Protective Forward Communications

The Protected Forward Communications (PFC) program, issued under solicitation HR001118S0009 by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Strategic Technology Office, seeks the development of an integrated, man-portable radio system designed to protect small unit tactical operations from electronic warfare exploitation and denial. The primary objective is to create a communication system resistant to geolocation and jamming to secure local, aircraft, and headquarters communications against adversary kill-chain threats. The program emphasizes technology maturity and risk reduction to reach a deployment decision, with a total funding pool of 26,000,000 dollars allocated for multiple awards covering base efforts and continuing options. Managed by the Department of Defense in Arlington, Virginia, the solicitation follows FAR 35.016 evaluation criteria and allows for award instruments in the form of procurement contracts or other transactions. While the program targets advanced development, technologies below Technology Readiness Level 5 may be considered if they are compellingly justified. The initiative focuses on system conceptual design and demonstration to ensure that small unit communications remain secure and operational in contested electronic environments.