Among the equipment shown at MSPO is a demo version of a universal command vehicle fitted on a chassis from the Patria AMV 8x8 family. The onboard equipment and the concept of the vehicle was developed by WB Electronics in association with the Telecommunications Research Institute (PIT) and supported by Transbit.

The key task for the WB Electronics project was to ensure discreet co-operation, from the operator’s point of view, between devices proposed as the future standard equipment of combat vehicles, which are IP-based, and non-IP devices or even relatively young hardware that nevertheless does not make use of future standards of communications. The interior of the demo vehicle with installed elements of the configuration proposed by WB Electronics (DD-9620T-10/15 terminals, Fonet, DD-9620T-S server, etc.) - the vertical monitors are CEF-19XS models made by Finnish company Control Express, left from the original Patria solution. All the software used in the demo vehicle was supplied by the Polish side (WB Electronics and PIT) / Photo: WB Electronics

The outfitting was completed just before MSPO at Wojskowe Zakłady Mechaniczne in Siemianowice Śląskie. The vehicle - one of the prototypes of a command vehicle for Finnish users, though stripped of most of the equipment it was fitted with for the needs of that particular buyer - was supplied for the show by Patria. For the duration of MSPO the demonstrator vehicle plays the role of an artillery subunit command vehicle working with a NEMO self-propelled 120mm mortar also being showcased by Patria. Thanks to co-operation with IT solutions proposed by WB Electronics and the PIT, the vehicle on show is ready for operation in existing and recommended command systems. One especially important feature is successful and genuine integration with the onboard systems of the Szafran-ZT Automated Field System of Tactical Unit Command (PZSD ZT). As part of the project, the Szafran system was effectively integrated with reconnaissance or artillery command subsystems (Topaz), opening the way to the rapid expansion of Szafran’s functionalities, planned for 2008 and 2009, for the purpose of working with the different military formations.

The configuration presented at MSPO includes a Fonet IP system and extras (e.g. DD-9620T terminals and a DD-9620T-S mobile server) as well as Transbit’s R-450C radio station capable of transmitting large amounts of data over distances far exceeding the range of broadband radio stations (confirmed 512 kB over 15-17 km). Other features include the KD-2IP cryptographic shield, though it’s possible to use any IPCrypto system. The vehicle architecture configuration allows the overt and covert networks to be relatively easily separated.

Harris radio equipment is also used; Harris and WB Electronics signed an agreement in July 2008 and are in the final stage of finalizing the sale of a licence for the manufacture and sale of the Fonet system. Harris will offer and sell it not only on third markets (WB Electronics will retain full rights to the product and promote it on some markets, e.g. India). Fonet will be the first Polish product to be sold under intergovernmental contracts signed by the Washington administration (FMS), including those financed from aid funds (FMF).

The aim of creating a demonstrator command vehicle based on the tactical and technical requirements for the command vehicles which are to be fitted on the Rosomak chassis was to show that it is possible to implement an advanced and long-term project ensuring compatibility between new-generation equipment and that which is already operational in the Polish Armed Forces.

A LAN rail and WB Electronics’ WB NET were used to integrate the set-up fitted on the AMV 8x8 chassis, resulting in simple integration of communications components within the vehicle as well as integrating voice and data exchange systems with surrounding elements. A LAN-based solution allows standard computer hardware to be added to the system, and ensures access to network services. The Fonet system is connected to both the WB NET and LAN rail, which allows non-IP hardware to be connected to the network part of the system and be treated like any regular equipment with an IP address.

This is of fundamental importance for the gradual and relatively non-invasive introduction of systems created for network enabled operations, at the same time minimizing the negative impact that the introduction of completely new systems could have on unit combat readiness during implementation.