Rugged chassis to simplify integration and deployment of heterogeneous radios introduced by Curtiss-Wright
ASHBURN, Va. – The Curtiss-Wright Corp. Defense Solutions division in Ashburn, Va., is introducing the rugged PacStar Radio Chassis family to speed and simplify the integration and deployment of heterogeneous radio types.
Available in three- and four-radio configurations, the PacStar Radio Chassis family are COTS-based, modular, tactical and expeditionary, rugged radio, voice, and IP integrated devices.
The chassis use radio brackets, available off the shelf or custom designed, to support radio integration use cases, including legacy Radio Over Internet Protocol (RoIP) integration, mobile ad hoc network (MANET) integration, and tactical data link interoperability.
PacStar Radio Chassis are suitable for use with the PacStar 463 RoIP module to cross-band radios to eliminate communications gaps caused by the use of disparate radio systems in military and homeland defense operations.
The PacStar Radio Chassis share the same external dimensions as Curtiss-Wright's popular PacStar 400-Series Smart Chassis and can populate one half of a PacStar Standardized A-Kit/Vehicle Envelope (SAVE)-compatible enclosure or any of the other PacStar 400-Series mounting and transport solutions for person-carry, vehicle mount, or tactical semi-fixed applications.
The chassis can be used standalone or to extend the capabilities of a PacStar Modular Radio Center (MRC) system, leveraging the PacStar MRC's PacStar 463 RoIP/Voice module to translate disparate radio types and provide voice gateway services to tactical IP networks.
A PacStar Radio Chassis can leverage a PacStar 463 running SCI TOCNET inside of the PacStar MRC, can pair with a PacStar 451 server running REDCOM Sigma, or Motorola WAVE.
Applications include analog-to-RoIP use cases such as voice convergence, network extension, and radio cross-banding. The PacStar Radio Chassis also can integrate MANET radios, for inter-team and WAN access, into tactical IP networks. The chassis also can support the translation of multiple tactical data link (TDL) formats between ground/air/sea assets.
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Three variants of the compact PacStar Radio Chassis are available: the PacStar Powered 4-Radio Chassis, PacStar Powered 3-Radio Chassis, and PacStar Unpowered 4-Radio Chassis.
Powered chassis include a single-slot integrated power system. The rugged, high-capacity power supply runs on a wide range of worldwide AC power, or DC power, providing power to radios via user accessible rugged cabling in the rear of each chassis.
PacStar Unpowered Radio Chassis are intended to host additional radios while receiving their power from a powered PacStar Radio Chassis or PacStar MRC system.
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PacStar Radio Brackets are custom-designed to mount compatible tactical or civilian radios and include backup batteries and connectors for voice and data ports. PacStar Radio Backets are removable from the PacStar Radio Chassis while radios are in operation, using integrated backup batteries.
Brackets, sold separately and now available, include the ViaSat BATS-D AN/PRC-161 handheld Link 16 radio, the Persistent Systems MPU5 handheld Radio, and the L3Harris AN-PRC-163 handheld radio. PacStar Radio Brackets are for the AN/PRC-167, AN/PRC-148C, Silvus StreamCaster, DTC SDR-H2, and TrellisWare TW-900.
For more information contact Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions online at www.curtisswrightds.com.
