SINCGARS

Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) is a Combat Net Radio (CNR) currently used by U.S. and allied military forces. The radios, which handle voice and data communications, are designed to be reliable, secure and easily maintained. Vehicle-mount, backpack, airborne, and handheld form factors are available.

SINCGARS uses 25 kHz channels in the VHF FM band, from 30 to 87.975 MHz. It has single-frequency and frequency hopping modes. The frequency-hopping mode hops 111 times a second.

The SINCGARS family has mostly replaced the Vietnam-war-era synthesized single frequency radios (AN/PRC-77 and AN/VRC-12), although it can work with them. An aircraft AN/ARC-201 SINCGARS radio is phasing out the older tactical air-to-ground radios (AN/ARC-114 and AN/ARC-131).

Over 570,000 SINCGARS radios have been purchased. There have been several system improvement programs, including the Integrated Communications Security (ICOM) models, which have provided integrated voice and data encryption, the Special Improvement Program (SIP) models, which add additional data modes, and the Advanced SIP (ASIP) models, which are less than half the size and weight of ICOM and SIP models and provided enhanced FEC (Forward Error Correction) data modes, RS-232 asynchronous data, Packet Data formats, and direct interfacing to GPS (PLGR) devices providing radio level Situational Awareness capability.

In 1992, the U.S. Air Force awarded a contract to replace the AN/ARC-188 for communications between Air Force aircraft and Army units.

Timeline

 * November 1983: ITT wins the contract for the first type of radio, for ground troops.
 * May 1985: ITT wins the contract for the airborne SINCGARS.
 * July 1988: General Dynamics wins a second-source contract for the ground radio.
 * April 1989: ITT reaches "Milestone IIIB": full-rate production.
 * December 1990: 1st Division is equipped.
 * December 1991: General Dynamics wins the "Option 1 Award" for the ground radio.
 * March 1992: ITT wins a "Ground and Airborne" award.
 * July 1992: Magnavox Electronics Systems Company develops the airborne SINCGARS AN/ARC-222 for Air Force
 * August 1993: General Dynamics achieves full rate production.
 * April 1994: ITT and General Dynamics compete for the ground radio.
 * May 1994: ITT wins a sole-source contract for the airborne radio.
 * 1997: ITT became the sole source supplier of the new half-size RT-1523E radio to the US Army.
 * 2006: The RT-1523F/SideHat® configuration provides a 2-channel capability.
 * July 2009: ITT wins RT-1523G platform development, $363 Million Dollar Contract. Partnered with Thales Communications Inc.
 * 2012: Capability Set 14 to provide Universal Network Situational Awareness to help prevent air-to-ground friendly fire incidents.

Ancillary Items
SideHat - The Exelis SideHat is a simple radio solution that quickly attaches to existing SINCGARS radio installations, offering rapid, affordable and interoperable wideband network communications for Early Infantry Brigade Combat Team (E-IBCT) deployments and other SRW applications.

SINCGARS Airborne - The Exelis AN/ARC-201 Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) System Improvement Program (SIP) airborne radio is a reliable, field-proven voice and data battlespace communications system with networking capabilities.

SINCGARS Embedded GPS Receiver - The Exelis Selective Availability Antispoofing Module (SAASM) technology Embedded GPS Receiver (EGR) installed in the SINCGARS RT-1523(E)-(F) provides a unique navigation/communication secure system in support of critical Warfighter capabilities that includes Situational Awareness, Combat ID, Navigation and Timing and Surveying Capabilities.

SINCGARS GPS FanOut System - Provides six GPS formats from a single GPS source (SINCGARS RT-1523 with integrated SAASM GPS or PLGR/DAGR).

SINCGARS VRCU - Designed to be placed anywhere on a vehicle, VRCU is critically important in large vehicles and those with tight quarters. VRCU allows full control of both single and dual RT-1523 (models E, F, and G) and RT-1702 (models E and F) radios for ease of use from any location within a vehicle.

Single ASIP Radio Mount - Single ASIP Radio Mount or SARM is the latest SINCGARS vehicle installation mount developed specifically for RT-1523 or RT-1702 radios. SARM solves the space and weight claim issues associated with traditional vehicle installation mounts. SARM operates on 12 or 24 volt allowing easy installation into any military or civilian vehicle.

Integrated Logistics Support
Reset and Reintegration Program
 * Mobile force team returns unit communication equipment to 10/20 standards of repair
 * Provides quick, flexible response to ensure standardization of RESET procedures and to meet critical unit timelines
 * Conduct training programs on use of SINCGARS communication equipment and provide “Over-the-Shoulder” training for troubleshooting and repair
 * Install SINCGARS hardware, VAAs, RFPAs, RTs, MBITR, PLGR or DAGR into various Military vehicles for training and battle readiness
 * Perform final verification and test of complete communication system, including EPLRS and FBCB2 to ensure entire communication system operates properly.

Logistics Services
 * Field support including worldwide RESET and integration
 * Training for both the user and the trainer, documentation development for training and interactive training
 * Technical manual development and updates
 * Provisioning information and updates
 * Logistics program management
 * Installation kit development and production
 * Spares, depot support and obsolescence management
 * Development and maintenance of the AN/GRM-122 Test Set

Repair Depot The Exelis Repair Depot takes bruised and battered equipment and makes it as good as new delivering the best equipment possible back to Soldiers on the front line.

Exelis Depot Capabilities
 * Repairs all generations of SINCGARS equipment
 * Repairs all versions of Spearhead, SpearNet and AN/ARC-201E
 * Repair cables and other ancillary items
 * Repairs performed at LRU, Module or CCA levels
 * Ability to repair any type of circuit card assembly – commercial as well as military
 * Troubleshoot to repair at component level – the most economical form of repair
 * Experienced workforce with average of 20+ years of SINCGARS experience

Integrated Supply Chain Using parts from our high volume, on-hand inventory results in reduced cost and fewer lead time delays to the customer.
 * Component parts purchased at reduced costs by leveraging off high volume production lines
 * Ability to use on hand inventory reduces lead times and cost
 * Significant savings