BOWMAN      
 

Bowman is the Combat Net Radio that is currently replacing the Clansman series radios in service with the British Army.

The Bowman project covers all the VHF and HF radio configurations used as man packs or installed in land, sea and air platforms.

Bowman is also to replace the HQ infrastructure element of the Ptarmigan area communication system. Bowman will for the first time give tactical units at all levels secure voice and data communications as well as an integrated Global Positioning System (GPS).


The Royal Signals is playing a major role in the introduction into service of Bowman. 228 Signal Sqn �?supporting 12 Mechanised Brigade serving in Aldershot �?has been the first Signal unit to train on the Bowman system. By 2005 the whole of 12 Mechanised Brigade will be equipped. Following the conversion of 12 Mechanised Brigade other brigades will be equipped as follows:

2005 �?2006: 4 Armoured and 7 Armoured Brigades; 1 Mechanised Brigade; 16 Air Assault Brigade and 3 Commando Brigade.

2007 �?2008: 19 Light Brigade and 20 Armoured Brigade

Clansman was due to be replaced by Bowman in 1996 but there have been a series of problems with both contracting and development. Since July 2001, the programme prime contractor has been Computer Devices Canada (CDC)- a subsidiary of the US company General Dynamics (GD).

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

• Some 22,000 military vehicles, from Land Rover to the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank

• Collective training facilities in the UK and overseas

• Five of the Royal Navy’s capital ships; the frigate and destroyer fleet; and minor naval vessels

• The major helicopter types supporting land operations �?Chinook and Merlin.

Around 45,000 Personal Role Radios, 47,000 manpack and vehicle radios, and 26,000 computer terminals are to be acquired. Some 75,000 British Army personnel will be trained to use Bowman. The cost of the supply and initial support phase for Bowman is approximately £1.9 billion and the current acquisition cost of the whole project is £2.4 billion.