Contractor Logistics Support of the Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) Systems at Mount Pleasant Complex (MPC), Falkland Islands and RAF Gibraltar

Mount Pleasant Complex (MPC), Falkland Islands SDH (FI SDH) - The role of the SDH Network at MPC, FI (hereafter referred to as FI SDH) is that of a data bearer sub-system which carries traffic generated by end-users in a seamless and reliable manner. Data messages from external sending terminals pass into the SDH Network at one of the network nodes and onwards through intermediate nodes until the data message arrives at the destination node and then passed to the external destination terminal.

Gibraltar SDH (GIB SDH) - The role of the SDH Network at RAF Gibraltar (hereafter referred to as GIB SDH) is that of a high-capacity data bearer carrying voice and data communications between all nodes, which are located at the three main sites at RAF Gibraltar.

The MoD requires in-service support for bespoke, legacy SDH networks in the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar, which include discontinued SAGEM hardware and custom configurations originally provided by Thales. Given the outdated nature of SDH technology, Thales’ position as the original system designer and support provider since 2001, the unique configuration of the Falklands’ network, MoD owned assets are required to maintain the active SDH networks and cannot be released to alternative suppliers to develop their own SDH Training & Development System. Thales is uniquely qualified to fulfil this requirement. Additionally, Thales owns the only SDH Training & Development System capable of equipping SMEs with the specialised knowledge needed for these networks.