COTS Communications Equipment

The COTS Communications Equipment program (Budget Line Item 9164BU8100) is a critical component of the Army's Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) initiative, aimed at modernizing the Army's Command and Control (C2) systems. This line item supports both active and reserve components for homeland defense, emergency response, and military support to civil authorities, as mandated by Section 1815 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act.

The overarching goal is to procure non-developmental items (NDI) and services that enhance tactical communications, interoperability, and resilience through commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions. This supports the Army's Network Modernization Strategy and the Integrated Tactical Network (ITN) Capability Set fielding concept.

The Low Cost Tactical Radio Replacement (LCTRR) sub-program focuses on replacing and modernizing legacy Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) radios to meet emerging threats and cryptographic modernization mandates. LCTRR procures Combat Net Radios (CNR) as NDI solutions, ensuring resilient, secure communications for Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). Funding covers hardware, data, integration, depot facilitization, logistics, risk management framework (RMF) support, fielding, and systems engineering and program management (SEPM). The acquisition strategy leverages multiple vendor contracts to meet production and fielding requirements.

The Tactical Communications Components sub-program supports NGC2 integration efforts by providing Link 16, line-of-sight (LOS), beyond line-of-sight (BLOS), and advanced networking waveform (ANWf) radios. These radios integrate Army tactical applications and commercial network components for a flexible, resilient network environment. Funding supports capability set procurements, platform integration, fielding, logistics, initial spares, and system engineering. The decrease in funding from FY 2025 to FY 2026 reflects the completion of rapid fielding under the ITN Mid-Tier Acquisition (MTA) process.

Communication Gateways provide voice and data bridging across multiple echelons, including rapidly deployable Link 16 Air/Ground LOS and SATCOM systems, and tactical integration kits for routing and switching between waveforms. The program supports platform integration, fielding, out-of-warranty repairs, and system engineering to ensure seamless communication between different tactical radio systems and operational centers.

The Networked Radios Planner sub-program delivers the Ruggedized Applications Platform Tactical Radios (RAP-TR) hardware and integrated software applications for Network Operations (NetOps) planning, management, and provisioning. Funding supports procurement, software licenses, spares, program management, systems engineering, integration, testing, depot, help desk, and logistics/training support. RAP-TR ensures compliance with crypto-modernization requirements and provides NetOps functionality for planning, monitoring, and configuring software-defined radios and waveforms.

The Cross Domain Solution (CDS) PEO C3T sub-program procures Tactical Cross Domain Solution (TACDS) units to support Brigade Combat Teams and ITN capability updates. CDS enforces domain separation and content filtering between security domains, enabling secure information sharing across military divisions and intelligence agencies. Funding also covers hardware tech refresh, license upgrades, repairs, systems engineering, and compliance with Raise The Bar (RTB) cybersecurity requirements, supporting the Mission Partner Environment (MPE) and national cross-domain strategies.

Contingency Communications provides assured multi-path communications for senior DoD leaders, particularly in rotary wing platforms. The program integrates COTS SATCOM and cellular Internet services for secure TS/SCI voice and video teleconferencing. Funding supports cell and SATCOM services, Spectrum Supportability Risk Assessments (SSRAs), Field Service Representatives (FSR), and program management, ensuring secure communications during contingency operations.

High Frequency (HF) Radios support long-distance, wide-area voice and data communications for ground, air-to-ground, and fixed position mission command. HF radios can augment or replace SATCOM in degraded or denied environments. The acquisition strategy uses COTS/NDI radios for technology refresh, mitigating crypto-modernization and obsolescence issues. Funding covers procurement, initial spares, fielding, depot facilitization, platform integration, systems engineering, and test and evaluation, supporting both operational readiness and compliance with NSA certification requirements.