Harris Corporation and National Security Agency Announce Certification of First Tactical Radio with Type-1 Suite B Information Security

*New Harris RF-310M-HH Radio Simplifies Interoperable Tactical Communications Between Coalition Forces to SECRET Levels of Information Security
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Sept. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS - News), an international communications and information technology company, today announced it has received certification from the National Security Agency (NSA) for the Harris RF-310M-HH, the world's first tactical radio to utilize new encryption technology designed to simplify the enabling of communications interoperability within multinational coalitions. Harris and NSA collaborated on the new technology, which is based on a set of commercial algorithms and keying techniques defined as "Suite B."
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The Harris RF-310M-HH is a multiband, multi-mission, software-defined Suite B radio certified to transmit voice and data up to the U.S. SECRET level. The objective of the Harris/NSA joint project is to make it easier for U.S. forces and coalition partners to communicate on the battlefield, resulting in improved coordination, easier mission planning and reduced instances of friendly fire. These radios will be commercially available to coalition partners with limited restrictions and will enable secure communications with U.S. troops using other equipment such as the JTRS-approved Falcon III® AN/PRC-152© handheld and AN/PRC-117G manpack radios. The RF-310M-HH has also been submitted to NATO's Military Committee Communications and Information Systems Security and Evaluation Agency for NATO SECRET traffic certification.
"Through our work with the NSA in developing the RF-310M-HH radio, we are jointly addressing an emerging need for enabling tactical communications between coalition partners," said Dana Mehnert, Group President, Harris RF Communications. "This radio delivers the advantages of encrypted waveform interoperability, protecting voice and data to SECRET levels of information security without the handling rules and regulations governing controlled cryptographic items (CCI). This capability simplifies security, logistics and operational planning."
The RF-310M-HH radio offers an easy-to-use, cost-effective way of transforming the ad-hoc nature of communications among coalition partners in conflicts such as the war in Afghanistan. This new radio will enable nations in the International Security Assistance Force to modernize and securely interoperate throughout the coalition.
The RF-310M-HH radio, covering the 30 MHz to 512 MHz frequency range, leverages the expertise of Harris Corporation as the leading provider of software-defined tactical radios around the world. The RF-310M-HH is interoperable with the JTRS-approved AN/PRC-152© handheld and AN/PRC-117G manpack radios. There are more than 80,000 AN/PRC-152© radios deployed around the world.
The RF-310M-HH radio is based on the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and uses the Sierra 2B Core Software, recently certified by the NSA. The radio also includes the Type-3 APCO P25 waveform, enabling interoperability with public safety first responders. Because the RF-310M-HH is a software-defined radio built and compliant with the Software Communications Architecture (SCA), the radio is positioned to host other current and future waveforms.
Harris RF Communications is the leading global supplier of secure radio communications and embedded high-grade encryption solutions for military, government and commercial organizations. The company's Falcon family of software-defined tactical radio systems encompasses manpack, handheld and vehicular applications. Falcon III is the next-generation of radios supporting the U.S. military's Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) requirements as well as network-centric operations worldwide. Harris RF Communications is also a leading supplier of assured communications systems and equipment for public safety, utility and transportation markets, with products ranging from the most advanced IP voice and data networks to portable and mobile single- and multiband radios.
About Harris Corporation
Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $5 billion of annual revenue and more than 15,000 employees -- including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.