The AN/PRC-163 communication solutions are designed for military and government use, providing reliable and secure communication in harsh environments.
The AN/PRC-163 is a handheld radio that operates on the 24 MHz to 30 MHz and 30 MHz to 88 MHz frequency bands.
This radio is suitable for use in areas with heavy foliage or urban environments where radio signals can be easily blocked.
The AN/PRC-163 has a range of up to 5 miles and can operate in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 55°C.
Explore further: Survival Radio
Service History
The AN/PRC-163 has a wide range of users, including the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps.
The U.S. Army is set to purchase over 100,000 PRC-163 radios, a significant investment in this communication technology.
The AN/PRC-163 is also used by the Canadian Army and the British Army.
Radios and Orders
The US Army has placed an order with L3Harris Technologies for Falcon IV AN/PRC-163 two-channel handheld radios, worth $57 million.
The AN/PRC-163 is a key component of the US Army's Integrated Tactical Network (ITN), enabling troops to share information across the chain of command.
The device is capable of communicating over multiple channels and crossband between them, and can also operate on satellite communications, mobile ad-hoc networking (MANET) waveforms, and the army's SINCGARS waveform.
The radio system can be integrated with soldier systems such as the US Army's Nett Warrior and Enhanced Night Vision Goggle – Binocular (ENVG-B) programmes.
The US Army is expected to procure around 100,000 two-channel Leader Radios under the IDIQ contract, which has a ceiling value of $3.9 billion.
US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has also awarded an initial $86 million USD full-rate production order to L3Harris Technologies for their AN/PRC-163 Falcon IV tactical radios.
The AN/PRC-163 delivers on USSOCOM's requirements for a so-called Leader class radio, offering the flexibility of operating on mobile ad-hoc networks, satellite communications (SATCOM) systems, or traditional VHF/UHF line of sight.
The new radio is a software-defined device, which means it can be upgraded by changing the software load, future-proofing the platforms against technology innovations.
For your interest: Joint Tactical Radio System
Interfaces and Features
The AN/PRC-163 has a variety of interfaces that make it a versatile communication device.
One of the key interfaces is the Data interface, which includes USB 2.0, IP over USB, and Ethernet. These options provide a range of connectivity options for different applications.
The Audio interface is also noteworthy, featuring a 19-pin ADF, 2-channel audio, and a USB 2.0 connection. This allows for high-quality audio transmission in a variety of settings.
The AN/PRC-163 also has Antenna Ports with a TNC female connector and a 50 Ω characteristic impedance. This is useful for connecting external antennas and optimizing signal strength.
In terms of security, the device has a Key Fill feature that uses the DS-101 key and can be loaded via the AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loader.
Here are the main interfaces and features of the AN/PRC-163:
- Data: USB 2.0, IP over USB, Ethernet
- Audio: 19-pin ADF, 2-channel audio + KDU, USB 2.0
- Antenna Ports: TNC female, 50 Ω characteristic impedance
- Key Fill: DS-101 (via AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loader)
- External Mission Module: Power, data, control/status
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