The U.S. Navy has ordered 56 AN/USC-61(C) Digital Modular Radios (DMRs)
and related equipment from General Dynamics. The newly built DMR radios
will be capable of using the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) waveform,
the digital dial tone needed to make voice calls to the U.S. Department
of Defense's next generation, narrowband MUOS satellite communications
system. The four-channel radios form the foundation of the Navy's network
communications aboard submarines, surface ships and on-shore locations.
This order, valued at over $29 million, exercises option five on a contract
awarded to General Dynamics in 2010. |
"DMR
is an extremely versatile radio and we continue to update its capabilities
to ensure that Navy communications networks have the most advanced and
secure technologies," said Mike DiBiase, vice president and general
manager of C4IRS Technologies for General Dynamics Mission Systems.
"MUOS is an excellent example of an advanced capability that will
provide smartphone-like connectivity among military personnel working
in some of the toughest, most remote environments."
Earlier this year, General Dynamics announced a software upgrade for
existing DMRs that turns the radio's four channels into eight virtual
channels. This expanded communications capacity is available when sailors
are using high frequency (HF) communication frequencies. As a software
upgrade, the added capacity keeps the existing onboard DMR, saving the
Navy the cost of replacing the physical radio or changing the configuration
in space-constrained radio rooms.
The software-defined DMRs are one of the only military approved radios
to communicate with Ultra-High Frequency SATCOM, Single-Channel Ground
and Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS), Line of Sight and High Frequency
radios on Navy vessels and land locations. General Dynamics has delivered
more than 550 DMRs since 1998. |
New
Digital Modular Radios (DMR) will go onboard Navy destroyers and submarines
currently under construction.