REACHER

 

The Reacher Project is part of the Skynet 5 deliveries into UK MOD and is a mobile satellite communication hub. The Reacher Terminals are used by UK MOD Reacher trained personnel, (training delivered by Astrium Services), which allows the connection of theatre communications systems to be made e.g. phones, data ports for laptops, etc. Once the Terminals are connected to Skynet 5 constellation, this also allows the user to connect directly into the UK Defence Wide Area Network from anywhere in the world and what ever the terrain.

The Reacher programme commenced in 2004, and has gone through some major design changes and reviews. Reacher has been a complex project to manage, but this has been overcome and Reacher has successfully passed UK MOD User Trials and In Service Date (ISD), which was achieved March 11 2008.

The delivery profile consists of a total of 44 Reacher Terminals, which are divided into three variants known as, Large, Medium & Royal Marine (RM). Different variants were developed to give the Reacher profile ability to meet various operational scenarios. Although the Medium & Large are based on similar functionality and use the same vehicles, Mowag Duro III, their set-up differs in terms of Antenna and data throughput, 2 megs vs. 8 megs. The RM is mirrored on the Medium system but is installed on a tracked vehicle for use over different terrains. The roll-out of all of the Reacher variants from Manufacturing, are underway with many of the Terminals in use with MOD, Integration testing with other systems, training etc.

Reacher is now being deployed to hot, sandy climates as part of UK Operations, where again Reacher needed further design changes to meet the requirements for enduring operations, e.g. Sand Colour Reachers, penthouses. Reacher is also currently deployed around other bases in Europe, to assist in UK MOD Training exercises.