101st Combat Aviation Brigade Makes History with First MUOS Connectivity in a Helicopter

August 1, 2025

A team assigned to 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, coordinates simulated indirect fire support during a Downed Aircraft Recovery Team (DART) exercise at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, March 31, 2025. The training scenario involved a notional crash site in a simulated contested environment and tested the team’s ability to communicate effectively and provide fire support while recovering a disabled aircraft. (Image: U.S. Army)

In a groundbreaking achievement, the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) earlier this year became the first unit to successfully use the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) function of the Army/Navy Portable Radio Communications (AN/PRC) 158 and 162 radios for conventional rotary wing operations. The trailblazing accomplishment occurred as the brigade continued its mission of providing support to ground forces, April 9, 2025.

The MUOS function, of the AN/PRC-158 and 162 radios, operates by transmitting ultra-high frequency radio waves through a constellation of satellites to create a steady communications network. MUOS is a component of a bigger Integrated Tactical Network (ITN).

According to the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications, and Network, ITN is an older concept that combines commercial and military communications equipment to allow troops to talk in areas of limited bandwidth.

“MUOS provides us another mean of reliable communications,” said Sgt. Malachi Manis, a Signal Support System Specialist. “It differs from older Tactical Satellite systems because there is less static interference. I take pride in the fact that I was a part of the team that brought the capability to Army aviation.”

A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to TF Sandpiper, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade sets radio during a Downed Aircraft Recovery Team (DART) exercise and recovery operations on a simulated downed UH-60 Blackhawk on April 2, 2025. DART teams are responsible for recovering aircraft after they crash or become disabled and can no longer fly. (Image: U.S. Army)

The MUOS capability has been critical to have onboard aircraft to ensure connectivity. The structured use of ITN systems affords air commanders the opportunity to get a quicker analysis of missions as they occur and the ability to share information with air crews instantaneously

“The ability to access MUOS through the AN/PRC-162 has enabled our widely dispersed units to funnel pertinent information back to the headquarters in a timely manner. Timely and accurate information is key to maintaining a common operating picture the commander requires to make informed decisions,” said Maj. Rodney Lee, the 101st CAB Signal Officer. “This capability is not going away and will continue to help future units.”

A U.S. Marine with Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia runs a test on a PRC-117 G VH/UHF Radio for a communications subject matter expert exchange during Exercise Cobra Gold 2025 on Royal Thai Marine Corps Base Sattahip, Thailand, Feb. 24, 2025. Cobra Gold is the largest joint and combined exercise in mainland Asia, held annually in Thailand, showcasing the U.S. commitment to the region by building interoperability, multilateral cooperative arrangements, and advancing common interests through our commitment to allies and partners in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I MEF executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF stand-in presence west of the International Date Line. (Image: U.S. Army)

The use of MUOS is the latest example of the brigade being the first to transform its capabilities to stay ahead of adversarial threats regionally and globally.

Over the past year, the unit has continued to embrace opportunities for innovation, conducted multiple large-scale, long range air assaults (L2A2) and announced plans to stand up 7-101 Heavy Lift Battalion, a new battalion of CH-47 Chinook Helicopters.

“We continue to push the boundaries of innovation and operational excellence,” said Col. Tyler Partridge, the Commander of the 101st CAB. “The integration of MUOS capabilities is a testament to our brigade’s commitment to staying ahead of our ever-evolving adversaries. We will fight tomorrow’s fight today, by leveraging cutting-edge technology to ensure our Soldiers are equipped to dominate the battlefield of the future and protect our nation’s interests.”

This article was written by Capt. Andrew Lightsey IV for the U.S. Army’s 101st Combat Aviation Brigade (Camp Buehring, Kuwait). For more information, visit here .