An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir May / June 2024 www.military.ie/magazine 10 | I n 2018, the CIS Corps established a Working Group to identify a suitable replacement for the SINCGARS radio. They are now in the final stages of this Software Defined Radio (SDR) project having selected Thales as the equipment provider. The first radios are in now final user trial. In a first for the An Cosantóir, we engaged an end user of the radio system to conduct the interview with a representative from CIS, in order to ask the questions that the users want to know. Sgt Barry Sheehan, 12 Inf Bn, interviewed Comdt Paul Shorte, SO Comms, D J6 about the upgrade, the capabilities of the radio, and what it means for the individual soldier. What is the scale of issue of the SQUADNET (inter-section and inter platoon communication) radio and the SYNAPS (backbone) radio? The initial procurement is 6000 radios approx., which takes into account SQUADNET radios for all combat and combat support elements and SYNAPS for every level of command from Section 2 i/c up. The radio has the functionality of implementing talk groups, which will allow connection to more groups using one radio. So instead of having multiple radios to be able to contact multiple people, you will have one radio that can connect multiple people simultaneously. Are the radios user friendly for the average soldier? As we will only have a handheld radio and a vehicle borne radio, the load for the soldier is reduced and is easier for the soldier to operate the system. Usability was a key part of the selection process. For example, with SQUADNET, it's quite simple. There are just four arrows and an enter button in order to select settings. The radio will be configured by the CIS detachment for the operation that's required. Multiple configurations can be stored in the radio and it will just be a case of scrolling to select the appropriate settings for the relevant mission profile. The SQUADNET radio fits in the palm of the hand. Its battery life is about 24 hours, which can be charged over USB type C /type A connection from a vehicle or other source. Every radio will come with three batteries as standard, to maintain the radio operational for up to 72 hours. Batteries are also standard across the whole system so the days of carrying multiple batteries and manpacks are gone. The SYNAPS radio is marginally bigger, but is still a handheld radio. SYNAPS looks very similar to a mobile phone with keyboard buttons to access the menu structure. It's about selecting the correct channel and that's it. Will the radio use a headset? The headset is tied into the new active communications hearing system that we're looking at currently. The headset that comes with the radio is similar to the older system we had, where your hearing protection sits over the system itself. The next generation headset will be completely integrated with hearing protection, allowing the user to be fully aware of their surroundings whilst also hearing the communications in the headset. The 2 radios can be connected together to work off the same headset. They are connected through a Y connector cable with one connector going into the headset and from the split end one cable connects to the SQUADNET radio, the other to the SYNAPS radio. For tri-service operations will a soldier be able to speak directly to the crew for example of an Air Corps helicopter or a Naval Service ship using the one system? The same radio system that works in the land environment will work in the naval and air environment. We have purchased a specific radio for the airborne platforms to allow ground forces to communicate sea/ground to air and air to sea/ground using specific waveforms. Has the SDR been future proofed to integrate with the new personal equipment that's coming online over the next couple of years such as the Integrated Modular Body Armour System (IMBAS), the General service helmet or the future pack systems? We have worked with the other Corps Directorates in order to achieve in terms of the radio form, factor and fit. So on the SQUADNET radio, the pattern (CAMO) that's on the pouch itself is very similar to the Irish SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO INTERVIEW BY SGT BARRY SHEEHAN PHOTOS BY ARMN SAM GIBNEY Sgt Sheehan gets hands on with the equipment Sgt Barry Sheehan & Comdt Paul Shorte

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