Rohde & Schwarz: Delivering a protected future to today’s navies

As a systems partner and integrator for planning, developing, manufacturing and implementing secure communications architectures and networks, Rohde & Schwarz focuses on digital communications sovereignty.

NAVICS, a fully IP based communications system, ensures reliable and secure information exchange and brings the advantages of modern IT technology to today’s vessels. (Image: Rhode & Schwarz)

At this year’s DSEI, taking place in London, UK, from September 10 to 13, 2019, Rohde & Schwarz is displaying its secure communications solutions at booth S1-350. The company has reliably provided local value and support for decades.

Rohde & Schwarz is showcasing its operationally proven and secure NAVICS solution for internal communications on all classes of ships. Today’s naval platforms carry an abundance of equipment that originates from several Rohde & Schwarz application segments.

After five years of design and engineering, Rohde & Schwarz delivered the first land based system for the British Type 26 Global Combat Ship (GCS). The company will equip the Royal Navy’s Type 26 GCS with an integrated communications system, built around NAVICS, under contract from BAE Systems. The system interconnects the onboard voice terminals as well as all other subsystems for internal and external communications via a shared IP network, with accreditable security gateways provided by Rohde & Schwarz. This allows for seamless and secure communications between voice terminals, ATEX smartphones and onboard/offboard telephony services. The system has an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI).

External communications will be handled by the Rohde & Schwarz VHF/UHF and HF radios of the SOVERON family of radios (R&S M3SR Series4400 and R&S M3SR Series4100). The Rohde & Schwarz radio equipment will provide both TRANSEC and advanced high-speed data transmission. RF filters and hopping EPM filters will ensure interference-free communications.

At DSEI, Rohde & Schwarz is exhibiting NAVICS WCS, a Wi-Fi based wireless communications system for uninterrupted, high-quality voice communications while on the move. This new NAVICS naval smartphone offers state-of-the-art technology and user friendliness as well as exceptional efficiency and flexibility.

“As a company that customers have relied on and trusted for decades, Rohde & Schwarz stands for the highest standard. We have demonstrated time and again our ability to provide local support and act globally,” says Hansjörg Herrbold, Vice President Market Segment Navy at Rohde & Schwarz. “At DSEI 2019, we are showcasing a solution that makes workflows and watch operation more flexible and comfortable, allowing wireless onboard communications while on the move. As an integrated part of NAVICS, NAVICS WCS connects users through a smartphone-like wireless handheld to the secure IP network, allowing them to enjoy the same internal communications functionalities of stationary voice terminals without being bound to a physical location.” The system can be extended with further apps for messaging, logistics support and personnel location.

Rohde & Schwarz has provided more than 40 navies with state-of-the-art communications technology. NAVICS, a fully IP based communications system for internal and external voice applications, ensures reliable and secure information exchange and brings the advantages of modern IT technology to today’s vessels. A multilevel security architecture allows secure, trusted and tamper-proof communications. The system interconnects the onboard services – voice, message handling and C4I – with other subsystems via a scalable Ethernet network. This saves installation and maintenance costs.

Key technology drivers are ongoing migration towards IP networks and voice over internet protocol (VoIP) systems, capabilities for defending against cyberattacks by security of design and the recurring relevance of HF systems as a backup to SATCOM services using HF wideband modes.

• The Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier, River class patrol vessel and Type 26 Global Combat Ship
• The Royal Australian Navy’s Hobart class DDG air warfare destroyers and Bay class HMAS Choules landing ship, dock (LSD)
• The German Navy’s K130 corvette, F124 and F125 frigates, Type 702 Berlin class replenishment ship, Type 423 Oste class fleet service ship and Type 212 submarine
• The French Navy’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier (RIFAN 2.1)
• The Spanish Navy’s F100 frigate

In the last fiscal year, Rohde & Schwarz was able to contract 14 additional platforms with NAVICS integrated naval communications systems.