Rockwell Collins wins UK mobile Link-16 contract

The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded Rockwell-Collins (UK) Limited a contract valued at around £1 .9M for the design, development and production of a mobile, Link-16 based air defence system. The Ground Recognised Air Picture Initial Operating Capability (GRAP IOC) is to be produced for the Royal Artillery and Royal Air Force) Regiment.

Rockwell Collins (UK) will serve as the prime contractor for the GRAP IOC programme, providing full systems engineering, design and verification. Rockwell Collins Government Systems will provide AN/URC-138 (SHAR) Link-16 Terminals. In addition, Dytecna Limited will provide vehicle integration and Anzus Software will provide situational software applications.

"As the battlespace becomes a more complex place in which to operate, it is essential that both the commander and front line personnel have the tools that will allow them to manage their portion of the battle more effectively," said Steve Banham, managing director, Rockwell Collins (UK). "The Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTLDS)/Link-16 component does just that. It provides near real time digital information over a coalition network bringing situational awareness directly to the command and weapon systems. The ability to draw information from JTIDS into an integrated system makes it particularly valuable."

This relatively new military capability is being implemented widely by the UK, the US and its allies, and has been deployed in the Gulf War and in Bosnia.

The contract requires the supply of three systems each providing a vehicle mounted situational awareness facility and a Distributed Situational Awareness Picture (DSAP) facility. The vehicle-based subsystem contains a Link 16 terminal, a data link to the DSAP facility, various voice communication systems, a display and a workstation.

In addition the vehicle subsystem contains a locally deployable system providing the same situational awareness functionality as the in-vehicle subsystem. The locally deployable system is capable of operation up to 100 metres from the vehicle with access to the vehicle's voice communications. The DSAP facility is capable of operation up to 50 nautical miles from the vehicle and is comprised of a data link to the vehicle, a display and a workstation.

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