Prequel:
Chicago's Candyman and Her Short for Snuff Swaps - Chapter 6
Crisis Actors, American Children, DMORT Squealer in Soetoro 2012
“Computing Devices Awarded $22 Million BOWMAN Development Contract CALGARY, Alberta – Computing Devices Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a contract valued at $22 million Cdn from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for design and development work in preparation for the award of the British Army’s BOWMAN communications program. This contract, which will be performed at Computing Devices’ Calgary facility, will run until the BOWMAN program is awarded, which is expected to occur in September 2001.
The BOWMAN program, valued at £1.7 billion (approximately $4 billion Cdn.), is to deliver the British Army's next generation tactical communications system. It will comprise secure voice/data radio and intercom equipment, computers, a tactical internet and system management software to be installed in about 20,000 army vehicles, as well as designated ships and aircraft.
BOWMAN is very similar to the Canadian Army’s Iris program (approximately $1.6 billion Cdn) which Computing Devices is currently fielding across Canada. The experience gained in managing, developing and successfully delivering a large scale military communications program in Canada was a key factor in the UK MoD’s decision to select Computing Devices as a potential prime contractor for BOWMAN.
"This contract award is a very significant step toward winning the full BOWMAN implementation program, and reflects the confidence that the UK has in Computing Devices," said Larry Johnson, senior vice president for Computing Devices Canada and managing director of CDC Systems UK Ltd. "Thanks to the Canadian Iris program, Computing Devices in Calgary has built a solid base of capability in advanced military communications, which positions us for similar opportunities in the offshore markets."
The initial program will employ approximately 50 engineers who will investigate a number of development areas, including: data networking over combat net radios, system management, new radio types, updated computers and processing, security issues and vehicle installation design to address unique BOWMAN requirements. It will involve several industrial partners who are working with Computing Devices for the full implementation contract. General Dynamics, based in Falls Church, Virginia, has leading market positions in information systems, shipbuilding and marine systems, land and amphibious combat systems, and business aviation. The company employs approximately 44,000 people worldwide and has annualized sales of approximately $10 billion.”
“U.K. Communications On Target
November 2001
By Henry S. Kenyon
Bowman moves the British military closer to a fully digitized force. The British government has launched its ambitious program to create a state-of-the-art tactical communications infrastructure for its military. When complete, the United Kingdom’s armed forces will have a secure radio system that operates a battlefield Internet jointly across multiple ground, air and sea platforms. Time is not kind to technology, especially communications equipment. As maintenance and upkeep costs increase, security and interoperability issues begin to arise when new standards and waveforms supercede older ones. Many nations’ armed forces find themselves on the cusp of moving from old analog-based systems to fully digital communications devices that are designed to be easily upgraded throughout their operational lives.
The British Army found itself in such a situation with its aging Clansman tactical radios. Fielded in the 1970s, the radios were becoming increasingly difficult to maintain and less secure—the army encountered security difficulties during operations in the Balkans. However, merely replacing Clansman would be insufficient if the new system could not operate with the other branches of the British military. To meet the military’s needs, the U.K. Ministry of Defence (MOD) initiated the Bowman program to develop a next-generation tactical radio.
A tumultuous bidding process ensued that resulted in the government dropping the initially selected consortium and rebidding the entire process last year. In July 2001, the MOD awarded its largest communications infrastructure contract in 50 years to CDC Systems UK Limited, a business unit of General Dynamics Corporation, Falls Church, Virginia. CDC won the £1.7 billion ($2.4 billion) contract largely based on work it had done on a similar advanced radio system for the Canadian ground forces. CDC is now responsible for deploying the Bowman program on schedule.
Bowman is an integrated family of communications systems ranging from squad-level intercoms to division-level networks. Although the army will field the majority of units, all of the United Kingdom’s military services will use the system, explains Brig. Gen. David Lynam, MBE, British Army, director of equipment capability for command, control and information infrastructure. Bowman radios will be fitted on Royal Navy vessels such as landing craft and amphibious assault ships that interact with shore-based units. The Royal Air Force will use the radios for its air defense and local protection units as well as aircraft such as helicopters that interact closely with ground forces. However, the system will not replace ground-to-air radios used to communicate with fast combat jets or other related systems, nor will it supercede marine radios. “Bowman is a joint tactical radio, as far as we are concerned,” the general explains.
A number of radio subsystems will play an important role in the program. High frequency (HF), very high frequency (VHF) and high-capacity data radios will provide a tactical Internet across the battlespace. Features include a local area subsystem that networks combat vehicles, a set of automated management tools and a user input device that allows officers to access any available Bowman radios and data systems directly.
At the division level, local area subsystems consist of switching and data terminals, while smaller tactical units at least will have access to the most basic operational functions—a data service for messaging and position reporting. “People said, ‘Why don’t you just go out and buy a radio?’ The answer is that we needed more than just a radio in the first place,” Gen. Lynam explains. The Bowman radios are software-based, but the general is quick to note that they are not programmable devices that can have new waveforms added automatically. However, the technology does provide the opportunity to investigate further uses for software-based and programmable radios in the future, he says. The radios also are not multimode or multiband devices, but are largely HF, VHF and high-capacity data radios.
Before Bowman, the British Army did not have a tactical Internet or secure data and voice communications down to the squad level. The general notes that secure communications currently do not extend below the battle group level. Bowman will provide security to all echelons down to squad level. This added security increases smaller units’ operational tempo because they do not have to spend time using manual coding and encryption methods. The data service also extends voice and information capabilities across all echelons. Previously, the army only had data pipes down to the brigade level with mobile trunk systems at the battle group level, Gen. Lynam explains.
The automatic position reporting system provides troops with information about their battlefield location and the location of friendly and enemy units. This situational awareness tool consists of a global positioning subsystem incorporated into the Bowman communications equipment. The components for this capability are made by Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which is working with CDC UK to deliver the embedded and handheld global positioning system (GPS) equipment for the Bowman program. The devices are precision lightweight GPS receivers (PLGR)-III and miniature PLGR engines (MPE-S) that report position and velocity, are resistant to jamming, and include fast location acquisition and area navigation functions. The PLGR-III and MPE-S also incorporate a selective antispoofing module for enhanced security. Delivery of these systems will begin in 2002.
ITT Industries Incorporated, White Plains, New York, is providing the high-capacity data radio system, ultrahigh frequency and VHF radios, and supporting software systems to develop the British Army’s tactical Internet. CDC UK selected ITT’s Mercury family of wideband networking radios to form the heart of the tactical network because they can be used to distribute large amounts of data between widely scattered units. An earlier version of Mercury data radios will enter service with the U.S. Army’s first digitized division.
Parts of the Bowman system are based on CDC’s Iris system, which recently entered service with the Canadian Forces. Like Bowman, Iris is a secure tactical radio system that enables battlefield networking and interfaces between units across echelons. However, Bowman differs from Iris in several ways. Iris does not have a high-capacity data radio, nor does it incorporate certain types of tactical interfaces, as does Bowman, Gen. Lynam says.
Iris was introduced as part of Canada’s tactical command, control and communications system (TCCCS). According to Michael Turley, CDC UK’s vice president of business development, the U.K. MOD chose CDC because of its prior experience in rolling out the Iris program. “We’ve done it once. Nobody else has. I think that’s the difference. We’ve done it with the Canadian army, which in terms of rate is comparable to what we’re doing in the U.K. We understand the practical difficulties and the things we’ve got to do properly. These lessons we learned in the Iris program,” he explains.
Bowman will use CDC’s MESHnet information distribution system to provide an Internet protocol-based, integrated voice and data system. It is in use with the Canadian Iris system and entering service with the U.S. Marine Corps as a voice and data distribution system for its direct air support centers. CDC also will incorporate its battleWEB software for situational awareness in Bowman.
Although the MOD selected CDC in part because of its experience with the Iris program, not much of Bowman is based on Iris, Turley says. “That is something of a misconception. There’s very little Iris technology in our Bowman solution. But there is a lot of Iris experience from the systems engineering side—how to put these systems together as end-to-end systems that work—right through to the complexities of putting the equipment into service. There is a very large number of vehicles to equip, and the army would like to retain a capability while we do it. That’s the trick,” he says. Although Bowman uses different radio systems, it shares some common hardware and software with Iris, and some members of the Iris design team are involved with Bowman, Turley says. CDC also developed a highly automated systems integration laboratory as part of the TCCCS program. This technology is being directly applied to Bowman, and the company will create and deliver training courses for the new equipment.
The first units using Bowman will enter service in 2004 and will consist of a reduced mechanized brigade capable of undertaking operations other than war. The rollout will then continue for three years across the entire army at a rate of two brigades a year. During this period, the Royal Air Force, Royal Marines and the Royal Navy also will be equipped with the systems, the general says.
The new system’s interoperability with NATO and other allied forces is a concern that the MOD is investigating, Gen. Lynam explains. Bowman does have standard interfaces built into it such as integrated services digital network (ISDN), tactical ISDN and other NATO interfaces for use with its local area subsystems. The radios also can operate on a fixed frequency using a NATO cryptographic appliqué. However, he notes that one of the difficulties with technologies such as the frequency-hopping modes used by the high-capacity data radios is that there are no international standards for waveforms or software. The MOD is in discussions with the United States and other European nations to develop potential future standards for use with software programmable radios where waveform data can be exchanged.
Security presents another complicated set of issues. The general explains that the MOD is vigorously attacking the issue of security for the different radio types. Among the areas of concern are hop algorithms, hop sequences and cryptography for over-the-air keying. The system currently possesses a basic level of interoperability with NATO forces with the fixed-frequency cryptographic algorithm appliqué; however, the military will move beyond this basic capability in the future, he adds. The biggest challenge the MOD faces with Bowman is its implementation. All of the army’s 18,000 vehicles and up to 100,000 personnel in all the services will be trained to use Bowman by October 2007.
Approximately 50,000 radios, 25,000 terminals and 8,000 local area systems will be deployed as part of the program. Adding to the challenge of incorporating the radios in fighting platforms such as the Challenger tank and the Warrior armored personnel carrier are upgrade programs such as thermal imager and commander’s crew station upgrades already underway for those vehicles. Another major challenge will be fitting the system onto aircraft because of the complexities involved with adding new components onto an airframe, the general explains.
Risks are inherent in an undertaking of this scale. Up to one third of the army may be out of service at any given time during this period as units are brought up to the required levels. Given the number of peacekeeping operations the United Kingdom is involved in, if an international crisis erupts, there could be difficulties. However, the general notes that the MOD has considered this situation, and the greatest risk is providing the integration, design and coordination within the program’s timetable. “We’ve talked about the large number of platforms involved. The delivery of those platforms at the right time in the right state is really a key challenge to this sort of program,” Gen. Lynam says.
Bowman has a projected life span of up to 25 years. However, the general emphasizes that years from now it will not be the same system that is entering service today because it will be constantly upgraded over time with software and hardware improvements. Items such as the data terminal will differ between the first year’s deliveries and the fourth year simply because the same kinds of microprocessor chips will not be available at that time.
The MOD plans a rolling technology insertion program to keep the system up to date. “If equipment goes back for repair, they will probably put in upgrades at the same time. I wouldn’t want people to think that we’re buying something now that will last for 25 years without any change whatsoever,” the general states. While a mid-life upgrade program will certainly be necessary, the primary challenge facing the MOD is rolling out the initial system, he says.
Additional information on Bowman is available on the World Wide Web a http://www.gdcdcsystemsuk.com.
“Information Resources – Servers [of DMORT Portable Morgue used at Fresh Kills to process encrypted images of 9/11 victims' body bits which would otherwise reveal Obama's role with JABS in the "first live broadcast mass snuff film in human history"] The Server runs Windows Server 2003, is physically secured, requires AD [Abel Danger] authentication from encrypted authorized clients, is on its own network that is not connected to the internet, any other network or outside world. ALL logs will be reviewed each day.
This means:
• Only DPMU computers can be used, and with locked down USB ports
• There will be no email, messaging, or access from outside the network
• No thumb drives can be used, no files can be copied
• The network will be managed by tough IR people with tough policies
“Bowman Systems Technician
General Dynamics UK Limited
October 2009 – December 2010 (1 year 3 months)Bicester, United Kingdom
• Required to inspect, diagnose and repair various Military communications equipment sent from the customer within the agreed service times
• Accountable as the on site SME for the Bowman Radio System
• Raise Incident Reports when equipment is found to be Unserviceable, and then carry out the necessary repairs.
• Liaise with the customer to ensure demands are met in terms of availability of equipment
• Carry out controlled RF testing on Harris HF radios, VHF radios and High Capacity Data Radios (HCDR)
• Ad-Hoc repairs where appropriate relating to equipment and/or consumables
• Create a Screening Capability plan to include Firmware upgrades
• Compile monthly reports detailing quantity of equipment repaired and any issues highlighted, including percentage of no fault found incurred during the month and fault trends on equipment
• Security cleared to SC standard and General Dynamics UK security checks. Service Centre Engineer telent August 2008 – January 2009 (6 months)London, United Kingdom
• Providing 1st and 2nd Line support for the various IT and communications equipment used by the Metropolitan Police and various Fire and Rescue Service stations throughout the UK using a 24/7 Incident Management system
• Responsible for remote assistance when required, to fix faults on computer based radios and remote rebooting servers. Managing user accounts and permissions using Active Directory.
• Carry out software installations and upgrades for PC's and Laptops.
• Everyday usage of Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 and 2007.
• Required to be proficient in using Windows Server 2003 and 2008 when visiting customer sites to resolve network issues and meet agreed Service Level times.
• Security cleared to SC standard.
• Fully trained on ICCS (Integrated Communication-and-Control Systems), SCADA remote-monitoring system.
• Required to log all incidents and requests reported to the Service Desk using several Incident Management and Ticket Software applications (TRAMMS, REMEDY).
• Monitor customer networks using WhatsUp Gold Network & Server Management System
• Responsible for prioritising severity of faults and rectifying, escalating via appropriate methods as required, working to Service Level Agreement times in an ITIL environment
• Dealing with customers in a high pressure environment, remaining flexible and efficient to meet the customer's needs at all times. Communications Systems Operator Royal Corps of Signals - British Army May 2003 – August 2008 (5 years 4 months)Bath, United Kingdom
• Accountable as the Commander of a secure, mobile communications vehicle, supervising three personnel and providing secure voice, fax and data systems in extreme battle field conditions.
• Experience in installing and configuring various communications systems whilst also responsible for software installations and upgrades for these systems.
• Planning and delivering high standard training to three operators to ensure they can perform all systems operator tasks at exceptional levels of efficiency in the absence of the Commander
• Ensuring accuracy and attention to detail in constructing, operating and maintaining vital communication links
• Providing strong communications assets to the Royal Air Force, using secure ground-to-air communications in a vast range of different environments
• Implementing an effective controlling system demanding spares and recording all faults, identified during use of various communication systems and antennas, whilst also creating innovative solutions and alternatives if the problem cannot be resolved
• Responsible for carrying out minor repairs when they occur on communications equipment.
• Detailed knowledge of Antennas and Propagation relating to HF,UHF,VHF and SHF radio systems
• Responsible for the various Cryptographic Technology personally assigned, used on a daily basis.
• Antenna & Cable installation and maintenance
• Site surveying
• Fully trained on Ptarmigan and Bowman Communications Systems”
Happy New Year to DMORT Region V and Obama's agents behind the Fresh Kills portable morgue with a reminder that you can run but you cannot hide.
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