Northrop Grumman is seeking expressions of interest from Australian industry to support their work for Project Air 6500.
Under Air 6500, the RAAF will develop a 5th Generation multi-domain joint battle management system (JBMS) to enable coordination of air battle management, joint weapons employment, and ground-based air defence in operational theatres.
“Northrop Grumman aims to lead industry support to the RAAF as it fields a survivable, scalable and modern, next-generation JBMS under Air 6500," Chris Deeble, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia, said. "We’re committed to a sovereign capability that’s designed and developed through close collaboration with other Australian industry members.
“We recognize that a program of this size, scope and complexity will demand the most innovative, best-of-breed capabilities and a prime systems integrator partnering with Australian industry who can deliver world class capabilities to the ADF."
The ICN Gateway Portal will serve as the primary vehicle for potential suppliers to register expressions of interest and share information about their competencies and skills.
Air 6500 is currently a two-phase program that will bring the ADF's myriad command and control, air defence, communication and ISR capabilities under one roof. The JBMS falls under Phase 1 whilst Phase 2 is a medium range ground-based air defence system.
Air 6500 also involves the acquisition of ground-based active electronically scanned array radars and passive radars to expand Australia’s air and space situational awareness.