The U.S. National Security Agency has given its Type-1 certification for Harris Corporation's Falcon III RF-340M multi-channel manpack radio.

Receipt of the certification means the commercially-developed radio system can be fielded and used for secure voice and data communications up through the Top Secret level.

"NSA certification of the RF-340M is a significant milestone as the U.S. Army transitions to competitive tactical radio procurements," said George Helm, president, Department of Defense business, Harris RF Communications. "It provides a ready-for-fielding alternative to the program of record radio that significantly enhances the capabilities of our warfighters."

The RF-340M has tested capable sending and receiving communications with the military's new MUOS satellite system communications without requiring additional hardware.

MUOS stands for Mobile User Objective System, an an array of geosynchronous satellites that will provide narrowband connectivity with high data rates.

Harris said the Falcon III RF-340M is capable of hosting all required U.S. government wideband and narrowband waveforms, including those needed by the U.S. Special Operations Command.