Defence industry is now able to submit expressions of interest for Project Air 6500 which will see the ADF's existing air defence systems upgraded or replaced.
Project Air 6500 will see the development and integration of a Joint Battle Management System (JBMS) that will interconnect the many disparate platforms, systems and sensors across the air, land, sea, space, electromagnetic and cyber domains into a collaborative environment that provides shared situational awareness of the battlespace and the ability to rapidly plan responses to threats.
Potential bidders for the program include Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman. Each is responsible for identifying potential suppliers with the ability to develop, integrate, build, supply and maintain capabilities and elements within Australia. Opportunities for Australian Industry will centre on engineering design, integration activities, equipment provision, sustainment and development of niche C4ISR capabilities.
The project is currently in the concept stage and requires final development phase leading to Defence Gate 1 and Government Phase 1 consideration in late 2018. A solicitation to industry is expected in 2019. Contract signature for the successful prime systems integrator and system deliverer will be in 2020 with an initial capability fielded by 2024.
The Department has indicated it will follow the Smart Buyer decision making framework and is now seeking input from major defence primes on the acquisition and sustainment format. No decisions have been made on the location of workforces or potential suppliers.
The 15 Work Packages currently available to submit an EOI for are listed on the ICN Gateway here.