AN/PRC-163
The AN/PRC-163 Multi-channel Handheld Radio, is a dual-channel tactical handheld radio manufactured by L3Harris Technologies, Inc. for the U.S. military, referred to by the U.S. Army as the Leader Radio. It is capable modes such as VHF/UHF Line-of-Sight, SINCGARS, Soldier Radio Waveform, Tactical Scalable MANET, P25 as well as the Mobile User Objective System satellite communication mode. The dual channel capability allows a soldier to simultaneously communicate on two separate radio networks. It has received NSA certification for the transmission of Top Secret information with an appropriate encryption key. The PRC-163 is one of the Handheld, Manpack & Small Form Fit components of the Integrated Tactical Network family of radios, the U.S. Army's modernization strategy for tactical radios. It is a member of L3Harris' Falcon IV family of tactical radios, and the successor to the Falcon III-family AN/PRC-152 Multiband Handheld Radio.
In accordance with the Joint Electronics Type Designation System, the "AN/PRC-163" designation represents the 163rd design of an Army-Navy electronic device for portable two-way communications radio. The JETDS system also now is used to name all Department of Defense electronic systems.
Service history
The PRC-163 is in use by the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, Canadian Army as well as the British Army. The U.S. Army is set to purchase over 100,000 PRC-163 radios.Specifications
General
Frequency Range: 1:R/T 2:Modes:Voice: Narrowband analog/PCM AM/FM, CVSD ASK/FSK ciphertext, Wideband MELPe, LPC/2400-MELP – SATCOM Integrated Waveform Data: Narrowband analog/PCM AM/FM, CVSD ASK/FSK ciphertext, Wideband up to Power Output: to, SATCOM modes, L/S-bandEncryption: Denali-based NSA Type 1 Suite A/B, AES-256Net Presets: 99 ; unlimited with multiple mission filesGPS: Built-in module—SAASM L1/L2 or Commercial L1Programming: Front Panel Programmable, Windows PC-based Communications Planning Application via USB connection.