General Dynamics UK Ltd, EADS DS Ltd and Paradigm Services Ltd Sign Contract for the Joint Networks Integration Body (JNIB) Programme, With UK Ministry of Defence

LONDON, October 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with General Dynamics UK Ltd, EADS DS and Paradigm Services, to deliver the Joint Networks Integration Body (JNIB) programme.

The JNIB has been established by the MoD to identify and deliver fully programmed and de-risked solutions to integration capability shortfalls across the network of networks that form the Global Information Infrastructure (GII). It will consider all Lines of Development in order to deliver 'end-to-end' communications capability, and will act as the blueprint for future programmes to ensure that the capability is sustained as new networks are procured. Once implemented, these solutions will yield significant improvements in operational capability for the end users.

Following a highly successful pilot study, funding has now been approved for a 5-year contract. The contract award announced today has a total budget in the region of 16 million pounds Sterling (GBP).

The joint MoD/Industry JNIB team consists of the MoD's Bowman And Tactical Communications & Information Systems (BATCIS) Integrated Project Team (IPT), Satellite Communications Acquisition Team (SAT) IPT, Theatre & Formation Communication Systems (TFCS) IPT and stakeholders representing Defence Communications Services Agency (DCSA), Integration Authority (IA), Director Equipment Capability (DEC) Command Control & Information Infrastructure (CCII), Command & Battlespace Management (Land) (CBM(L)) and with the industry companies General Dynamics UK Ltd, EADS Defence and Security Systems, and Paradigm Services. DEC(CCII) is Customer 1 for JNIB and in the future the programme will be managed by the newly formed End-to-End Communications IPT.

The composition of the JNIB team is unique, consisting as it does of members from both industry and the MoD stakeholder communities, with innovative contracting arrangements underpinning the team's ability to work together to provide improved capabilities whilst maximising value for money.

Initially, work will be based on the BOWMAN, Cormorant, and Skynet 5 systems, but the programme includes a plan to expand the number of systems addressed by JNIB as soon as practical. The commercial arrangements put in place for JNIB will enable the wider engagement of industry companies, who will bring specific expertise of their particular systems, to JNIB. The contract and methods of working reflect the 'joint' ethos of the programme.

Brigadier Rick Bounsall, the BATCIS IPT Team Leader, said; "Following a successful pilot that has demonstrated how Industry and the MoD can work together to drive interoperability solutions across networks, I am delighted to see the full launch of JNIB which is a major step forward in providing the communications backbone to support Networked Enabled Capability (NEC)."

Dr Sandy Wilson, President and Managing Director of General Dynamics UK Ltd, said: "We are delighted to see the joint integration body concept extended. The integration of Battlefield Information System Applications (BISAs) onto BOWMAN is being greatly assisted through the Joint System Integration Body, and now JNIB will allow integration across the bearer networks. I am sure that the collaborative working environment of JNIB will help the MoD achieve their NEC vision."

Len Tyler, Chief Executive Officer, EADS DS, said: "JNIB will provide a platform for industry and the MoD stakeholders to work together to achieve greater interoperability of systems for the user. EADS DS is proud to play its part in this unique programme."

Malcolm Peto, Managing Director, Paradigm Services, said: "JNIB is a unique opportunity to work with the customer to maximise the effectiveness of its communications assets including Paradigm satellite services. A brilliant effort in partnering with the various industry providers and MoD agencies has carried us to this point and will continue throughout the programme."

Notes for Editors

About EADS DS

EADS Defence and Security Systems Ltd is the UK operating company of EADS Defence and Communications Systems (DCS), the Systems House of EADS. It offers integrated systems and solutions to the new challenges confronting armed forces and homeland security units. It is active in the areas of manned and unmanned systems such as tactical and strategic UAVs, Command, Control, Communication Information systems (C3I), Air and Naval Defence, Public Safety including Homeland Security and Professional Mobile Radio (PMR). EADS DS employs over 800 people in the UK and provides international solutions for domestic and global clients from its UK base in Newport, South Wales. EADS DS is a leading UK supplier of secure end-to-end communications to the MoD. As a provider of end-to-end solutions focused on satisfying customer's NEC requirements, EADS DS provides coherent capabilities that deliver information superiority through the integration of state-of-the-art sensor and infrastructure technologies, coupled with effective support throughout the capability life-cycle.

For further information please visit http://www.eadsdsuk.com

About General Dynamics

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 71,900 people worldwide and had 2004 revenue of US$19.2 billion. The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. More information about the company is available on the Internet at http://www.generaldynamics.com.

General Dynamics United Kingdom Ltd., headquartered in London, is a prime contractor and complex systems integration company specialising in military communications, battlespace, and mission and information management systems for safety and mission-critical applications. General Dynamics UK is structured around three main businesses: Mission Systems, Network Solutions, and BOWMAN. It has been active in the UK since 1962 and now employs over 1200 highly skilled staff at eight locations across the UK including Oakdale in South Wales, and Hastings in South East England.

About Paradigm Services

Paradigm Secure Communications signed a 2.5bn pounds contract with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in October 2003 for the provision of military satellite communications services up to 2018. The programme, procured as a Private Finance Initiative (PFI), includes the funding for the next generation of UK milsatcom capability. The Paradigm team, lead by Paradigm Secure Communications, includes EADS Astrium Ltd, the system provider, and Paradigm Services Ltd for full services delivery. Both Paradigm companies are part of EADS SPACE Services. For more information visit http://www.paradigmsecure.com

Paradigm Services Ltd a key player in the Paradigm Team, is responsible for all aspects of service delivery, including network operations, maintenance and customer support. Paradigm Services operates military information services in a multimedia environment and offers a highly flexible approach. New service products and technological advancements are brought into the military arena more rapidly than ever before. The Company's proactive strategy for introducing the latest state-of-the-art technologies promotes new service opportunities by the rapid insertion of suitable commercial and military products into its catalogue. For more information visit http://www.paradigmservices.com

Web site: http://www.generaldynamics.com http://www.paradigmservices.com http://www.paradigmsecure.com http://www.eadsdsuk.com