The US Army has procured 7,000 additional RT-2129 combat net radios (CNRs) from Thales to ensure robust and secure communications on the battlefield.
The order is part of a $6 billion dual-vendor, multi-year contract signed in May 2022.
According to the company, the system will form a critical element in the US Army’s modernization efforts as it will serve as a modern radio replacement for its legacy Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS).
It is designed to enable resilient communications in all environments, while also enhancing combat weapon systems.
“The combat net radio continues Thales’ tradition of being responsive to emerging needs in support of the warfighter with a next-generation radio that uses existing training, installation kits, and system integration to ensure mission readiness,” Thales CEO Mike Sheehan said.
The army now has more than 8,100 CNRs under order from Thales.
‘Giving Tactical Advantage’
Based on the AN/PRC-148 Joint Tactical Radio System Enhanced Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio, the RT-2129 CNR is the latest variant in the Thales family of battle-proven radios.
It is reportedly flexible and software-defined, giving soldiers the needed tactical advantage on future battlefields.
The system is compatible with existing SINCGARS waveforms and is easily configurable to address evolving requirements.
“The CNR is designed to easily integrate into the army’s Integrated Tactical Network and operate reliably under the most extreme conditions,” the company stated.