Harris to supply Marines with broadband radio

Harris Corp. will help the Marine Corps deliver high-bandwidth data networking capability near the battlefield under a new $7.7 million contract for its Broadband Ethernet Radio system.

The company's RF-7800W system extends tactical command and control communications for ground forces. It does this by providing wireless backbone connections between higher-level command posts and forward-operating bases at data rates in excess of 80 Megabits per second.

Harris is providing the radios to integrate into the Wireless Point to Point Link system, an element of the Marines' battlefield communications solution.

The RF-7800W securely transfers encrypted Internet Protocol traffic over distances up to 50 kilometers under clear line-of-sight conditions. When deployed, the RF-7800W will provide connectivity in both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint configurations.

The agreement was granted under contract with the Army Project Manager for the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical. It was awarded through the Army's multibillion-dollar Worldwide Satellite Systems contract vehicle.

Harris Corp. of Melbourne, Fla., ranks No. 21 on Washington Technology's 2007 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.