The document summarizes a trial of the XYnnnnZ Digital Message Terminal as a tactical data entry device for transferring data between military units over radio links. The trial demonstrated that the terminal could be used as a portable device by fire units and reconnaissance patrols to enter and view messages, and as a terminal linked to a command post processor to send and receive automatic or manual messages. The trial confirmed the terminal could handle free-text or fixed format messages, transfer messages with low error over radio links, and was modified after the trial to support four-character call signs as required.

1. BEFORE
SUMMARY OF SYSTEM OFFERED
ROLE
1.1 The XYnnnnZ is fully compliant with this requirement. It has been demonstrated
during the Vengeful Merlin trial that the equipment is ideally suited for operation as the data
terminal in all the roles required in the Rapier System. The design of the unit allows it to
handle both free text and a variety of fixed format message structures.
The equipment can be used as a portable message terminal at the Fire Units (FUs) and on
Reconnaissance Patrols where data is entered manually from the keyboard and viewed on the
integrated display. It can also be used in the CP role with either a manual, semi-automatic or
automatic link to the BCP processor.
The requirement for four-character call-signs was not demonstrated on Vengeful Merlin but
is now included in the equipment.
The XYnnnnZ is suitable for use with encrypted data which has been encoded manually by
the operator.

2. AFTER
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE SYSTEM OFFERED
1.1 ROLE
The over-riding requirement for the Tactical Data Entry Device (TDED) is to provide a
simple-to-operate capability for the two-way transfer of data between Rapier Fire Units
(FUs) and Recce Parties and the Battery Command Post Processor (BCPP) over Clansman
Combat Net Radio (CNR) links.
The Vengeful Merlin trial conducted in BAOR provided the first opportunity for a TDED
device to be tried out under operational conditions. The TDED selected for the trial was an
early version of the XYnnnnZ Digital Message Terminal. The equipment was used at the
Fire Units and with the Recce Parties as a stand-alone terminal and, at the Battery Command
Post, it was linked to the BCCP via a two-way S232C data highway.
The trial confirmed that the XYnnnnZ offered the following advantages to the user:-
1 at the Fire Unit/Recce Party locations, the capability to transmit, receive and store
messages under operator control via the keyboard;
2 at the BCP location, the capability to operate either under manual control or to be
fully controlled by the BCP. Messages received and transmitted at the BCP were, in
most cases, fully controlled by the BCP itself with the XYnnnnZ acting as an
intelligent modem;
3 at all locations, the capability to handle messages which were either free text or
fixed-format. The messages contained information which had been manually encoded
using MAPCO and STATES codes;
4 at all locations, the capability to transfer messages across Clansman Combat Net
Radio links with the required low error-rate.
At the time of the trial, the XYnnnnZ could handle only three-character call-signs
which was then adequate. The equipment now proposed has been modified to handle the
four-character call-signs stipulated in the Invitation to Tender. Full details of the
effectiveness of this enhancement are given in our response to Section 3 of the ITT -
“Selective Addressing” (see page 36 of this document).
NOTE:- The performance of the XYnnnnZ during the trial is covered by the Trials Report
issued by the Trials Officer of the Royal School of Artillery, Guided Weapons Wing
(reference */**/****).
* Requirement Classification: ESSENTIAL
* Response: FULLY COMPLIANT