Yeoman of Signals Course 23 Projects

The Yeoman of Signals course is designed to ensure an individual has the requisite knowledge and skills to conduct the planning, delivery, and management of Information Communication Services (ICS) and Communication Information Systems (CIS) in order to support a commander’s intent.  The course provides underpinning knowledge of military studies, mathematics, networking principles, training management and technical project management.  Students will undertake training in COMSEC management, Communications Management principles, Electronic Warfare, Military Network Planning, and the CIS/Combat Estimate.  Concurrently the students will undertake a technical research project to support defence outputs.

Here follows a summary of the best of the most recent course projects which were concluded in August 2023. Should readers wish to obtain more detail, the contact details for the Course Officer can be provided via a request to the Editor.

Project PLAIN SIGHT

Project Team: CSgt (YofS) Richard Perry RM, SSgt (YofS) Steve Burgoyne and Sgt Baker

Summary. Project PLAIN SIGHT aimed to demonstrate how a dismounted close combat (DCC) company group could reduce electronic signature when using Dismounted Situational Awareness (DSA) during defensive activities. The resulting concept demonstrator has been refined and tested through a series of trials intended to assess electronic emissions whilst using DSA to communicate. This product was developed through research, analysis, and eventual testing to meet the requirements identified in the MoSCoW analysis. In line with ‘How we will Fight in 2026’, the product will allow forces to utilise technologies to lower physical and electronic signature whilst remaining agnostic to the operation at hand (Field Army Command Group, 2022). It can be scaled to suit the user and the environment they find themselves in and can be adapted to suit the electronic environment and in theatre threat analysis.

Link to full article.

Project VAC

Project Team: CSgt (YofS) Chris Highams RM, SSgt (YofS) Dylan Farminer and SSgt (YofS) Uday Limbu

Summary. The project successfully identified, tested and evaluated various antenna options for DSA systems. Utilising a bespoke experimentation facility and employing PRINCE2 and Waterfall methodologies ensured a rigorous, systematic, and objective approach to the experiments. The primary objective was to identify alternative antennas to feed the DSA capability strand of LE TacCIS. The analysis revealed that the L3 Harris broadband antenna performed well. However, the antenna's performance was impacted in prone position, with increased signal variability and less consistent coverage.

Link to full article.

Project CHASE

Project Team: SSgt (YofS) Mark Ryan, SSgt (YofS) Luke Haynes and SSgt (YofS) Arun Purja

Summary. The Project CHASE Technical Evaluation Report aimed to demonstrate the alternatives to the current in-service long-range communication systems, with their respective comparisons. It highlighted what options are available to the British military when operating in Denied, Degraded Intermittent and Low Bandwidth (DDIL) environments. By completing extensive research on capabilities from reputable sources and current information being provided from units utilising the same or similar equipment in those environments.

Project CHASE

Project Team: SSgt (YofS) Mark Ryan, SSgt (YofS) Luke Haynes and SSgt (YofS) Arun Purja

Summary. The Project CHASE Technical Evaluation Report aimed to demonstrate the alternatives to the current in-service long-range communication systems, with their respective comparisons. It highlighted what options are available to the British military when operating in Denied, Degraded Intermittent and Low Bandwidth (DDIL) environments. By completing extensive research on capabilities from reputable sources and current information being provided from units utilising the same or similar equipment in those environments.

Link to full article.