AF-Navy develop joint radio system Published Dec. 3, 2003 WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The Air Force and Navy have agreed to merge their two formerly separate programs for the acquisition of improved radio systems.The result will be the development of the Joint Tactical Radio System, a single family of radios designed to replace incompatible units in use across the services.Senior Department of Defense leaders have hailed the initiative as a victory for jointness and interoperability among the separate armed services. Increasing jointness across the armed forces is a key tenet of Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld's transformation goals.Combining Air Force and Navy efforts in the JTRS realm "will yield large dividends for the Navy, the Air Force and DOD in general," said Dr. Marvin Sambur, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition. Such collaboration "will ensure that a truly joint-radio system is efficiently developed for our aerospace and maritime forces," he said.Working with the Air Force in developing the radio system "can assure interoperability, reduce development costs and lower acquisition costs," said John J. Young Jr., the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition."We can be certain that our warfighters will be able to easily communicate in the joint warfighting environment that Secretary Rumsfeld is creating," he said.The joint Air Force-Navy initiative is expected to produce more than 17,000 units, said Air Force spokeswoman Maj. Cheryl Law.Initial deliveries of the new radios are expected to begin in late 2008, she said.