Collins Aerospace Systems announced Aug. 1 it recently demonstrated a new software-defined networking airborne radio for the Department of Defense.

Such a technology would double the number of available radio channels and require less power, the company said. It would also be being lighter and smaller than current technology, the company said in a press release.

The radio is known as the TruNet AR-2000 and the demonstration involved connecting Collins Aerospace and Defense Department radios with the AR-2000 to showcase the simultaneous operation of the two networks, according to the press release. The company is one of many companies already under contract with the Army to develop waveforms and produce ManPack radios as a way to tap into next-generation communications capabilities and modernize the battlefield network.

Collins envisions the AR-2000 operating on tactical helicopters, command and control (C2) aircraft, and large unmanned aircraft.