Written question asked by Parmjit Dhanda (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 November 2004. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Monday, 15 November 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the testing of the Bowman radios being used by the Royal Anglian Regiment; and what action he is taking to ensure the radios are compatible with other equipment used by the armed forces.

Answer: Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the testing of the Bowman radios being used by the Royal Anglian Regiment; and what action he is taking to ensure the radios are compatible with other equipment used by the armed forces. [196733] Mr. Ingram: The Bowman tactical communications and information system is being delivered incrementally and is subject to a comprehensive test and trials programme, ranging from laboratory integration and analysis to operational field trials by the eventual users. 1 Royal Anglian is a significant constituent element of these trials. Successful integration with in-service equipment is part of the Bowman requirement and is being evaluated. Within the team that is developing and introducing Bowman, there is a dedicated group pioneering a System of Systems management approach to ensure that the capability delivered by Bowman will develop over time as new platforms, communications and information systems, and battlefield applications are delivered over the coming years.

Secondary information