BAE Systems has been picked by the Ministry of Defence to upgrade the Royal Air Force's (RAF) battlefield information system for 45 million.
Set for roll-out in 2010, FALCON Increment C will upgrade the RAF's global voice, data and video communications. The latest stage of the larger FALCON upgrade, Increment C will modernise the RAF's networks in the field, and will improve data throughput, security and mobility, the MoD said.
"FALCON Increment C will give a significant boost to the RAF's ability to deploy on operations," said Martin Sheppard, the MoD's theatre and formation communications systems IPT leader in a statement. "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 brings internet protocol technology from the civil telecommunications sector to the military, where it must meet security constraints, operate in harsh physical environments and withstand a range of threats."
The higher bandwidth system will work with other communications networks, including Bowman, Cormorant and Skynet 5, as well as all NATO systems. FALCON will be installed on different types of RAF vehicles, all of which can be airlifted and carry three personnel.
While the new system will reduce the number of staff required to run the aircraft communications system, it will add new high-tech jobs, said Lord Drayson, Minister of State for Defence Equipment and Support. "FALCON will deliver, more reliably than the current system, improved capacity and functionality for voice and data traffic while reducing the service manpower required to operate and support the system," he said. "I am particularly pleased that this contract will sustain 35 high technology jobs boosting the 450 jobs created or sustained under Increment A."
In March 2006, BAE was awarded a 200 million contract for Increment A, which will see the British Army rollout a new information infrastructure system by 2010.
