new technology to provide overmatch against advanced adversaries, according to Steubing.
Prepared Today for Tomorrow’s Threats
L3Harris’ portfolio of available-now solutions can deliver expedited force modernization for allied nations to stay ahead of adversarial nations’ capabilities. The company offers a “Swiss Army knife” approach in providing various waveforms and end-to-end battlefield systems, flexible to meet an array of mission sets and penetrate through sophisticated EW threats, according to Jack Glasgow, Principal, Sales and Account Management, L3Harris.
L3Harris solutions provide the foundational layer for nations large and small to build a comprehensive and resilient military communication system, amplifying the effectiveness of every platform and sensor.
“As the trusted solutions provider for defense organizations worldwide, we offer intentional innovation through a breadth of communication solutions that are as adaptable as they are adept,” said Glasgow. “Our battle-tested hardware and up-to-the-moment software are always ready and continuously hardened based on experience from conflict zones around the world. Our strong heritage in delivering leading-edge technologies that keep people safe is based on our expertise with end-to-end development and integration of multi-domain capabilities.”
Combat-Proven Solutions
Staying ahead of today’s threats and tomorrow’s challenges requires cohesive and unified networks of various waveforms and datalinks in order for all of a joint force’s assets to operate harmoniously across the battlespace. Software-defined and open-systems architectures set as the foundation of L3Harris designs seamlessly integrate advanced C5ISR ecosystems.
L3Harris seamlessly integrates advanced C5ISR ecosystems through its software-defined and open-systems architectures. The company delivers both broadband and tactical datalinks used by NATO partners and backed by 30 years of proven performance. Applicable to today’s demanding Indo-Pacific environment, L3Harris datalinks – including the line of ROVER® transceivers – provide secure, resilient and high-throughput connectivity essential for ISR, targeting and mission coordination across air, land and sea platforms.
“L3Harris delivers NATO-standard datalink solutions qualified and fielded across the largest number of global platforms, ensuring seamless interoperability with coalition forces,” said Jackson Pho, Director, Account Management, L3Harris. “Our solutions provide secure, resilient and high-performance connectivity for real-time intelligence sharing, real-time full-motion video (FMV) and mission coordination.”
On the tactical communications side, the L3Harris RF-9820S Compact Team Radio can bridge tactical networks that include unmanned aircraft, U.S. and allied partners and civil service personnel.
This versatile, low-SWaP solution gives warfighters the flexibility of a next-generation mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) and legacy line-of-sight connectivity. The Compact Team Radio ensures connectivity with ground-based tactical teams by supporting multiple modes of operation – including wideband MANET, narrowband voice and position location information (PLI) – meaning nations can securely integrate commercial encryption and connect with allied Type 1 networks.
The RF-9820S also has an embeddable version, which connects unmanned aerial systems to the network and operates L3Harris’s ARROW waveform – available today and purpose-built for voice, data and PLI interoperability and resiliency. ARROW supports very high and ultra-high frequencies with thousands of individual voice channels and is not dependent on GPS.
Connecting all the various communications together is the MissionOps suite. L3Harris’ innovative solution consolidates tactical network management software into a single suite with a common and intuitive user interface for rapid over-the-air reconfiguration of the combat network.
The battlefield management system is deployable on an offline computer, and its architecture allows for the integration of third-party radios and assets. It delivers network planning, radio-frequency propagation simulation, multi-user access and control, and multiple network monitoring views – including a map with node location tracking.
“MissionOps, along with the communication systems deployed together, harness immense digital, voice and PLI data for integration into robust C2 and AI-enabled platforms and systems," said Glasgow. “It’s a powerful force multiplier for C4ISR operations.”
Local Support for the Region
In addition to providing nations with defense technologies, L3Harris is also committed to investing in the growth of their indigenous capabilities through the hiring and training of team members at in-country facilities dedicated to providing regional support.
For example, the L3Harris Indo-Pacific Regional Support Centre (RSC) in Brisbane, Australia, has significantly reduced repair turnaround times for Controlled Cryptographic Items, ensuring critical resources are quickly returned to end users in the region to safeguard national sovereignty.
From continuous innovation in product development, to immediate response to sustainment needs, defense customers have a trusted partner in L3Harris for all their C5ISR modernization requirements.
