Spring 2011 Issue 12


15


Improved information The focus of the latest event was improved information capabilities for use in Afghanistan. Demonstrations included network connectivity and information exploitation systems, showing how ground forces can better manage and exploit multiple sources of information. The new technologies are capable of improving situational awareness, easing information transfer for a more manageable workload, and providing better interoperability between UK forces and the Afghan Mission Network, leading to a better Common Operating Picture (COP) for all.


Demonstrations of dismounted soldier systems showed how warfighters can have access to data, including real-time video streams such as those provided by surveillance drones. Soldiers can easily annotate and share the data with a portable display unit worn on the arm, and even print waterproof maps in the field.


The deployed surveillance and protection solutions on display highlighted General Dynamics UK’s capability in the area of rapidly deployable ground surveillance units, its expertise in ISTAR, persistent surveillance and force protection technology and how to use network connectivity to exploit the resulting data. And the Deployed Logistics Information System – an asset and configuration management tool – showed how the BCIP platform could be exploited to allow users to gather and assess logistics data about Bowman and related equipment.


Vehicle architectures General Dynamics UK is a leader in armoured vehicle systems, a fact underscored by its recent selection for the Scout SV programme. At JIRAD, the firm demonstrated its Core Infrastructure Distribution System (CIDS) on two vehicles – a Cougar and a Jackal. CIDS complies with the industry-wide Generic Vehicle Architecture (GVA) standard and provides an open architecture for future platform


Trusted to deliver


design and power management. It will be used in the SV platform and offers a potential common electronic architecture standard across the entire UK fleet.


“JIRAD delivered a first class demonstration of current, new and developing technologies appropriate to the current and planned operations being conducted in Afghanistan,” said Brigadier Ivan Hooper, BATCIS Team Leader, following the event. “All JIRAD attendees are acutely aware that there are significant challenges in Afghanistan and I appreciate the forward-leaning and innovative approach which General Dynamics UK continues to take. General Dynamics UK continues to provide leadership, development and systems integration expertise in the technology areas which have been showcased and this was clearly


“ General Dynamics UK is a leader


in armoured vehicle systems


”


and professionally demonstrated at JIRAD. I welcome the close and joint working relationship which has been fostered in the interests of delivering capability.”


JIRAD isn’t about simply showcasing interesting technology. The kind of industry and customer co-operation enabled by the EDGE® UK provides a genuine ability to pull through innovative developments from the widest-possible supply chain and turn those into fieldable solutions in the shortest possible time.


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