The first two radios in Thales’ new HF XL line of durable, high-data-rate wideband HF radios for use in command posts by ground forces in the theatre of operations are being unveiled. They work best in situations involving intense conflict.
Armed forces still rely heavily on high frequency (HF) transmissions, which are completely secure and have cheap operational expenses. This is especially true in places where there is a high risk of jamming or where there is poor satellite coverage, like the polar regions or restricted surroundings. But because of its bandwidth limitations, HF is unable to keep up with the military’s expanding demands for data interchange.
A cognitive engine that automatically chooses frequencies throughout the transmission enables this technological achievement. In order to maintain link stability and optimal data rates, jammed frequencies are immediately discarded and replaced by free frequencies. The radios are hence user-friendly.
Deployed command posts can communicate over distances of up to 10,000 km with command headquarters or other troops in remote areas of the theatre of operations thanks to the 1 kW and 400 W radios, which are completely compatible with all wideband HF radios.
The new radios for vehicles and soldiers will be added in 2025 to complete the tactical range, in addition to the two stations that are already available, 1kW and 400W. It is intended to expand HF XL technology beyond the land and maritime domains to the aviation and infrastructure domains.
According to Christophe Groshenry, Vice-President Radiocommunication Products at Thales, “these new radios are the culmination of several years of consistent innovation and design efforts to provide our customers with a mature solution that represents the state of the art in wideband HF technology”.
