Harris gets more radio work from Marines

Harris Corp. will continue upgrading U.S. Marine Corps tactical radio communications with multiband, multimission Falcon III handheld and vehicular radio systems under a new $96.7 million contract.

The Marine Corps is acquiring the radios through the previously announced $2.7 billion Consolidated Interim Single Channel Handheld Radio contract awarded to Harris by the Joint Program Executive Office for the Joint Tactical Radio System.

Under this contract, Harris will provide the Marines with its Falcon III AN/PRC-152(C) handheld radio.

The radios provide ultra-high frequency ground-to-ground line-of-sight communications, close-air support, tactical satellite communications and programmable encryption.

The Marines also are acquiring Falcon III AN/VRC-110 high-performance multiband vehicular radio systems.

"[The radios] provide extended frequency range, significant reductions in weight and size, waveform upgradeability, programmable encryption and easy vehicle dismount," said George Helm, vice president and general manager of U.S. Government Products at Harris RF Communications.

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