Raytheon Demos New Radio Comms System for Troops in Congested Environment

Raytheon has demonstrated its new X-Net radio communications system designed to connect missiles, precision guided munitions and small unmanned autonomous systems, among other platforms, to the tactical network while in congested battlefield.

The company said Tuesday the system autonomously selects optimal radio frequency to allow platforms to continue communicating in a dense signal environment.

Raytheon introduced X-Net earlier this year with the Air Force Research Lab and the U.S. Navy.

The radio system performed flight control operations and video transmission aboard a Navy RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aircraft and enabled the drone to select radio signals to avoid busy frequencies.

“Now that we’re all on the same page, operators need to share all that radio frequency space and can transmit without disruption,” said Bob King, a program manager at Raytheon’s integrated communication systems business.

Barbara Borgonovi, vice president of Raytheon Integrated Communication Systems, added X-Net could also help the military deter adversaries trying to disrupt information transmission on the battlefield.

“As more platforms connect to communications networks, it will be vital to keep frequency space optimized for military operations, where information must quickly be shared,” the company said.