Harris Corporation's Falcon III(r) AN/PRC-152A multiband handheld radio has received Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Certification from the Joint Tactical Networking Center. It is the second Harris Falcon III wideband radio to receive this important designation, following the AN/PRC-117G multiband manpack.

JTRS Certification means that the Falcon III AN/PRC-152A is approved and ready to operate as part of a DoD architecture for battlefield networking. JTRS Certification fosters development of tactical networking radios that are low-risk, secure and interoperable. To become JTRS certified, a tactical device must fulfill seven separate requirements. The radio was certified operating Soldier Radio Waveform software version 1.01.1C.

Both the handheld and vehicular versions of the Harris Falcon III radio are providing wideband handheld tactical communications as part of Capability Set 13, the Army's initial fielding of integrated tactical networking capabilities. The radios have also been integral to the Army's Network Integration Evaluation field exercises.

In addition, the AN/PRC-152A has been widely deployed by U.S. Special Operations Command, other branches of the military and U.S. allies. The radio previously received Type-1 Certification from the National Security Agency to operate both the JTRS Soldier Radio and Harris Adaptive Networking Wideband waveforms.

“JTRS certification plays a central role in enabling true multi-vendor competition in tactical radios. JTRS certification means our radios meet the stringent DoD (Department of Defense) requirements for wideband tactical communications, and perform to common government standards for interoperability, security and software re-use,” said George Helm, President, DoD business unit, Harris RF Communications.