Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI) announced on June 23, 2026 that it had secured a U.S. Army order for up to 5,000 Low Cost Data Architecture (LOCODA) Radio Adaptable Transport (RAT) platforms — a vehicle communications modernization system that moved from concept to field-ready hardware in under four months. The contract value was not publicly disclosed.

Background

Army vehicle fleets carry legacy radio mounts that were installed for a generation of radios that are now being replaced or supplemented. The conventional approach to updating those fleets requires either swapping out the physical mounting hardware — an expensive, time-consuming process — or waiting for a new vehicle program to incorporate updated communications from the ground up. Neither option satisfies the Army's near-term interoperability requirements as it fields new tactical networks alongside older platforms.

TDSI designed LOCODA RAT to sidestep that problem entirely. The system slots into existing radio mount positions on Army vehicle platforms, reusing what is already bolted into the vehicle while delivering a current-generation communications capability to the crew. The name reflects the design philosophy: low-cost, adaptable, and transportable. By eliminating the need to remove and replace existing mounts, the Army avoids both the hardware cost and the vehicle downtime that would otherwise accompany a communications upgrade program at this scale.

Thales has a long history of radio and secure communications work for NATO and U.S. forces, including tactical radios, encryption hardware, and software-defined radio platforms. TDSI operates as the American subsidiary focused on U.S. government customers, with programs spanning Army, Navy, and joint force communications requirements. The LOCODA RAT was developed within TDSI's Communications Systems division under Vice President Gary Kidwell.

Key Details

The LOCODA RAT supports three distinct operational modes: single-channel, multi-channel, and multi-transport. This flexibility allows a crew to run the system in a straightforward push-to-talk configuration during routine operations and shift to a multi-channel or network-transport mode when the tactical situation demands it. The platform is compatible with multiple TSM radio vendors, providing units interoperability across that radio ecosystem rather than locking them into a single hardware line — a deliberate design choice that aligns with Army doctrine on open-architecture communications.

On the security side, the system incorporates AES-256 encryption as baseline protection, along with the TrellisWare TSM Mobile Ad hoc NETwork (MANET) waveform. MANET waveforms allow nodes in the network to route data among themselves without relying on a fixed infrastructure point, a capability that matters considerably in contested or degraded environments where command nodes may be denied or displaced. The platform is also certified for Sensitive But Unclassified–Encrypted (SBU-E) communications, covering the operational classification level where most tactical voice and data traffic lives.

The modular architecture accommodates additional radios and mission modules beyond the baseline configuration, which means units can expand the system's capabilities without fielding an entirely new platform. The system also supports standardized vehicle and radio interfaces for power, GPS, audio, and data connectivity, along with intercom functionality and third-party system integration. That modularity also creates a path for future technology refresh without a full hardware replacement cycle — a recurring problem with closed-architecture military communications hardware.

Gary Kidwell, vice president of communications systems at TDSI, framed the development timeline as a direct response to operational demand: "The Army doesn't have time to wait for capability, and with the Thales LOCODA RAT solution, they didn't have to." The four-month development-to-field-ready cycle contrasts sharply with standard DoD acquisition timelines, which typically run years from requirement definition through first unit equipped.

The order for up to 5,000 units signals that the Army validated the LOCODA RAT concept beyond a limited pilot and committed to a large-scale fielding effort. Specific vehicle platforms and receiving units were not identified in public announcements.

What It Means for Contractors

The LOCODA RAT contract reflects the Army's accelerating push to field distributed ground sensor networks capable of operating in contested electromagnetic environments. For defense electronics firms, the award signals sustained demand for low-signature, autonomous detection platforms that can be rapidly deployed and recovered by small units without dedicated support personnel.

  • Rapid prototyping pathways work: The LOCODA RAT followed a compressed development cycle enabled by leveraging existing technology components — AES-256, proven MANET waveforms, and reuse of existing vehicle mounts. Contractors pursuing Army communications modernization should assess whether their existing product lines can be reconfigured for rapid fielding rather than developed from scratch.
  • Multi-vendor compatibility is a procurement differentiator: The Army's acceptance of a platform designed for multi-vendor radio compatibility reflects a broader push toward open architecture in tactical communications. Vendors whose products require a closed ecosystem face increasing headwinds in competitive evaluations.
  • Vehicle mount reuse reduces integration risk: Programs that avoid vehicle modifications lower fielding barriers substantially. Proposals that require new mount hardware or vehicle-level modifications carry higher schedule and logistics risk, which acquisition officers are scrutinizing carefully given constrained budgets and unit availability constraints.
  • SBU-E certification is a baseline requirement: Any vehicle communications product competing for Army ground fleet programs should carry current SBU-E authorization. Units without it will be disqualified at the requirements stage regardless of other technical merits.
  • MANET waveform integration is table stakes: The inclusion of TrellisWare TSM reflects the Army's shift toward resilient mesh networking over legacy point-to-point radio architectures. Competitors in this space need a credible MANET solution or a partnership with a waveform provider to remain competitive on future vehicle communications solicitations.

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For prime and subcontractors in the ground sensor and ISR space, the LOCODA program is worth tracking through the Army Contracting Command — Aberdeen Proving Ground, which manages similar unattended ground sensor vehicle acquisitions. Firms with ruggedized mobility platform experience, EO/IR sensor integration, or low-probability-of-intercept communications should register relevant NAICS codes (541712, 336992, 334511) and monitor follow-on task orders as the Army scales the RAT fleet across active and reserve component units.

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