Combat Net Radio program

Thales Lands Spot on $6B US Army Tactical Radio Modernization Program

The U.S. Army has awarded Thales a spot on a $6 billion indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for an advanced tactical radio program.

Thales said it is one of the two vendors selected to support the service’s Combat Net Radio modernization program. The other awardee is L3Harris Technologies, according to an Army press release in March.

The IDIQ includes a five-year base ordering period and a five-year optional period, Thales said Monday. According to the company, CNR aims to replace the Army’s Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems.

CNR, a software-defined and secure radio, will remain operable with the SINCGARS waveform as the Army phases out its R/T1523 radios, the company said.

Thales added that it will deliver CNR technology based on the AN/PRC-148 system, the latest version of a battle-proven line of tactical radios.

Mike Sheehan, CEO of Thales Defense and Security, said that the company’s CNR technology is tailored to support the Army’s Integrated Tactical Network modernization efforts.

“The Combat Net Radio continues Thales’ tradition of being responsive to emerging needs in support of the warfighter,” Sheehan added.

According to the U.S. Army, CNR supports its unified network strategy by ensuring command and control in locations with degraded access to the ITN.

Col. Garth Winterle, project manager for tactical radios, said that CNR’s reprogrammable nature makes it ideal for the Army’s capability set approach and allows the technology to be upgraded over time.

The Army said it previously awarded Thales and L3Harris with initial delivery orders for about 1,100 radio assets.