Vehicular SDRs to Begin Volume Delivery in second Half 2020
Bittium has begun volume deliveries of the TOUGH Handheld software-defined radio (SDR) to the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF), the company announced on 8 April.
The deliveries fall under a purchase agreement signed in December 2018, according to which Bittium will supply TOUGH SDR Handheld and Vehicular radios and accessories to the FDF. The net value of the agreement is approx. €10.5 million. Volume deliveries for the vehicular radios are anticipated to start during the second half of this year.
The modern TOUGH SDR enable broadband data transfer: the radios also support the FDF’s newly-reformed combat doctrine. Initially, the radios will be used by the Army and will replace existing analogue field equipment in phases. Part of the SDR performance will be derived from use of the embedded waveform software used, which also allows the equipment to be enhanced and updated throughout its anticipated service life through software implementation. Bittium TOUGH SDR are compatible with the company’s software-defined Tactical Wireless IP Network (TAC WIN) system, already in service with the FDF.
The original purchase agreement gives the FDF an option to procure additional tactical radios and accessories, training and system management for the Army, Air Force and Navy. If exercised in full, the total net value will not exceed approx. €207 million, for which separate purchase orders will be issued.