Av-Comm joins competition for Australian SATCOM solution
Av-Comm will bring its experience in as a SATCOM service provider to help deliver an operationally superior MILSATCOM solution for JP9102. (Photo: Lockheed Martin Australia)
Lockheed Martin Australia has announced that Av-Comm, a leading SATCOM infrastructure provider, will join its Joint Project 9102 (JP9102) proposal to develop a next-generation military SATCOM for the Australian Defence Force.
Av-Comm will support the installation of high capacity, wide-band antenna and RF subsystems at several satellite ground stations. This work includes design, implementation, integration and testing.
Av-Comm has an existing relationship with Lockheed Martin as a supplier of hardware and provider of technical support at the company’s Uralla, New South Wales ground station.
David Ball, regional director, Lockheed Martin Australia Space commented: ‘As Lockheed Martin continues to grow its JP9102 team, we are committed to strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence and space industry capability’.
Av-Comm joins the growing team of Australian service providers behind the proposal including: Clearbox Systems, Ronson Gears and Shoal Group.
The Australian Defence Force launched a tender in April 2021 for a sovereign SATCOM capability to reduce reliance on the US.
The JP9102 RfT covers delivery, through-life support and space, ground and control segments of a sovereign SATCOM component.
More from Defence Notes
-
Taiwan approved for purchase of $11 billion in weapons from US
The US State Department’s approval of a multi-billion-dollar sale of weapons to Taiwan includes tactical mission networks equipment, uncrewed aerial systems, artillery rocket systems and self-propelled howitzers as well as anti-tank guided missiles.
-
Ireland spells out $2.3 billion shopping list in five-year defence spending plan
Ireland’s multi-annual investment in capital defence spending is set to rise from €300m in 2026 to €360m in 2029–2030 with major upgrades across land, air, maritime and cyber domains.
-
US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry
The 2025 NSS has emphasised investment in the US nuclear and air defence inventory and national industry, but it leaves multiple unanswered questions on how the White House will implement this approach.
-
Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners
While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.
-
NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems
During the latest edition of the NATO DiBaX, the alliance tested multiple capabilities to inform requirements for future efforts.