Logica launches Aurora, the next generation of Defence Spectrum Management Capability
18 June 2009
Logica, a leading IT and business services company, today launched its new Defence Spectrum Management capability, Aurora. This new solution is designed to provide the next generation of integrated Spectrum Management tools and services for the modern battlefield. Aurora builds upon Spectrum Management tool development work for the UK Ministry of Defence’s Pilot Battlespace Spectrum Management System (PBSMS) programme. Aurora provides additional functionality in support of the equipment acquisition and spectrum trading communities as well as a full suite of operational tools to manage the spectrum demands of the ever increasing number of spectrum dependent military systems.
Logica will be showcasing Aurora as part of the 2009 Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration (CWID) in a representative secure networked war-fighting environment. The Aurora suite of tools addresses the need for web-centric, dynamic management of the spectrum. The system supports the core objective of CWID 2009, to showcase Joint Battlespace Management (JBM) providing dynamic spectrum management, spectrum awareness and spectrum governance. The Recognised Spectrum Picture and related Spectrum Information Services are made available to other networked users to ensure Spectrum is considered in the military decision making process.
CWID is a unique Ministry of Defence (MOD) and industry partnership. The annual event is one of the largest research event of its kind in the world; connecting 15 countries in a virtual scenario to demonstrate ground-breaking technology, involving real data and role play, all operating on a realistic secure network. The simulation is used to demonstrate end-to-end C4ISTAR capability, identifying the strengths and weaknesses as well as highlighting interoperability. CWID 2009 aims to demonstrate solutions which support the minimisation of risk to meet the Networked Enabled Capability 1st Milestone Statement for 2012. Spectrum Management is one of the key focus areas for demonstration, in recognition of the impact that spectrum related incidents are having on UK forces in operational theatres.
The importance of spectrum management in current operational theatres has made Aurora a particularly exciting part of this year’s CWID. Logica’s Aurora solution will provide a range of services throughout CWID, allowing the Battlespace Spectrum Manager to administer the requirements of Commanders, Planners and owners of Spectrum Dependent Systems to achieve optimal use of spectrum availability. It will provide an important capability to control this increasingly congested, volatile and highly valued resource.
Commenting on this year’s demonstration, Ed Jones, Managing Director Space and Defence, Logica, said “The huge increase in defence systems that require spectrum allocation to ensure their operational effectiveness has highlighted the importance of developing a world class Spectrum Management capability. Aurora will enable the entire defence community from acquisition authorities to battlespace planners to optimise spectrum use, providing direct benefits to the warfighter”.
Utilising open standards and providing a service based architecture means that Aurora is able to be tightly integrated with broader services and organisational processes. The CWID scenario will be used to show how effectively Aurora fits with the way in which defence conducts its operational business.
At this year’s demonstration, Logica has worked with industry partner ATDI and in collaboration with the IIS IPT, Cap ISTAR, E3A and CIO/J6, to demonstrate Aurora’s ability to provide dynamic end-to-end spectrum services, integrated with C2 and ISTAR systems. Aurora will be operated and evaluated by experienced Battlespace Spectrum Managers from the new Defence Spectrum Organisation.
“We are pleased to welcome Logica’s launch of ‘Aurora’, as it aims to provide innovative solutions to the recognised capability gap of co-ordinating integrated, efficient and effective spectrum management.”