SYNOPSIS: SINCGARS PROVIDES VHF-FM (30-88 MEGAHERTZ) COMBAT NET RADIO
COMMUNICATION WITH ECCM CAPABILITY (FREQUENCY HOPPING) AND DIGITAL DATA CAPABILITY
(DATA RATE ADAPTER). 
ACQUISITION CATEGORY: IC
ACQUISITION PHASE: MS III Production/Deployment
PE & LINE #: 1T463746.D555; 1T464751.D282;
ITY64805.D282
SSN: B00500; J30500; BA9102
B59722
DESCRIPTION: SINCGARS is a new family of VHF-FM
combat net radios which provides the primary means of command and control
for Infantry, Armor and Artillery Units. SINCGARS is designed on a modular
basis to achieve maximum commonality among the various ground and airborne
system configurations. A common Receiver Transmitter (RT) is used in the
manpack and all vehicular configurations. SINCGARS family of radios has the
capability to transmit and receive voice, tactical data and record traffic
messages and is consistent with NATO interoperability requirements. The system
operates on any of the 2320 channels between 30-88 megahertz and is designed
to survive in a nuclear environment. COMSEC for the basic radio is provided
by use of the VINSON device. An Integrated COMSEC (ICOM) version of the SINCGARS
is currently in production. SINCGARS is operable in a hostile environment
through use of Electronic Counter Countermeasure (ECCM). SINCGARS replaces
the current standard manpack and vehicular radios, AN/PRC-77 and AN/VRC-12
family, respectively. An airborne version of the SINCGARS radio is in production
and will replace the currently standard aircraft radios, AN/ARC-114 and AN/ARC-131.
The Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) provides
commanders with a highly reliable, secure, easily maintained Combat Net Radio
(CNR) that has both voice and data handling capability in support of command
and control operations. SINCGARS, with the Internet Controller, provides
the communications link for Task Force XXI. SINCGARS configurations include
manpack, vehicular (both low and high power), and airborne models. Communications
Security (COMSEC) is integrated in currently produced versions of the ground
and the airborne radios, and the System Improvement Program (SIP) models
providing upgrades to enhance operational capability in the tactical internet
(TI) environment, and the Advanced System Improvement Program (ASIP) models
that are of a reduced size and weight provide further enhancements to operational
capability in the TI environment.
International
Telephone and Telegraph (ITT) SINCGARS ground radios passed First Article
Tests in January 1988, and production deliveries began immediately. ITT is
the sole producer of the airborne SINCGARS. A second-source, (GDLS), full-scale
production award was made in August 1993. Annual dual source limited competition
began in FY94. FY96 limited competition awards were made in March 1996 for
SIP radios.
These radios will provide improved data capability, improved forward error
correction for low speed data modes, and a Global Position System interface
and Internet Controller which allows SINCGARS to interface with EPLRS and
Battlefield Functional Area host computers. The ground radio acquisition
strategy was revised in October 1996 from dual to single source commencing
with the FY97 acquisition and continuing through completion of the program
for the balance of the ground radio major components. ITT won the down selection
competition with GDLS. The program office has fielded more than 136,000 radios
to the training base and Army units worldwide.
TRANSPORTATION CHARACTERISTICS / LIMITATIONS: None.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
Dec 83 Initial Ground contract award to ITT.
May 85 Initial Airborne contract award to ITT.
Jul 88 Initial Ground contract awarded to General Dynamics.
Apr 89 Milestone IIIB (ITT); Non-ICOM full-rate production.
Dec 90 Milestone IIIB ITT full rate (ICOM)/General Dynamics low rate; IOC
(1st Division Equipped).
Mar 91 Ground General Dynamics Option 1 Award.
Mar 92 Ground and Airborne ITT award (PY 6/7). (GD alignment).
Aug 93 Ground General Dynamics Full Rate Production approved.
Apr 94 ITT/GD Competitive awards - Ground Radio.
May 94 Follow-on Sole Source to ITT - Airborne Radio with options in FY95 & FY96.
Mar 95 ITT/GD Competitive awards - Ground Radio.
Apr 96 ITT/GD Competitive awards - Ground Radio.
REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT: ROC approved 19 Dec 74, updated 10 Jan 75;
Joint Operational Requirement approved 26 Mar 76., and updated 2 Mar 93.
TYPE CLASSIFICATION: Non-ICOM, Standard A, 21 Sep 83; Airborne full
rate production, 14 Dec 90; ITT ICOM Ground full rate production, 14 Dec
90, GD ICOM Ground Full Rate production, 18 Aug 93.
