Introducing Mobility and Protection to SIGINT

Mobile and Protected Signals Intelligence (MoGeFa) is a new project of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr), procuring several mobile and protected signals intelligence (SIGINT) systems, of which the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) is procuring several systems. PLATH, a family operated medium-sized company from Hamburg, was assigned as the supplier.

MoGeFa, using YAK vehicles as a basis, protecting the crew against weapon effect, consists of four systems of three teams each. A total of 12 YAK vehicles are being supplied from Bundeswehr stocks and will be converted by PLATH.

By way of their reconnaissance capability, the MoGeFa systems crucially contribute to in-theatre situation display and conduct of operations, especially at the beginning of a mission or during high-intensity operations. The collected situational information then serves to protect deployed own forces. The systems capture radio signals, locate and refer them to the relevant levels of command, helping to discern and track the enemy’s structures, movements and intentions.

“The MoGeFa system is going to significantly boost the Bundeswehr’s SIGINT capability,” Armin Schmidt-Franke, BAAINBw’s Deputy Director-General, said on the occasion of signing the contract with PLATH. “Besides the mobility and intelligence capability, our main focus is on the system’s ability to protect soldiers.”