Northrop to deliver SATCOMs for ADF
Northrop Grumman has received a contract worth AUD$223 million to build a satellite ground station and a wideband satellite communications (SATCOM) network management system for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the company announced on 10 July.
The company will partner with ViaSat and Optus to deliver the satellite ground station at Wagga Wagga in New South Wales under Joint Project 2008 Phase 5B2.
Northrop Grumman will also provide a wideband SATCOM network management system that supports home station and deployed forces.
Both the ground station and network management system will be integrated into the WGS constellation of highly capable, secure military communications satellites. This will allow Australia to fully realise its investment in US military satellites and increase communications coverage, capacity and connectivity for Australian troops and commanders worldwide.
Ian Irving, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia, said: ‘Our team of Northrop Grumman, ViaSat and Optus will provide the ADF a comprehensive, mature, proven solution for taking full advantage of Australia’s investment in the WGS global communications system with expandability to meet future needs.’
The WGS constellation is built to deliver continuous SATCOM services to Australia, US, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and New Zealand.
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