
The AN/PRC-148 Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (MBITR) is the most widely fielded handheld multiband, tactical
software-defined radio
Software-defined radio (SDR) is a radio communication system where components that have been traditionally implemented in analog hardware (e.g. mixers, filters, amplifiers, modulators/ demodulators, detectors, etc.) are instead implemented b ...
, used by
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, ; french: Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord, ), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European and two No ...
forces around the world.
The radio is built by
Thales Communications
Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (formerly Thales Communications Inc.), a subsidiary of the Thales Group, is a leading manufacturer of tactical communications equipment, including the AN/PRC-148 MBITR and JEM (JTRS Enhanced Module), currently fi ...
, a subsidiary of the France-based
Thales Group
Thales Group () is a French multinational company that designs, develops and manufactures electrical systems as well as devices and equipment for the aerospace, defence, transportation and security sectors. The company is headquartered in Paris ...
. The designation AN/PRC translates to Army/Navy Portable Radio used for two way Communications, according to
Joint Electronics Type Designation System
The Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), which was previously known as the Joint Army-Navy Nomenclature System (AN System. JAN) and the Joint Communications-Electronics Nomenclature System, is a method developed by the U.S. War Depa ...
guidelines.
The MBITR was developed by the
United States Special Operations Command
The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM or SOCOM) is the unified combatant command charged with overseeing the various special operations component commands of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force of the United States A ...
(USSOCOM) and Thales Communications in the 1990s and went into production in 1994, to address the need for a secure multiband handheld radio.
[Thales PRC-148 JEM: The First Tactically Deployed JTRS Radio?](_blank)
Defense Industry Daily It has been more widely deployed with
Stryker
The Stryker is a family of eight-wheeled armored fighting vehicles derived from the Canadian LAV III. Stryker vehicles are produced by General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada (GDLS-C) for the United States Army in a plant in London, Ontario. It ...
Combat Teams and with troops deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. As of August 2007, 100,000 MBITRs have been fielded, over 31,000 of which are in use by the
US Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, c ...
.
Variants
AN/PRC-148 JEM (JTRS Enhanced MBITR)

The standard AN/PRC-148 MBITR can be seamlessly upgraded to the AN/PRC-148 V3/V4 JEM, which is the first radio to be
Joint Tactical Radio System
The Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) aimed to replace existing radios in the American military with a single set of software-defined radios that could have new frequencies and modes (“waveforms”) added via upload, instead of requiring mult ...
(JTRS)
Software Communications Architecture
{{inline, date=May 2014
The Software Communications Architecture (SCA) is an open architecture framework that defines a standard way for radios to instantiate, configure, and manage waveform applications running on their platform. The SCA separa ...
2.2 compliant. The radio is upgraded by replacing the front panel and
COMSEC (COMmunications SECurity) control hardware assemblies. The radio is in production and has been fielded with
USSOCOM
The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM or SOCOM) is the unified combatant command charged with overseeing the various special operations component commands of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force of the United States Arm ...
.
AN/PRC-6809 MBITR Clear
The AN/PRC-6809 MBITR Clear is a variant of the MBITR, made available without encryption. While the PRC-148 includes US
Type 1 capabilities in all versions, the PRC-6809 uses
Level III Data Encryption Standard, making it available to police, firefighters, and militaries unable to obtain
International Traffic in Arms Regulations
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) is a United States regulatory regime to restrict and control the export of defense and military related technologies to safeguard U.S. national security and further U.S. foreign policy objectiv ...
(ITAR) approval.
Features

* Seamless upgrade to AN/PRC-148 JEM (
JTRS
The Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) aimed to replace existing radios in the American military with a single set of software-defined radios that could have new frequencies and modes (“waveforms”) added via upload, instead of requiring mult ...
Enhanced MBITR)
*
AM/
FM
* Voice/Data
*
HAVEQUICK I/II,
SINCGARS
Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) is a Combat-net radio (CNR) used by U.S. and allied military forces. The CNR network is designed around three systems: SINCGARS, the high frequency (HF) radio, and the SC tactical sate ...
ESIP Single Channel and Frequency Hopping,
ANDVT
The Advanced Narrowband Digital Voice Terminal (ANDVT) is a secure voice terminal for low bandwidth secure voice communications throughout the U.S. Department of Defense. Devices in the ANDVT family include the AN/USC-43 Tactical Terminal (TACTERM ...
* Analog Narrowband Capable (12.5 kHz)
* 2 and 20 Meter Immersible Variants
*
CTCSS
In telecommunications, Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System or CTCSS is one type of in-band signaling that is used to reduce the annoyance of listening to other users on a shared two-way radio communication channel. (See squelch.) It is sometimes ...
Tones
* Retransmission Between Handheld Radios (with special purpose filters and cable)
*
JITC
The Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) is a wing of the United States Department of Defense that tests and certifies information technology products for military use.
History
The JITC had its roots in the TRI-TAC program of the 1970s, ...
Tested
Interoperability

The MBITR can communicate with the following devices:
*AN/PRC-68
*
AN/PRC-117F
The AN/PRC-117 translates to "Army/Navy, Portable, Radio, Communication". It is a man-portable, tactical software-defined combat-net radio, manufactured by Harris Corporation, in two different versions:
* AN/PRC-117F Falcon II MBMMR (Multiband M ...
*
AN/PRC-77
*
AN/PRC-113
AN/PRC 113 Radio Set is a manpack, portable VHF and UHF AM combat radio transceiver manufactured by Magnavox America.Olive-Drab. (2011). An/prc-113 manpack radio. Retrieved from http://olive-drab.com/od_electronics_anprc113.php In the Joint Elect ...
*AN/PRC-137
*AN/PRC-139
*
AN/PRC-152
The AN/PRC-152 Multiband Handheld Radio, also known as Harris Falcon III, is a portable, compact, tactical software-defined combat-net radio manufactured by Harris Corporation. It is compliant without waivers to the Joint Tactical Radio System (J ...
*
AN/PRC-119
*
AN/VRC-12
The AN/VRC-12 is the lowest-numbered element of a family of vehicular VHF- FM synthesized vehicular radio communications systems developed by Avco Corporation and introduced around 1963 and used extensively by the U.S. military during the Vietnam ...
*
AN/PSC-5
*
Motorola
Motorola, Inc. () was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, United States. After having lost $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009, the company split into two independent public companies, Motorola ...
LST-5B/C
*Motorola MX300 Series
*
Motorola Saber
The Motorola Saber portable radio is a product series of Motorola USA, Inc. The Saber is a commercial radio that was developed for the U.S. military sometime around 1989. The Saber is widely recognizable by thin, sleek design compared to other r ...
*Motorola XTS 3000
*Motorola XTS 5000
Replacement
While the JEM has passed government certification, it is an evolutionary platform, and not fully compatible with all specifications of JTRS. The fully compatible system is the
JTRS HMS, (Handheld, Manpack and Small form-fit) being developed by
General Dynamics
General Dynamics Corporation (GD) is an American publicly traded, aerospace and defense corporation headquartered in Reston, Virginia. As of 2020, it was the fifth-largest defense contractor in the world by arms sales, and 5th largest in the Un ...
, Thales Communications,
BAE Systems, and
Rockwell Collins
Rockwell Collins was a multinational corporation headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, providing avionics and information technology systems and services to government agencies and aircraft manufacturers. It was formed when the Collins Radio C ...
are all prime subcontractors. The HMS is expected to be an integral part in the US Army's
Future Combat Systems
Future Combat Systems (FCS) was the United States Army's principal modernization program from 2003 to early 2009. Formally launched in 2003, FCS was envisioned to create new brigades equipped with new manned and unmanned vehicles linked by an unp ...
program.
Competition
The MBITR's primary competition comes from
Harris Corporation
Harris Corporation was an American technology company, defense contractor, and information technology services provider that produced wireless equipment, tactical radios, electronic systems, night vision equipment and both terrestrial and spac ...
's
AN/PRC-152
The AN/PRC-152 Multiband Handheld Radio, also known as Harris Falcon III, is a portable, compact, tactical software-defined combat-net radio manufactured by Harris Corporation. It is compliant without waivers to the Joint Tactical Radio System (J ...
software defined radio, which has also received SCA and
NSA
The National Security Agency (NSA) is a national-level intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense, under the authority of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). The NSA is responsible for global monitoring, collectio ...
certification.
Accessories
* RCU Remote Control Unit with GPS
* H2OPS
* ViaSat Data Controller (VDC-600, VDC-800, or VDC-850)
* Melanie H_N
* Vehicle Adapter
ViaSat Data Controller (VDC-600, VDC-800, or VDC-850)
The ViaSat Data Controller (VDC-600, VDC-800, or VDC-850) acts as a Networking Interface Card (NIC), enabling seamless integration of IP-based applications into a point-to-point RF network. The device is built by
Viasat
Viasat may refer to:
* Viasat (American company) (founded 1986)
*Viasat (Nordic television service) (founded 1991)
* Danish 1st Division, officially Viasat Divisionen, second-highest football league in Denmark
* Viasat Cup, 2006 Danish football to ...
.
Thales Melanie H_N

MELANIE allows collecting
GPS
The Global Positioning System (GPS), originally Navstar GPS, is a satellite-based radionavigation system owned by the United States government and operated by the United States Space Force. It is one of the global navigation satellite sy ...
data from user nodes (also in
ANDVT
The Advanced Narrowband Digital Voice Terminal (ANDVT) is a secure voice terminal for low bandwidth secure voice communications throughout the U.S. Department of Defense. Devices in the ANDVT family include the AN/USC-43 Tactical Terminal (TACTERM ...
- Advanced Narrowband Digital Voice Terminal radio mode) and to provide a robust military interface to connect MBITR to
personal computer
A personal computer (PC) is a multi-purpose microcomputer whose size, capabilities, and price make it feasible for individual use. Personal computers are intended to be operated directly by an end user, rather than by a computer expert or tech ...
s (or
Android
Android may refer to:
Science and technology
* Android (robot), a humanoid robot or synthetic organism designed to imitate a human
* Android (operating system), Google's mobile operating system
** Bugdroid, a Google mascot sometimes referred to ...
tablets). MELANIE is connected to an external connector of MBITR and forwards data/audio connection for C4OPS
and for RCU. Data connection by
USB
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard that establishes specifications for cables, connectors and protocols for connection, communication and power supply ( interfacing) between computers, peripherals and other computers. A broa ...
or
RS-232
In telecommunications, RS-232 or Recommended Standard 232 is a standard originally introduced in 1960 for serial communication transmission of data. It formally defines signals connecting between a ''DTE'' ('' data terminal equipment'') suc ...
. Typical
Blue Force Tracking (BFT) configuration of a MELANIE network consists of at least a Headquarter station plus user nodes. MELANIE Handheld is able to send its own position over the VHF or SAT network while exchanging data (Chat, File transfer, Video, TR@CER, etc.). In transparent mode it has a throughput of 13.5 kbit/s with FEC. The device is built by
Thales Italia Chieti Site,
a subsidiary of the Thales Group.
Thales Vehicle Adapter
The compact, rugged Vehicle Adapters and Vehicle Adapter Amplifiers for the combat-proven AN/PRC-148 family of multiband inter/intra team radios expand critical communication capabilities and open up a broad range of secure and anti-jamming voice and data applications. Easily mounted in air, land, or sea vehicles, they provide power amplification for range extension while recharging the installed AN/PRC-148 radios.
See also
*
PRC-152
The AN/PRC-152 Multiband Handheld Radio, also known as Harris Falcon III, is a portable, compact, tactical software-defined combat-net radio manufactured by Harris Corporation. It is compliant without waivers to the Joint Tactical Radio System (J ...
*
Tactical Vest Antenna System
External links
Thales Communications, Inc. - Tactical Communications Products
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:AN PRC-148
Military radio systems of the United States
Military electronics of the United States
Military equipment introduced in the 1990s