Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) has delivered the initial equipment of an Australian-designed and manufactured battlespace communications solution for the ADF under the $650 million Project Currawong (Land 2072 Phase 2B) contract.
The Initial Material Release for the transit case version of the networked communications solution transfers secure wideband voice, data and video services over wireless and wired infrastructure between Australia’s land-based deployed forces and headquarters.
BDA and its supply chain partners created the hardware and software to meet the requirements of the complex fixed price development program.
BDA VP and managing director Darren Edwards said: “Together, we’ve designed, built, tested and manufactured an Australian-made, highly scalable and agile networking solution to ensure Australia gets exactly what it needs: a communications solution matched to operate in an ever-evolving threat environment.”
Boeing has provided defence personnel from 7th Combat Signal Regiment and 1 Signal Regiment based at Enoggera Barracks and 1 Combat Communications Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley with training and equipment deliveries to use the system ahead of Exercise Hamel in 2018.
This first tranche of the equipment delivered includes 18 deployable communication nodes and an Australian fixed strategic communications anchor site. This incorporates Boeing’s core communication system components, the network access module (NAM) and mission system management (MSM), which connect and manage the communication bearers and services Boeing and its partners are bringing to the program.
Boeing will also design a vehicle mounted version of the solution in parallel with the ongoing rollout of the transit case version to additional Army and Air Force units.
Minister for Defence Marise Payne congratulated BDA on the program and its early release and said the project would continue to modernise Land Network communication through the provision of a modern and Integrated Battlespace Telecommunications Network (I-BTN).
“Defence looks forward to declaring this capability operational in 2018, during which time the new communication package will be further rolled out to the Army and the Royal Australian Air Force,” Minister Payne said.
ADM will publish an article detailing the work of BDA's supply chain on the project in the forthcoming February edition.