Leonardo-Finmeccanica, an international company in the security sector, and Bittium, a Finnish company specialized in the development of reliable and secure tactical communications systems, will demonstrate how the land forces of different European countries will be able to communicate with each other in joint operations, by connecting through the same waveform regardless of the radio platforms used. The demonstration will show how the European ESSOR (European Secure SOftware defined Radio) program can make continuous interaction between systems of different companies possible. The tests will be carried out every day, during the Eurosatory International Exhibition for Defense and Security (Paris, 13-17 June), at the Leonardo-Finmeccanica D501 chalet located in the outdoor area.
Both systems will use the European High Data Rate Waveform (HDRWF) waveform developed within the ESSOR program to allow better cooperation between different European countries. During the demonstration, Leonardo's Swave SDR (Software Defined Radio) tactical radio and the Bittium IP tactical wireless system (TAC WIN) will form a network in which a video will highlight the operational potential of the ESSOR waveform and both the systems.
Bittium's TAC WIN system is used by the Finnish Armed Forces and makes it possible to quickly and automatically create a broadband IP wireless network on the battlefield, compatible with existing wired and wireless networks. Leonardo's SWave SDR is a 4-capable vehicle radio capable of hosting a complete series of waveforms between 4 MHz and 2 GHz.
"ESSOR is an important program that will allow European forces to cooperate more effectively in joint missions. It is the first time that the possibility of operating through the same waveform on different platforms is demonstrated and we are very proud to be able to do it together with Bittium, in the context of the Eurosatory Exhibition, commented Lorenzo Mariani, head of the Electronics Division for the Terrestrial and Naval Defense of Leonardo-Finmeccanica.
“We are excited to partner with Leonardo on this interoperability demonstration and proud to be part of the ESSOR community. The program has fully achieved its objectives and Eurosatory is the perfect place to showcase the results to the entire defense community. Our TAC WIN system, working together with Leonardo's SWave SDR, perfectly demonstrates how the ESSOR waveform can be used on different SDR platforms ”, says Harri Romppainen, Bittium Defense Manager.
Both Bittium and Leonardo have been participating in the ESSOR program since 2009. The aim of the program is to develop a software-based European radio technology to enhance cooperation capabilities in joint missions. The program was born with the patronage of the European Defense Agency (EDA), sponsored by the governments of Finland, France, Italy, Poland, Spain and Sweden and awarded by OCCAR (Organization Conjointe de Coopération en matière d ' ARmement) to the joint venture “Alliance for ESSOR” (a4ESSOR SAS) which is responsible for managing the industrial consortium. In addition to Bittium and Leonardo, the other companies involved in the first phase of ESSOR - which ended successfully in 2015 - were Indra (Spain), Radmor (Poland), Saab (Sweden) and Thales (France). In addition to the HDRWH waveform, the first phase of the program resulted in the definition of a European software radio architecture. The parties involved are currently negotiating the second phase of the program, which will mainly focus on achieving further operational performance by the ESSOR system.
