Press release

Free for publication on November 7, 2017 at 11.01am (CET +1)

Bittium brings enhanced capabilities of ESSOR waveform, developed in the next phase of ESSOR programme, to the new Bittium Tough SDR™ tactical radios

Oulu, Finland, November 7, 2017 – Bittium is part of Operational Capability 1 (OC1) phase that continues the ESSOR (European Secure Software defined Radio) programme. During the OC1 phase, the operational capabilities of ESSOR High Data Rate Waveform (HDR WF), meant for joint operations between defense forces of different countries, will be enhanced. The contract for the OC1 phase between the industrial consortium a4ESSOR (Alliance for ESSOR), including companies developing the European European Software Defined Radio technology, and OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’ARmement), representing the ESSOR participant countries, was announced earlier today.

The ESSOR HDR WF is also part of Bittium’s new Bittium Tough SDR™ tactical radios, Bittium Tough SDR Handheld™ and Bittium Tough SDR Vehicular™. The radios together with the waveform enable broadband data transfer, joint operations, and direct communication between defense forces of different countries in international operations starting already from the battle group and combat vehicle level. With the development of the operational capabilities of the ESSOR HDR WF during the OC 1 phase the new functionalities will be available also for the Tough SDR family of radios.

Bittium Tough SDR products can flexibly use the most appropriate waveform, such as ESSOR HDR WF, Bittium TAC WIN Waveform™ or Bittium Narrowband Waveform™, having the best fit considering the conditions and the mission. The uniquely wide range of frequency bands improves combat usability and enables flexible use of the equipment. Using several waveforms, even simultaneously, improves compatibility and enables operations on different levels and missions.

The duration of the ESSOR OC1 phase is 45 months and the value of the contract is around EUR 50 million. The value of the contract will be divided along the duration of the OC1 phase and between the five participant companies: Bittium, Indra, Leonardo, Radmor, and Thales. The contract has no effect on Bittium's financial outlook for the year 2017, published on October 10, 2017 in Bittium's financial guidance for the year 2017.

More information on the Bittium Tough SDR products: www.bittium.com/BittiumToughSDRHandheld and www.bittium.com/BittiumToughSDRVehicular.

About ESSOR

The aim of the ESSOR program is to develop the European Software Defined Radio technology in order to improve the capabilities for cooperation in coalition operations. The program was started in 2009 under the umbrella of the European Defense Agency (EDA)‎, has been sponsored by the governments of Finland, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Sweden, and was awarded by the Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’ARmement (OCCAR) to the dedicated joint venture Alliance for ESSOR (a4ESSOR S.A.S.) to be in charge of managing the industrial consortium. The members of the industrial consortium are Bittium from Finland, Indra from Spain, Leonardo from Italy, Radmor from Poland, and Thales from France. The first phase of the programme was successfully completed in 2015. In addition to the European High Data Rate Waveform, the first phase of the program produced and validated the definition for the European Software Defined Radio Architecture which was ported and qualified on six different European platforms. The interoperability capabilities and the functionalities of the waveform have been demonstrated with different national platforms in various occasions during the year 2016 and demonstrations will continue during the OC1 phase.

Further information:

Jari Sankala
Senior Vice President, Defense & Security
Tel. +358 40 344 3507
Email: defense(a)bittium.com

Distribution:

Main media

Bittium - Defense & Security

Bittium is a trusted Finnish company with over 30 years of experience in advanced radio communication technologies and biosignal processing. For Defense & Security market Bittium provides the most modern products and solutions for tactical & secure communications. The products and solutions for tactical communications bring broadband data and voice to all troops across the battlefield. For secure communications Bittium offers proven mobile devices and cyber security solutions certified up to CONFIDENTIAL level.  Bittium’s net sales in 2016 was EUR 64.2 million and operating profit was EUR 2.5 million. Bittium is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. www.bittium.com