Harris [HRS] has developed an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) video receiver that delivers high-resolution full-motion tactical video to individual warfighters for real-time ISR, the company reported.
The handheld Harris ISR receiver, known as the RF-7800T, provides a next-generation portable ground-based Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver (ROVER) for video captured by the military’s growing fleet of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs.) This is the first video receiver packaged in a standard military-hardened handheld form factor, greatly increasing both portability and survivability in demanding battlefield environments, according to Harris.
The RF-7800T is part of an accelerated push by Harris to apply its leadership in software-defined communication systems to deliver ISR video directly to the tactical edge, where it can be viewed, analyzed and acted upon immediately.
Harris previously introduced ROVER capability in its high-performance Falcon IIIr AN/PRC-117G multiband manpack radio, targeting customers with dual needs for both ISR information and advanced multimode communications. The AN/PRC-117G is the first JTRS-approved wideband tactical radio to offer reliable and secure access to high-bandwidth applications such as streaming video in addition to narrowband legacy waveforms, Harris said.
The ROVER capability allows the AN/PRC-117G user to eliminate the need to carry a second ROVER-specific radio by using the radio he or she is already carrying. The U.S. Air Force in February placed an $18 million order with Harris for AN/PRC-117G radios with ROVER capability, the company added.
Both the new ROVER handheld and ROVER-enabled Falcon III AN/PRC-117G utilize the Software Communications Architecture (SCA), making it upgradeable to changing mission standards and technical requirements, including encryption, and providing a future-proof investment for the eventual shift from analog to secure digital video. The SCA environment also allows for seamless transfer of video to other Harris Falcon radios, the company said.
The handheld ISR Receiver operates in the L-frequency band (1.71 GHz to 1.81 GHz), and also supports both S-Band (2.2 GHz to 2.5 GHz) and C-Band (4.4 GHz to 5.8 GHz). The initial release provides NTSC FM video formatted data. The device feeds video to a local display and is sold with a monocle display option, according to Harris.