General Dynamics Wins $249 Million To Upgrade UK Military’s Communication System

General Dynamics has won a £175 million contract to upgrade Bowman tactical communications equipment currently used by the UK military.

The contract will allow for the Bowman tactical communications equipment will help UK military to receive a series of enhancements and upgrades that will enable the system to continue to operate for the next decade. Software enhancements will make the kit faster, improve usability and make it more compatible with our allies’ equipment. The contract will also provide 12,000 brand new data terminals for use in headquarters, on-the-soldier, as well as on ships, vehicles and aircraft, Michael Fallon, Secretary of state for UK Defense, made the announcement as he visited the Royal Anglian Regiment in Woolwich to witness a range of the equipment in use Thursday.

Bowman equipment is used across the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force [RAF] including for the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank, Type 45 Destroyer and Chinook helicopter. It will be installed on new armoured vehicles, ships and aircraft carriers.

The enhanced kit will deliver safe, secure voice and data communications, as well as live updates from an operational environment, helping commanders to make effective and accurate decisions in real time. Of the £175 million spend, £75 million will go towards the new 12,000 hard-wearing data terminals, while £23 million will be spent on software.

Brigadier Richard Spencer, Head of the MOD’s Battlefield and Tactical Communications and Information System delivery team said, “This contract will replace the data terminals and update software across the Bowman system to ensure ease of use, more rapid and robust data services and improved interoperability.”

The enhanced equipment will be delivered from 2018.