18:05 GMT, September 3, 2010 Yeovil, United Kingdom | BAE Systems has been awarded a contract to provide a Link 16 network management system to the Finnish Air Force. Supporting the operation of Finland's F-18 aircraft, the system will enable ground command and control operators to connect to, and maintain contact with, their fast jets across the entire country.

BAE Systems will work in partnership with Rockwell Collins, the prime contractor and team leader for the Ground Station programme.

Under the contract, BAE Systems will provide all the software to set up the infrastructure, configure and control the various remote sites and configure and manage the Link 16 network. BAE Systems will also provide a simulation environment which that will provide the Finnish Air Force with the ability to participate in high fidelity collaborative training exercises whilst still supporting live operations.

Built upon a set of proven systems the network management system provides a low risk, innovative solution to meet the complex operational requirements of the Finnish Air Force, along with the challenges of the terrain and environment in which the system will operate.

The Link 16 network management solution offered by BAE Systems allows the Finnish Air Force to dynamically monitor the connectivity between the various ground sites and the aircraft, and to continuously measure how the network is performing to maintain an uninterrupted service.

Paul Burke BAE Systems Business Director said: "We are delighted to be part of the team delivering this capability as we have unparalleled experience in the provision of complex data link network management and support systems. The solution for the Finnish Air Force is based on systems successfully delivered by us to the UK MOD that allow monitoring and management of the UK's Link 16 network, achieving greater than 99% reliability over the period since their introduction.