Boeing Defence Australia has been busy supplying the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with a deployable battlespace communications system under the AUD650 million (USD468 million) Project Currawong, also known as Project JP2072 Phase 2B.
Put as simply as possible, in the words of its developer, ‘The Currawong Battlefield Communications System includes all of the technology and hardware needed to provide secure communications services for defence personnel deployed to isolated and harsh environments with access to none of the network communications we are accustomed to in everyday life such as mobile phones and the internet.’
The Australian Army is the primary recipient of this Integrated Battlespace Telecommunications Network, but the RAAF also employs it. The contract was awarded to Boeing defence Australia on 3 September 2015.
Tom Minge, Boeing Defence Australia’s Programme Manager – Currawong, stated that the project is ‘at the end of our acquisition journey,’ since the hardware has all been delivered. ‘Where we are now in the acquisition programme is just in delivery and training,’ he said. Final operational capability is expected later this year.
The heart of the system is the Network Access Module (NAM), a hardware case containing everything needed to achieve secure communications. Its lightweight design means it is somewhat portable.
Project Currawong has had three phases. Release 1, providing the core network, achieved an initial operating capability in April 2018. Overall, 340 NAMs were supplied to the ADF.
Centrepieces of the NAM are the Tactical Edge Server and Tactical Services Router, which host IP networking, routing, video, voice and data services. The NAM interfaces with a bearer network such as high-capacity line-of-sight Harris radios, long-haul fibre and satellite terminals.
Another core is Mission System Management software, which selects the optimal bearer for each task. Currawong permits access to six types of bearers, from long-haul fibre to satellite communications (SATCOM) terminals.
Minge explained that an important characteristic of the system is that it is self-forming and self-healing, switching seamlessly between bearers when the need arises.
Also revolutionary for the ADF are External Network Access Points that allow connections to civilian internet infrastructure and untrusted public networks, all the while maintaining secure communications.
Release 2 offered mostly vehicle-based equipment, plus additional NAMs, and this phase ended in 2021. It supplied 35 beyond-line-of-sight troposphere communication systems plus 24 trailer-mounted Medium SATCOM Terminals with a 2.5m-diameter dish. Towed by Hawkeis, these can access the US-owned Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) or civiliansatellite networks from anywhere.
Under Release 3, an important capability was satellite connectivity for Bushmaster vehicles to give commanders situational awareness whilst mobile. Called Headquarters On-the-Move, 18 Bushmasters were thus equipped.
Another feature is Deployable Data Centres that provide 50-500 users with access to classified networks. This permits an unprecedented capability to scale-up communications and establish deployed headquarter operations. A total of 26 centres were acquired, and they were just accepted into service operationally in mid-February.
All these aspects were completely built by Australian engineers, and Minge said it is ‘definitely a sovereign capability that we’re very proud of’. Furthermore, instead of adopting commercial off-the-shelf hardware from overseas as originally planned, Boeing Defence Australia developed these and more than 2,000 modules were delivered by local industry.
The company is also responsible for the Capability Enhancement Programme, which is essentially a spiral upgrade of technology and capability. Minge explained, ‘That is a big focus area for us right now.’ It brings in new bearers and mesh radio capabilities, plus more miniature versions of the system.
Since 2018, Boeing Defence Australia has held a support contract to keep Currawong operational, and it has several extension options out to 2030. From a high of 250 personnel, Boeing Defence Australia still employs nearly 200 workers for Project Currawong.
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2023. GBP. All Rights Reserved.