AN/PRC-117

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AN/PRC-117G manpack radio AN PRC 117G Manpack radio.jpg
AN/PRC-117G manpack radio

The AN/PRC-117 translates to "Army/Navy, Portable, Radio, Communication". It is a man-portable, tactical software-defined combat-net radio, manufactured by Harris Corporation (now L3Harris), in two different versions:

Contents

Both radios have NSA certification for the transmission of voice and data traffic up to the Top Secret level. [5]

The designation AN/PRC signifies "Army Navy / Portable Radio Communications" and is based on the Joint Electronics Type Designation System guidelines. The radios are also provided in a vehicular configuration under the AN/VRC-103 nomenclature.

The AN/PRC-117 series is notable for its software-defined architecture, which allows for ongoing upgrades and adaptability to evolving mission requirements. Fully compliant with the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) standards, the radio supports multiband and multimission operations across a wide frequency range. The AN/PRC-117G variant is 30% smaller and 35% lighter than the previous models in its class, enhancing portability for dismounted operations. It features Type-1 and NINE Suite B encryption, enabling secure interoperability with US, NATO, and coalition partners. Its removable Keypad Display Unit (KDU) facilitates operation while the radio is stowed, making it effective for on-the-move communication.

The AN/PRC-117 can also be deployed in a vehicular configuration under the AN/VRC-103 designation, with mounting systems and integrated communication cases such as the ABP-ITPC-4G-152-250 supporting multi-transceiver setups. The radios are engineered to endure harsh environmental conditions, including shock, vibration, and water immersion. The AN/PRC-117G is MUOS-ready, enabling Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) satellite communications, and the AN/PRC-117F(C)-HQ includes ground-to-air capabilities with HAVEQUICK I/II support. Multiple power options - AC, DC, and battery - enhance operational flexibility across various mission environments.

Users

A PRC-117 radio and SATCOM antenna US Navy 071211-N-1924T-035 Marine Lance Cpl. Christine Salazar, a member of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, uses a PRC-117 radio and SATCOM antenna to receive communications while aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Nass.jpg
A PRC-117 radio and SATCOM antenna

The AN/PRC-117F/G radio is currently in use with the United States Navy Seabee and EOD teams in their MRAP and JERRV vehicles. [2] The radio is also in use by the United States Marine Corps, [6] United States Army, [7] USSOCOM, [8] United States Coast Guard, United States Air Force, [9] Royal Air Force, [10] Dutch Army, Spanish Air Force, British Army, Norwegian Armed Forces, Danish Army, Croatian Army [11] Canadian Armed Forces and German Armed Forces. [12]

The radio is part of an Over-the-horizon Satellite Communications and Improved Dual Command and Control Console system recognized by the US Army as a Top 10 Invention in 2005. [13]

The radio has also been embedded in remote mine hunting systems for the US Navy. [14]

Specifications

AN/PRC-117F AN PRC-117F.jpg
AN/PRC-117F
AN/PRC-117G in the National Cryptologic Museum AN-PRC-117G FALCON III manpack radio - National Cryptologic Museum - DSC07959.JPG
AN/PRC-117G in the National Cryptologic Museum

General

Transmitter

Receiver

Interoperability

Interfaces

Physical Dimensions

Environmental

Key Features

Waveforms

Line of Sight

SATCOM

See also

References

  1. ↑ "AN/PRC-117F(C) MULTIBAND, MULTIMISSION RADIO Data Sheet" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-10-31.
  2. 1 2 "U.S. Navy Awards Harris Corporation $16 Million Contract for Falcon II and Falcon III Radios". Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  3. ↑ "AN/PRC-117G(V)1(C) type-1 WIDEBAND MULTIBAND MULTIMISSION radio WITH INTERNAL SAASM GPS data sheet" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
  4. ↑ "L3Harris Fast. Forward".
  5. ↑ Harris Corporation Receives NSA and DAMA Certification for Falcon II Multiband/Multimission Radios
  6. ↑ "Harris Corporation Awarded Potential $205 Million Contract For U.S. Marine Corps MBMMR Radio Standardization Program". 2005-10-16. Archived from the original on 2011-07-11.
  7. ↑ "Harris Corporation Awarded $46 Million Contract from the U.S. Army for Falcon II AN/PRC-117F(C) Multiband Multimission Radios". 2006-10-13. Archived from the original on 2011-07-11.
  8. ↑ NDM Article - Joint Tactical Radio Expected To Meet Special-Warfare Needs Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ↑ NDM Article - Air-Strike Coordinators Need Lighter Equipment Archived 2008-06-07 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ↑ https://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/portable-radio-communication-prc.cfm Archived 2017-04-25 at the Wayback Machine Portable Radio Communication PRC
  11. ↑ "Home". hrvatski-vojnik.hr.
  12. ↑ DND/CF Backgrounder- Army Equipment for Operation ARCHER Archived April 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ↑ "US Army Awards for Top 10 Inventions of 2005". Archived from the original on 2007-06-21. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
  14. ↑ NDM Article - Navy Mine Hunting System Gets Long-Range Data Link Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  15. ↑ "AN/PRC-117F(C)-HQ GROUND-TO-AIR HAVEQUICK I/II RADIO" (PDF). ZSIS (Croatia's Information Systems Security Bureau). Harris Corporation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 January 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "L3HARRIS FALCON III AN/PRC-117G(V)1(C) Multiband Networking Manpack Radio" (PDF). L3Harris. July 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
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