British army SCOUT SV program to use Ethernet switches, video servers, data servers from GE Intelligent Platforms
NewsFebruary 03, 2015
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. General Dynamics UK awarded GE Intelligent Platforms with $100 million in orders for open architecture, embedded computing subsystems that General Dynamics UK will use onboard the British army’s SCOUT Specialist Vehicle (SV) platforms.
The subsystems – which include gateway processors, Ethernet switches, data servers, and video servers – will enable SCOUT SV platforms to be more easily upgraded as new requirements and technologies emerge.
The subsystems form the electronic backbone of the vehicle as the Ethernet switch connects all the networked elements of the vehicle together; while the gateway processor delivers all the processing capability needed for the General Dynamics UK software to run the platform; and then the data and video servers enable the vehicle to store and distribute vehicle and scenario data and video throughout the platform and then on into the wider connected battlefield.
The GE proposal for this platform was based exclusively on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology and then GE engineers also were able to propose to General Dynamics UK the use of its OpenWare switch software, which enabled the operation of the vehicle’s network to be optimized to the specific requirements of the platform.
The SCOUT SV replaces the British army’s CVR vehicles and are digital platforms that have intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities.
The SCOUT SV program includes six variants: Protected Mobility Reconnaissance Support (PMRS), SCOUT Reconnaissance, Engineering Reconnaissance, Command and Control, Repair, and Recovery. Each SCOUT SV platform variant will be a tracked, medium-weight armored fighting vehicle.
Each SCOUT SV platform variant has a laser warning system, acoustic detectors,an electronic countermeasure system, a local situational awareness system, an advanced electronic architecture, a route marking system, and a high performance power pack.
SCOUT SV vehicles are developed upon a Common Base Platform, that helps maximize commonality in mobility, electronic architecture and survivability .
