GDMS Releases Updated MUOS Waveform for US Navy Digital Modular Radio

A General Dynamics Mission Systems-led team successfully completed testing and releases the updated Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) WFv3.1.5 waveform for the U.S. Navy's software defined Digital Modular Radios (DMR), built by General Dynamics Mission Systems. The new waveform is software that adds the MUOS capability to software-defined DMR radios, and improves secure voice, video and data communications across the MUOS satellite communications (SATCOM) network. The network was recently approved by the U.S. Strategic Command for expanded operational use.

DMR is a four-channel radio and the Navy's communications hub for surface ships, submarines and shore-site communications. As a multi-channel radio, it simultaneously communicates with a wide spectrum of tactical radios and can communicate information at different security levels. Each channel operates independently, allowing Navy communication officers to communicate simultaneously with a wide variety of tactical radios used by the military.

"There are more than 700 DMRs in the Navy's radio inventory, it is one of the largest number of fielded, tactical radios capable of connecting to the MUOS network," said Carol L. Real, a director of General Dynamics Mission Systems. "DMR is one of the first U.S. military radios to use the MUOS waveform and other over-the-horizon waveforms, including Ultra-high Frequency (UHF) SATCOM waveform simultaneously, without interfering with radio communications on other DMR channels."

About the MUOS SATCOM network: The Navy's on-orbit, five-satellite MUOS constellation began providing legacy ultra-high frequency (UHF) satellite communications shortly after the first MUOS satellite launch in 2012. With the MUOS ground and network management system operational, radio operators can communicate beyond line-of-sight around the globe, transmitting simultaneous voice, video and mission data with 10-times the communications capacity of legacy UHF SATCOM radios.