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CEA TECHNOLOGIES TO ENHANCE EW

RANGES FOR GROWLERS

Australian firm CEA Technologies has ‘I’m proud that this project will continue to war stocks; and new longer-range and more
received an AUD277 million (USD200 mil- develop Australia’s own CEA Technologies, advanced anti-radiation missiles.
lion) contract to enhance the electronic a world-leading radar technology company.
warfare (EW) ranges used by the RAAF’s We are delivering leading-edge technology The RAAF has eleven Growlers in No. 6
EA-18G Growler aircraft, according to a the RAAF needs to face an increasingly com- Squadron, located at RAAF Base Amberley
Canberra announcement on 6 February. plex and uncertain strategic environment.’
near Brisbane. Originally armed with a
dozen EA-18Gs, one was written off in an
This award falls under what is called Project Phase 6 overall has a budget of some AUD2 accident at Nellis Air Force Base on 28
Air 5349 Phase 6 Advanced Growler, and billion (USD1.39 billion), and it is designed January 2018.
indeed it is the first contract to be granted to ensure commonality of RAAF Growlers
under this programme. It covers fixed and with those Boeing EA-18Gs operated by the
portable emitters that will support training US Navy. However, a replacement is expected, as the
exercises and improve the capability of the US issued a notification to that effect on 30
Growler. Specifically, Phase 6 will eventually include September 2021. The price for the single
the following: upgrades to EW training aircraft and related services is an estimated
USD125 million.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy ranges; facility upgrades at Amberley
commented: ‘The government is working and the Delamere Air Training Area (near
closely with defence industry partners, Katherine in the Northern Territory); An initial operational capability for the
and Australian companies will be involved cooperative development of the system Australian EA-18G was achieved on 30 April
a much as possible throughout the life of in conjunction with the US Navy; sensor 2019, but final operational clearance has
this project. upgrades to aircraft; anti-radiation missile not yet been declared.

SPACE MAPPING TOOL IS LAUNCHED

A new space supply chain mapping tool The space and supply chain mapping opportunities for organisations, industries
has been created via an amalgamated tool features an international compari- and researchers across nations to collabo-
effort from British and Australian compa- son dashboard with a current focus on rate on potential projects and programmes
nies. It was launched at Avalon Airshow Australia. During the initial pilot, the and to attract international customers and
2023, and the entities involved are Satellite Applications Catapult catalogued end-users.’
Satellite Applications Catapult, SmartSat 240 Australian organisations that form
Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) and Australia’s space ecosystem.
the UK government. Over the past two years, the Space Bridge
The partners explained: ‘The dashboard partnership has resulted in five joint
The mapping tool has been enabled by the aims to identify potential gaps in either research projects; workshops for SMEs
Space Bridge, an alliance between the UK market that could be addressed by foreign on trade policy, export regulations, finance,
and Australia that boosts cooperation in direct investment and export opportuni- and tax; and several roadshows to promote
their respective space industries. ties. It is also designed to stimulate new sector capabilities.

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