A new interoperable, scalable and ad hoc network for ground-air military communications is being unveiled by Rockwell Collins.

The system -- TruNet -- makes its debut this week at the U.S. Army's Global Force Symposium and Exhibition in Huntsville, Ala., and will be introduced internationally at a defense ned security exhibition in Brazil in mid-April.

"Rockwell Collins, with its product depth and experience across ground and air domains, is uniquely qualified to provide an integrated ground-air network," said Mike Jones, vice president and general manager of Communication and Navigation Products for Rockwell Collins. "All technical products that are part of the TruNet network run the exact same waveforms and capabilities and have the potential to support Joint Services and Coalition forces, enabling them to plug and play and work seamlessly together."

TruNet, which allows troops to talk with each other, no matter their location in the air or on land, has three major components: Rockwell Collins' airborne radio and ground radio systems and advanced handheld technology from Thales.

The three major components of TruNet are the Rockwell Collins Airborne Radio (AR) and Ground Radio (GR) Series, along with advanced handheld technology from the company's alliance partner, Thales, a global technology leader in aerospace, defense, security, transportation and space and an expert in delivering mission-critical communication systems.

Rockwell Collins' AR radio is a new software defined system developed from the company's ARC-210/Talon radio.

"The TruNet solution delivers mission critical capability, relying on proven performance required by advanced warfighters," Rockwell Collins said. "The SDRs provide multiple waveforms, both narrow and wideband, high speed, mobile ad hoc networked communications, point-to-point data, voice and next-generation SATCOM capabilities."