London 16 September 2015 11:00
- Guardian provides “electronic armour” to security forces against Radio Frequency (RF) initiated Remotely Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) threats.
- Systems are already deployed on several hundred Italian Army vehicles.
Finmeccanica - Selex ES has received further orders from the Italian Army to provide a wide range of their vehicles with Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) equipment to protect against the continued threat of Remotely Controlled Improvised Explosive Devices (RCIEDs). In the last 4 months, further orders for 113 systems will bring the total number of Guardian H3 vehicle systems procured by the Italian Army to nearly 500.
Guardian is a an ECM capability package that counters the threat of RCIEDs, providing a form of “electronic armour” by blocking the radio transmission used to detonate improvised explosive devices such as roadside bombs. Originally designed to meet the demanding size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements of a soldier on a foot patrol, the Guardian family was further developed and packaged for a range of roles including vehicle and fixed site. The design of the Guardian equipment allows for a modular and flexible approach to meet the subtle differences between the protection requirements that are needed for Very Important Person (VIP), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Force Protection (FP) roles. Fully reprogrammable by the customer, the Guardian ECM family allows the customer to remain agile in response to new and emerging threats.
There are a number of significant safety and performance issues when higher powered ECM systems are installed on modern, complex weapon platforms. Radiation Hazard, Near Field Strength (to look at the shadowing effect caused by larger vehicles) and interference/Coupling can all degrade ECM (and other communication systems) performance while increasing risk. Selex ES offers a powerful modelling capability (Electromagnetic Solutions) which can look at a platform from a complete Radio Frequency (RF) perspective. The placement of the antennas and/or the design of new, bespoke antenna systems can increase performance and reduce risk. Selex ES has a number of case studies where the use of Electromagnetic Solutions capability has delivered improved communications and ECM performance on a platform while at the same time reducing the RF risk to crews.
The Guardian family of products builds on a proud 30 year history of providing the UK Armed Forces with ECM capability.