Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training
Australia is looking to improve its presence in space with a focus on communications and creating a dedicated segment of its defence forces committed to the domain.
The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential foreign military sale of electronic warfare and communications equipment for Oman's F-16 fleet, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on 5 January.
Oman has requested Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) and secure communications equipment for Mode 5 operations. Also included is items and services to support an incremental operational flight profile (OFP) software upgrade for F-16 subsystems.
The estimated cost of the sale is $62 million.
The package includes 29 KIV-78 cryptographic/timing modules, 29 KY-100M cryptographic radio encryptors, 29 AN/APX-126 combined interrogator transponders, classified and unclassified computer programme identification number upgrades, and OFP upgrades for IFF Mode 5 capable systems and joint mission planning upgrade.
The requested equipment and services will enable Oman’s 23 F-16s currently using Mode 4 IFF to become interoperable on Mode 4/5. Mode 5 IFF allows airborne and surface forces to conduct complimentary air operations. The incremental OFP software upgrades required to support Mode 5 will provide additional incremental improvement for other associated F-16 subsystems.
If the deal goes ahead, Lockheed Martin will be the prime contractor.
Australia is looking to improve its presence in space with a focus on communications and creating a dedicated segment of its defence forces committed to the domain.
The Portuguese company’s naval communications system is in service across more than a dozen countries. It has turned to its home nation for support in developing a new vehicle based C2 system.
The Vision4ce Deep Embedded Feature Tracking (DEFT) technology software is designed to process video and images by blending traditional computer vision with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to present actionable information from complex environments.
Persistent Systems has been cleared by National Security Agency (NSA) to transmit sensitive data on commercial networks. The devices are added to the NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) component list which also includes other companies’ products providing the same security.
The release of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has been long promised as mid-year. It is possible it could be as early as 2 June although the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to play its cards close to its chest.
Intelsat outlines how its multi-orbit SATCOM architecture is enhancing connectivity and resilience for special operations forces operating in degraded and contested environments.