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Press Release |
26th July 2000 |
| Aerosystems International has been awarded a major contract for the supply of Interoperability Testing Services for the UK MoD. |
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Aerosystems International (AeI) is under contract for the supply and operation of the Link InterOperability Network (LION). LION will provide the UK with a world-class capability for testing and proving the interoperability of datalink systems. Tactical Datalinks allow military units to
share tactical information and are a key element in ensuring
effective deployment of UK and coalition forces in Operations
such as Desert Storm and Allied Force. Through the use of tactical datalinks aircraft, ships and ground units can share their sensor information providing all participants with a common tactical picture, significantly improving levels of co-ordination between the units. Interoperability is a measure of the capability of these datalink-equipped systems to operate effectively together. LION allows cost effective interoperability testing and proving by connecting together existing test rigs over the telephone network. Test scenarios can then be devised allowing the rigs to take part in simulated exercises in a carefully controlled environment, significantly reducing the need for expensive real exercises. LION can also be connected to non-UK platforms to support interoperabilty testing with NATO and coalition assets. LION will connect together rigs that support all the major UK datalink equipped platforms including the RAF Tornado F3 and E3D AWACS, the Royal Navy Sea Harrier, Sea King Whiskey AEW and Type 23 and 42 Ships. The LION contract is managed for the MoD by the Datalinks Integrated Project Team (Datalinks IPT) within the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA). AeI and the Datalinks IPT will form an Integrated Management Team to control the testing programme. This will ensure that the LION testing is co-ordinated with other interoperability testing and that the most effective service is provided within the contracted price. This integrated team approach is consistent with Smart Procurement and the Public Private Partnership initiative. As part of the contract arrangement LION can be used by third parties for interoperability testing when not required for MoD tests.LION will be developed and operated by the AeI Tactical Communications Division (TCD) and will be carried out at their Malvern and Yeovil offices. The current contract covers the provision of the LION testing service until 2005. Note to Editors: Aerosystems International, jointly owned by GKN Aerospace and BAE SYSTEMS, was formed in 1985 for the sole purpose of developing aerospace systems and software, combining the avionics and systems expertise of GKN Westland with the software and project management skills of BAeSEMA. For further information please contact: |
