Military

BAE Systems awarded 15 million contract to support upgraded FV432 armoured vehicle

30 Mar 2006 | Ref. 072/2006

BAE Systems has been awarded a contract to provide the British Army with an information infrastructure system - FALCON, valued in excess of £200m, which is due to enter service in 2010.

FALCON will support the Army’s command systems by providing a new high capacity, secure information system infrastructure capability at the operational and tactical levels of command that can be deployed rapidly by air into any theatre of operations. The system has greatly improved data throughput, multi-level security, mobility and manpower efficiencies compared with current systems.

The Bowman tactical system and Cormorant command system will feed information into FALCON, which will be able to link back to UK headquarters using the Skynet 5 satellite communications system. In line with the Defence Industrial Strategy, FALCON is key to the “Resilient Information Infrastructure” of Network Enabled Capability (NEC) by providing the modern, secure communications infrastructure required by deployed formations and operating bases.

Martin Sheppard, IPT Leader Theatre and Formation Communications Systems (TFCS) said: “ BAE Systems and its FALCON Partner companies bring a unique blend of expertise to this project. Their combined experience, together with the solution they are providing will equip senior commanders with one of the world's most advanced and powerful digital communications network for controlling combat operations at Corps, Divisional and Brigade level. The signing of this contract represents a very important step in support of network-enabled operations.”

BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies (Insyte) partners include SELEX Communications, Thales, Cisco, Dytecna, Flagship and ASA.

Clive Richardson, Managing Director of Insyte said: “BAE Systems is delighted to be awarded this significant contract, we will work hard with our partners and customer to make FALCON a resounding success, through the entire life of the system.”

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier transatlantic defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With more than 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems’ sales exceeded GB £15.4 billion (US$28 billion) in 2005.

For further information, please contact:

Sue Kennard, BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies
Tel: +44 (0) 1276 603265 sue.kennard@baesystems.com

Issued by:

BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384710 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947