# Harnessing the Potential of Emerging Technologies to Break Down Barriers in Tactical Communications
## 2 Picture of Tactical Communications: A Panoramic View
### Legacy Tactical Radios  
During military operations, tactical radios serve as a vital tool for soldiers, enabling seamless communication and fostering a shared understanding of the entire operational landscape. Presented below are a few instances of military radios presently in use.  
* **Land mobile radio**[17]: This constitutes the primary tactical system utilized within military bases for garrison communications, encompassing both single-channel analog systems and digital trunk systems. It primarily facilitates crucial communications within tactical environments or with public networks. Hence, the enhanced security level offered by 5G networks would be instrumental in modernizing this category of radio equipment. An example of this type of radio is the CSEL [18]. This radio is mainly used for search and rescue satellite aided tracking (SARSAT) systems by special operations forces and aviation units to support personnel survival, evasion, and recovery operations. It provides multi-functions, such as secure two-way data communicationsover the horizon in real time, secure voice and data with six programmable ultra high frequency (UHF) voice frequencies for usage in satellite communications (SATCOM), among others.
* **PNR500**[19]: This radio is a personal, lightweight network portable radio used for platoon and squad-level communications over a very short range (over 800-1000 m range) in the UHF band.
* **RF-5800H-MP**[20]: This radio is a member of the Harris Corporation's FALCON II family of multi-band system types. it is an advanced radio that provides reliable tactical communications on the very high frequency (VHF) band and includes the latest voice mode that transmits digital voice using ultra-robust 3G waveforms, such as electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM), to operate in channels where other waveforms do not work, offering secure communications in the presence of interference.
* **RF-7800H-MP**[21]: It is a terminal working in the high-frequency (HF) broadband. This is the lightest, smallest, and fastest portable radio available today. It is part of the FALCON II family from Harris Corporation, and thanks to its interoperability, the L3 Harris broadband tactical system easily integrates into existing networks. It has capabilities for long-range, beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) environments, which is compatible with an SDN-compatible architecture and provides continuous coverage on the power of a single battery.
* **AN/PRC-117G (V1)(C)**[22]: It is a multi-mission manpack, multiband radio for tactical combat-net radio (CNR) family that offers integrated satellite communications and communications security. It offers breakthrough broadband data rates and legacy narrowband performance. Moreover, its hardware is compatible with the mobile user objective system (MUOS), which supports multi-service users worldwide in ultra-high frequency bands.
* **PR4G**[23]: It is a tactical VHF radio belonging to CNR. It mainly supplies VHF band military units with a command, control, communications, and intelligence system with a complete system for electronic counter-countermeasures.
* **SPEARNET**[24]: This radio operates on a mobile ad hoc network model, optimizing network coverage, particularly in challenging terrains, where consistent coverage is difficult to sustain. In an ad hoc network, connected computers communicate directly without relying on a router. A key attribute of this radio is its capability to transmit data at high speeds.  
These radios primarily and legacy operate within three main frequency bands designated for military applications: HF covering 3-300 MHz, VHF spanning 30-300 MHz, and UHF ranging from 300 MHz to 3 GHz. Satellite communications (SatCom) for military use are conducted in the L-band (1-2 GHz) and X-band (8-12 GHz) frequencies, enabling access to remote locations in military missions. However, a significant drawback of these frequency bands in adopting new 5G/6G technologies lies in their restricted bandwidth capacity, limiting the amount of data that can be transmitted.