CV90:Digitally connected for precision firepower

This is the second of a three-part series on the CV90 in the digital age of warfare.

The Norwegian Armed Forces understand the importance of being digitally connected on the battlefield and are investing to make sure they can harness information to identify and track the enemy in order to prevail.

The CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles built by BAE Systems play a key role in achieving this mission. Capitalizing on the CV90's modern electronics and communications architecture, the Norwegian military has established the CV90 as part of that connected environment, allowing vehicles to share and receive live information with forces operating in other domains.

To make this happen BAE Systems teamed up with Norway-based KONGSBERG's Integrated Combat Solutions (ICS) to deploy advanced electronics and communications solutions on the CV90s. The ICS technology enables different units to be connected in real time and facilitates better situational awareness and enhanced combat capability. ICS was formed in 2010, initially as a research and development venture, but soon became a fully-fledged sub-system during the Norwegian CV90 upgrade program.

All units and platforms in the network can communicate with each other in real time, resulting in shorter lead times, increased precision, and superior security because everyone gets the information they need when they need it. For example, a CV90 crew can choose to fight or select targets based on information received from other forces, whether in the air, at sea or elsewhere on land. Or a fighter jet can identify its targets from a CV90 on ground.

Collaboration and commonality

The collaboration between KONGSBERG and BAE Systems has been critical to the success of recent projects, and will remain so for the future, such as updates to the Norwegian CV90 fleet and improvements across other platforms, to keep the Norwegian Armed Forces on the cutting edge.

'The strong relationship established between BAE Systems and KONGSBERG through the CV90 program was undoubtedly key to this success,' said Jorgen Andreas Bull, director of C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) at KONGSBERG. 'The program also proved the importance of close cooperation between the companies, providing the platform for weapon systems as well as the sensor arrays.'

Today's combat vehicles are equipped with an ever-diversifying and broadening range of systems. ICS ensures that these systems can be integrated across multiple platforms through an approach focused on commonality. This also aides in a common upgrade and sustainment program across the fleet, lowering lifecycle cost.

Open architecture

A key element in the ICS system design is the use of open architecture solutions. The system core utilizes direct digital synthesis technology (DDS), which converts digital into an analog wave form. ICS is also based on the UK Land Data model and NATO's Generic Vehicle Architecture standard. Through the continuous evolution of the system, adherence to these open standards has proven significant.

'An open architecture model is what makes all of this happen,' Bull said. 'It drives performance through commonality, simplifies upgrades and technology refresh, and saves money over the long run.'

Please check back with our website next week to read the third and final installment of this series.

KONGSBERG Defense & Aerospace (KDA) is a leading supplier of defense products and systems for command and control. The products and systems span a range and operate under or on the water, on land, in the air and in space.