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Partnership creates Royal Navy's integrated communications system

06 Mar 2002

The integrated internal and external communications systems currently being installed in the Royal Navy's new Landing Platform Dock (Replacement) - LPD(R) - platforms, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, have received the clearances required for use in the naval operational environment following a comprehensive security evaluation.

Thales Communications and BAE Systems C4ISR teamed for the design, development, manufacture and installation of the new communications system on the two LPD(R)s, which were launched at BAE Systems Barrow-in-Furness shipyard last year and are due to enter service in 2003.

The successful security evaluation, conducted by a licensed evaluation facility and involving Defence Procurement Agency, Ministry of Defence accreditors and other Government agencies, represents a significant achievement in the provision of integrated naval communications.

The LPD(R) contract creates a firm foundation upon which the Fully Integrated Communications System (FICS) planned for the Royal Navy's T45 destroyer will be built. Partners Thales and BAE Systems were awarded a FICS contract in 2001 valued at around 38m.
Background note

Thales was chosen by the T45 Prime Contract Office to act as prime contractor and system design authority for the FICS programme. BAE Systems, within a 50/50 workshare agreement, has responsibility for prime systems integration, risk management, security accreditation, communications management and messaging.

A key FICS feature is the pull-through of technology and products proven within existing programmes - such as the LPD(R) - reducing risk and non-recurring expenditure, within an open systems design capable of cost-effective future enhancement and growth.

BAE Systems C4ISR is a global centre of excellence supplying innovative, network enhanced, capability provision solutions. The Group integrates advanced civil and military technologies into robust, single-service and purple defence information management environments, radically optimising the operational effectiveness of command & control and platforms within the digitised battlespace, providing architectures to dominate the decision-making cycle.