Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company, has successfully demonstrated a new programmable software solution that will help enable U.S. and UK soldiers to communicate securely using Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) and Bowman tactical radios.  The U.S. JTRS and UK Bowman systems are based on different standards and previously were not interoperable.

Under a contract with the JTRS Network Enterprise Domain (NED) office, Harris developed a suite of cryptographic applications for its Sierra(R) II programmable encryption engine to provide secure communications interoperability with legacy, hardware-based encryption solutions.  A demonstration of one such application - the ability to interoperate with the UK legacy Bowman radios - was sponsored by the JTRS NED and performed in conjunction with ITT Corporation.  The demonstration underscores Harris Corporations continued leadership in providing innovative embedded encryption solutions for markets with demanding security requirements.

The effort proved the feasibility of communications interoperability between Bowman VHF radios and a newly developed Software Communications Architecture (SCA)- compliant JTRS Bowman VHF waveform (JBW), developed by ITT for the Joint Tactical Radio System.

"This successful test is the culmination of 17 months of hard work with our partners at ITT Corporation and both U.S. and UK military officials," said Richard Rzepkowski, vice president, Communications Security Products, Harris RF Communications.  "We believe this application will enable U.S. and UK commanders to securely coordinate on the battlefield.  The technology could make interoperable communications among multi-national forces across a range of security clearances more feasible."

Harris RF Communications is a leading supplier of secure voice and data communications products, systems, and networks to military, government, and commercial organizations worldwide.

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