The littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2). Photo: U.S. Navy/ Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Trevor Welsh

[Via Satellite 08-11-2015] The U.S. Navy has ordered Digital Modular Radios (DMRs) and related equipment from General Dynamics to enable communications aboard new vessels with the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS). The order is valued at more than $29 million for 56 AN/USC-61(C) DMRs and related equipment, purchased through option five on a contract awarded to General Dynamics in 2010.

The newly built DMR radios will be capable of using the MUOS waveform needed to make voice calls through the U.S. Department of Defense‘s next generation narrowband satellite communications system. The four-channel radios form the foundation of the Navy’s network communications aboard submarines, surface ships and on-shore locations.

Earlier this year, General Dynamics announced a software upgrade for existing DMRs that turns the radio’s four channels into eight virtual channels. This expanded communications capacity is available when crewmembers are using High Frequency (HF) communication frequencies. General Dynamics has delivered more than 550 DMRs since 1998.