As part of AUSA 2026, the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has commissioned the U.S. company Marconi Technologies with an initial delivery of tactical radios of the Orion X604 type to a U.S. military special unit. The radios connect operators via next-generation waveforms with sensors on autonomous systems as well as with allied forces in joint tactical networks. Delivery is expected to begin by the end of 2026. Orion is the family of software-defined tactical radios developed by Marconi, designed for high-performance and robust communications in operational theaters.
In this way, a high-performance data transmission for sensors is provided. The X604 is the latest member of the Orion family. It combines frequency agility, dual-channel reconfigurability, and the waveforms of Orion X650 in a compact form factor that can be mounted or stowed on highly mobile platforms with limited space and power (SWaP). The radio supports the control of robotic systems over long distances with low latency, as well as the transmission of large amounts of data from sensors, and is designed to maintain connections even under electronic warfare conditions.
Order of X604 for USSOCOM Follows X650 for Poland
“Special operations forces operate in small teams at the front lines, and their reach is increasingly extended by drones and robotic systems,” said Alain Cohen, CEO of Marconi Technologies. “The X604 provides them with higher transmission capacity and lower latency to control these systems, transmit sensor data, and stay connected in the network even in extremely challenging environments. For a small team, that means less gear and greater range.” The contract follows the selection of the Orion X650 for delivery to the Polish military under the European Union program “Security Action for Europe” (SAFE).
Orion was developed by Marconi for the collaboration between humans and machines and offers powerful, highly reliable communications solutions for operations across all mission areas. Whether in motion or stationary, Orion gives leaders control in contested environments. The deployed waveforms enable industry-leading data throughput and robust performance, supported by MANET, long-haul, and backhaul functions. An integrated AI adapts in real time, handles challenges in the radio spectrum, and eases the workload of operators.
Software-Defined Radio for Dismounted Teams
According to the manufacturer, the main features of Orion include a high-throughput mesh (connectivity up to 300 Mbit/s), broadband agility, spectrum diversity, and advanced survivability capabilities such as LPI/LPD properties. It is a mini-SWaP-4×4 MIMO for the UHF, L, S, and C bands, with Gigabit Ethernet, RS-232, analog audio I/O, dual PTT, integrated or external GPS. The Orion X604 is a software-defined radio (SDR) in a miniature military-grade form factor, designed for dismounted teams as well as small unmanned platforms.
The X604 supports broadband flexibility in the frequency range from 225 megahertz to six gigahertz, offers spectrum diversity in all operating modes, and an adaptive frequency-hopping waveform that can span multiple frequency bands. It also features comprehensive cyber-protection mechanisms, including predictive and reactive frequency-hopping methods for anti-jamming, LPI/LPD properties, and an anti-spoofing data protocol. It enables powerful mesh connections for broadband data and HD video transmission with low latency—even in challenging terrain.
