BAE SYSTEMS SUPPLIES FURTHER SATCOM SUPPORT FOR BRITISH FORCES

BAE SYSTEMS C4ISR has been awarded a contract by the UK Defence Communications Services Agency (DCSA) for the lease supply of a further two Dagger vehicle-borne and two Talon man-portable high capacity satellite communications systems to support British Forces' network enabled capabilities (NEC) during field operations.

Following delivery of these equipments [in March 2003, some [number]nine Dagger and nineteen Talon systems are nowwill be in service with the UK and NATO forces.

Paul Laity, Managing Director of the Christchurch, UK-based Communications & Defence Infrastructure Division, comments "This reflects the capability of BAE SYSTEMS C4ISR to deliver remote satellite-based terminal equipment and NEC services to military users seeking robust communications solutions. , It also demonstrates our ability to supplying front-line users with cost-effective proven products in very short timescales to support the UK's international defence commitments.�

Dagger is a Land Rover-mounted modular military and civil band satellite communications system designed for rapid deployment and ease of use in difficult operational domains with minimal manpower requirements. It is available in a number of variants to meet differing roles. These include serving the needs of tactical military headquarters, civil disaster relief operations and as a GSM network hub.

Talon is a man-portable system embodying similar commercial off-the-shelf technology as Dagger, conceived as a lightweight deployable terminal to fulfil both tactical and strategic deployments. Each of the cases containing the Talon terminal is man-portable, being within a two-man lift capability. Talon can operate in any of the C, X, Ku or Ka-Bands, with a simple change of the feed arm and some key electronic components to effect the transition.