The U.S. Army is developing a new procurement model for its planned tactical radio modernization.
Army Futures Command’s Maj. Dominic Adams, requirements development branch chief, and Col. John Harrel, capabilities manager of tactical radios, shared during a recent panel that the Common Hardware Software Solutions Tactical Radios, or CHESS-TR, procurement model is still in its concept stage, but draft requirements documents will likely be released in the “next year to two years.”
Details About Army’s CHESS-TR
Once it comes out, CHESS-TR will be similar to the Program Executive Office of Command, Control, Communications and Network’s Common Hardware Systems program, which provides a catalog of commercial IT hardware for tactical and operational requirements.
For products to be listed in the digital catalog, industry will need to get their hardware, software and services approved. Units will be able to browse the catalog, choose the capabilities that best meet their needs and place an order.
Harrell revealed that the goal is to deliver technologies in the hands of warfighters as quickly as possible.
The procurement model, he added, offers flexibility. The official pointed out that units in Africa will have different tactical network requirements compared to warfighters deployed to Europe or the Indo-Pacific.
How CHESS-TR Would Benefit Vendors
Harrell explained that the proposed procurement model would also be good for vendors because it would drive innovation and it would enable vendors to monitor what products are in demand.
“You can read what other vendors are getting involved [in], and you can now start competing across that,” he shared. “We think that’s really a great, great solution across the board.”
