Hensoldt Australia's new Air Traffic Control (ATC) sensor at Army Aviation Centre Oakey has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
Through Project Air 5431 Phase 2, Defence is introducing nine new ATCs and and three independent Automatic Dependant Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) ground stations at fixed Defence bases around the country.
These are or will be located at a range of facilities including RAAF Bases Darwin, Townsville, Amberley, Williamtown, and Pearce/Gin Gin, East Sale and Tindal, as well as HMAS Albatross and Army Aviation Centre Oakey.
The sensors provide surveillance coverage for fixed base flying operations and support the National Air Traffic Management Surveillance Infrastructure Plan (NASIP).
ATCs for additional sites will be delivered this year, with final delivery scheduled for September 2025. The delivery includes a state-of-the-art Operational Maintenance Trainer (OMT) manufactured in Germany by Hensoldt and operated and maintained in Australia by Hensoldt Australia.
Hensoldt will also provide ongoing sustainment under a support contract.
"Hensoldt Australia is delighted by the achievement of this important milestone in the delivery of this critical air surveillance capability to Defence," said Mark Novak Managing Director of Hensoldt Australia.
"This milestone represents the culmination of significant effort on the part of the Commonwealth and Hensoldt teams to this point and we look forward to delivering the remainder of the capability over the coming months."