Read summary: What CNHF Evolve delivers for military communications
CNHF Evolve transforms legacy HF and VHF radios into secure digital communication systems.
How CNHF Evolve operates in real-world missions:
- Forces from different countries communicate securely despite using radios from various manufacturers.
- CNHF Evolve enables patrol units to send reconnaissance photos and coordinates over legacy voice-only radios.
- Supply convoys send detailed requisition lists via existing vehicle-mounted equipment.
- Operations continue when cellular towers and satellites fail, with tactical units routing data through alternative networks.
Defence forces worldwide rely on large fleets of ageing HF and VHF radios. These analogue systems are difficult to use, insecure, and limited to voice communication, which makes them unsuitable for today’s operational demands.
CNHF Evolve solves this by turning existing analogue radios into secure, digital communication devices – without replacing the entire fleet.
In our previous blog post, we introduced CNHF Evolve and outlined its role in modernising legacy HF/VHF radios to meet the evolving demands of military communications.
Here, we shift the focus to what Evolve enables: practical applications of CNHF Evolve in military communications and demonstrating how it operates in real-world scenarios.
How CNHF Evolve digitalises legacy radios
CNHF Evolve turns legacy radios into advanced digital military communication systems with an easy-to-use web interface.
CNHF Evolve is a standalone, ready-to-deploy device that digitalises legacy HF and VHF radios. It’s a turnkey solution designed to bring modern communication features to existing radio infrastructure, without replacing entire fleets. CNHF Evolve uses a third-party radio as the RF front end, which is connected to the radio using audio and a remote-control port.
Once connected, CNHF Evolve turns traditional narrowband and voice-only radios into capable digital communication systems. This gives operators immediate access to modern capabilities while extending the lifecycle of their existing assets.
Key features:
- Email and instant messaging: Securely exchange mission data, attachments, voice messages and text over HF/VHF.
- Web-based user interface: Intuitive and always up to date, the web-UI makes Evolve easy to use with built-in end user services (e.g. email) and accessible via tablets, laptops and mobile phones.
- Automatic link establishment: The system autonomously finds optimal frequencies and establishes links, removing the need for manual frequency selection.
- Modern encryption: All transmissions are encrypted with AES-256, including voice, C4ISR data, messages, and files.
- Standards-based interfaces: (XMPP, SMTP/IMAP, UDP, IPsec, TCP, and HTTPS) enable direct integration with command and control systems and other tactical networks.
- Interoperability with KNL’s CNHF1 and CNHF Manpack radios
CNHF Evolve makes older radios compatible with contemporary military communications
Modernising radio fleets can be complex, but CNHF Evolve provides a straightforward way to bring current equipment into the digital age.
By connecting Evolve to existing radios, forces can operate legacy and CNHF systems within the same secure digital network. This delivers immediate operational benefits and supports long-term modernisation efforts.
Beyond digitalising legacy radios, CNHF Evolve makes older HF and VHF systems fully interoperable with KNL’s CNHF1 and CNHF Manpack radios.
In practice, Evolve allows legacy radios to be used as part of the same modern, high-performance network.
CNHF Evolve makes legacy radios interoperable with KNL’s CNHF radios.
Use cases: CNHF Evolve in modern military communications
How does CNHF Evolve work in practice? Modern military operations demand resilient communications across diverse forces, terrains, and systems. Here are key applications demonstrating how CNHF Evolve delivers secure connectivity in real-world scenarios.
References: Real-life applications of KNL products in the Defence Forces
Interoperability across diverse systems
Multi-vendor radio interoperability
One of the most significant challenges in military communications occurs when forces need to coordinate operations but are equipped with incompatible radios from different manufacturers. For instance, the deployment process of NATO forces (RSOM) depends on continuous military communication and coordination between forces operating with varying systems.
CNHF Evolve creates seamless communication through digital interoperability between previously incompatible SSB radios from different vendors. Legacy systems that could only perform basic voice communication now exchange secure emails, instant messages, and data with other modernised radios regardless of manufacturer.
Unlike conventional HF systems, CNHF Evolve forms an autonomous, self-healing network that ensures reliable communication even when satellite or LTE links are unavailable.
Operational example: During multinational NATO operations, forces from different countries can maintain secure communication links regardless of their radio manufacturer. This interoperability enhances joint operation effectiveness and reduces communication failures that could compromise mission success.
For example, CNHF Evolve enables real-time data exchange and command coordination across national forces during NATO multinational operations, enhancing situational awareness and operational readiness.
Read more: Secure communications, total control: How KNL ensures security and sovereignty in CNHF radios
NATO RSOM support
NATO’s RSOM (Reception, Staging, Onward Movement) operations require continuous coordination between forces using different communication systems. CNHF Evolve provides essential interoperability during these complex deployment phases at ports, airfields and unit deployment
RSOM applications:
- Military communication between different national forces using varied radio equipment.
- In-Transit Visibility (ITV) through built-in GNSS capabilities during RSOM operations.
- Secure transfer of logistical data and scheduling information through email, instant messaging, and IP data transmission over HF/VHF radios.
- Autonomous operation when other infrastructure becomes non-functional.
- Connecting tactical radio networks with broader command and logistics systems through Ethernet or LTE connections at RSOM nodes.
Evolve transforms HF/VHF radios installed in vehicles, extending their operational lifetime
Enhancing field operations and situational awareness
Vehicle and fixed station modernisation
CNHF Evolve transforms older HF/VHF radios installed in vehicles or fixed stations, extending their operational lifetime. Command posts employ CNHF Evolve or CNHF radio to securely exchange mission-critical emails and instant messages across different command levels.
This interoperability enables the exchange of coordinates and orders using existing radio systems.
Operational example: A military convoy equipped with legacy vehicle radios can instantly gain secure email capability to send coordinates, supply requests, status updates, and messages containing attachments directly through their existing radio infrastructure. Command centres receive critical information faster and, as a result, make quick decisions and improve their operational coordination.
Reconnaissance and intelligence gathering
Field units conducting reconnaissance missions require reliable data and information transmission methods. CNHF Evolve enables secure data transmission through existing radio equipment, such as sending small image files and precise coordinate information.
Operational example: Patrol units can send reconnaissance data, including visual observations and GPS coordinates, directly to fire direction centres or command posts. Secure and reliable data transmission reduces response times and improves situational awareness across all command levels.
Read more: Cognitive Radios: Pioneering Intelligent Communication Systems
Supply chain and logistics
Modern military communications and logistics demand precise coordination and real-time information sharing.
CNHF Evolve allows field units to send exact supply and spare part requests to their operational forces, transforming basic radio communications into comprehensive logistical support networks.
Operational example: Field units can transmit exact supply requirements while providing accurate coordinates. The supply chain operates more efficiently with accurate GNSS location data that guides maintenance transports to their destinations.
Modern military communications
Operational resilience and network continuity
Tactical network gateway
CNHF Evolve transforms existing SSB radios into functional network gateways. By connecting CNHF Evolve to legacy radios, organisations can create bridges between tactical HF networks and modern IP-based systems, including LTE and satellite networks.
Operational example: Frontline units operate HF radios equipped with CNHF Evolve for tactical communications. Beyond the horizon, gateway radios — also equipped with CNHF Evolve — connect the entire HF network to command centres via LTE.
When direct communication becomes unavailable, this gateway setup routes tactical network data through alternative connections, transforming legacy equipment into infrastructure that meets contemporary connectivity requirements.
CNHF Evolve: Critical connectivity for modern military communications
Are you interested in learning how CNHF Evolve can enhance your communication capabilities? Contact us to learn more about CNHF Evolve and its uses to modernise military communications.
Read also: Why choose KNL?
