Update: GDMS-UK showcases Hotspot technology demonstrator (25. September 2018)
https://www.janes.com/article/83334/upd ... monstratorGeneral Dynamics Mission Systems-UK (GDMS-UK) presented its Hawk vehicle, a concept demonstrator of the company’s proposal for the United Kingdom’s Hotspot requirement, at the DVD 2018 exhibition held at the UK Millbrook Proving Ground in September. Also on display was the BAE Systems STRIKE Hotspot, which is based on an Iveco Panther vehicle. Both vehicles were originally displayed at DSEi in September 2017.
The Hawk is based on the United Kingdom’s Foxhound and, according to a senior engineer at GDMS-UK, the concept demonstrator is “due to participate in a British Army exercise in November 2018”, where the systems will be tested operationally.
The Hawk and STRIKE Hotspot can be considered a highly mobile communications hub or hotspot that can provide high-rate tactical services to deployed troops across long distances, and provide a backbone network to connect tactical forces with their command-and-control headquarters. It will also provide tactical-level connectivity with NATO allies.
This capability removes the need for communication personnel to carry additional systems, and enables the United Kingdom’s Bowman system to communicate directly with the Link 16 system used by NATO aircraft.
Moreover, the Hawk provides a localised 4G network and on-the-move omni-directional capability as well as VHF, HF, Link 16, and high-capacity UHF communications. This means that personnel near the vehicle can operate encrypted mobile phones using the General Dynamics network and specialised sim cards, and the LTE network ensures that communications can be maintained in terrain that inhibits the use of long-range radios.
All of the Hawk’s operations are automated, and a single engineer is carried to maintain the system if faults should occur. The key system is GDMS-UK’s NetLink gateway, which is hosted on Antillion’s Compact Deployable Information System Capability (CDISC). CDISC can support more than 100 users across multiple domains. The NetLink gateway provides seamless linkage between the different communications modes such as Link 16 and Variable Message Format (VMF).
ANGUS Lt Tom: STRIKE Hotspot, in: The Wire. The Magazine of The Royal Corps of Signals (Spring 2018)
https://royalsignals.org/FileTransfer/E ... bsite2.pdfSince September 2017, 204 Signal Squadron has been working with AHQ and teams from industry including BAE Systems, General Dynamics and Airbus to trial and develop the new STRIKE Hotspot Concept Demonstrator. In late December 2017 the Squadron will take delivery of two Hotspot platforms and in early 2018 will commence exercising with them as part of the Army’s experimentation programme alongside 1 Armoured Infantry Brigade.
In November 2017 a team from 204 Signal Squadron deployed to the Land Systems Reference Centre (LSRC) for a two-week acceptance and test exercise. This event was the first chance for soldiers to get acquainted with the STRIKE Hotspot, and with the support of a team of engineers from BAE Systems, enabled operators and engineers to become current and competent with this brand new vehicle. The STRIKE Hotspot brings together existing in-service OpCIS, such as Falcon Early Entry, and TacCIS equipment such as LDG with the addition of new capabilities including Wifi, 4G LTE and a SatCom on the move (SOTM). The STRIKE Hotspot is an early ‘at pace’ investigation into the delivery of services to the ‘disadvantaged edge user’ which, in turn, is a work-strand within the wider LE TacCIS Programme. The two-week acceptance exercise culminated in a visit from Maj Gen Semple Army D Info, who is the sponsor of the STRIKE Hotspot concept demonstrator project, and numerous stakeholders from across the Army and Industry.
Tactical hotspot to help shape the future of the UK Army (12. September 2017)
The Army’s new medium STRIKE force requires tactical mobility supported by high capacity communication solutions. The British Army, along with ourselves, Airbus and General Dynamics have collaborated to develop a STRIKE Tactical Hotspot concept demonstrator to meet those needs.
Tactical Hotspot is a compact, mobile solution that can be securely deployed in an armoured vehicle. The equipment is fitted to an adapted Panther vehicle with self-erecting masts for radio equipment, providing an area of secure connectivity for a number of kilometres around the vehicle. By fitting the communication solution in a protected mobility vehicle, the platform can manoeuvre alongside the STRIKE Brigade, enabling continuous secure communications to the frontline.
The British Army has awarded us a £1.2 million contract to supply two experimental STRIKE Tactical Hotspots.
https://www.baesystems.com/en/article/t ... he-uk-armyThe experimental STRIKE Tactical Hotspots which will be used by the British Army are the product of a technology development programme funded by us in collaboration with General Dynamics and Airbus. The Hotspot integrates Falcon broadband with Bowman TacCIS and SATCOM-on-the-Move, enhanced with the power of 4G, WiFi and Tactical Datalinks (WEnDL™) capability.
