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The South Australian SME has completed advanced design work on sounders and transponders for strategic surveillance as part of the $1.2 billion upgrade to the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN).
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South Australian SME Daronmont Technologies has hit a new milestone for the JORN Phase 6 upgrades, marking the completed design of sounder and transponder capabilities which enable the radar network’s strategic surveillance.
The work has been completed as part of a teaming partnership with prime contractor BAE Systems Australia for the delivery of the project.
JORN is a network of three remote over-the-horizon radars (OTHR), which are located in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland. It is expected that the upgrade will employ next-generation capabilities to enhance the radar network and extend its operational life beyond 2042.
The current JORN network is 35 years old.
As part of the upgrades, Daronmont Technologies deployed teams to share integration, software and engineering expertise, as well as delivering the sounders and transponders to each of the JORN sites.
According to a release by Daronmont, each responder generates ionospheric data which is then analysed by the JORN radar, while each transponder provides a location to calibrate the JORN radar’s analytics.
Such sounders and transponders are located across coastal and inland sites and are replaced as part of the upgrade.
The announcement comes following the delivery of the final data pack for the Sounders and Transponders Detailed Design Review (DDR) in February.
“This result is the culmination of several years of hard work and strong collaboration and we now look forward to executing our designs in the next exciting phase of the sounders and transponders upgrade,” Ben Norris, chief executive officer of Daronmont, said.
“We value the strong partnership with BAE Systems Australia and especially the Integrated Project Team (IPT) approach that the company champions.”
Ash Searl, director of battlespace integrated solutions at BAE Systems Australia, welcomed the announcement.
“JORN is a critical asset that ensures the Australian Defence Force has a comprehensive understanding of activity north of Australia’s maritime borders.
“This latest on-schedule milestone is a result of the excellent working relationship between the Commonwealth, BAE Systems and Daronmont Technologies and clearly demonstrates the benefits of having a collaborative ‘one team’ approach.
“Well done to all the people involved in this outstanding outcome.”
