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The prime contractor has wrapped up its work delivering advanced battlefield communications technology to the Australian Army.
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Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) has completed delivery of its integrated battlefield telecommunications system under the LAND 2072 Phase 2B contract, first awarded in 2015.
Dubbed Currawong, the network is designed to secure communications between deployed forces and headquarters in the battlespace.
The technology features multiple transmission options, including Wideband Global Satellite, fibre, and public networks.
These transmission options are supported by system management and networking software, designed to deliver uninterrupted communications services capable of supporting missions of varying sizes.
“The Currawong Battlespace Communications System is one of the most successful complex development programs undertaken in our recent history,” Scott Carpendale, vice president and managing director of Boeing Defence Australia, said.
“Approximately AU$700 million was invested in design, development and production of this purpose-built system which firmly establishes Australia as a leader in development of sophisticated military communications products and systems.”
The project involved leveraging an agile development methodology — building small capability blocks for continuous testing alongside Army.
“The close collaboration between Boeing Defence Australia and the Commonwealth in the design and development of the Integrated Battlefield Telecommunications Network (I-BTN) has been key in the successful implementation of this capability for Defence,” Colonel Michael King, director of Land Command, Control, Communications and Computing (C4) Program within Army Headquarters, said.
“The relationship has been built on a shared commitment to provide soldiers and commanders the equipment to achieve the mission, and a willingness to work to a common goal of continuous improvement to meet emerging requirements.
“The I-BTN of today has continued to be developed alongside the introduction of new technologies to ensure there is an up-to-date, adaptive and resilient network architecture for Defence’s land domain.”
Over 220 local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) were also engaged throughout the project, providing a range of services, including ground-up electronics and mechanical and software development.
“Their capacity to respond to changing customer requirements with agility, to push boundaries and work at pace has been vital to BDA’s ability to innovate and successfully deliver our milestones on time and on budget,” Tom Minge, Boeing Defence Australia Currawong program director, said.
The project has since been expanded under the Capability Enhancement Program.
This is expected to involve enhancing the system to address the evolving threat environment and integrating the capability on other platforms.
“In the past, at the completion of development programs such as Currawong, we would traditionally shift to a pure sustainment contract, with limited scope for upgrades and enhancements,” Minge added.
“But in a tangible demonstration of the value of the capability, the Australian government has funded the continued evolution and development of the system through to 2026, committing to its longevity and future-proofing communications connectivity for Australian deployed forces globally.”
[Related: Boeing unveils new combat aircraft facility]
