L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) has been awarded a development prototype contract from the U.S. Air Force for the L3Harris Falcon Wideband Airborne HF Radio and will now be part of a down-select competition to replace the service’s AN/ARC-190 airborne HF radio.

The L3Harris Falcon Wideband Airborne HF Radioaddresses the U.S. Air Force HF Radio Modernization requirement and will enable airmen to communicate data at speeds up to ten times greater than the legacy ARC-190 radios. (Picture source: L3 Harris)

The L3Harris Falcon Wideband Airborne HF Radio is a software-defined digital multi-mode wideband radio with the capacity to augment space-based beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) systems, providing a much-needed alternative capability in a SATCOM-denied environment. The radio addresses the U.S. Air Force HF Radio Modernization requirement and will enable airmen to communicate data at speeds up to ten times greater than the legacy ARC-190 radios.

The L3Harris Falcon Wideband Airborne HF Radio features embedded encryption, electronic counter-counter measures (ECCM), low probability of intercept and low probability of detection (LPI/LPD) and is upgradable to accept new waveforms and software delivered capabilities. The form factor combines three different pieces of equipment into a single package to reduce size, weight and power consumption, which is critical for airborne applications.

“The capabilities provided by the L3Harris Falcon Wideband Airborne HF Radio will be a game-changer for the U.S. Air Force, with L3Harris’ modernized software-defined technology that is designed to overmatch in contested and SATCOM-denied environments,” said Ryan McCarty, Vice President and General Manager, DoD Tactical Communications, L3Harris Communication Systems. “This prototype development selection expands our airborne product line and brings our leadership in tactical HF radios to the airborne segment.”

L3Harris was selected by the U.S. Air Force in a competitive prototype effort and will now be part of a competitive down select. The initial development phase will lead to low-rate initial production followed by a full production decision.