Army says e-commerce-like marketplace for tactical radio capabilities in the works
The U.S. Army is developing a new procurement model for tactical radios, called Common Hardware Software Solutions Tactical Radios (CHESS-TR), which works like an e-commerce catalog where approved vendors can list hardware, software, and support services for units to purchase based on their mission needs. Still in the concept stage, the program aims to streamline procurement, ensure compliance with DoD standards, and accelerate delivery of modern radio capabilities to soldiers. By allowing units to select from a catalog tailored to their operational environments—such as Africa versus Europe—the model is expected to foster innovation, encourage competition, and provide better feedback to industry. Unlike the Army’s discontinued “radio-as-a-service” pilot, CHESS-TR will centralize financial management with project managers, ensuring stronger oversight while maintaining flexibility. Modeled after the successful Common Hardware Systems program, the initiative seeks to keep pace with industry advancements and deliver updated tactical network capabilities at greater speed and scale.