BOWMAN PUDT RFP ISSUED
By Adam Baddeley, Deputy Editor, BATTLESPACE

15 Sep 05. The RFP for the new Bowman Personal User Data Terminal (PUDT) was issued today September 15th. Deliveries currently stand at 11,000 with a figure of roughly 7,000 units still outstanding from the original subcontract for the L-3 rugged computer. Criticised by users as being too bulky at 1.2Kg it is understood that the RFP, which has been sent to a limited number of invitees will acquire 3000 new PUDTs with an additional requirement for an initial 1000 larger 8.4”screen tablet computers with options for up to 3000.

Ministers are due to announce shortly that 7 Armoured Brigade, now undergoing Bowman integration at its German bases will deploy with its new equipment to Iraq in October. The formation will replace 12 Mechanised Brigade who had to deploy to Basra with legacy Clansman radios in its CR2, Warrior and CVR(T) armoured vehicles. This was due to interface issues between the new radio systems and the existing cabling and headsets that were retained by the MoD who were seeking cost savings. Safety Case Studies for both the Warrior and CR2 using Bowman have now been successfully made and accepted. The same cannot be said for the CVR(T) fleet for which the Bowman integration poses additional problems and it is not clear whether they will actually be deployed to Iraq, even with Clansman radios.