The new Satellite Ground Station near Geraldton, WA is now operational.
Satellite Ground Station – West, delivered under Joint Project 2008 Phase 3F in partnership with BAE Systems Australia, will provide an anchoring capability to Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) Communications satellites primarily located over the Indian Ocean.
The program includes two military hosted payloads on commercial satellites, a military satellite as part of the US WGS-Communications system, ground infrastructure across Australia and deployed terminals with accompanying network management capabilities.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said the new station in WA, which has now achieved Final Operating Capability, marked the first of three Defence satellite ground station projects to be completed.
“The ground system enables Australian deployed forces using wideband global satcom to interface with the Defence Wide Area Network and the Australian Defence headquarters along with support elements,” BAE Systems Australia Director Battlespace Integrated Solutions Steve Wynd said. “Our focus has been on the capability improvement in what has been a complex program and I am pleased that we have delivered a significant improved operating capability for our customer.”
“The Defence Satellite Communications Program is providing the ADF with a suite of strategic and tactical satellite communication capabilities,” Minister Reynolds said. “Satellite Ground Station – West will provide Defence with greater access to the overall capacity available from Wideband Global Satellite-Communications satellites.
“This offers real-time operational and logistical information which is essential for command and control of deployed forces.”