Bowman (communications system) 😊

"Bowman is the name of the tactical communications system used by the British Armed Forces. The Bowman C4I system consists of a range of HF radio, VHF radio and UHF radio sets designed to provide secure integrated voice, data services to dismounted soldiers, individual vehicles and command HQs up to Division level. Bowman has a number of specific applications installed on the base radio infrastructure known as BISAs. Bowman has been released incrementally as a number of phased capability releases, known as BCIP releases, with BCIP 5.5 being released in the field in 2013.MoD DESider Magazine article "Latest Bowman gets set for front line delivery" Bowman replaced the Clansman series of radios. As of 2016, the MoD publicised plans to replace Bowman with a system named Morpheus. Procurement history The concept of Bowman dates from a 1989 UK MoD General Staff Requirement (GSR) for a system to replace the ageing Clansman radio system. The GSR was subsequently modified to accommodate post Cold War scenarios. The procurement had a long and chequered history, with a number of consortia involved in the development and bidding process. This process culminated in the failure in 2000 of the preferred bidder, Archer, to deliver the requirement within budget and on time, and the resultant cessation of the contract by the UK MoD. The subsequent rebidding process for the contract was won by CDC Systems UK Ltd, once a subsidiary of Computing Devices Canada (CDC), now General Dynamics United Kingdom Ltd as prime contractor. The resultant system was based on some aspects of CDC's Iris Digital Communications System, created for the Canadian Army, with elements of design and manufacturing sub-contracted to: Cogent Defence Systems (now Airbus Defence and Space); SELEX Communications (than Selex ES, in turn merged in Leonardo S.p.A., previously Finmeccanica since 2016); ITT Exelis (now Harris Corporation); Harris Corporation; L-3 Communications; Blazepoint; DRS Tactical Systems; BAE Systems; GDC4S; and Thales Group. AgustaWestland was responsible for training installations and classrooms for the conversion training. The procurement cost of the supply and (initial) support phase for Bowman was approximately £1.9 billion and the current acquisition cost of the whole project is £2.4 billion. Bowman’s initial operating capability was delivered into service in March 2004, it was fully rolled out across the Armed Forces by the end of 2008 and is expected to continue in service until approximately 2026. System overview Bowman provides a tactical voice and data communications system for joint operations across the British Armed Forces in support of land and amphibious operations. It is fitted to over 15,000 military vehicles, from Land Rover Wolf to the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank. The entire Royal Navy fleet is fitted with Bowman equipment as are all the major helicopter types supporting land operations, such as Apache, Chinook, Merlin and Lynx. Bowman features enhanced communications security (COMSEC) through integrated voice and data encryption devices and enhanced electronic protective measures through features such as frequency-hopping spread spectrum. It also provides tactical situational awareness for commanders through GPS links, helping to reduce the probability of friendly fire. The cryptographic core is based on a Pritchel II High Grade algorithm designed by CESG.Secure Data Transceiver (SDT) 500 isa fully accredited device using the Pritchel II chipset developed for the Bowman programme. The complete contract involves more than 48,000 radios (excluding the 45,000 Personal Role Radios) and more than 30,000 computer terminals being installed in more than 30,000 platforms, together with the necessary training of around 75,000 Service personnel. The Bowman system is a fundamental part of the British Military, achieving a Network Enabled Capability, providing the carriers for the passage of data between the various software applications involved. It is related to the Future Integrated Soldier Technology concept. The procurement and support of Bowman is led by the Battlefield And Tactical Communications and Information Systems (BATCIS) delivery team, for many years within Defence Equipment and Support, now part of Information Systems & Services at MoD Abbey Wood. Equipment H4855 Personal Role Radio Nominally the lowest deployed part of the Bowman series of radios is that provided by Leonardo-Finmeccanica (previously Selex ES), in the form of the UHF H4855 Personal Role Radio (PRR), which is primarily used by infantry fireteam (section level and below). PRR is only partially connected with the Bowman programme, as it was hived off from the acquisition process in October 1999 for more rapid implementation, and the first of 45,000 units formally entered service in early 2002. Operating in the 2.4 GHz band, PRR had no integrated encryption devices and does not intercommunicate with the rest of the Bowman network, but is widely acclaimed as having revolutionised intra-squad communications and small-unit tactics. Models are designated "UK/PRC", which stands for "United Kingdom / Portable Radio Communications", or "UK/VRC", which is "United Kingdom / Vehicle Radio Communications". Following this logic "UK/ARC" stands for "United Kingdom / Airborne Radio Communications". =VHF radios= *VPT - a UK Type 1 (Pritchel) encrypted section to platoon-level UK/PRC354 5W VHF Portable Transceiver (VPT) *ADR+ - an enhanced and improved 'Bowmanised' version of ITT Corporation's company/squadron-level SINCGARS (Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System) frequency-hopping radio with a 30-88 MHz frequency range. Depending on its configuration, the ADR+ is variously designated UK/PRC355 (5 W manpack), UK/PRC356 (16 W ground-role manpack), UK/VRC357 (16 W vehicle clip-in radio), UK/VRC358 (16 W low-power vehicle radio), or UK/VRC359 (50 W vehicle-mounted high-power radio). The manpack version of the ADR+ has an Automatic Situational Awareness Module inserted in BCIP 5.2 which enables Own Station Position Reports to be broadcast without the presence of an associated computer. Under the terms of the baseline contract, ITT Defence delivered some 26,000 ADR+ radios and 8,000 VPTs, complemented by 580 examples of the UK/ARC341 VHF aircraft role radio (a derivative of the company's SINCGARS AN/ARC-201D airborne transceiver) for helicopter platforms. =HF radios= The HF PRC 325 is based on the Harris RF-5800H model The Bowman HF frequency- hopping radios, of which 10,800 examples were supplied is designated UK/PRC325 in its basic 20 W manpack form and UK/VRC328/9 in its 100 W high-power and co- sited vehicular configurations. Essentially a UK equivalent of the US AN/PRC-150, it has had the proprietary Harris Citadel encryption from the original RF-5800H replaced with UK Type 1 (Pritchel) encryption and frequency hopping waveform. The Falcon II's original dual-band HF/VHF frequency range (1.6-60 MHz) has been narrowed to the 1.6-30 MHz (HF) band. =HCDR= The top tier in the Bowman series of radios is provided by the UHF, Mobile ad hoc network ITT UK/VRC340 HCDR (High Capacity Data Radio), a 'Bowmanised' version of ITT's Mercury NTDR (Near-Term Data Radio) wide-band networking transceiver. HCDR has a 225-450 MHz operating frequency range. It has wideband (4 MHz) and narrow band (500 kHz) modem configurations, with a user rate of 288 kbit/s on a 375 kbit/s channel and 576 kbit/s on a 750 kbit/s channel. Some 3,600 HCDRs were purchased. HCDR provides a self-managing mobile Internet Backbone using standard RFC interfaces and routing protocols. =Ancillary equipment= Provision of the associated User Data Terminal (UDT) for vehicular and static use was contracted to DRS Tactical Systems Inc, which also produces the Bowman Management Data Terminal (BMDT) for network management, the Vehicle User Data Terminal (VUDT) with keyboard and touchscreen for use on the move, the Staff User Data Terminal (SUDT) for command centres, and the PBISA Processing Unit (PBPU) for Challenger 2 tanks. Since the start of the programme, the capabilities of the UDTs (based on 700 MHz Pentium processors) have evolved, their original 256 MB RAMs and 20 GB drives having been superseded by 512 MB RAMs and 40 GB drives. The contractor for supply of Portable User Data Terminal (PUDTs), based on a 266 MHz Intel StrongARM processor, was L-3 Communications. The PUDT is now obsolete and is not used. Extensive problems with the software running on low powered computers led to the procurement of a number of enhanced computers, the Lightweight Tablet (LTDT) manufactured by Blazepoint and Lightweight Manpack (LMDT) produced by L-3. In addition to processing limitations, the larger UDTs have significant ergonomic issues and were supplemented with a buy of General Dynamics Itronix computers modified in the UK by Blazepoint to support systems managers and communication planners. Responsibility for the supply of Bowman audio ancillaries, including the stereo staff-user headset, noise-cancelling general-purpose handset, and loudspeaker unit, was vested in Selex ES, which also provided the lightweight headset, respirator adapter, and remote pressel switch associated with the PRR. Racal (now Thales Group) provided antennas for the Bowman contract. These include HF Wire/Vehicle, VHF Vehicle/Elevated, VHF Ground Spike, 5.4 metre GRP Mast and UHF Vehicle/Elevated Antennas. Additional antennas supplied as part of the Bowman contract are the man-pack antennas, which are supplied together with the matching unit by MGS Precision, based in Stone, Staffordshire. =BISAs= Bowman also consists of a number of specifically designed Battlefield Information System Applications running over the Bowman infrastructure. The UDTs (User Data Terminals) are currently limited to supporting a maximum of two BISAs simultaneously, due to the performance limitations of the UDTs. ComBAT, produced by GDC4S in the US, the main Command and Control (C2) tool for Bowman has faced early criticism relating to performance, ease of use and interface design. A significant portion of these problems have been addressed in later version of ComBAT. BISAs include - ComBAT (C2 & SA), GBAD (Ground Based Air Defence) Command & Control, Makefast (Engineering) and FC (Fire Control). Controversy When Bowman was first introduced into service, the system was said to contain many faults to the extent that troops dubbed Bowman "Better Off With Map And Nokia". The programme came under scrutiny following a National Audit Office accountability hearing for the government's procurement policy and was generally considered to be a success considering the complexity and changing needs of the UK Armed Forces. A 2007 report by the Commons Public Accounts Committee was overwhelmingly critical of the entire system and its procurement.Public Accounts Committee report The report itself was split into four sections entitled: "programme governance arrangements were not fit for purpose", "initial decisions were not well informed", "through life costs were not rigorously assessed", and "operational benefits are limited". As Bowman was being phased into service, senior officers in the British Army had serious reservations about the system, especially as many of their initial design specifications and feedback had not been adequately incorporated by the Defence Procurement Agency in the re-tendering process that was won by General Dynamics United Kingdom. Such were the misgivings, that the Director of Infantry initially refused to accept the portable "manpack" radio into service, saying: Other complaints were brought up by the 1st Bn Royal Anglians, who tested the UK/PRC354 radio system in July 2005. A number of problems have been reported, including RF burns received while transmitting data on some settings, comparatively heavy compared to equivalent Clansman radio sets, unergonomic wiring and user interfaces on the manpack radio, short-lived batteries, inadequate "ruggedisation" and inflexibility with assigning unique call sign indicators to individuals which are now instead permanently programmed into the radios themselves instead of the Clansman BATCO assigned system, which would change every 12 hours and could be used on any number of different radio sets by the operator as required. This has led to seven modifications to the radio since the operational field trial in December 2004. However, there have been other, more recent reports of the radios continuing to suffer from the already mentioned design flaws, as well as operational failures and faults, including whilst in the midst of combat engagements, consequently hampering the combat effectiveness with soldiers deployed on both Operation Herrick in Afghanistan and Operation TELIC in Iraq,House of Commons - Defence - Written Evidence leading to accusations that the system was not ready for operational use and in some cases the releases were unsuitable for their intended purpose, including the role as part of the Future Integrated Soldier Technology concept. In December 2008 and January 2009, Bowman was withdrawn from the Territorial Army (apart from the Honourable Artillery Company, 43 (Wessex) Signal Squadron (V) - a TA squadron forming part of 21 Signal Regiment, 2 (NC) Signal Brigade and the Yeomanry) as the manufacturers struggled to meet the demand created by operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Future replacement As of 2016, the MoD publicised plans to replace Bowman with a system named Morpheus. Morpheus "will deliver the next generation of Tactical Communication and Information Systems (TacCIS) capability. It will address critical system obsolescence and introduce a more agile TacCIS solution (both technical and business)." References External links *Army website overview of Bowman as at November 2014 *The Bowman system as described on MoD website c 2006 *The Register: MPs: UK defence project was crap *Daily Telegraph: £1.9 bn portable radio system gets a poor reception from Army *Bowman is to be upgraded to BCIP 5 Category:British military radio Category:United Kingdom defence procurement Category:General Dynamics "

Glenn White 😊

"Glenn J. White is Professor of Astronomy at the Open University, UK, and Research Group Leader of the Astronomy Group at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. He carries out research on star formation and on exoplanets. Scientific career After studying radio astronomy at Jodrell Bank Observatory, the University of Manchester and at the University of Kent (1969–1972), he worked for a short period in x-ray astronomy at the University of Leicester, before joining Queen Mary College, University of London in 1976. He was Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of London (1993–2000), Professor of Space Science at the University of Kent (2000–2005), and is Professor of Astronomy at the Open University, a post held jointly with the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory since 2005. He has also held visiting positions at the University of Tokyo (1987), the University of Stockholm (1998) and the University of Cambridge (1999). He was involved in the early development of astronomical millimetre and submillimetre wavelength astronomy in the 1970s and 1980s. He is working on problems in star formation and submillimeter wavelength spectroscopy studies of the gas that forms stars, and has also studied the interaction of radio signals with plants and biological material. He is developing space missions to detect the atmospheres of Earth- like extrasolar planets, such as the European Space Agency's Darwin Mission, and the Japanese Space Agency's AKARI mission, which was successfully launched in February 2006, and the Herschel Space Observatory. Awards *The Royal Astronomical Society Group Achievement Award, 2014 (awarded for the design, construction and delivery of the Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE) bolometer-based instrument as part of the instrument suite for ESA’s Herschel Space Observatory.) *The Sir Arthur Clarke Award, 2013 (awarded for Team working on the HERSCHEL-SPIRE space mission) *Daiwa Adrian Prize, 2004 (Co-holder for work on the Japanese AKARI Space mission)http://www.dajf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/DAP-2013-fact-sheet.doc *The Kelvin Lectureship in Physics, of the British Association, 1991 (awarded for Popularisation of Science) Media White is an occasional contributor to the media, including the television programme The Sky At Night, The Sunday Times and BBC One. He is a member of the Editorial board of Advances in Astronomy and is an Associate Editor of The Journal of Astronomical and Astrophysical Research. ReferencesExternal links * Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:British astronomers Category:Alumni of the Victoria University of Manchester Category:Alumni of the University of Kent Category:Academics of the University of Leicester Category:Academics of Queen Mary University of London Category:Academics of the University of Kent Category:Academics of the Open University Category:Academics of the University of Cambridge "

Hillcrest School (Jos, Nigeria) 😊

"Hillcrest School is a private, co-educational day school situated in the city of Jos in Nigeria which is sponsored by ten Christian mission bodies. Hillcrest School was ranked 40th out of the top 100 best high schools in Africa by Africa Almanac in 2003, based upon quality of education, student engagement, strength and activities of alumni, school profile, internet and news visibility. History In 1942, Hillcrest School was founded to provide a Christian education for missionary children by the Church of the Brethren Mission. Anticipation was keen. Clarence and Lucile Heckman had been remodeling and getting ready the storeroom and house on the CBM compound for this hoped for day of July 22, 1942. The teacher, Mary Dadisman, welcomed 12 pupils to begin Hillcrest School, a new venture of the Church of the Brethren Mission. The school room, which also served as a house, had few pupils, with only two who were missionary children of CBM. Miss Dadisman, both a nurse and teacher had left the Garkida hospital to be the first teacher of the school. In its first location, the school supplied a bed, food, foster parents, a teacher, but no text books. The order had been placed early, but the books were lost at sea because of the war. A second order was placed. When it didn't arrive, a tracer brought a report: ship sunk. Then in May, 1943 80 different packages arrived. School was dismissed and all the children went with the staff to the post office to bring the first text books to Hillcrest. Books had never been more welcomed by either pupils or teachers. In 1946, the school moved to the current location. In 1952 Hillcrest had been in operation for 10 years. The enrollment was above 70. A special recognition service was held at St. Piran's church and 8th grade certificates were presented there to the 6 graduates. From the beginning, Hillcrest accepted pupils without regard to race or colour. On March 29, 1947, "The Nigerian Daily Times", Lagos, carried an article "No colour Bar in Brethren Mission School." Other missions quickly developed an interest in Hillcrest. So, in 1955 the Sudan United Mission, Assemblies of God Mission and the United Missionary Society joined CBM's efforts. These original four grew to include the Missouri Synod Lutheran Mission (1963), the American Lutheran Mission (1964), the Nigerian Baptist Mission (1967), Mambilla Baptist Mission (1967), Sudan Interior Mission (1968), the Great Commission Movement (1982), United Methodist and the Wycliffe Bible Translators. By November 1955 all arrangements for capital contributions and organization had been worked out and the first meeting of the Board of Governors of Hillcrest School met. A constitution had been written, home boards had been contracted over and over and when the Board met for the first meeting there were present people from the 4 cooperating branches of S.U.M., Assemblies of God, U.M.S. and C.B.M. Cooperating missions share in capital investments and furnish staff members. In 1972, Hillcrest became a day school and many of the cooperating bodies opened their own hostels. Currently, there are five approved hostels: Pineview (DL), Niger Creek (SIM), Crescent Hill (IMB), Mountain View (CRC) and DivineView (non- mission). Hillcrest began as a primary school, and secondary school classes were taken by correspondence until 1964. 1965 saw the first graduating class made up of eight students. School Facts Hillcrest School is a cooperative mission school run by 10 cooperating mission agencies, and each is responsible to supply teachers. Since its beginning in 1942, it has educated not only missionary kids but children from all over the world. Currently, there are 235 students in grades 1-12, representing twenty four countries and ten major languages. Hillcrest has been open to Nigerian students and expatriates who meet the entrance requirements established by the Board of Governors of the school. Most of the students of the school live in Jos, but there are many children who board while their parents are doing mission work in other places in Nigeria and West Africa. Four of the hostels that students board in are; Divine View Hostel and Pine View Hostel. The faculty at Hillcrest is made up of experienced, certified teachers. Twelve of the thirty teachers on staff hold advanced degrees beyond a Bachelor of Arts and Science. The school is on about , and breaks into three schools, Elementary (grades 1-5), Middle (grades 6-8), and High School. The school uses an American curriculum and is designed to academically equip students to successfully fit into American and European Colleges and Universities. The school offers a wide range of courses which includes Bible (4 courses), English (8), Industrial Arts (4), Mathematics (10), Music (3), Physical Education (5), Science (5), Social Studies (5), Arts (6), Computer (4), Business (2), among other subjects and courses including AP courses. See also * Missionary Kids ReferencesExternal links * Hillcrest School Official Website Category:Educational institutions established in 1942 Category:Schools in Nigeria Category:Plateau State Category:Jos Category:1942 establishments in Nigeria "