Ahead of schedule, Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered the initial equipment of an Australian-designed and manufactured battlespace communications solution for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), a major milestone for a system that will transform how the Australian military communicates in the field.
Under the AUD$650 million contract for the ADF’s Project Currawong, Boeing Defence Australia (BDA), a subsidiary of The Boeing Company, achieved Initial Material Release for the transit case version of its networked communications solution. The system transfers secure wideband voice, data and video services over wireless and wired infrastructure between Australia’s land-based deployed forces and headquarters.
BDA Vice President and Managing Director Darren Edwards said the initial delivery ahead of schedule to the Commonwealth of Australia proved Boeing’s ability and agility in supporting the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
“Boeing’s success in creating the hardware and software that meets Australia’s battlespace communications needs within a complex fixed price development program is testament to our partnership with our customer as well as our growing Australian supply chain supporting this important capability,” said Edwards.
“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.