The Defence Equipment and Support Agency (DES) of the UK Ministry of Defence recently announced that the "Guardian" command and control (C2) system, developed in collaboration with IBM, has now achieved initial operational capability. Using the signals transmitted by the system, the large screen display of the Control and Reporting Center (CRC) at Northumberland Air Force Base in the UK can currently display friendly forces in real-timeaircraftFlight situation map with enemy aircraft.

DES pointed out that the "Protector" can command other fighter jets to deploy, identify, intercept, and accompany suspicious incoming aircraft, as well as accompany aircraft that have lost contact with the airport tower. In addition, the system can also maintain air to ground communication with various types of radar and radio stations in the UK and NATO countries, which can greatly enhance the security of the UK's defense.

DES revealed that the "Protector" will be assigned to the 78th Air Control Squadron at Swanwick Air Force Base in Hampshire, UK. The Northumberland Air Force Base Control Reporting Center has two direct centers located at Burme and Swanwick bases, with 50 and 29 duty positions respectively, implementing two shifts rotating 24-hour duty. After all two directly affiliated centers are put into operation, more than 100 on duty personnel will implement battlefield airspace management.

It is reported that DES has also signed a logistics support contract with IBM for 5 years after the delivery of the "Protector", which is valid until 2027. The contract requires IBM to provide logistical support for the "Protector" at the Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and Northumberland Air Force bases. The security work is carried out by software developers, data link engineers, network security expertselectricalSpecific implementation by engineering experts, communication engineers, and relevant project management personnel.