UK Urgent Operational Requirements:
getting it up to the front!

Stories doing the current round say that many tens – if not hundreds – of millions of pounds have been spent on Urgent Operational Requirements (UORs) for the Iraq conflict. Some are for "simple" systems such as soldiers' clothing, which is hardly the most expensive item on the shopping list. But there is evidence of other, far costlier, kit that has been bought by the UK, and other forces, under UOR terms.

FBCB2

The need for the UK to interoperate closely with the US military prompted the decision to obtain some Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) sets as part of situational awareness improvements – and as much for attempts to deal with the problem of "Blue-on-Blue" incidents. Defence Analysis understands that command vehicles are fitted with the system, allowing the local commanders – at company, squadron or battery level – to have the data for their exploitation at their will.

That the UK is so keen to obtain such capability in advance of that to be provided by Bowman is praiseworthy. But Defence Analysis is worried that there is a risk (see elsewhere in this edition) that once the equipment is established in service, there might be a drive to follow, absolutely, the US drive to digitisation. For better or worse – and let's hope it's for the better – the UK is pursuing "net-enabled capability", rather than "network centric warfare". Let us hope that in the aftermath of the Iraq con.ict, there is not a UK decision to slavishly follow the US lead. Defence Analysis believes that the US view of digitisation is wrong, and demonstrably so.

CLANSMAN SECURE DATA SYSTEM

A number of Clansman radio sets seen during operations in Iraq have add-on "black boxes." Although not seen on the lowest level, most basic, radios, they have appeared in vehicle fits and on the larger manpacks. Investigation suggests that this is a system that permits the secure transmission of data over the dodgy Clansman airwaves.

While not of "streaming video" class, this allows the military equivalent of SMS/text messaging – SITREPS, position reports, and simple, common pre-formatted messages. Initial reports say that the system is popular since it reduces workloads, and it is a good example of a simple, yet effective system. Further reports say that extra improved data modems have been fielded for more complex communication needs.

IFF SETS

The UK certainly has obtained some equipment for IFF purposes, in order to reduce the number of "Blue-on-Blue" incidents. Visible on virtually every vehicle are slender boxes that look like those rotating advertising boards that show three or more different ads, one after the other. One side is painted in camou.age, one has a white background with the Allied "Lamda" on it, and the third …?

Not as widely seen as the others, it is probably some form of IR or thermal ID tag. The Challenger IIs also have what appears to be an electronic IFF system, with plates fitted to the front of the turret – although if this is the case, how come there have been Challenger-on-Challenger incidents? Well, no-one said technology was perfect.

MINIMI MEDIUM MACHINE GUN

Can there be any doubt that the Para Minimi 5.56mm machine gun isn't the "people's choice" when it comes to the infantry section? It is believed that there was an extra purchase of Minimis prior to this deployment, so that all the light forces deployed, and even – if one's eyes are to be believed – some of the armoured infantry, possess Minimis.

OK, that's good. But can anyone assure Defence Analysis that when this is over, someone won't re-run a competition to see which version of the Minimi is acquired?

PERSONAL ROLE RADIO

If rumours are to be believed, there has been an opening of the Two Way Street, the famous term for the transatlantic defence trade of the 1980s. Defence Analysis hears that the US Marine Corps has bought the UK Bowman programme Personal Role Radio (PRR).

During the build-up, talks between the UK and US led to the conclusion by many in the USMC that the PRR was about the best thing since sliced bread. Strange, this is exactly what UK forces issued with the PRR also believe! The big question is what kind of delay this might cause to the UK's own PRR programme, if any.

The answer is that PPR production rates can be boosted by Marconi Mobile (now part of Finmeccanica), and although there may be a short delay to what Defence Analysis has heard called the UK's "Batch Two" it shouldn't be too serious. The point here is that that the simple concept of the PRR actually delivers real, measurable effect at minimal cost – it does what it says on the tin!. Also, if the USMC sees a role for such a system within its organisation, and within the doctrine, then this might show that UK views of digitisation might be correct. It also implies that the normally good relations between the UK and USMC might go yet deeper.

The foregoing covers those UORs that Defence Analysis has so far noticed in service in Iraq – there are will be more and we wonder whether there might not be some UORs undertaken practically "in theatre." One notion pushed our way was whether there may not be an attempt to get JDAM into UK service while operations continue.

• UK Gulf Logistics Problems - CRIMEA IN THE SUN?
• Equipment Cannibalisation - THAT OLD CHRISTMAS TREE!
• US Marine Corps/Royal Marine Cooperation - JUST LOVE YOU!
• Urgent Operational Requirements - BOON OR BANE?
• Future Integrated Soldier Technolgy Programme - TWO FINGER UP AT FIRST?
• A400M European Airlifter Programme - FALLING AT THE FINAL HURDLE?
• Support Helicopter Fleets - MORE BEASTS OF BURDEN?
• UK Defence Budget - A FINE BALANCING ACT
• France and Defence/Foreign Policy - PATH TO RICHES … OR RAGS
• UK and Defence/Foreign Policy - JUST TOO SHY-DI-SHY
• Italian Defence Procurement Budget - SIGN OF THE TIMES
• Iraq War First Lessons - NOT LEARNED BEFORE … ?
• Heavy Versus Light Forces - THE WORM TURNETH
• US-UK Iraq War Blue-on-Blue - ITCHY FINGERS
• DEFENCE INDUSTRY NEWS
• DEFENCE DIVERSITY

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