The Australian Defence Force's (ADF) project to develop a sovereign next-generation military SATCOM capability has surpassed a key milestone this week with tender submissions closing on January 10.
Lockheed Martin Australia and Boeing both released statements confirming that they have submitted bids for JP9102.
Lockheed Martin said that they are hoping to deliver a MILSATCOM system defined by its 'operational superiority in terms of coverage, capacity, resilience, and extensibility'.
“From the beginning of this campaign, Lockheed Martin maximised Australia’s in-country space capabilities for JP9102,” David Ball, regional director for space at Lockheed Martin Australia, said. “The space industry here brings a vast, diverse network of capabilities, and we’re already seeing two-way transfers of skills, know-how and technology. Spearheaded by Lockheed Martin’s unparalleled heritage in resilient MILSATCOM, our JP9102 team stands united and ready to deliver.”
Australian industry capability is said to be represented in every aspect of Lockheed Martin Australia's JP9102 solution, from control segment software and ground stations to satellite operations facilities and spacecraft.
The company also announced the addition of Australian-owned logistics company Linfox to its JP9102 team. Linfox will provide support through warehouse provisioning and distribution operations, joining an extensive network of Australian SMEs and team members: DXC, Conscia, Av-Comm, Calytrix Technologies, EM Solutions, Shoal Group, Clearbox Systems, STEM Punks and Ronson Gears.
Boeing has also thrown its hat in the ring with its proposal for the JP9102 program, backed by 'global space know-how, mature satellite design and a local industry team'.
Based on the US military’s Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) system – the 'backbone of assured and interoperable US and allied defence satellite communications' – Boeing’s JP9102 offering builds on the capability developed for WGS-11+, the newest addition to the WGS constellation which is expected to provide more efficiency, connectivity, and resilience compared to current WGS satellites.
“Using the WGS-11+ design gives Australia a low-risk, proven next-generation satellite product which will meet Defence’s rapid delivery schedule,” Matt Buckle, Space and Launch business director at Boeing Defence Australia, said in a statement released by the company.
Boeing’s JP9102 team includes Saber Astronautics, Clearbox Systems, Leidos, ViaSat, Indigenous Defence and Infrastructure Consortium and Titomic and includes a 'substantial investment' in Australian industry capabilities to deliver sovereign defence SATCOM for Australia.
Other companies known to be bidding for JP9102 are Airbus (Team Maier), Northrop Grumman (teaming with Inmarsat and L3Harris) and Optus (teaming with Raytheon Australia and Thales Australia).