Armed Forces to Get Improved Communications Equipment

UK Ministry of Defence, The Ministry of Defence today announced that it has signed a £45 million contract extension with BAE Systems Insyte for the Demonstration, Manufacture and initial support for the latest element of the FALCON communications system. This element will support RAF deployed operations. 
 
The FALCON system is delivering modern deployable telecommunications systems to the Armed Forces. It enables improved transmission of voice and data traffic around the Battlefield. 
 
Lord Drayson, Minister of State for Defence Equipment and Support said today: 
 
“I am pleased to be announcing the contract extension, with BAE Systems Insyte, for the Demonstration, Manufacture and initial support for the latest element of the FALCON communications system. 
 
FALCON is a major upgrade to the RAF's ability to handle complex network-enabled operations on deployed operating bases. This latest increment, Increment C, will provide the telephones and data-distribution hosting command and control, logistics and aircraft-specific mission and planning systems. FALCON is designed to operate with other communication and information systems, such as Bowman, Cormorant and SKYNET V, which have been introduced progressively since 2002, and will be fully compatible with other NATO systems. 
 
FALCON will deliver, more reliably than the current system, improved capacity and functionality for voice and data traffic while reducing the service manpower required to operate and support the system. 
 
I am particularly pleased that this contract will sustain 35 high technology jobs boosting the 450 jobs created or sustained under Increment A.”