General Dynamics UK [GD] yesterday said it signed three contracts with the U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD) for a total value of about $52.7 million to strengthen Bowman communications capability to boost counter-IED efforts in Afghanistan through better information sharing.
The three contracts are to: improve connectivity between Forward Operating Bases (FOB) and Patrol Bases (PB); improve Tactical Situational Awareness (Tac SA); and improve Shared Situational Awareness (SSA).
A key challenge for commanders in Afghanistan is how to provide similar levels of communications capability available in FOBs to troops operating in locations where it is inappropriate to use either Command Vehicles or larger fixed installations. The proposed GDUK system is called M-DOR–a Modular Dismounted Operations Room C4I capability. M-DOR provides a deployable and flexible C4I capability in support of deployed, fixed bases. It will provide a lightweight, transportable, modular system that allows rapid and simple deployment of a range of C4I capabilities, including the ability to communicate the location of IEDs using secure data, the company said. The inclusion of an enhanced HCDR radio in the contract will result in the ability to greatly increase levels of user data throughput such as Bowman data, ISTAR and C-IED information.
Tactical commanders are to benefit from a second contract that will deliver a Tac SA solution. This will allow commanders to plan and conduct their patrols more effectively and safely, as well as collect and report on patrol activity so that the information gathered, such as locations of IEDs, can be shared and exploited across the operational environment. Using the M-DOR platform, which will now be present in Patrol Bases, the Tac SA solution will access the Bowman BCIP 5.4 HCDR network and share Tactical Ground Reporting information, the company said.
The Tac SA solution will comprise new, high performance, semi-rugged laptops and associated servers plus an accreditable physical and electrical connection between Bowman (BCIP) and the Tactical Ground Reporting Infrastructure (TiGR). Each interface will provide both physical and electrical security as well as data resilience.
The third capability will provide SSA by providing interoperability between Bowman and other less tactical, in-theater Communications and Information Systems (CIS) such as Overtask. This solution will allow SSA to move between Bowman and CIS enabling tactical commanders to see the Common Operational Picture (COP) on a single terminal, giving them access to all appropriate information at once.
“These latest contracts, let to us by the MoD, demonstrate that our customer has every confidence that Bowman is not only doing the job we promised it would, but it is the platform from which many other operational advantages can and are springing,” said Andrew Browne, vice president of C4I at General Dynamics UK.