L3Harris Technologies Partners with Polish Manufacturer to Enhance Tactical Communication Capabilities
Overview of RF-9820S Widmo Radios
L3Harris Technologies has announced its intention to manufacture approximately 6,000 RF-9820S Widmo radios annually, in collaboration with Centrum Techniki Morskiej (CTM), a Polish manufacturing firm. This initiative signifies a strategic move to fortify communication systems for the Polish Armed Forces.
Strategic Partnership Launch
- Memorandum of Understanding: L3Harris and CTM formalized their collaboration through a memorandum of understanding signed on November 4. This event coincided with the inauguration of a new L3Harris office in Warsaw, marking an expansion of the company’s regional footprint.
- Operational Focus: The company clarified that it will not establish a production facility in Poland but will operate from the newly opened office to support Polish military programs.
Innovative Design and Applications
The RF-9820S, meaning “phantom” in Polish, is designed to integrate lessons learned from the battlefield scenarios faced by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). Noteworthy features include:
- Resilience to Electronic Warfare: Enhanced capabilities to withstand electronic disruptions and jamming, critical in modern conflict scenarios.
- Software-Defined Radio: This radio incorporates software-defined waveforms that allow for updates without removing the unit from operational fields. According to Samir Mehta, president of the Communication Systems segment at L3Harris, the methodology enables real-time updates, ensuring adaptability and longevity in dynamic environments.
Expected Deployment Timeline
The RF-9820S radios are scheduled for deployment in 2026. L3Harris anticipates ongoing enhancements to the radio’s software and operational capabilities throughout its lifecycle, projecting that these radios will remain in active use for many years.
Technical Specifications
While specific technical details about the RF-9820S Widmo are yet to be disclosed, the radio is confirmed to feature:
- Single-Channel Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) Configuration: Enabling versatile communication capabilities for both voice and data transmission.
This initiative reflects L3Harris Technologies’ commitment to developing advanced communication solutions tailored for modern military operations, reinforcing its role as a key player in the defense communication sector. The collaboration with CTM underscores an ongoing investment in regional partnerships to enhance national defense capabilities.
