Collins Aerospace performs interoperability tests between airborne and ground radios over MUOS SATCOM network

• Offers customers one-stop-shop for air-to-ground communications over MUOS, providing cost savings and lower risk
• MUOS to provide warfighters with worldwide coverage for crystal-clear voice communications and secure transfer of mission data

Collins Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp., recently completed voice checks over the live Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) SATCOM network, sending the communications from the company's sixth-generation ARC-210 software-defined airborne radio to its PRC-162 tactical ground radio.

This marks the first time a company has successfully performed tests using its own production airborne and ground radios over the live MUOS network, showing true interoperability of MUOS communications from air to ground on the battlefield. Collins Aerospace's unique ability to offer both air and ground radios that have demonstrated MUOS capability provides customers a number of benefits. Key benefits include zero interoperability risk and reduced life-cycle costs by having one logistics pipeline for repairs or new purchases as required.

MUOS is the next-generation SATCOM system to be used by the US Department of Defense (DoD) for air and ground communications, operating in the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band for greater overall capacity and signal quality. MUOS offers reliable voice and data connectivity, providing the warfighter with improved communications capabilities.

"Collins has led the way in developing military radios that will bring the benefits of MUOS communications capabilities to the warfighter, which include improved security, mobility, and access," said Troy Brunk, vice president and general manager, Communication, Navigation and Guidance Solutions for Collins Aerospace. "MUOS will be particularly beneficial to those operating in rough terrain and beyond line of site circumstances."

The company's ARC-210 airborne radio is currently the only fully certified MUOS capable airborne radio on the market. In 2018, the PRC-162 tactical ground radio received its MUOS security certification and recently performed live voice checks over the MUOS network at the US Army Aberdeen Proving Ground.

The ARC-210 and PRC-162 are both part of Collins Aerospace's TruNet™ networked communications family of products, which includes ground and airborne radios, advanced networking waveforms, applications, and support and services that enable ground and airborne elements to exchange voice and critical data in real time.

Collins Aerospace recently received its sixth order from the US Army for the PRC-162 as part of the service's Handheld, Manpack and Small Form Factor (HMS) program. In 2018, the company was awarded a long-term contract with the US Navy's Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to provide its MUOS-capable ARC-210.