Electronic Weapons: January 17, 2000

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The British Army's new Bowman digital radio system has been delayed again, this time to 2004. Originally scheduled for service in 1995, Bowman has been plagued by spiraling costs, and the Ministry of Defense keeps delaying it to find lower-cost solutions to the massive purchase of base station, vehicular, backpack, and handheld radios. The companies involved complain that their costs have become "unfeasible" due to the long delays without a production contract. --Stephen V Cole