UK MOD Bowman CIP Programme Overview

Publication date: 2007

Bowman will meet the tactical communications needs of those elements of the three Armed Services that take part in, or provide direct support to, UK land, amphibious and air manoeuvre operations until at least 2026. It will provide a secure digital voice and data communications service, including situational awareness capability.

The Bowman programme includes:

• Development and supply of equipment
• Software integration
• Development of designs to install the equipment into military vehicles, aircraft and ships
• Conversion of those vehicles, aircraft and ships to operate Bowman
• Training operators, managers and maintainers
• Logistic support

The initial CBM(L) capability will be introduced with Bowman to provide a core battle management system. It will enable the battlefield information systems being developed for armoured fighting vehicles, artillery fire control, ground based air defence, to exploit Bowman's data messaging capability concurrently, as well as addressing wider interoperability issues with allies.

As well as being man-portable, Bowman equipment will be fitted to:

• Most military vehicles from Land Rover Wolf to the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank
• Fixed HQ buildings
• Collective training facilities in the UK and overseas
• Naval vessels of 20 types including 5 of the Royal Navy’s 6 capital ships and the frigate and destroyer fleet
• Aircraft including the major helicopter types supporting land operations – Chinook and Merlin

Deliverables included approximately:

• 10,000 LAS installations
• 3,400 High-Capacity Data Radios (HCDRs)
• 41,000 HF and VHF combat radios
• 26,000 computers
• 75,000 trained service personnel

Project History

The Bowman Supply and Support contract was awarded to General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited (GD UK) on 13 September 2001. A review of the combined Bowman and CIP programmes was undertaken in late 2004 and this provided the opportunity to better ensure that they would deliver a capability consistent with the MOD’s vision of achieving Network Enabled Capability (NEC). A Review Note was approved on 6 July 2006 and formal offer of contract for the ‘Recast’ programme was accepted by the Prime Contractor.

Operational Readiness

Since initial deployment of 12 Mechanized Brigade to Iraq in April 2005, Bowman (BCIP4.f) has been employed on Operations TELIC and HERRICK. Other brigades have been converted and continued operational experience indicates that Bowman is delivering a battle winning capability.

Command and Battlespace Management (Land) - CIP

ComBAT Infrastructure Platform BISA (CIP):

• ComBAT: A set of common software tools that will enhance situational awareness at all levels and aid the planning and control of operations. ComBAT will provide the hub onto which Battlefield Information Software Applications (BISAs) will be integrated.
• Infrastructure: Building on the Bowman foundation, Infrastructure will provide the additional hardware and software computing and information services to equip headquarters and enable the concurrent operation of other BISAs.
• Platform BISA: Provides an instantiation of ComBAT and DBL Infrastructure into Armoured Fighting Vehicles, optimising their ‘fightability’ by directly interfacing with existing sensor systems and providing dedicated terminals for vehicle commanders.

CIP is intended to have a service life of 22 years. Elements of the system will be replaced and upgraded during the life of the system in order to maximise the use of emerging technologies and software developments.

ComBAT software will be supplied to approximately 13,000 computers. Infrastructure will supply more than 2,215 terminals. PBISA will be fitted to over 1,000 vehicles.

Source: UK MOD
Publication date: 2007

Related Defence Supplier Guidance

• UK MOD Bowman CIP Programme Update - Oct 2007

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