With the release of the RFT for Phase 2B of JP 2072, Defence is embarking on one of its most significant communications acquisition programs which will see replacement of the existing Parakeet trunk communications system by a new Battlefield Telecommunications Network (BTN) with new terrestrial and space bearers, and a Local Area System including telephony and video teleconference capabilities. High bandwidth capacity systems will provide IP connectivity from HQ to lower echelon units.
The majority of this equipment will be in-service MOTS/COTS capabilities.
Among those bidding for the Phase 2B requirement will be Raytheon Australia with Raytheon Company (Network Centric Systems) and General Dynamics C4 Systems.
In an announcement mid-year Raytheon Australia’s managing director, Michael Ward pointed to the particular strengths that each of the teaming partners offered the team.
“Raytheon Australia will prime our bid for JP 2072 Ph2B on the back of our strong land presence in Australia and demonstrated capabilities to deliver upon such a complex undertaking. We will also be drawing upon the deep expertise of Raytheon Network Centric Systems in military communications systems and the vital experience of General Dynamics C4 Systems as the prime contractor for the off-the-shelf Warfighter Information Network –Tactical (WIN-T) system fielded with the US Army.”
“The Commonwealth’s acquisition under this phase of the project will not only help move Army from an analogue to a digital force but will be pivotal for key Army programs in the years ahead,” Mr Ward said.
He stressed that this was not a time for a developmental solution and that it was important to consider a COTS/MOTS solution at a system level rather than a specific product level.
“We believe that the US WIN-T is the most viable MOTS solution for Phase
2B. It is fielded and in service with the US Army, it has the form and size requirements sought by the Australian Army and has a publicly declared growth path,” Ward said.
“There is also strong merit in selecting a system that is not only interoperable with the United States but can be integrated with US operations.
That the US Government has committed to invest in WIN-T for years to come is particularly beneficial.”
Before General Dynamics Australia’s prime contract for JP 2072 was terminated, WIN-T was always in GD’s sights for later stages of the Battlespace Communications-Land project.
With WIN-T a very viable MOTS solution for Phase 2B, we may see General Dynamics back in this race.
Other potential contenders for Phase 2B include BAE Systems Australia with Thales Australia (both JP 2072 incumbents) who may be proposing a version of the British Army’s Falcon Secure Trunk Communication System aimed at providing a modem, secure communications infrastructure for deployed formations and operating bases.
It will help deliver an information infrastructure that will provide the UK Armed Forces with their network enabled capability needs.
It is designed to operate with other communication and information systems such as Bowman, Cormorant and SKYNET V, and will be compatible with other NATO systems.
Lockheed Martin has teamed with Elbit Systems, the Land 200 Battle Management System incumbent, and between them the two have a range of in-service systems applicable to Phase 2B.
Lockheed Martin is in the final stages of developing a ‘miniaturised’ version of its Communications-On-The-Move (COTM) technology with a view to submitting it for testing with the US Army next year.
Described as being a ‘network in a box’ and can be used to extend the network at the tactical edge of the battlefield.
A company spokesperson said: ‘It is completely scalable and provides SATCOM connectivity and can push various types of broadband data, such as satellite imagery down to small, company-level units that lack wideband connections’.