A soldier using an Exelis radio. Photo: Exelis

[Via Satellite 10-13-2014] Exelis has received a task order from the U.S. Army Contracting Command for a limited quantity of SideHat Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW) applique radios based on an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) award received in April this year. The Army hopes to obtain the required material release for SRW applique fielding based on the testing.

SideHat SRW applique radio operates in Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and L-Band, and is intended to offer a cost-effective second channel solution to Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS) vehicular radio installations. Specifically, the SideHat is meant to overcome challenges associated with operating in a vehicular electromagnetic and physical environment on the battlefield.

According to Exelis, SINCGARS combined with SideHat and SRW can support up to four channels (two SRW and two VHF), and increase the range that dismounted soldiers can communicate to mounted soldiers with voice and data.