In a move poised to streamline cockpit workflows and enhance situational awareness for tactical flight officers (TFOs), Macro-Blue and Technisonic have partnered to develop a new integrated radio control overlay — bringing full radio functionality directly onto the mission display.
Recently unveiled and already generating buzz among airborne law enforcement operators, the collaboration pairs Macro-Blue’s advanced mission display systems with Technisonic’s flagship TDFM-9000 series radios. The result: TFOs can now operate their radios without ever taking their eyes off the primary screen.
What the integration offers
Vertical had the opportunity to sit down with the teams behind this groundbreaking product for a discussion and hands-on demonstration during APSCON 2025.
At the core of the development is a transparent touchscreen overlay that emulates the front panel of the Technisonic radio. The prototype currently supports TDFM-9000 series radios manufactured from mid-2018 onward.
“What we’re showing today is a screen that replicates the front panel of the radio,” explained Jim Huddock, director of business development at Technisonic. “We did this to gather feedback and learn how to best develop the user interface — how people interact with their radios in the real world.”
The result is a customizable, intuitive interface. Users can turn radio elements, such as channel names, soft key functions, and zone selections, into interactive, touch-responsive buttons overlaid directly onto the mission display. Operators can build their own “layouts,” placing controls wherever they want based on operational needs.
“Each of our screens can host a layout,” said Howard Ogle, president of Macro-Blue. “You could have precinct numbers, frequency bands, or other tactical options as tappable buttons that overlay your EO/IR or mapping views — without obscuring critical information.”
Reducing workload, improving safety
For helicopter crews, every second counts. Traditional radio control often requires looking down and away from the tactical screen to make adjustments — a significant distraction during high-stress operations like vehicle pursuits or multi-band monitoring. This integrated approach keeps TFOs heads-up and mission-focused.
The system also improves clarity by dynamically relabeling soft keys in real time. Instead of displaying generic placeholders, the overlay shows exactly what each button does based on the current radio configuration.
“For years, I’ve wanted to integrate radio controls into the display,” Ogle said. “Technisonic stepping up to partner with us has made that vision a reality.”
Built for flexibility and future growth
The collaboration was made possible by Macro-Blue’s proprietary System-on-Chip (SoC) technology. Unlike other display systems that rely on external computers to manage overlays, Macro-Blue’s integrated approach uses in-house software and video processing specifically engineered for airborne mission environments.
And the integration doesn’t stop at radios. The overlay system is also compatible with mission equipment such as searchlights, mapping systems, and EO/IR cameras. Ogle noted that it even supports multi-touch input from multiple sources, enabling simultaneous control of various applications.
“In our configuration, touch data can be routed locally — for example, to Spectrolab, Shotover, or Technisonic — depending on which application the user is interacting with,” he said.
While the system helps standardize layouts across fleets — eliminating the need for complex “super-user” profiles — it still gives agencies the flexibility to tailor interfaces based on specific mission profiles.
What’s next?
According to the team, a beta version could launch within the next month, with field-ready deployments expected by the end of the year — well ahead of Verticon 2026.
“There’s huge interest already,” Huddock said. “We’ve got departments asking to test, but we’ll have to limit it initially to ensure we can support the rollout.”
Looking ahead, future capabilities could include hoist operation overlays and live line-feed monitoring. Together, Macro-Blue and Technisonic are laying the foundation for a next-generation cockpit environment — one where TFOs can manage all mission-critical systems from a single pane of glass.
