Wales is once again celebrating another contract award that shows the confidence in and skills of welsh industry, with General Dynamics UK bringing the MOD MORPHEUS programme to its headquarters in Oakdale, South Wales.
The Ministry of Defence has awarded GD UK a £330M contract to develop the next-generation tactical communication and information system.
The contract is the first phase of the MORPHEUS programme, which will give UK Armed Forces across all three services modernised command and control networks using the latest technology.
General Dynamics have developed a new system to plan, deploy, manage and monitor communications and information. The new system should allow easier integration of new radios and applications, etc.
The system uses a new architectural approach, Evolve to Open (EvO) that will evolve the Bowman tactical communication (BCIP 5.6) capability into an open, modular system. Through this commanders will be able to connect with deployed forces through a simplified user experience.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: “This £330M contact for the next generation of battlefield communications, supporting 250 high skilled jobs, underlines the importance of Wales to our Armed Forces. Backed by a rising defence budget, last year MOD spent £870M with Welsh businesses helping to build a stronger economy and keep Britain safe.”
Brigadier Richard Spencer, Head of the MoD’s Battlefield and Tactical Communications and Information System Delivery Team said: “The Transition Partner contract is just the first of many procurement projects to deliver the MORPHEUS Evolve to Open baseline over the next few years. This first contract opens the door for numerous industry opportunities to contribute to the next generation of battlefield communications.”
Chief Operating Officer of General Dynamics UK, Steve Rowbotham, commented: “Having delivered and supported the Bowman tactical communication and information system for the past 15 years from our site in South Wales, this contract marks the next chapter in our history. We are delighted that we will continue to develop and grow our existing employee skills base, whilst providing the UK Armed Forces with a leading edge battlefield communication system.”
The contract creates 125 new jobs as well as sustaining the jobs of 125 highly-skilled engineers at General Dynamics UK’s headquarters in Oakdale, South Wales.
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