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.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![US Space Force’s next-generation missile warning system moves forward with $500 million in new contracts]()
US Space Force’s next-generation missile warning system moves forward with $500 million in new contracts
Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) satellites are intended to provide early warning of missile launches from any location worldwide and new ground stations will result in expanded coverage of critical missile warning.
-
![Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces]()
Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces
Airbus was awarded the Composante Spatiale Optique (CSO) contract at the end of 2010. This included an option for a third satellite, which was activated after Germany joined the programme in 2015.
-
![Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)]()
Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)
In today’s contested operational environment, adaptability is key. The new Geospatial-Intelligence as a Service (GEO IaaS) solution from Fujitsu and MAIAR empowers militaries by enabling intelligence advantage, combining advanced technology with human expertise to deliver actionable insights.
-
![Israel sets up new department to boost development of AI and autonomy]()
Israel sets up new department to boost development of AI and autonomy
Israel will continue to develop autonomy for its weapons and platforms as it brings together defence personnel, academia and industry.
-
![Clavister contracted to supply cyber protection for CV90s]()
Clavister contracted to supply cyber protection for CV90s
Clavister CyberArmour, an integrated defence cybersecurity system, will be used on BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 platform in deployments with a Scandinavian country, as well as in an eastern European nation.
