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The Australian Army-supported C4 EDGE consortium, made up of 31 Australian SMEs, successfully demonstrated a trial of its prototype mobile tactical communications system for battlegroups and below in Majura this week.
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The C4 EDGE consortium (Command, Control, Communications and Computers - Evolutionary Digital Ground Environment) is a $35 million initiative supported by the Australian Army to develop a sovereign Battlegroup and Below Battlefield Command System, bringing together 31 Australian SMEs across the country to build a sovereign communications capability.
This week, the group tested their prototype at Majura Field Firing Training Range in the ACT, with the system demonstrated in a combat team environment. The environment incorporated mounted, dismounted and uninhabited systems into the single battlegroup and below network.
The development of the capability has been undertaken in accordance with the Advanced Signal Processing and Information Warfare Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities (SICPs) set out by the Commonwealth to develop a sovereign tactical communications industry in Australia.
“C4 EDGE, as an Australian first, leverages the expertise and cutting-edge technologies across Industry Team participants who represent every state and territory across Australia except the Northern Territory," Matthew Jones, chief executive of EOS Defence Systems Australia, said.
“It incorporates locally sourced combat radios, satellite terminals, cryptography, networking middleware, command applications, user interfaces, batteries, and power management into a coherent and fully Australian-controlled system.
“C4 EDGE as an Australian industry demonstration of capability has surpassed expectations – proving Australian industry has capacity, capability and will to deliver a C4 system that can meet the future needs of the Australian Army. C4 EDGE has delivered a roadmap for the development of the sovereign C4 eco-system including options to take the demonstration proof of concept through to commercial production.”
Jones explained that the success of the C4 EDGE program was due to the close collaboration with the Australian Army.
“The Australian Army has provided the Defence Industry a unique opportunity to showcase Australian technology and EOS Defence Systems’ ability, as the prime contractor, to deliver a complex systems integration on time and on budget," Jones explained.
Major General Simon Stuart, Army Head of Land Capability, suggested that the initiative, which occurred early in the Capability Life Cycle, has helped build sovereign communications capabilities and building a development edge.
“The initiative is a $35 million mobile tactical communications capability proof-of-concept involving a consortium of eighteen Australian companies, led by Electro Optic Systems,” MAJGEN Stuart said.
“The aim of C4 EDGE is to provide Army an understanding of Australian industry’s readiness to contribute to future major acquisition programs by seeking to deliver world-class, technologically competitive sovereign C4 capabilities.
“These partnerships are vital if we are to deliver the government’s modernisation program and build a joint force that can meet the threats of today and adapt quickly to the threats of tomorrow.”
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price confirmed that the recent prototype demonstration by C4 EDGE illustrated that Australian SMEs have the expertise and knowledge to design, develop and manufacture Army-ready radio equipment within Australia.
“Critical defence capabilities, such as mobile tactical radio communication systems, will be designed and manufactured locally,” Minister Price said.
“This will greatly improve supply chain resilience.”
The prototype was trialled in the ACT’s Majura Range this week, with the demonstration simulating battlefield conditions to trial the new radio capabilities. The trial was followed by a static demonstration at Russell Offices.
“Stimulating growth in Australia’s defence communications industry capacity is a priority for the Morrison government,” Minister Price continued.
According to a release from Minister Price, C4 EDGE has enabled Army to better work alongside Australian industry for the development of sovereign communications capabilities.
Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, C4 EDGE was able to meet all necessary milestones for the project.
[Related: Insitec unveils new battlefield connectivity system]
