German Defence contract awarded to R&S

A German Federal Ministry of Defence contract has been awarded to Rohde & Schwarz, which will see it provide software-defined radio systems for the armed forces.

Initially, 50 command vehicles will be equipped with the SVFuA radio systems by 2020, with additional systems available to order over another seven years.

Following many years of joint development, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has signed the contract for the procurement of the SVFuA.

The SVFuA gives the German armed forces all the tools needed to create and especially to protect information superiority. It also ensures interfaces with allies during joint missions and for collective defence.

“With the SVFuA system, the German armed forces lays the foundation for state-of-the-art, future-ready tactical communications,” said Hartmut Jäschke, senior vice president market segment secure communications sales and projects at Rohde & Schwarz.

In 2009, Rohde & Schwarz was given responsibility for the overall design and system, as well as for developing a prototype base unit and proving that it could be series produced. In 2016, the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) confirmed that the requirements for certification at the classification-level SECRET had been met. Certification in line with the internationally recognised Software Communications Architecture (SCA) standard for SDR radio systems was a prerequisite for customer acceptance. Since the radio system was developed in line with the SCA standard, it is possible to port current and future national and international waveforms onto the radio system as long as these waveforms also meet the requirements set out in the SCA standard.

With the acquisition of the SVFuA, the German armed forces is taking the first step in modernising its tactical communications within the framework of the MoTaKo program. To support these projects over the long term, Rohde & Schwarz decided to set up a joint venture with Rheinmetall for the purpose of submitting a tender as a general contractor. Both German companies offer a broad portfolio of trustworthy technology and years of experience in complex undertakings.

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Craig DeBourbon

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