Archer Communications Systems Limited (ACSL), the prime contractor and systems integrator for the BOWMAN programme, has announced that the VHF subsystem of BOWMAN will be undertaken by ITT. The value of the work is in the region of £200 million over 8 years.
Responsibility for the VHF subsystem was originally awarded to ITT in 1997 - with Racal taking the lead on the portable VHF radio - following a competition between the ACSL shareholders.
By the autumn of 1999, it had become clear that the developments in the programme and in technology would necessitate a re-evaluation of the capability of the radio equipment. ACSL then asked both companies to offer revised proposals tailored to the BOWMAN programme, with the stated intention of awarding the whole of the VHF subsystem, including the portable VHF radio, to either Racal or ITT.
These proposals have been evaluated against the criteria of operational and technical performance, cost, programme timescale and risk. The selected solution offers the lowest risk for the BOWMAN programme, the possibility to field secure voice radios earlier than previously planned, and a substantial reduction in cost.
Both companies offered to develop and manufacture the radios in the UK.
ITT will also have a leading role in developing its "Tactical Internet" for BOWMAN, drawing on its extensive experience of the similar US Force 21 programme. ITT will transfer the technology for the radios and the Tactical Internet to their team in Basingstoke.
John Gutteridge, managing director of ACSL, said: "This decision is a further step in the radical re-invigoration of Archer Communications Systems announced by ministers in December last year. We are pleased that, working together with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and ITT, we have been able to produce a plan for the VHF subsystem which offers a faster, better and cheaper solution than the earlier proposals. We will continue to work closely together to make BOWMAN an exemplary Smart Procurement programme."
"Racal continue to be a valued partner in the programme, contributing their High Frequency Radio and the Local Area System."
ACSL is the MoD's preferred prime contractor for the BOWMAN programme, designed to provide the UK armed forces with the world's most capable battlefield communication system. ACSL, managed by BAE SYSTEMS, is a joint venture between ITT (40%) and Racal Defence Electronics and BAE SYSTEMS (30% each).
-ends-
Archer Selects ITT To Provide Bowman VHF Subsystem
