BOWMAN Programme

In 2001, GD Canada was selected as the System Architect, System Design Authority, and System Integrator, as well as the Local Area System (LAS) subcontractor for the UK's $3.2B BOWMAN Programme, under subcontract to the Prime Contractor, General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited. The BOWMAN Programme was initiated to replace the outdated Clansman radio suite and facilitate the digitization of the UK Army.

Based on the success of the Iris System, the BOWMAN Programme delivers to the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) a capability that is similar to the Canadian TCCCS program, less the Wide Area System functionality, but with the addition of a robust, mobile, ad hoc, high-capacity data radio backbone and the use of VHF radios that include embedded IP routers.

The BOWMAN solution consists of:

• Radios providing secure voice and data communications;
• LAS providing high bandwidth communications between vehicles and with Headquarters;
• Vehicle harnesses providing voice and data services;
• Command and control software providing situational awareness across the battlefield; and
• Software providing communications, cryptographic and logistics.

This open, secure, heterogeneous, and extensible solution satisfies 100% of the Key User Requirements and recoups significant previous MoD investment in radios, and in-management systems for communications, crypto keys, and logistics.

Founded on a through-life vision, the BOWMAN solution builds on a proven baseline to provide a seamless route to the adoption of future technologies to deliver greater war fighting capability. The solution supports the current MoD doctrine and enables future doctrinal evolution in response to technology.