BAE SYSTEMS PARTNERS WITH TAC ONE TO BROADEN NATO COMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS

BAE SYSTEMS, in partnership with the other shareholders of the multi-national TAC ONE company contracted by twelve NATO nations to define future communications standards, has reviewed the benefits to be derived from the previously prescribed technology (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) compared with those stemming from more open and forward-looking architectures, reflecting the ongoing and substantial investment in the civil IT and telecommunications sector.

Following consideration of the output of this study, the twelve nations have now approved a move to a ‘technology independent network architecture' which is focused on applying appropriate interface and service-level technologies to minimise the constraints on the technologies used in the communications systems themselves. Such systems will thereby not be constrained in their ability to support nations' needs, and will be enabled to exploit further developments in commercial off-the-shelf equipment and features.

This new approach recognises variations in national requirements and differing procurement timescales. It also supports interoperability, reduced procurement costs and the insertion of powerful new technologies, such as BAE SYSTEMS C4ISR's All-IP offering for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence's FALCON programme.

Background note
In 2000, BAE SYSTEMS, EADS, ITT Aerospace/Communications Division, Marconi Communications and Thales formed the Paris-based joint venture company - TAC ONE - to address the TACOMS Post-2000 programme to define new draft NATO Standardisation Agreements (STANAGs) for tactical communications systems entering into service after 2005.

This teaming was in response to the NATO PG/6 Working Group recommendations for the advanced architectures to be adopted for new communications systems, which were endorsed by the Committee of NATO Armaments Directors (CNADs).

The STANAGs will cover all aspects of future tactical communications systems, from tactical assets at the forward edge of battle through to area communications systems creating links to army divisional headquarters and beyond. They will also include the standards needed to create effective interfaces with associated airborne and naval assets. The wide-ranging scope of these new STANAGs will significantly enhance interoperability between NATO forces in the future.

In creating TACOMS Post-2000 standards for the next generation of tactical communications systems, the partners undertook to:

· Enhance interoperability between Alliance members
· Support acceptance of the standards across the wider international defence community
· Exploit the benefits of civil systems and technologies
· Reduce future procurement costs
· Support their respective governments
· Facilitate international industrial co-operation