British Army seeks radio systems integrator

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is seeking a systems integrator to play a central role in its Land Environment Tactical Communication and Information Systems (LE TacCIS) programme, British Army information director Major General Jonathan Cole revealed at a virtual industry engagement event on 8 July.

The systems integrator will be tasked with helping ensure all elements of the LE TacCIS programme are procured and operated coherently. Under the plans outlined by Maj Gen Cole, the LE TacCIS project has grown to include several large sub-projects, some of which are classed by the MoD as Category A programmes with a value of more than GBP400 million (USD555 million). In June 2021 the UK National Audit Office projected the LE TacCIS programme as being worth GBP14.4 billion.

The British Army is currently engaging with industry to assess what the system integrator role could entail. It aims to receive MoD approval by the end of March 2022 to launch a competition to downselect the systems integrator, according to Maj Gen Cole's briefing slides seen by Janes.

The main components of LE TacCIS are a dismounted situational awareness element, the army-wide Morpheus tactical radio network, the Trinity wide area network communications system, gateways into other UK and allied military communications networks, as well as design and engineer test facilities.

According to Maj Gen Cole's briefing, the Trinity programme to replace the British Army's current Falcon communications system in 2023–25 is at an advanced stage. Negotiations with suppliers are expected in 2021 to allow a downselect and contract award by the end of 2022.