Bowman Deployed for the First Time

Released on Friday, October 28, 2005

The Bowman communications system will be going to Iraq in the Challenger 2 tanks and Warrior armored vehicles for the first time, the UK Secretary of State for Defence John Reid announced on 28 October 2005.

Bowman delivers secure voice and data communications, and the ability to automatically position and locate units, capabilities which do not exist in the Clansman radio system. The provision of digital secure voice communications down to section level represents a step-change in capability for the Armed Forces.

Troops from 7 Armored Brigade will be taking Bowman when they deploy to Iraq this autumn, following encouraging feedback from 12 Mechanized Brigade who used the radio communications system this summer.

Seventh Armored Brigade will have Bowman fitted in all their vehicles, giving the Commander awareness of the location of all of his units and the ability of units to talk and exchange data over secure and reliable communications.