Navy picks Tricom Research for 75-Watt vehicle-mount radio amplifiers to boost communications for commandos

June 24, 2024
These amplifiers are to increase performance of vehicle tactical radios in VHF and UHF ranges for U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) vehicles.

LAKEHURST, N.J. – U.S. Navy communications experts needed multiband RF and microwave frequency amplifiers to boost radio performance in special forces vehicles. They found a solution from Tricom Research Inc. in Irvine, Calif.

Officials of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., has announced an $8.8 million five-year contract to Tricom Research for as many as 756 75-watt multi-band radio amplifiers.

These vehicle-mount amplifiers are to increase performance for vehicular tactical radios in the very-high frequency (VHF) and ultra-high frequency (UHF) ranges for the U.S. Special Operations Command family of specialized operations vehicles.

Related: Combination vehicle adapter and charging station for VHF military radios introduced by Ultralife Communications

Tricom Research designs the TCR-MBA-75 and Bias Tee 2 30-to-512 MHz 30--, 50-, and 75-Watt Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA)-certified multi-band power amplifier for vehicular, airborne, maritime, or fixed-station applications. DAMA is a communication channel access technology that offers easy and proactive sharing of channels among several users and networks.

This amplifier is compatible with manpack and handheld multi-band military radios. The Bias Tee 2, connected to the power amplifier via a coax cable, provides remote control of the transmit power level, low-noise amplifier operation, bypass capability; and selection of satellite communications (SATCOM), line-of-sight, and frequency-hopping modes of operation. The amplifier has an RS-232 port that helps operate radios from a PC.

On this contract Tricom Research will do the work in Irvine, Calif., and should be finished by May 2029. For more information contact Tricom Research online at https://tricomresearch.com, or the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division-Lakehurst at www.navair.navy.mil/lakehurst.

About the Author

John Keller | Editor-in-Chief

John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Military Aerospace, create an account today!