Rockwell Collins has carved another place in military communications history by developing the first airborne V/UHF radio that meets the military security requirements for operation with the Department of Defense’s (DoD) new Mobile User Objective System (MUOS). The testing, known as Do No Harm (DNH), was performed on the ARC-210 RT-2036(C) by the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR). The sixth generation ARC-210 is the only airborne radio on the market to have completed testing using the most current MUOS waveform.
“We’re at the forefront of this new technology and one step closer to bringing certified MUOS capability to airborne operations,” said Troy Brunk, vice president and general manager, Communication, Navigation and Electronic Warfare Solutions for Rockwell Collins. “The benefits of MUOS, which include improved mobility, frequency capacity, access and signal quality, will provide the communications our warfighters need for continued success in the future.”
Rockwell Collins conducted initial ARC-210 MUOS flight testing in 2013 and is set to begin fielding in 2018. Recently announced, a US Air Force F-16 will be the first aircraft to be equipped with the ARC-210 RT-2036(C).
MUOS is the next-generation SATCOM system used by the DoD for air and ground communications, operating in the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band for greater overall capacity and signal quality. Any combination of voice, data or video can be accessed through the MUOS while providing troops with improved communications capabilities, particularly within rough terrain and beyond line of sight situations compared to legacy systems.