AN/PRC-153

Last updated
AN/PRC-153
A US Marine infantry team leader with a PRC-153 during a patrol in Afghanistan USMC-100217-M-1012C-010.jpg
A US Marine infantry team leader with a PRC-153 during a patrol in Afghanistan
TypeHandheld tactical radio
Service History
In service2006 -
Used by US Marines
Conflicts Iraq War, War in Afghanistan,
Operation Inherent Resolve
Production history
Manufacturer Motorola Solutions
Produced2006–2014
Number builtOver 60,000
Specifications
Frequency range380–470 MHz (UHF R1)
Transmit powerup to 5 watts
Modesanalog and digital voice,
digital data (text messaging)
EncryptionAdvanced Encryption Standard,
Data Encryption Standard

The AN/PRC-153 is the Joint Electronics Type Designation System designation for the US military version of the Motorola XTS-2500i secure handheld 2-way radio, known as the Integrated, Intra-Squad Radio (IISR) within the US Marine Corps. [1] Its intended purpose is squad-level communications during urban warfare. The USMC ordered 60,000 radios to be used until replaced by the more complex Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) cluster 5 spiral 2 radio in 2013. [2] However, JTRS was cancelled in October 2011, [3] and thus the PRC-153 continues to serve. The IISR is a Motorola XTS 2500i [4] with embedded encryption module to provide secure voice communications. The embedded encryption module is identical to that of the commercially available XTS 2500 modules, and supports DES and AES encryption algorithms. As such, it is not classified as a Controlled Cryptographic Item (CCI).

Specifications

Sources: [5] [6]

Frequency range: 380–470 MHz (UHF R1)

Power output: 2.5–5 watts

Antenna: omnidirectional, flexible monopole antenna mounted to radio body with SMA connector. 50Ω characteristic impedance.

Transmission Range: up to 5 miles on flat terrain, 1 mile with obstacles

Channels: 240 channels total, 12.5 or 25 kHz channel bandwidth

Operating modes: Analog voice (unencrypted only), IMBE digital voice (encrypted and unencrypted), digital text messaging

Programming: Windows PC-based Customer Programming Software via RS-232 or USB cable (all models), Front Panel Programming (FPP) (Model III only)

Encryption: Internal Type II COMSEC supporting AES, DES, DVP, ADP algorithms

Encryption key fill: CPS for software-based 40-bit ADP encryption, Key Variable Loader (KVL) for hardware-based algorithms such as AES, DES, etc.

Weight: 11 oz (transceiver only), 19.85 oz with NiCD (Nickel-Cadmium) battery

Dimensions: 6.00" x 2.30" x 1.50" (w/o battery or antenna)

Environmental exposure certifications: MIL-STD-810 C, D, E, F and IP67 ratings.

Sources

  1. Hello, Moto: $76M for Intra Squad Radios
  2. Military & Aerospace Electronics - Marine Corps awards contract for 60,000 infantry handheld radios
  3. McGarry, Brendan; Capaccio, Anthony (October 14, 2011). "Boeing Army Radio Program Canceled by Pentagon as Costs Rise". Bloomberg Business . Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  4. "XTS 2500 2500 Digital Portable Radio" (PDF). Motorola. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  5. COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT B191716 STUDENT HANDOUT (PDF). Camp Barret, VA, USA: United States Marine Corps Basic Officer Course. p. 29.
  6. ASTRO® XTS® 2500 and XTS® 2500I Digital Portable Radios (PDF). Schaumburg, Illinois, USA: Motorola Solutions, Inc. 2008.


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