One programme attracting attention at Avalon Airshow 2023 is the multi-billion-dollar Joint Project 9102 (JP9012), which is a programme seeking a sovereign defence satellite communication system for the ADF. Tender responses closed on 10 January 2022. JP9102 spans with a...
To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:
One programme attracting attention at Avalon Airshow 2023 is the multi-billion-dollar Joint Project 9102 (JP9012), which is a programme seeking a sovereign defence satellite communication system for the ADF. Tender responses closed on 10 January 2022.
JP9102 spans with a 25-year operational life, plus ground-based equipment like antennas and modems. This will be Australia’s first sovereign military satellite network designed to increase communications ‘capacity, resilience, agility and flexibility’.
Including lifecycle costs, the project is budgeted at approximately AUD4 billion (USD2.87 billion), and Canberra wants it operational by the middle of this decade.
It is understood that five bidders responded to a request for tender. The five primes are Airbus, Boeing Defence Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia, Northrop Grumman Australia and Optus. Since the government is demanding significant Australian industry content, each prime leads a number of smaller local partners. Ironically, some of these firms appear in multiple tenders.
Optus is Australia’s largest and most experienced satellite operator. Alongside Mitsubishi Electric, Raytheon Australia and Thales Australia, Optus forms Team AUSSAT. Optus has launched ten satellites since 1985.
For its part, Northrop Grumman Australia is working with AECOM, Blacktree Technology, EM Solutions, Inmarsat, L3 Harris and VOCUS.
Lockheed Martin Australia is partnering with Av-Comm, Blacktree Technology, Calytrix Technologies, Clearbox, Conscia, DXC Technology, EM Solutions, Linfox, Ronson Gears, Shoal Group and STEM Punks. Lockheed Martin’s credentials include acting as prime for the US Air Force’s Advanced Extremely High- Frequency (AEHF) SATCOM network that the ADF already accesses.
Boeing Defence Australia’s team includes Clearbox, the Indigenous Defence and Infrastructure Consortium, Leidos Australia, Saber Astronautics and Viasat. The prime is already heavily involved in Australia’s modernisation of the Defence High-Frequency Communications System, and also delivered Project Currawong communications networks. Furthermore, Boeing operates the American Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) network.
Airbus leads Team Maier, incorporating Blacktree Technology, Clearbox Systems, Microsoft, UGL and Willyama. Airbus has experience with Phases 5 and 6A of the Skynet programme in the UK; this satellite cluster is to be launched in 2025.
A decision on the winner of JP9102 was expected before the end of 2022, but nothing has been made public so far. Whichever team the Department of Defence selects, the ADF will have to develop and expand a cadre of personnel able to manage what is a unique satellite capability for the country.
At present, the ADF relies on an Optus C1 communications satellite that is approaching the end of its life. Additionally, the military has access to the American WGS constellation, plus it purchased access to 20 channels on Intelsat IS-22 till 2024.
A serious problem with the WGS system is that access or bandwidth is not always guaranteed, given that Australia is merely a foreign partner and it must endure a delay in turnaround from US Army Pacific. This was experienced during bushfire relief operations in 2020, for example. In wartime, it would be even more difficult to access American satellites, so the concept behind JP9012 makes a lot of sense.
Such satellite communication networks will be even more critical once MQ-4C Tritons and MC-55A Peregrines start operating, as they will produce vast amounts of data that needs to be transmitted.
French water treatment company BIO-UV Group has dispatched a second BIO-SEA ballast water treatment system to the United States for…
Neutral Air Partner (NAP) has introduced NAPAY, a payment solution designed for its network members. The system was developed in…
DHL Group is expanding its electric vehicle (EV) logistics and supply chain solutions in the Asia Pacific region with the…
Air Astana will introduce a direct flight between Almaty and Da Nang, Vietnam, starting on 4th June 2025. The service…
Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has handed over 700 Maung MV3 special vehicles, produced by PT Pindad, to the Indonesian…
Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has handed over 700 Maung MV3 special vehicles, produced by PT Pindad, to the Indonesian…
AARONIA AG presented its latest advancements in drone detection and electronic warfare at Enforce Tac 2025, held in Nuremberg from…
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines and Firefly, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with…
The Business Aviation Asia Forum & Expo (BAAFEx) is set to hold its inaugural edition from 4–6 March at Singapore’s…
PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and Dassault Aviation have inaugurated the Dassault Aviation-PTDI Design Office on the fourth floor of PTDI’s…
L3Harris Technologies and Shield AI will collaborate on a demonstration to enable an electronic warfare (EW) operation with AI-enabled unmanned…
The Spanish Air and Space Force has said that it sees, the 'Hürjet' training aircraft as well positioned to replace…
Total passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 10.0% in January this year compared to the same…
Pratt & Whitney's GTF Advantage engine has achieved U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification for the Airbus A320neo family.…
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) will receive the two first Boeing KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft in 2026 . The other…
Israel Shipyards has begun the construction of the first of five Reshef class warships for the Israeli Navy. The 2.8…
Russia has accelerated efforts to incorportate laser technology to some of its operational air defence systems. As part of continuous…
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems on Thursday announced an approximate 50/50 partnership for the establishment…
Defence trade fair Euro Defence Expo (EUDEX) and the annual conference of the NATO Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC)…
Ramco Systems, a global aviation software provider has announced the successful implementation of its Aviation Software at Philippine Airlines for…
Singapore’s Ministry of Defence has announced that Brigadier-General (BG) Cai Dexian, currently Commander, 3rd Singapore Division will take over from…
Lockheed Martin has showcased a new counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) solution in a recent field demonstration, highlighting its ability to…
The Indonesian Navy (TNI Angkatan Laut / TNI AL) has launched the service's second Bung Karno-class corvette, KRI Bung Hatta…
ASELSAN recorded revenues of 120 billion TL (over 3.2 billion USD) in 2024, marking a 13% increase from the previous…
ITA Airways and Lufthansa Group have initiated a codeshare agreement, linking their route networks for the first time. This arrangement…
Chemring has provided a trading update ahead of its annual general meeting, reporting a record order book of £1.35 billion…
TransNusa is set to become the first Indonesian airline to operate scheduled flights between Bali and Guangzhou. The airline will…
ANA Holdings and CFM International have announced an order for more than 75 LEAP engines, including both installed and spares.…
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) recently demonstrated the first-ever Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability on an MQ-9B SeaGuardian. In a…
The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has awarded the third phase of the Naval Force IP Network (RIFAN 3) contract…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.