RAF to use Tait secure radios

Tait Communications has been awarded a contract by Petards Group to provide radio equipment and services to be used by the Royal Air Force (RAF).

The award forms part of the recent award to Petards for the replacement of the RAF’s entire current Secure Management Radio Equipment (SMRE) capability to ensure secure, effective and safe operation at airfield sites.

The purpose of SMRE is to allow air traffic control (ATC) at RAF bases to direct the safe movement of vehicles and personnel on the airfield manoeuvring area. It is also used in a secondary role to provide direct communication between ATC and those in an airfield support role such as guards, medical personnel, and refuelling and fire crews.

The project, which includes 5000 secure digital portable radios, over 1500 mobiles - deployed in vehicles, as fixed stations and man-portable tactical deployable radios - alongside secure digital infrastructure, will be delivered over the next 15 months. It will be managed through Tait Communication’s Europe-Middle East-Africa organisation, providing system build configuration, integration and deployment services direct to Petards.