Australia & France - Harris (www.harris.com) introduced the Falcon III RF-7800H wideband manpack. The RF-7800H dramatically improves HF tactical communications by transmitting video clips, images, maps and other large data files from beyond-line-of-sight environments for the first time.

The new RF-7800H from Harris, the leading provider of HF tactical communications, offers data rates that are 10 times greater than current HF manpacks.

This is significant because HF radios play a unique role in the success of military missions by providing assured long-distance tactical communications to warfighters operating in mountainous or urban terrain. Current HF radios only provide enough bandwidth for voice and limited data communication such as text messaging.

The new RF-7800H is 20 percent smaller and lighter than previous HF manpacks and operates on a single battery. It also features a Software Communications Architecture-based operating environment that allows for easy upgrades to deliver new features and address emerging requirements.

The RF-7800H offers the first highly reliable alternative to satellite communications for beyond line-of-sight data communications.

“The new RF-7800H provides enhanced wideband HF data capabilities that will enable streamlined command and control on the battlefield,’’ said Brendan O’Connell, president, international business unit, Harris RF Communications.

“The RF-7800H radio leverages a half-century of experience and innovation in waveform development and design and manufacturing of high-performance HF transceivers. The RF-7800H lightens the warfighter’s load with a streamlined ergonomic form factor, reduced size and weight and single battery operation.’’

Harris has delivered more than 100,000 Falcon II high-frequency manpack radios, providing significant leadership in development of state-of-the-art in HF. Harris innovations include introducing the first and only Type-1 HF manpack, MELP digital voice, embedded Internet Protocol and third-generation Automatic Link Establishment.

Harris played a lead role in designing and developing wideband HF technology for the U.S. government, which is now standardized in US MIL-STD-188-110C. The RF-7800H embedded wideband modem is designed in accordance with this standard.

The wider bandwidth waveform in the RF-7800H provides more robust communications than traditional narrowband tactical communications environments. Weighing just under 4 kilograms, the RF-7800H provides continuous coverage in the 1.5 MHz to 60 MHz frequency band.

It is fully backwards compatible with the Harris Falcon II HF product line and accessories. The RF-7800H has an internal GPS and offers both Citadel and AES encryption.

Harris RF Communications is a global supplier of secure radio communications and embedded high-grade encryption solutions for military, government and commercial organizations. The company's Falcon family of software-defined tactical radio systems encompasses manpack, handheld and vehicular applications.

Falcon III is the next generation of radios supporting the U.S. military's Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) requirements, as well as network-centric operations worldwide.