An RFT, which closes on May 25 seeks the provision of a low cost alternate communications means for service personnel within Australia, its littoral regions and across the globe.
To achieve this, the ADF has been utilising the Iridium satellite constellation, a system of active communication satellites with spares in orbit and on the ground.
It allows worldwide voice and data communications using handheld satellite phones.
The Iridium network is unique in that it covers the whole earth, including poles, oceans and airways.
The ADF currently utilises the Iridium fleet for paging, voice and data communications.
According to Defence, this worldwide RFT aims to replace the current arrangement for the provision of Iridium Satellite Services.
The US Navy has used Iridium satellite links to remotely pilot unmanned underwater gliders in the Persian Gulf from the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.