The Bundeswehr has now concluded the contracts for 120 "Cellular Networks Deployable" systems somewhat belatedly. This was the starting signal for the start of production, which was actually planned for 2020. At the beginning of January 2021, the responsible Bundestag committees approved a corresponding 25 million euro proposal and thus gave the green light for the contract that the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) with the companies involved Motorola Solutions (general contractor) and ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH have closed, like ESuTreported.
The deployable cellular networks are an important milestone in the Bundeswehr's digitization strategy. The troops thus receive a modern and compatible means of communication. After the final design phase and extensive tests, the first operational systems are to be handed over to the Bundeswehr in the fourth quarter of 2022.
“ZNV is a cellular radio system which, comparable to a civil mobile radio system, combines the possibilities of the trunked radio standard of the predecessor system Tetrapol (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) with those of the mobile radio standard LTE (Long Term Evolution). The combination of these two commercially available radio technologies enables not only the implementation of the required services and ranges, but also integration into the networks of the authorities and organizations with security tasks (BOS) in Germany. Fulfilling the requirements for deployments by the Bundeswehr and interoperability with allied armed forces continues to have priority," says the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use, describing the system.
The systems are designed in two variants. In the ZNV C system variant, the components for larger numbers of users and coverage/range are integrated in 20-foot ISO containers (40 systems). In the ZNV B system variant, the components are integrated into operating, transport and storage containers (80 systems) and ensure flexibility, faster readiness and greater relocation ability.
As a subcontractor of Motorola Solutions, ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH takes on the integration of the overall systems for the two system variants in containers and in portable operating, transport and storage containers in this complex project for the digitization of land-based operations (D-LBO). In addition, ESG creates the project-related logistical documentation and logistical analyses.
The new, deployable safety-critical networks with TETRA and LTE for the transmission of voice and data will be equipped with 12,500 handheld radios and 4,000 vehicle and stationary radios. The new system is interoperable with the digital radio network of the German authorities and organizations with security tasks (BOS), NATO and the EU. This guarantees successful cooperation in crisis situations or in the event of catastrophes in which inter-agency communication is a prerequisite.
Gerhard Heiming
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