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BCommunications & electronic warfare
system which allows ground forces, such as Forward air controllers (FAC), to see what an aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is seeing in real time
Measured figures
Own2004backpackconfiguration only, notIV/V orinstalledaircraft · device
Single source5.4 kg (12 lb) device[source]Own2004backpackconfiguration only, notIV/V orinstalledaircraft
Configuration
| Specification | Bowman (communications system) | ROVER |
|---|---|---|
| Type | tactical communications system[source] | system which allows ground forces, such as Forward air controllers (FAC), to see what an aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is seeing in real time[source] |
| Communications | HF radio , VHF radio and UHF radio sets designed to provide secure integrated voice, data services to dismounted soldiers, individual vehicles and command HQs up to Division level[source] | — |
| Prime contractor | CDC Systems UK Ltd, once a subsidiary of Computing Devices Canada (CDC), now General Dynamics United Kingdom Ltd[source] | — |
| Introduction | March 2004[source] | — |
Bowman HF frequency-hopping radios UK/PRC325 and UK/VRC328/9 only · Frequency
Single source1.6-30 MHz[source]Bowman HF frequency-hopping radios UK/PRC325 and UK/VRC328/9 only
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
| Encryption |
|---|
integrated voice and data encryption devices[source] |
| — |
| Electronic counter-countermeasures | frequency-hopping spread spectrum[source] | — |
|---|
| Navigation and situational awareness | tactical situational awareness for commanders through GPS links[source] | — |
|---|
| Cryptography | Pritchel II High Grade algorithm designed by CESG[source] | — |
|---|
| Display | — | laptop on the ground[source] |
|---|
| Role | — | close air support[source] |
|---|
| Introduced | — | 2002[source]ROVERI introduction only |
|---|
| Compatibility | — | UAVs and aircraft carrying the LITENING targeting pod as well as other targeting systems[source] |
|---|
| Other pod compatibility | — | Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod also uses the ROVER for ground station[source] |
|---|
| Country of origin | — | United States[source]Inventory Origin column; table 16, row 21, cell 3; revision 1375013163; retrieved 2026-09-30 |
|---|