EM Solutions has been awarded two contracts from the Department of Defence Innovation Hub to develop next-generation satellite ground terminal capability.
The first is a $1.9m contract to develop a low-profile, flat panel antenna satellite communications terminal. Based on a novel low cost ‘leaky-wave’ antenna developed in concert with researchers at the University of Queensland, this system is intended to provide improved communications capability from land, air or sea platforms to any satellite.
The company was also awarded a $5.8m contract to continue its development of a ruggedised satellite communications terminal for potential deployment on current and future RAN vessels. This projects aims to deliver a prototype communications terminal for testing and demonstration.
The contracts are part of the latest tranche of 15 contracts valued at more than $28 million awarded to Australian small businesses who are developing cutting-edge technologies aimed at providing the ADF with a capability edge.
“These contract awards further strengthen our collaboration with the both the RAN and the ADF’s Joint Capability Group, and demonstrates their confidence in the existing Cobra systems we have already installed on their patrol boats and frigates," EM Solutions CEO Dr Rowan Gilmore said.
"We are delighted that these latest awards will enable us to continue to develop leading edge communications systems tailored to their specific requirements”.