The UK is to follow the USA's lead and launch a programme to give Royal Navy air defence assets a Co-operative Engagement Capability (CEC). The move heralds the start of network centric warfare within the UK's armed forces.

The USA has been developing CEC for about 10 years, with initial operational capability reached in 1996. CEC is a networking system that links sensors, platforms and weapons, allowing data to be shared in real time around a battle group's assets - land, sea or air platforms.

The UK Ministry of Defence issued invitations to tender (ITNs) to Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Systems UK (RSL) late last month. This follows the recent signing of a UK/US memorandum of understanding releasing CEC technology to the UK, says RSL's director of marketing Andy Head.

The ITNs request proposals for 18-month initial studies contracts - to be let by the end of this year - likely to be worth £1-2 million ($1.5-3 million). Responses are due to be submitted by the end of this month. Head expects a downselect for a demonstration and risk reduction phase. No in-service date has been set, but it is likely to be around 2006-7.

Initially, UK CEC will be applied to air defence warships and GKN Westland Sea King AEW7 airborne early warning helicopters. Other systems likely to be included are other warships, including the RN's future carrier, and the Matra BAe Dynamics Principal Anti-Air Missile System.

Later, the system is likely to spread to British Army and Royal Air Force assets. The technology is not restricted to air defence and could be used for strike and suppression of enemy air defences roles.

Raytheon is prime contractor for the US CEC programme, which has now entered low-rate initial production.

Head says RSL will use its US parent's CEC experience to integrate new and legacy systems to provide the integrated whole.

RSL will also link with a series of partners, some of them suppliers of legacy systems, such as BAE Systems and Alenia Marconi Systems, says Head. He declines to name potential partners, but Thomson-CSF would appear to be a prime candidate because the companies already have strong links and are teamed on the UK future carrier programme.

Source: Flight International