NSA Certifies Harris Corp’s Manpack for Top Secret Missions

U.S. Army Soldiers with the 4th Brigade, 1st Infantry Division stand guard at a market in Al Doura in Baghdad, Iraq, April 5, 2007, providing security for Ryan Crocker, U.S. ambassador to Iraq. Photo: Sgt. Curt Cashour, U.S. Army

[Via Satellite 08-21-2014] The National Security Agency (NSA) has granted Type 1 certification for Harris Corporation’s Falcon 3 RF-340M multi-channel manpack radio. Harris is now able to field the radios for secure communications reaching up to the top secret level of information assurance. The company expects to make the first delivery to the U.S. Navy this fall.

The Falcon 3 RF-340M supports all required U.S. government wideband and narrowband waveforms, and will deliver Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite communications service without needing additional hardware modules. Users can operate the radios on multiple networks simultaneously.

The radios also include an expansion slot for emerging and unique mission needs. The extra space provides room for potential upgrades such as higher speed wideband networking, satellite communications, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR).