The critical design review (CDR) for the airborne, maritime / fixed station joint tactical radio system (AMF JTRS) has been successfully completed by a Lockheed Martin team, including BAE, General Dynamics, Northrop and Raytheon.

With the help of advanced internet protocol (IP) technologies, the AMF JTRS takes current radio capabilities to the next generation, by enhancing its mobility and security, compared to the commercial communications devices.

The AMF JTRS will link more than 100 platforms, and will provide connectivity to areas where no communications infrastructure previously existed, after it is completely fielded.

The AMF JTRS, by providing near instantaneous awareness of the combat environment, will help the army, air force and navy assets to seamlessly synchronise with the soldier in the foxhole.

The system is able to interface with legacy radios, waveforms and systems, since the capability is defined digitally in software, and the signal processing is handled by a programmable computer.

The AMF JTRS enables interoperable communications, without the need for multiple radios or hardware upgrades as new capabilities are fielded.

Aimed to assess the AMF JTRS subsystem and system design maturity, the CDR concluded the AMF JTRS design is on schedule to meet government specifications, according to the Joint Program Executive Office joint tactical radio system (JPEO JTRS).