AN/PRC-117

AN/PRC-117
Name	AN/PRC-117
Type	Man-portable tactical radio

AN/PRC-117 The AN/PRC-117 is a family of man-portable wideband tactical radios used for voice, data, and satellite communications in expeditionary operations. Developed to provide beyond-line-of-sight connectivity, the system integrates frequency-hopping VHF/UHF and satellite links for interoperability with ground, air, and maritime platforms. It has been adopted across multiple armed forces and coalition partners for tactical networked communications during operations and exercises.

Overview and Development

The initial procurement and development traces to program offices and contractors associated with modernizing tactical communications during post-Cold War and early 21st-century operations, influenced by requirements from United States Department of Defense, United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and interoperability demands arising from operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Industry participants included suppliers experienced in battlefield radios who worked alongside acquisition organizations like Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency-linked programs and systems integrators supporting North Atlantic Treaty Organization interoperability initiatives. Fielding schedules were coordinated with doctrine updates from Joint Chiefs of Staff publications and coalition partner communications working groups organized under NATO Standardization Office guidance.

Design and Technical Specifications

The design incorporates a modular chassis with software-defined radio elements to support waveform libraries, enabling compatibility with legacy waveforms and newer wideband standards required by platforms such as M1 Abrams, M2 Bradley, and rotary-wing assets like AH-64 Apache. It supports line-of-sight VHF/UHF, frequency-hopping anti-jam links, and satellite communications compatible with constellations and relay nodes used by Defense Satellite Communications System and other military SATCOM assets. Power options integrate with tactical power systems including batteries used by AN/PVS-14-equipped dismounted teams and vehicle power converters employed in vehicles certified under logistics chains like those used in Operation Just Cause. Physical interface standards align with accessory ecosystems from manufacturers supplying to programs such as Joint Tactical Radio System initiatives, and the unit interoperates with tactical networks following routing and gateway practices implemented in Battlefield Management System deployments.

Variants and Upgrades

Multiple iterations introduced enhancements to bandwidth, waveform support, and environmental ruggedization to meet standards promulgated by organizations including Underwriters Laboratories and military testing agencies such as U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command. Variants addressed specific mission sets for infantry, special operations units aligned with United States Special Operations Command, and mounted applications for forces like United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. Upgrades added interoperability with encryption suites certified by National Security Agency and compliance with frequency allocation regimes managed by Federal Communications Commission and international regulators engaged through International Telecommunication Union processes.

Operational Use and Deployment

The radio family has seen deployment in expeditionary campaigns, stabilization missions, and coalition exercises conducted by formations like 1st Cavalry Division, 3rd Infantry Division, and marine expeditionary units operating from amphibious assault ships such as USS Bataan (LHD-5). It supported airborne and air assault operations coordinated with 82nd Airborne Division and aviation brigades in combined arms maneuvers with armored and mechanized elements during training events at ranges like Fort Irwin and Grafenwoehr Training Area. Tactical data links enabled by the radios facilitated command-and-control overlays used in operations planned by headquarters such as United States Central Command and multinational staff structures during Operation Resolute Support.

Users and Operators

Operators include armed forces and security organizations from NATO and partner nations deploying units within structures like British Army, Canadian Armed Forces, Australian Defence Force, and multiple European and Middle Eastern militaries. Special operations elements and infantry brigades within these forces utilized the radios for secure communications during missions coordinated with coalition headquarters including Combined Joint Task Force formations. Defense procurement offices and logistics agencies in countries such as France, Germany, Italy, and Spain have evaluated or adopted compatible systems for interoperability in multinational operations.

Maintenance, Training, and Support

Maintenance procedures follow technical manuals and field service representative programs provided by manufacturers in coordination with sustainment organizations like Defense Logistics Agency and national materiel commands such as U.S. Army Materiel Command. Training curricula for communicators and radio operators were developed by institutions like United States Army Signal School and combined arms schools at Marine Corps Combat Development Command, emphasizing waveform management, encryption keying, and integration with platforms including tactical vehicles and airborne assault assets. Contractor logistics support agreements and spare parts provisioning were managed through supply chains interfacing with defense industrial bases in regions served by programs overseen by Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

Category:Tactical radios