The radio was crypto- evaluated by CESG's Information Assurance and Certification Services and approved as a High Grade Product for secure voice and data. The HF radio is the first Bowman radio to receive CESG certification.
The Bowman Programme will replace the UK Ministry of Defence's current combat radios with a secure tactical voice and data communications system. As the HF subsystem supplier for Bowman, Harris will provide approximately 10,000 HF radio systems to UK defence forces in manpack, vehicular and base-station configurations.
"Previously, the Army's HF system was underused because it was difficult to use and had poor voice quality," said Hal McDougall, director of UK operations, Harris RF Communications Division.
"A number of improvements have been made in the Bowman HF radio including a digital voice system with automated connectivity. This CESG designation is validation that all of these improvements are now certified to operate in a secure mode. The Bowman HF radio will now provide the Army with exceptional voice and data capability for longer range communications."
The CESG's mission is to protect and promote the vital interests of the UK by providing advice and assistance on the security of communications and electronic data. CESG Cryptographic evaluation provides cryptographic verification of these products to government standards and formally approves their use by Her Majesty's Government and other public sector organisations.
The Bowman HF radio features third-generation automatic link establishment that automates connectivity by selecting the best frequencies.
The radio operates beyond-line-of-site as well as line-of-site (LOS) communications, enabling communicators to keep up with a widely distributed and fast-moving theatre of operations without the need for retransmission stations. With the new digital voice enhancements, voice quality is as clear as LOS VHF radios.
Harris' Bowman solution is based on the company's highly successful Falcon II Tactical Radio product family, which is in standardised use by U.S., NATO, Partnership for Peace (PfP) and other defence forces around the world.