BAE Systems preferred for UK Falcon program

BAE Systems Insyte division, based at Christchurch in Dorset, has been named preferred bidder for Project Falcon, which is designed to equip senior UK commanders with the most advanced and powerful network for controlling combat operations at corps, divisional and brigade level.

UK Defence Procurement Minister Lord Drayson said: "Detailed negotiations will now take place with BAE Systems Insyte before we are in a position to take a final decision on awarding a contract. We envisage Falcon as a key part of the network-enabled operations that will help clear the fog of war and ensure the British Army dominates the battlefields of the future. Our studies have shown that better and faster use of combat information will give our Forces a major advantage over any likely opponents."

Falcon will provide the battlefield communications infrastructure to support the Army's command systems. The Bowman tactical system will feed information seamlessly into Falcon, which will link back to UK headquarters in real time using the Skynet 5 satellite communications system.

The Falcon network will permit transmission of large amounts of data, including real time video, between Army Headquarters. Falcon will replace a range of in-service systems such as Ptarmigan, Euromux, the RAF Transportable Telecommunications System and Deployed Local Area Network (RTTS/DLAN).

It will have more than 50 times the data throughput capacity of the systems it replaces. It will provide a huge leap in the capability of the Army's communications network while reducing the number of vehicles and personnel needed to support a major headquarters.