HOOK3 Combat Survival Radio

Search and Rescue with Confidence - Now Shipping!

The HOOK3® Combat Survival Radio (CSR) provides direct, line-of-sight voice and encrypted two-way data communications that help combat search and rescue teams quickly locate and rescue downed pilots and isolated military personnel.

The radio sends encrypted global positioning information, user identification and situation reports to provide rescue teams and aircraft operating in hazardous conditions with quick and accurate location information.


End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Notice for HOOK3 W/ SAASM

General Dynamics will continue to offer our standard HOOK3 Combat Survival Radio product.

Smaller, lighter and better power efficiency than previous CSAR radios

Cospas-Sarsat approved and supports multiple Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)

Web browser administration (no Program Loader block)

Fully compatible with existing HOOK2 assets (HOOK2 radios, QuickDraw2, SATCOM Base Station)

User-Friendly Features

HOOK3 360 Rotation

See It In Action


U.S. Air Force Utilizes HOOK3 Radio During Simulated Rescue Mission

Our HOOK3 Combat Survival Radio team recently joined an Air Force Operational Unit Evaluation which included a simulated search and rescue mission to locate a downed NASA crew.

The exercise simulated a launch abort and subsequent splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean, out of range and out of reach of existing planned rescue resources.

Read The Full Story

Features

The new HOOK3 radio is significantly smaller, lighter and has better power efficiency than previous CSAR radios, allowing a crew member to carry a single radio as opposed to multiple pieces of equipment. Interoperable with all HOOK2® family radios, Quickdraw2 and SATCOM Base Station in use by U.S. and international customers, the HOOK3 CSR is ideal for unilateral or coalition operations. The user-friendly CSR transceiver is software defined, meaning new features, waveforms and software upgrades can be added as they become available.

Terminal Area Communications & Terminal Area Guidance (TAC/TAG)

The new HOOK3 radio features direct, line-of-sight voice and encrypted two-way data communications between survivor and rescue forces (TAC). In addition, the radio incorporates a PLS DME transponder and beacon for terminal guidance (TAG). For assured communications with rescue personnel, the radio communicates to our plug-and-play Quickdraw2® Interrogator onboard a wide variety of rescue platforms, and can also be interrogated by the Rockwell Collins RSC 125G or Cubic PLS AN/ARS-6(V12). Because the radio automatically responds to interrogations, rescue forces can extract the survivor’s GPS coordinates from the radio without operator intervention.

 

Secure Information in Just One Button Press

The upgraded CSR sends encrypted global positioning data (lat/long), user identification code, text messages, and situation reports. This provides quick and accurate location and rescue information for air crews, forward air controllers, and personnel operating in hazardous conditions. A single, short encrypted burst to CSAR aircraft offers low risk of detection and interception. Two-way SATCOM and 406 SARSAT beacon modes provide a real-time, direct, over-the-horizon communications path between survivor and rescue personnel.

One Radio for Downed Aircrew Search & Rescue Response

The CSR allows a crew member to carry a single radio and satisfy Emergency Location Transmitter (ELT) or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) functions. It will auto-activate with either G-Force or salt water and transmit location data through 406 Cospas-Sarsat or the HOOK waveform. It can also be configured for 121.5 MHz or 243 MHz swept tone beacon.

 

Additional Features & Benefits

  • User friendly, software-defined transceiver enables waveforms and software upgrades to be added as they become available
  • Smaller size allows crew members to carry a single radio to satisfy Emergency Location Transmitter (ELT) or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) functions
  • Single, short encrypted bursts sent to CSAR aircraft significantly lowers risk or detection and interception
  • Two-way SATCOM and 406 SARSAT beacon modes provide a real-time, over-the-horizon communications path between survivor and rescue personnel
  • Configurable for 121.5 MHz or 243 MHz swept tone beacon

 

Download The HOOK3 Combat Survival Radio Infographic

 

User-Friendly Functionality

Send/Emergency

  • Instant, configurable MAYDAY – Dual use of SEND button

Seven Position Rotary Switch

  • Easy selection of presets using rotating selector switch

Display Brightness Switch

  • Adjusts display/keyboard illumination
  • Subsequent presses changes intensity
  • Long hold turns off backlight

Speaker/Microphone

  • Voice interface to user
  • Sealed for saltwater immersion

Display Navigation Buttons

  • Allows for use with gloves
  • Recessed for protection
  • Purge – Simultaneous press of right and left buttons

PPT Button

  • Allows for use with gloves
  • Recessed for protection
  • Purge – Simultaneous press of right and left buttons

PTT Button

  • Large side button allows use of thumb or fingers
  • Used for internal speaker/microphone

Volume Adjust

  • Default at boot is speaker mute
  • Adjusts internal speaker volume when external headset or earphones are attached
  • Button hold mutes

VHF/UHF Antenna Connection

  • Included with radio
  • Removable antenna wraps around the radio and stows using snap

External GPS Antenna Connector

  • Provides interface to GPS external antenna

Status LED Indication

  • On during power-up/off at splash screen
  • Auto-activation – blinking
  • Transmit
  • BIT failure
  • Low battery

Battery Charge Indicator

  • LCD indicator
  • Shows remaining capacity of battery
  • Primary and re-chargeable
  • Operational w/battery installed or not installed
  • Visible when battery is installed

Lanyard Attachment Pouch

  • Includes spare antenna and earphones

Ancillary Connector

  • Robust, multi-purpose connector supports external connections

Specifications

 

HOOK3 Datasheet

 

 

View Document

 

Frequency Range 121.5, 123.1 MHz; 225–320 MHz; hardware capable of 100 - 512 MHz; 406 SARSAT
Tuning increments 25 KHz steps (LOS); 5 KHz steps (SATCOM)
Frequency stability ± 1ppm
Modulation AM voice; AM swept-tone beacon; PLS DME; Transponder mode: BPSK/OOK;
HOOK mode: MSK 1200 BPS; SARSAT mode: BPSK; SATCOM mode: BPSK
Data burst Encrypted (LOS and SATCOM) includes ID, GPS Coordinates and Text Message
Operating modes Voice
Swept-tone beacon
PLS DME transponder
GPS Interrogation (LOS or SATCOM)
406 SARSAT (TAC #723)
UHF SATCOM
Weight 24 oz. with battery
Size (with battery) 6.4 in x 2.90 in x 1.56 in
Operational temp. –40°C to +55°C
Storage temp. –40°C to +80°C
Battery Primary and Rechargeable Batteries
Battery life SARSAT certification for 24 hours with 60-P58140R001

 

 

Receiver Characteristics

Sensitivity (typical) –100dBm (VHF AM Voice)
–104dBm (UHF AM Voice)
–138dBm (UHF SATCOM data)
IF selectivity (typical) <6 dB @ Fo ± 30 KHz
>50 dB @ Fo ±140 KHz
Spurious response 50 dB(typical)
Image response 40 dB min.
Audio response 500 Hz to 3500 Hz
Distortion (typical) 10 percent
Audio output (typical) 50 milliwatts

 

Transmitter Characteristics

Average power 1 Watt – UHF; capable of 5W (FM) (future)
200 mW – VHF; capable of 2W (FM) (future)
406 SARSAT 5.0W min.
UHF SATCOM 5.0W ± 2 dB
Modulation 86% AM
Harmonics ≤30 dB below carrier
Distortion 5% typical at 86% modulation

 

GPS/Navigation

GPS General Characteristics - Civilian: C/A state-of-the-art GPS Receiver, parallel L1 band only; multiple international constellations supported
Sensitivity Civilian: -145 dBm
Military: -132 dBm
Accuracy Civilian: < 25 meters
Navigation up to 250 waypoints
Coordinate system Geodetic (lat./long.) GEO, GEO2, UTM, MGRS

 

Ancillaries

  • Primary and Rechargeable batteries
  • Primary Communication Antenna
  • Spare Antenna
  • Remote Antenna Kit
  • Earphones
  • Headset with microphone
  • USB Provisioning cable
  • Protective Faceplate/Display Cover
  • AC/DC Battery Eliminator(s)
  • Pouch
  • Antenna Adapters
  • Battery Charger

The CTS-6025 CSAR Radio Test Set designed by Astronics is the preferred test set for the HOOK2 and HOOK3 radio. The CTS-6025 combines over 16 instruments into one and offers fault detection and operational verification of your radio communications at all levels of deployment.

The CTS-6025 is the most comprehensive communications tester for field testing, reducing testing time and cost, maintenance and calibration costs, lifecycle ownership costs, and the number of “no fault found” results. The CTS-6025 is a complete test system that can test tactical handsets, amplifiers, couplers, cabling, antennae, or any other component of your system.

  • Offers fault detection and operational verification of radio communications at all levels of deployment
  • Guided scripted radio testing that quickly provides consistent, cataloged test results
  • Removable solid state hard drive protects mission critical data
  • Most comprehensive communications tester for field testing

 

Powerful - 16+ instruments in one

  • Reliable - Fewer frustrating “no fault found” results
  • Flexible - Modular, customizable architecture makes it future-proof
  • Intuitive - Windows-based interface
  • Portable - Small size and light weight
  • Lower cost – Reduced maintenance, calibration, and lifecycle ownership costs
  • Secure - Cybersecure software
  • Supportable – Dedicated engineering, factory, and field support staff

 

16+ Test Instruments Including:

  • RF signal generator, receiver, power meter
  • RF analyzers – spectrum, VSWR, cable distance-to-fault
  • AF signal generator
  • Audio meters – SINAD/distortion, frequency, audio filters
  • Oscilloscope, reference oscillator
  • Digital interfaces
  • Tracking generator
  • Error vector magnitude (EVM)
  • Wideband streaming TX and RX
  • Real-time RF burst trigger
  • Power analyzer
  • NVM and data loader

 

Training

We currently offer operation and maintenance training for Combat Search and Rescue radio products at our Scottsdale facility, which is conveniently located seven miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. If you’d prefer for us to come to you, Customer Onsite Training is also available: please contact us for a quote.

Training Topics

  • CSR Operation
  • Quickdraw Operation
  • Programming and Maintenance
  • Base Station Operation
  • SARSAT Option Training (module added as required)
  • SATCOM Option Training (module added as required)

For full syllabus details, please download the HOOK3 Systems Operation Training Outline.

Pricing

Please contact us if you require a formal quote for training class funding.

Classes are scheduled for a maximum of 15 students. General Dynamics Mission Systems reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any course due to low enrollment, schedule conflicts, or other reason beyond our control. Changes will be announced a minimum of two weeks prior to the published course date being canceled or changed.

News



General Dynamics Announces the End-of-Sale (EoS) and End-of-Life (EoL) of the Combat Survival Radio W/ SAASM

November 14, 2023

General Dynamics Mission Systems announces the end-of-sale (EoS) and end-of-life (EoL) of the CSR W/ SAASM Product. General Dynamics Mission Systems will accept orders through November 27, 2023. General Dynamics Mission Systems will continue to offer our standard HOOK3 Combat Survival Radio product. General Dynamics Mission Systems will continue to provide technical Help Desk support and honor all currently active warranties.


Video: Watch Our HOOK3 Combat Survival Radio Auto-Activate in Salt Water

March 15, 2022

If a pilot is forced to eject, the HOOK3 Radio transmits encrypted location data in short bursts, reducing the risk of interception or detection. This new feature is automatically activated when the radio detects salt water or excessive G-force. Search and rescue teams are immediately alerted of its location, even if the pilot is unable to operate the radio.


General Dynamics to Provide U.K. MoD with Combat Search and Rescue System Radio Test Sets

August 23, 2021

The U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD) has selected General Dynamics to provide an additional 30 CTS-6025 Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Test Sets via a multi-million-dollar contract. The CTS-6025 CSAR Radio Test Set combines more than 16 separate test instruments into one, portable, upgradeable device, offering fault detection and operational verification for both the HOOK2® and HOOK3® radios.


General Dynamics Combat Search and Rescue System Cleared for F-35 Aircraft Use

August 4, 2021

General Dynamics Quickdraw2 Handheld GPS Interrogator has completed electromagnetic compatibility testing and has been flight certified by the U.S. Navy for use aboard F-35 Lightning II aircraft. The Quickdraw2 can be quickly attached via a single cable to the existing intercom system of the F-35 without modifying the aircraft’s electronics, transforming it instantly into a Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) aircraft.


U.S. Air Force Utilizes HOOK3 Radio During Simulated Rescue Mission Of NASA Crews

July 19, 2019

The General Dynamics Mission Systems HOOK3 Combat Survival Radio team recently joined an Air Force Operational Unit Evaluation which included a simulated rescue search and mission to locate a downed NASA crew. The exercise simulated a NASA Commercial Crew Program launch abort and subsequent splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean, out of range and out of reach of existing planned rescue resources. This weeklong test event was held at Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.


General Dynamics Introduces New HOOK3 Combat Survival Radio

July 27, 2017

General Dynamics has introduced the new HOOK3 Combat Survival Radio (CSR). The HOOK3 was designed using feedback from military personnel who rely on a survival radio in emergency situations. The new radio automatically activates and securely transmits location data when specific G-Force or the presence of salt water is detected by the radio.



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