Spanish Army Orders Next-Gen PR4G Radios from Amper

Fresh from its EUR 75 million acquisition of telecom and next-gen IP firm LANData in Sept 2006, Amper group is announcing two new contracts with the Spanish Army to supply next generation radio equipment with PR4Gv3 (aka. F@stnet). The contracts amount to EUR 10.5 million (about $13.1 million)

These new software-defined radios bring a number of new capabilities to the table:

F@stnet protocol supports both voice and data transfer, retaining the system’s frequency hopping and anti jamming modes. The system also supports a proprietary frequency hopping Multiplex mode called SIVD, offering the capability of simultaneously and independently transferring secure Voice and Data communications in the same radio (without prioritizing voice over data or vice versa). The radio also supports standard IP/Ethernet interface makes through the F@stnet a tactical internet protocol. Transmission speeds are automatically adjusted to best suit particular environmental conditions.

A GPS receiver incorporated into the equipment permits the immediate location of the radio position, and the adoption of more compact production technologies has led to radios with half the volume and weight of previous generations.

Amper Productas has supplied over 5,000 PR4G radios of various configurations to the Spanish Armed forces in previous contracts; see their TRC 9000 family in particular.

The equipment provides the foundation for the systems known as Combat Networks which provides communications to small units down to battalion level, even in hostile environments in which electronic warfare is present. PR4G communications equipment is also used in other military systems including Spain’s Leopard 2s, Pizarro ICVs, Eurocopter Tiger HAD attack helicopters, and in the majority of Spanish Navy Ships. Finally, PR4G forms part of the means of transmission used in the army’s tactical area network system (RBA) and in the Spanish Army Command and Control System (SIMACET), two equally sophisticated systems delivered by Amper Programas for the Army.

Additional Readings & Sources

DID is grateful to Spanish reader Pedro Lucio for the tip, and for his translation of the recent Spanish release.

• Amper Group (Oct 16/06) – Amper firma un contrato con el Ejercito de Tierra para suministrar equipos de radiocomunicaciones tacticas por valor de 10,5 millones de euros

• AMPER Group (Nov 24/05) – Amper introduces the new generation of tactical radio equipment for the Army

• Armada Magazine (May 2001) – Radio Families on the Tactical Scene. Excellent overview of various radio families, including a look at the trend of software-defined radios.