Armada’s monthly roundup of all the latest news in the military communications product, programme and operational domains.
Naval Drakon Unveiled
Thales has showcased the latest evolution of the company’s naval communications product portfolio at this year’s Euronaval exhibition held in Paris between 4th and 7th November. Known as Naval Drakon, this new suite of naval communications hardware and software continues the company’s involvement with this sector as enshrined in the Aquilon family. Drakon is a suite of hardware and software that integrates and manages disparate communications links using High Frequency (HF: three megahertz/MHz to 30MHz), Very/Ultra High Frequency (V/UHF: 30MHz to three gigahertz) and Satellite Communications (SATCOM) wavebands. Thales officials told Armada during Euronaval that Drakon works with Thales’ hardware such the company’s transceivers, or with those of third parties. Naval Drakon is the maritime equivalent of the Drakon system the company has developed for land forces. The officials continued that the Drakon has been designed with the trend towards Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (JEMSO) in mind. The JEMSO philosophy converges ostensibly disparate disciplines such as radar, radio communications and Electronic Warfare (EW), among others. At the heart of JEMSO is the desire to perform electromagnetic spectrum operations in a managed, coordinated manner. The intention here is to reduce spectrum congestion, improve spectrum management and emissions control. JEMSO also stresses reducing risks of electromagnetic fratricide, while improving the efficacy of EW, communications and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance). Officials said that Naval Drakon is scalable according to the size of vessel it equips. Moreover, the system is already in service onboard the Marine Nationale’s (French Navy’s) ‘Jacques Chevallier’ class replenishment vessels. Naval Drakon is also equipping the French Navy’s ‘Amiral Ronarc’h’ class frigates and the Royal Navy’s ‘Type-31/Inspiration’ class frigates.
ICS Gains Momentum
Last month it was revealed that BAE Systems and Kongsberg have entered into a teaming agreement regarding the Integrated Combat Solution (ICS). The former has shared more information with Armada regarding this arrangement. Kongsberg is developing the ICS and BAE Systems is integrating the architecture onto vehicles, according to a press release. The ICS is a battle management system which also lets vehicle crews control their subsystems. These subsystems could include a remote weapons station, and/or electronic warfare and self-protection apparatus from individual screens inside the platform. The ICS has been demonstrated onboard an Iveco/BAE Systems Amphibious Combat Vehicle and BAE Systems Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle. A written statement provided by BAE Systems revealed that the ICS is used by the militaries of Australia, Finland, Norway and Ukraine. The latter deploys the ICS as part of Kongsberg Cortex Typhon counter-uninhabited aerial vehicle system. The statement continued that the ICS “can be integrated on any battlefield platform that is equipped with a weapon system and on-board sensors.” In terms of bearer networks for ICS’ data, these can be carried across “multiple communication methods.”
New E-Lynx Arrival
October saw Elbit Systems launch a new member of its E-Lynx tactical radio family dubbed the E-Lynx SR. A press release announcing the news disclosed that this multi-channel system was launched at the International Dismounted Soldier Conference held in London between 29th and 30th October. Elbit says that the radio incorporates cognitive techniques and multiple-in/multiple-out architectures. Other features include simultaneous voice, internet protocol, blue force tracking and video traffic carriage. In addition, the radio can connect to fourth- and fifth-generation cellular networks. The company told Armada in a written statement that the transceiver uses frequencies of 225 megahertz/MHz to 2.9 gigahertz. Elbit continued that the E-Lynx SR contains the company’s new soldier waveform. This waveform is compatible with existing E-Lynx products. Customer-specified waveforms can also be hosted in the transceiver. Elbit’s statement added that it is pitching this radio as a capability for dismounted squad and platoon leaders.
by Dr. Thomas Withington
