BAE SYSTEMS DOWN-SELECTED AS PREFERRED SUPPLIER FOR FALCON

BAE Systems has been down-selected as preferred supplier for the first increment of the FALCON information infrastructure programme.

FALCON will provide the British Armed Forces with a new high capacity, secure information system infrastructure capability at the operational and tactical levels of command that can be deployed rapidly by air into any theatre of operations.

FALCON meets the requirements for greatly improved data throughput, multi-level security, mobility and manpower efficiencies, and will operate in conjunction with Skynet 5, Cormorant and Bowman, providing a wide area system binding together and reinforcing tactical communications in the theatre of operations. It is a crucial component of Network Enabled Capability, a central element in the new chapter of the UK's Strategic Defence Review. The intellectual capital gained from the development of FALCON will be an important part of the UK defence industrial base and the programme is a key element of BAE Systems UK strategy.

BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies (Insyte) and team partners Thales, Cisco, Dytecna and Flagship will now work closely with the UK MoD to prepare the main gate business case for the main production programme.

Clive Richardson Managing Director of Insyte said: "BAE Systems and its partners understand the battlespace and will take that experience into the transition to FALCON. The MoD has run a very thorough and fair competition and we look forward to working together to deliver the capability to the UK Armed Forces�.