Frequentis Voice Communications System goes live at Camp Bastion / Afghanistan

The newly constructed ATC tower at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan has now gone live and is equipped with a Frequentis Voice Communication System (VCS). The main British military base situated in the Helmand Province was established in 2006 as a gravel dirt track; and over the years has expanded and with over 12,000 movements a month, this would rate it as the fifth busiest UK airfield.

Frequentis has supplied a 14 position VCS 3020X and a 110 channel DIVOS recorder in the tower. In order to facilitate the MoD training requirement, a fully operational training system has been installed at RAF Leeming (North Yorkshire, UK). The 3020X is connected to Park Air T6 radios via digital E1 links, which allows the 3020X to monitor and remotely control the radios from the Frequentis Controller Working Positions.

The VCS not only ensures that the communication system complies with the latest CAP 670 requirements, but also keeps pace with the growing air traffic at the airport. Gp Capt Richard James, ADATS Delivery Team Leader, speaking from Henlow commented: “This project builds upon the excellent relationship that has developed with Frequentis over the last six years through the Royal Navy VCS replacement programme. We required a “headset to aerial” solution with an extremely challenging timescale. Frequentis understood our requirements and worked closely with Park Air Systems to produce a system that could be rolled out within a matter of months.’’

Hannes Bardach, Frequentis CEO said: “The ability to provide a solution within a short timescale and with a product that RAF personnel are familiar with was key to winning this contract.”

Frequentis, together with its subsidiary in the UK, has delivered equipment to 16 UK civil airports, all Royal Naval Air Stations and has a contract to supply NATS with the new generation of Electronic Flight Strips. The company also runs significant UK MoD military projects utilising its state-of-the-art technologies.