03/07/2009
MoD Places £230m Contract To Boost Battlefield Communications
Two contracts, together worth £231 million, have been awarded to General Dynamics UK to upgrade the UK Armed Forces' Bowman military communications system, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have announced.
The first contract, known as Capability Release 1.5, is worth £119m and will update and refresh the system's capabilities over its lifetime to reflect advances in technology. The second contract, valued at £112m, will provide longer term technical support for the Bowman programme and will include repair, field services and the provision of spares.
Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies MP, said: "Bowman has been used successfully in Iraq and Afghanistan, where secure, faster communications and data exchange is saving lives on the front line.
"It is a key element of a comprehensive suite of communications systems to provide a robust network that allows commanders to exercise command and control effectively.
"These contracts are testament to our work with industry which allows us to rapidly adapt to technological advances and the evolving operational demands of our front-line troops."
The work will help sustain several hundred jobs at the General Dynamics' Oakdale site in South Wales.
Bowman's secure radio communications, declared in service on time in 2004, have been used on operations since 2005, together with a basic data capability. The Bowman system has been developed and integrated by General Dynamics UK into over 13,000 British Army vehicles, together with headquarters, ships, and helicopters.
The MoD recently purchased an additional 2139 radios, with an option for a further 437, in order to meet the demands of current operations and their associated training needs.
Dr Sandy Wilson, President and Managing Director of General Dynamics UK said: "Bowman has allowed General Dynamics UK to grow a valuable engineering capability in communications and vehicle integration.
"That capability is a good example of the industrial benefit to the UK that comes from the close partnership between MoD and General Dynamics UK, working together on the future of Bowman and vehicle electronic architectures."
(JM/BMcC)
The first contract, known as Capability Release 1.5, is worth £119m and will update and refresh the system's capabilities over its lifetime to reflect advances in technology. The second contract, valued at £112m, will provide longer term technical support for the Bowman programme and will include repair, field services and the provision of spares.
Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies MP, said: "Bowman has been used successfully in Iraq and Afghanistan, where secure, faster communications and data exchange is saving lives on the front line.
"It is a key element of a comprehensive suite of communications systems to provide a robust network that allows commanders to exercise command and control effectively.
"These contracts are testament to our work with industry which allows us to rapidly adapt to technological advances and the evolving operational demands of our front-line troops."
The work will help sustain several hundred jobs at the General Dynamics' Oakdale site in South Wales.
Bowman's secure radio communications, declared in service on time in 2004, have been used on operations since 2005, together with a basic data capability. The Bowman system has been developed and integrated by General Dynamics UK into over 13,000 British Army vehicles, together with headquarters, ships, and helicopters.
The MoD recently purchased an additional 2139 radios, with an option for a further 437, in order to meet the demands of current operations and their associated training needs.
Dr Sandy Wilson, President and Managing Director of General Dynamics UK said: "Bowman has allowed General Dynamics UK to grow a valuable engineering capability in communications and vehicle integration.
"That capability is a good example of the industrial benefit to the UK that comes from the close partnership between MoD and General Dynamics UK, working together on the future of Bowman and vehicle electronic architectures."
(JM/BMcC)
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20 July 2010
Afganistan Victims' Bodies Flown Home
The bodies of four British servicemen killed by a rogue Afghan soldier have been repatriated today. Major James Bowman, Lieutenant Neal Turkington and Corporal Arjun Purja Pun, all of 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, were killed at their base in Helmand Province on Monday last week.
Afganistan Victims' Bodies Flown Home
The bodies of four British servicemen killed by a rogue Afghan soldier have been repatriated today. Major James Bowman, Lieutenant Neal Turkington and Corporal Arjun Purja Pun, all of 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, were killed at their base in Helmand Province on Monday last week.
19 February 2008
Drugs To Blame In 'Necrophilia' Killing
Drink and drugs are being blamed in the case of a chef accused of murdering teenage model Sally Anne Bowman - by way of explanation for his claimed necrophilia. The accused, Mark Dixie, 37, said in court today that he had sex with 'her corpse' while high on drink and drugs but did not murder her.
Drugs To Blame In 'Necrophilia' Killing
Drink and drugs are being blamed in the case of a chef accused of murdering teenage model Sally Anne Bowman - by way of explanation for his claimed necrophilia. The accused, Mark Dixie, 37, said in court today that he had sex with 'her corpse' while high on drink and drugs but did not murder her.
05 February 2008
Accused Admits To Sex With 'Dead' Woman
A man accused of murdering an aspiring teenage model has denied killing her - but admitted to having sex with the 18-year-old as she lay fatally wounded.
Accused Admits To Sex With 'Dead' Woman
A man accused of murdering an aspiring teenage model has denied killing her - but admitted to having sex with the 18-year-old as she lay fatally wounded.
05 October 2006
Sally Anne murder trial set
A date has been set for the trial of the man accused of murdering teenage model Sally Anne Bowman. Mark Dixie, 36, of no fixed address, appeared at the Old Bailey via video-link on Thursday. He was remanded in custody until December 15 for his next court appearance and the trial date was set for March 12.
Sally Anne murder trial set
A date has been set for the trial of the man accused of murdering teenage model Sally Anne Bowman. Mark Dixie, 36, of no fixed address, appeared at the Old Bailey via video-link on Thursday. He was remanded in custody until December 15 for his next court appearance and the trial date was set for March 12.
27 February 2006
Police conduct DNA tests in search for model's killer
Police are conducting DNA tests in an attempt to find the killer of teenage model Sally Anne Bowman. The eighteen-year-old model was stabbed to death close to her home in Croydon, south London last September. She was also sexually assaulted.
Police conduct DNA tests in search for model's killer
Police are conducting DNA tests in an attempt to find the killer of teenage model Sally Anne Bowman. The eighteen-year-old model was stabbed to death close to her home in Croydon, south London last September. She was also sexually assaulted.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
