Lockheed Martin and C4i collaborate for secure communications

Lockheed Martin Australia has joined forces with Australian secure communications systems developer C4i, signing a contract as part of a proposal to deliver advanced secure communication capabilities to support the RAAF’s AIR6500 Phase 1 Project (AIR6500-1).

The contract will see the two companies work together to design, test, integrate and authenticate secure voice communication technologies as part of the risk reduction phase in their bidding for Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS) contracts.

The successful strategic partner for the JABMS is expected to be announced in late 2023.

LMA’s bid will focus on homegrown secure voice communication systems that connect into next generation communications networks, while increasing system security, rapid response and interoperability in support of the RAAF’s Integrated Air and Defence Missile (IAMD) mission.

To sustain this critical system, an intuitive Human Machine Interface (HMI) is being developed that will connect operators while integrating a range of disparate systems–data, radio, telephony, facility control and recording–anywhere, at any time.

The HMI will connect across classified and non-classified networks to aid RAAF’s air battle managers make faster data driven decisions to remain ahead of future threats.

C4i’s Sales & Marketing Director Kerrie Murphy said: “C4i is committed to delivering a purpose-built cyber-proof communication system that enables the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to communicate securely and seamlessly across multiple domains and in the most demanding operations.

“We provide secure voice C2 systems that can scale to support hundreds of operators connect, allowing operational flexibility, multiple data paths and no single point of failure.

“This ensures that personnel on the ground or in the air have the freedom to complete the task at hand – knowing the system behind them is always up to the job.”

Lockheed Martin Australia International Business Development Director of Rotary and Missions Systems Kendell Kuczma said the contract demonstrated the company’s commitment to build a sovereign voice communication system to enable rapid decision making at tactical and strategic levels of command and control.

Kuczma said: “Our trusted record of delivering highly sophisticated C2 joint all domain platforms combined with C4i’s cutting-edge expertise in interoperable C2 voice systems, means we are the natural strategic partner of choice to deliver an AIR6500 system of systems that will ensure persistent defence against future air and missile threats to protect Australia’s national security.”

Picture: Lockheed Martin Australia