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
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.

Today in WW II: 28 Sep 1943 More than 9000 Japanese troops escape from Central Solomons to southern Bougainville in a well-organized evacuation effort [28 Sep-3 Oct].   

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)
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

  • 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

AN/VRC-103 Vehicular Adapter with AN/PRC-117F(C) installed
AN/VRC-103 Vehicular Adapter with AN/PRC-117F(C) installed.

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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