a4ESSOR S.A.S has signed a procurement contract amendment with the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) to advance the development of interoperable tactical communications through a new ESSOR Narrow Band Waveform (ENBWF). The agreement marks a significant milestone in enhancing secure, software-defined radio (SDR) capabilities across multinational defence forces.
Under the ESSOR Development Stage #4 (ES4), the updated contract—bringing the total programme value to over €211 million—will see a4ESSOR develop the ENBWF based on the near-finalised STANAG 5630 Edition 2. The waveform is designed to be compatible with national SDR systems sharing a common architecture, enabling seamless interoperability among ESSOR nations and potentially third-party partners.
Building on the success of the ESSOR High Data Rate Waveform (EHDRWF), already adopted as NATO STANAG 5651 in 2023, the programme reinforces a standardized approach to tactical communications. This ensures that participating nations can operate their own national radio systems while maintaining interoperability across multinational operations using both EHDRWF and the upcoming ENBWF.
The initiative also follows a €47 million contract signed in 2025 for the deployment of EHDRWF capabilities, including the development of a common mission framework. This framework will enable shared planning of network parameters and integration into national command-and-control systems, significantly improving coordination and rapid deployment of multinational communication networks.
Six participating nations—Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain—along with their respective industry leaders, continue to enhance the waveform’s capabilities. Ongoing developments include advanced electronic protection measures and the integration of modern cryptographic standards, supported by successful interoperability demonstrations and qualification trials.
Field testing of the EHDRWF across diverse operational environments—including urban, rural and complex terrains—will further validate performance, reliability and resilience under real-world conditions, including interference scenarios. The programme also includes the establishment of an ESSOR laboratory to serve as a reference centre for interoperability validation and long-term in-service support.
“a4ESSOR has been active for over 17 years, playing a crucial role in developing and testing ESSOR capabilities to address multinational defence requirements,” said Lino Laganà, President and General Manager of a4ESSOR. “With the ESSOR Narrow Band Waveform, we are advancing one of the most widely used communication solutions among land forces towards NATO standard status, strengthening interoperability among allied forces.”
He added, “The project aligns with the European Union’s strategic objectives of strengthening defence cooperation, enhancing autonomy, and improving the efficiency of combined military missions, ensuring seamless coordination and collective response to evolving threats.”
