The Australian Department of Defence’s (DoD) Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) has tested the new C4I integral computing system (ICS) for the Australian Army's Hawkei protected mobility vehicle – light (PMV-L).
The testing was carried out by CASG’s Land 121 Phase 4 project team as part of a demonstration of PMV-L capability at the Monegeetta Proving Ground.
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Land 121 Phase 4 project director colonel John McLean said: “The ICS was demonstrated to work successfully with the army’s battle management system and communications suite, as well as other features and systems of the deployable PMV-L capability.”
The ICS uses generic vehicle architecture (GVA) and a central computing concept to host various C4I systems and communications.
It is capable of optimising and centralising the flow of information to the user, allowing rapid decision-making and multitasking, according to McLean.
Using ICS, vehicle operators will be able to manage radios, sensors, the battle management system and weapon systems through a common interface.
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By GlobalDataCASG said that the initial baseline of the C4I ICS will be available on low-rate-initial-production vehicles from 2018.
A project charter for the ICS was also signed by nine companies involved in the delivery of the system, including Thales Australia, Cablex, Elbit Land Systems Australia, Esterline, Harris Australia, Kongsberg, Raytheon, Rockwell Collins, and Thomas Global Systems.
The demonstration of the ICS was a contractual requirement for Hawkei's manufacturer, Thales.
Hawkei is a 4×4 protected vehicle that can be used for troop movement, command and control, electronic warfare, liaison, surveillance and reconnaissance.
The PMV-L is also expected to feature a battle management system operating on Windows 10, advanced field artillery tactical data system (AFATDS), digital terminal control station (DTCS) and interactive electronic technical manuals (IETMs).
Other features include force protection electronic counter measures (FPECM), a rocket-propelled grenade cage, a remote weapon station, and a manned weapon mount.
