Electronic Warfare (EW) company DEWC Systems and Australian launch services company Gilmour Space Technologies have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch the next generation Miniaturised Orbital Electronic Warfare Sensor Systems (MOESS) system as a sovereign space-based Electronic Warfare system.
In a bid to increase Australia’s Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare(ISREW) capability, the companies have signed a five-year sovereign collaboration to advance the sensor capability, deployment, and uptake of ISREW satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
According to a statement released by DEWC Systems, the companies also envisage co-development projects based on the current 3U platform including assets in the 80-100 kilogram class that will lead to a small satellite prototype. A joint research activity will be conducted to understand the requirements of manufacturing a prototype satellite utilising commercially available components.
“We are committed to developing a LEO launch and satellite platform that will support new and valuable sovereign space capabilities, such as DEWC System’s ISREW solution for Defence,” Adam Gilmour, CEO of Gilmour Space, said.
DEWC Systems role in the partnership is to further develop its MOESS – a dynamically reprogrammable, multi-purpose Electromagnetic sensor system integrated and deployed on micro satellites to provide an enhanced space-based EW capability for Australia.
MOESS was DEWC Systems’ first collaborative project with top South Australian universities and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) where the development of a proof-of-concept was funded by the Defence Innovation Partnerships two years ago.
Phase Two, funded through a Defence Innovation Hub contract, enabled DEWC Systems to work on the design and development of assembled systems and demonstrate the technology.
Phase Three will see a maturing of the system with a view to integrate with a small satellite, launch the prototype to orbit and demonstrate the live capability. This collaboration seeks to develop the technologies required to ensure that the launch will be on an Australian-made rocket.
DEWC Systems says they will be a step closer to launching a constellation of CubeSats.
“I believe in the ingenuity, innovation and the ‘can do’ attitude of the Australian spirit,” Ian Spencer CEO of DEWC Systems, said. “Through effective collaboration with likeminded Australian companies, such as DEWC Systems and Gilmour Space Technologies, I am confident that we can deliver a true and enduring sovereign Defence space capability.”