• The SBIRS GEO-5 satellite. (Lockheed Martin)
    The SBIRS GEO-5 satellite. (Lockheed Martin)
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Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA) and Canberra-based satellite communications small-to-medium enterprise (SME) Clearbox Systems have successfully completed critical ground segment software integration as part of their teaming to deliver an end-to-end military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) system to Defence under JP9102. 

The integration is expected to further mitigate technical risk across the ground and control segments of the system and, according to LMA, will help ensure project execution is on schedule and budget.

Activities have seen engineers from both companies joining forces to integrate Clearbox’s Foresight Centralised Monitoring and Control (CMC) and Electromagnetic Spectrum Management (ESM) applications with LMA’s Integrated Ground Environment demonstrator. This has included integration with LMA’s control segment software, as well as enhancing Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) and Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) applications for cybersecurity and operational capabilities. Use of these open-source capabilities is designed to maximise the Commonwealth’s flexibility when considering vendors and solutions, while providing an additional element of sovereignty.

According to the company, these milestones 'underline the agility of LMA’s ground and control segment solution for JP9102', which is specifically designed to enable the integration of disparate, best-of-breed data sources and software applications.

“By investing in systems integration at this early stage, Lockheed Martin Australia is minimising technical risk and ensuring it can more seamlessly deliver an operationally superior MILSATCOM solution in a timeframe that meets Defence’s schedule requirements,” said Chris Jewell, JP9102 Program Director, Lockheed Martin Space.

“Lockheed Martin Australia’s enduring relationship with Clearbox is representative of our broader commitment to investing in and developing the capabilities of Australian SMEs, and strengthening the nation’s Defence and Space industries.”

Cooperation between LMA and Clearbox for JP9102 builds on years of collaboration — in 2020, Clearbox was the inaugural graduate of LMA’s Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP). 

“Through its JP9102 campaign, Lockheed Martin Australia is generating significant opportunities for Australian industry team members like Clearbox to grow their space capabilities," Matt Collins-Leslie, Chief Executive Officer of Clearbox Systems said.

"It’s a win-win situation, providing Lockheed Martin Australia access to world-leading software solutions, and Clearbox access to the resources needed to grow our team and expand our offering.

“Clearbox is proud to be working alongside Lockheed Martin Australia and some of our nation’s leading defence SMEs to ensure the effective and timely delivery of a world-class, sovereign military satellite communications solution for Defence.”

In addition to Clearbox, LMA has engaged a network of Australian industry organisations to deliver solutions and supply chain opportunities for JP9102, including Av-Comm, Blacktree, Calytrix Technologies, Conscia, DXC, EM Solutions, Inovor Technologies, Linfox, Ronson Gears, Shoal Group and STEM Punks.

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