AN/PRC-117 Manpack Radio
Lance Cpl. Mark Gonzales, field radio operator with the Communications section of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), checks an AN/PRC-117 field radio as he is given instruction on the new Harris Remote Control Unit aboard USS Boxer, 28 September 2006.
AN/PRC-117 Manpack Radio
Harris Corporations’ AN/PRC-117 multiband manpack radios have been produced in variants A through G, since the 1990s. The AN/PRC-117 is a single radio that replaces three existing radios (AN/PRC-113, AN/PSC-5, and AN/PRC-119 SINCGARS). It also comes in four variants: UHF Vehicle, VHF Vehicle, UHF Manpack, and VHF Manpack.
Harris Corporation FALCON II AN/PRC-117F(C)
The FALCON II AN/PRC-117F(C) includes an NSA-certified, Type 1 internal security module to provide secure voice and data needs for ground-ground, ground-air, and ground-satellite communications. The AN/PRC-117F(C) is in wide-spread use by U.S. and allied forces in the mid-2000s. The manpack Falcon III AN/PRC-117(G)(C) is intended to be fully compliant with Joint Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS or 'jitters') requirements. JTRS is a software defined radio based on the JTRS Software Communications Architecture (SCA).
The lightweight manpack AN/PRC-117 is a continuous coverage radio with VHF-high, VHF-low and UHF bands, an upgrade/functional replacement for the AN/PRC-113 radio. The AN/PRC-117F(C) complies with SINCGARS, Havequick (frequency-hopping system) and UHF TACSAT standards. The fully programmable platform is software upgradeable with new features and waveforms to meet emerging mission requirements.
For TACSAT operation, the radio supports single-channel and Demand-Assigned Multiple-
Access (DAMA) modes. Data rates up to 56 kbps are automatically selected on dedicated
TACSAT channels using Harris’ integrated High Performance Waveform (HPW). A 64 kbps
waveform is also included to support high-speed, ground-to-ground communication.
AN/PRC-117F(C) Technical Characteristics
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Transmission Range:
- UHF- LOS dependent
- VHF- 5 to 10 miles
- SATCOM- 300 miles (Network and channel access dependent)
- Frequency Range: 30.0000-512.0000
- Power Source: BA-5590 (LITHIUM) two each, weight- 1.45lbs
- Power Output: 10 Watts (VHF), 20 Watts UHF
- Weight: 13.8 lbs without batteries, 16.7 lbs. with batteries
- Crypto Unit: Internal COMSEC
AN/VRC-103 Vehicular Adapter
The AN/VRC-103(V)1 is the 50-watt amplifier and vehicular adapter for the AN/PRC-117F(C). Key features include:
- shock mounting for all components
- diplexed antenna outputs for high-gain, band-specific antennas
- DC power filtering for supply noise and voltage spike suppression
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