General Dynamics UK and Bubblephone demonstrate transformational networking technology on Bowman

C-THRU maintains solid connections in conditions where communication impossible, offering potential to save lives and cut costs.

LONDON, United Kingdom - General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited and Bubblephone Ltd have demonstrated to senior MoD officials the innovative C-THRU network optimisation software running on the Bowman military communications network.

The C-THRU software plug-in overcomes many of the operational obstacles and technical issues encountered with modern tactical communications networks. Dropped into a network, C-THRU establishes network connections and maintains them irrespective of changes in the network environment. It does this by constantly being aware of the network environment and intelligently ‘adapting’ itself to keep open the best connection. For example, if a wireless connection is lost due to mountainous terrain, C-THRU will seamlessly failover to a different network type or connection method. It also prioritises traffic so that urgent communications always get through.

“Put simply, C-THRU will keep the connection open where without it the connection may simply drop,” said Sean Curtis-Ward, CEO of Bubblephone. “This presents a huge tactical advantage.”

C-THRU also enables traffic to be prioritised over different network types according to pre-set rules; for example saving on costly satellite links for non-priority traffic. Also, by being  network-,  protocol- and operating system-agnostic, C-THRU can connect different networks – even those that were not designed to be compatible. This means military personnel from different coalition forces, using different networks that were once incompatible, can now communicate with each other.

The demonstration on ‘green kit’ was undertaken at the EDGE™ UK demonstration suite at General Dynamics UK’s facility in South Wales. Three weeks earlier, Bubblephone demonstrated to MoD officials the first integration of C-THRU running on a test network as part of the final phase of a MoD Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) project.

Following the CDE demonstration, Bubblephone’s engineers integrated C-THRU rapidly into a subset of the Bowman communications system – to prove that the plug-in technology works seamlessly.

“The EDGE™ UK enables SMEs to gain a competitive edge in rapidly developing their innovations into capability that can be quickly fielded,” said Dr Jeremy Creasey, Technical Director at General Dynamics UK.  “Since its last demonstration, C-THRU has advanced its technology readiness level.  With the right commitment and backing, Bubblephone will deliver a world-beating network technology to the MoD that will give the UK a huge technological advantage in tactical military communications. Most importantly, in the field, this will translate into saving lives and cutting costs.”

Notes to Editors
Bubblephone Ltd:
Bubblephone Ltd is a privately owned company based at the Innovation Centre of the University of Sussex. It performs research and development in the areas of digital networking and communications technologies. Its lead technology C-THRU is a truly “transformational” networking technology. It enables networks and applications that don’t currently talk to each other to interoperate, whilst transforming the quality and reliability of existing network connections. Bubblephone is currently seeking additional investment to finalise C-THRU’s development so as to realise its tactical and commercial potential.

General Dynamics UK:
General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), is a leading player in the UK’s knowledge economy and industrial base.  Established in the United Kingdom for over 40 years, it employs around 1,600 people at 10 UK and international facilities.  A prime contractor and complex systems integrator, working in partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and other allies, growing key intellectual property, skills and capabilities in its UK research facilities and workforce, whilst harnessing world-leading technology.

General Dynamics UK led a key MoD Defence Technology Centre research consortium and, together with a growing C4I export programme, plays a central role manufacturing and developing technology to deliver network enabled capability and ISTAR in the battlespace.  The Company is widely recognised as a leading contender to supply and integrate the next generation of Armoured Fighting Vehicles for the British Army.  For further information visit www.generaldynamics.uk.com

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,000 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.gd.com.

EGDE™ UK
The original EDGE® initiative, successfully developed in the United States by General Dynamics, provides a physical and virtual environment for collaboration projects between industry, academia and the US government. The initiative has been adapted for the UK by General Dynamics UK, a leading nurturer of Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), in accordance with the UK’s Defence Innovation Strategy, which calls for a “new environment for innovation within the defence supply chain” and notes that innovation is essentially “the successful generation and exploitation of new or, where appropriate, novel applications of existing technology.”

As well as helping innovative SMEs bring new capabilities to market, the EDGE™ UK facility further develops the partnership-based concept of the UK’s unique Joint Systems and Joint Networks Integration Bodies (JSIB and JNIB). The Joint Integration Bodies, pioneered by General Dynamics UK and the MoD in delivering the UK’s flagship Bowman communications programme, bring together industry and the MoD to integrate key networks and systems.

Defence Matters
General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited is proud to support Defence Matters, a campaign by the UK defence industry to raise awareness and understanding of the industry’s work. The UK defence industry is proud to support our Armed Forces. We develop and manufacture the equipment that they use, maintain facilities and equipment and deliver pre-deployment training, with some industry personnel on the frontline working alongside our troops, maintaining and operating equipment. The industry also provides over 300,000 high-value engineering and manufacturing jobs, many of which are in the regions with the highest unemployment levels.  To find out more about Defence Matters go to www.defencematters.co.uk

Contact: Amanda Jackson
Tel:  +44 (0)1495 236443
amanda.jackson@generaldynamics.uk.com

Sean Curtis-Ward
Tel: +44 (0)207617 7206
Email: sean.cw@bubblephone.com

Neil Pattie
Tel: +44 (0) 7784 086530
Email: neil.pattie@ridgeconsult.com