Tactical Network Radio Systems (Low-Tier)

Tactical Network Radio Systems (Low-Tier), Program Element 0605042A, supports the Army's Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) initiative by developing and verifying radios for the command-and-control transport layer. It is funded through the Army's Research, Development, Test and Evaluation appropriation, under Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration. Its two research and development projects cover Manpack Radio and Rifleman Radio (RR), including other handheld variants. Together, they provide classified and unclassified communications while supporting the Integrated Tactical Network's transport needs.

The radios belong to the Handheld, Manpack, and Small Form Fit (HMS) program, a single Acquisition Category 1C effort. Software-reprogrammable, networkable, multimode HMS systems carry simultaneous voice and data for dismounted personnel and platforms, whether moving, halted, or stationary. They support line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight communications and can serve tactical end-user devices. HMS is intended to meet scalable communications needs across the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Special Operations Command.

HMS completed Initial Operational Test and Evaluation in January 2021 and identified actions to resolve its findings. Fiscal year 2027 funding supports laboratory technical testing, delta testing, Performance Verification Tests (PVTs), and Operational User Assessments (OUAs) or Soldier Touch Points (STPs). These events gather technical and operational feedback on vendor enhancements, future waveforms, soldier usability, and life-cycle sustainment. The fiscal year 2027 budget increase reflects that the previous President's Budget request did not include out-year funding.

Manpack Radio provides classified and unclassified communications using the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) waveform, plus advanced networking waveforms such as TrellisWare TSM for secure-but-unclassified traffic. It also supports tactical satellite communications through the Navy-managed Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) waveform; its available waveforms include Warrior Robust Enhanced Network (WREN) TSM and legacy satellite communications. Manpack systems form part of the HMS backbone for a converged mission-command network. Following a competitively awarded non-developmental-item contract and a March 2017 acquisition strategy, HMS received a positive Full Rate Production decision in 2021.

Manpack Radio fiscal year 2027 work separates acquisition oversight, engineering, and test activities. Program management covers execution, contracts, reporting, logistics, and integrated product team planning, with matrix and contractor support. Systems engineers will assess technical alternatives and communications architectures to reduce costs and improve tactical-radio performance. Testing will examine radio-frequency performance, security, reliability, availability, maintainability, suitability, survivability, and environmental performance; additional verification drives the increase in this activity. Planned PVT and OUA events occur in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2027, respectively, while examination of modular and open architectures could lower future integration and waveform-porting costs.

Rifleman Radio (RR) is the handheld project line, covering the legacy single-channel RR, two-channel Leader Radio (LR), Single Channel Data Radio (SCDR), and Sensitive But Unclassified-Encryption (SBU-E) capabilities. LR can run SINCGARS and an advanced networking waveform simultaneously in handheld or mounted configurations at fixed or mobile sites. Advanced HMS waveforms also support sensitive-but-unclassified and Secret and Below communications. SBU-E is a critical Army radio-modernization component, while SCDR serves as associated support equipment for Soldier Borne Mission Command.

Rifleman Radio (RR) acquisition shifted toward LR after a 2016 decision reduced the planned basis of issue for single-channel RR and increased it for LR. A 2017 addendum retained a multivendor approach, using the existing handheld indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract to add LR capability in 2018; LR remains a separate competition. Candidate non-developmental radios must demonstrate compliance, effectiveness, suitability, and survivability for materiel release and Full Rate Production. SCDR transitioned into HMS in 2021, and the project also supports any necessary SCDR testing.

Rifleman Radio (RR) fiscal year 2027 funds acquisition management, engineering analysis, and increased testing and verification of handheld products. Engineers will evaluate alternatives to improve performance and reduce costs. Delta tests, PVTs, OUAs, and STPs will assess vendor enhancements and operational characteristics, including security, radio-frequency performance, reliability, survivability, and environmental performance. The project will also examine open architectures to potentially reduce integration and waveform-porting costs, with its fiscal year 2027 PVT scheduled for the third quarter and OUA for the fourth.