HOOK3 Combat Survival Radio

Now GPS SAASM Approved – M-Code Upgradeable

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.

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Automatically activates when G-Force or saltwater is detected

Smaller, lighter and better power efficiency than previous CSAR radios

GPS SAASM Approved – M-Code Upgradeable

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

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
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
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 6.4 in x 2.90 in x 1.90 in with SAASM
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 MAI-150801

Characteristics

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 - Military SAASM (opt): 12 channel, L1 and L2 bands.
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
Ancillaries
- Primary and Rechargeable batteries
- Primary Communication Antenna
- Spare Antenna
- Remote Antenna Kit
- Earphones
- Headset with microphone
- USB Provisioning cable
- DS-101 Key Fill cable
- Protective Faceplate/Display Cover
- AC/DC Battery Eliminator(s)
- Pouch
- Antenna Adapters
- Battery Charger
CTS-6025 CSAR Radio Test Set
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
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.
Literature
Literature
News

News

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.