Australia narrows the field for Air 6500
Assets like the E-7A Wedgetail will contribute to the Joint Air Battle Management System being created under Project Air 6500. (Photo: Gordon Arthur)
The ADF's plan to create a joint BMS to monitor airborne threats to Australia makes progress.
Australia has down-selected two US-based conglomerates in a competition to develop the Joint Air Battle Management System for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) under Project Air 6500 Phase 1.
The two primes chosen to go through to the final stage of the competitive evaluation process are Lockheed Martin Australia and Northrop Grumman Australia, with an announcement made by Defence Minister Peter Dutton on 5 August.
Air 6500 will invest A$2.7 billion ($1.99 billion) on a system to provide situational awareness and help defend against hostile aircraft and missiles.
The management system will also be at the core of
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Defence Notes
-
![Russia is evading sanctions and purchasing US components for its arsenal, warns US Senate]()
Russia is evading sanctions and purchasing US components for its arsenal, warns US Senate
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal has claimed that Russian bombs, missiles and drones “supported by American technologies” have been fatally used on Ukrainians soldiers and civilians.
-
![Sweden makes preparations to give Gripens to Ukraine]()
Sweden makes preparations to give Gripens to Ukraine
The 17th package provided by Sweden to Ukraine has seen the Scandinavian country provide SEK48.1 billion (US$4.6 billion) in military support since February 2022, having provided a total of SEK25 billion in 2024.
-
![Dutch MoD targets two more frigates as part of future defence plans]()
Dutch MoD targets two more frigates as part of future defence plans
The latest defence memorandum from the Dutch government has suggested that funding would be increased, with the procurement of more frigates, F-35s and Leopard 2A8s expected.
-
![UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine passes £1 billion milestone]()
UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine passes £1 billion milestone
Ukraine’s defence secretary met his UK opposite number in London to mark the milestone and push forward with new defence deals.
-
![UK defence funding rocked by budget restrictions]()
UK defence funding rocked by budget restrictions
Defence spending cuts are implied by UK ministers’ commitments to help plug a public finance “black hole”.
-
![RTX’s unauthorised exports result in $200 million fine]()
RTX’s unauthorised exports result in $200 million fine
According to the US Department of State, 750 company violations were recorded from 2017 to 2023.
