Falcon to boost RAF's battlefield communication capability
13 Nov 07
The latest element of the Falcon battlefield communications system is on the way after the announcement of a £45m contract with BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies (Insyte).
Soldiers on the ground using Bowman will be able to feed information into Falcon, which will then relay the information back to UK headquarters using the Skynet 5 satellite communications system
[Picture: DE&S]
Falcon is a deployable trunk communications system that will deliver the information services needed for future network capability. Increment C replaces the existing RAF transportable telecommunications system and will be a major upgrade to the RAF's ability to handle complex network-enabled operations.
Falcon is designed to operate with other communication and information systems such as Bowman, Cormorant and SKYNET V, and will be compatible with other NATO systems.
The system will provide the telephones and data distribution for the RAF when deployed and greatly improve the RAF's communications. Demonstration, manufacture and initial support are all included in the contract. The system is due to be delivered in 2010. The project has funding for three increments with potential for a fourth.
Martin Sheppard, leader of Defence Equipment and Support's Theatre and Formation communications systems Integrated Project Team, said:
"Falcon is a key equipment capability at the heart of our drive to develop network enabled capability. It will provide advanced communications for our armed forces in the 21st century.
"This contract secures a number of skilled jobs in the UK and will help British industry remain at the forefront of military communications. Earlier systems were designed in an era when voice was predominant but today's operating environment demands systems capable of handling large amounts of data.
Falcon will be a major upgrade to the RAF's ability to handle complex network-enabled ops
[Picture: MOD]
"Falcon brings internet protocol technology from the civil telecommunications sector to the military, where it must meet security constraints, operate in harsh environments and withstand a range of threats."
Falcon will be supplied in three installation types, providing the RAF with greater operational flexibility. These will be vehicle-mounted containers, dismounted containers and palletised systems. The vehicles can carry up to three people and all variants can be air-lifted.
BAE's land programmes director Nigel Philpott said:
"Falcon is a low-risk solution based on proven technologies and capitalises on the existing UK MOD investment. Extending our Falcon will meet the RAF's high bandwidth information systems requirements. I look forward to delivering this in line with that of Increment A for the Army."
BAE was awarded the Falcon Increment A contract in March 2006 to provide the Army with an information infrastructure system, valued in excess of £200m.
This article first appeared in the November 2007 issue of Preview magazine - For Defence Equipment and Support, The Equipment Capability Customer and industry