Military satellite team grows SME involvement

Lockheed Martin Australia boosts has announced two new Australian SMEs, Blacktree Technology and DXC Technology Australia, have joined its team developing a sovereign, resilient military satellite communication (MILSATCOM) capability for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The companies join LMA’s JP9102 team, a large and elite grouping of Australian SMEs and service providers supporting the US company in this major project.

LMA regional director for space David Ball said: “Lockheed Martin Australia’s JP9102 team is ready to accelerate the delivery of an operationally agile and flexible solution that has the capacity to meet the ADF’s evolving needs.

“We’re working hand-in-glove with an extensive set of local industry partners to build a highly skilled, high-value Australian workforce.

“These Australian companies will contribute to an extensible and resilient sovereign MILSATCOM solution that strengthens Australia’s space capability long into the future.”

Blacktree Technology, an Australian owned communications solutions specialist, has deep experience in mission-critical ultra-high frequency—or UHF—services for Defence.

Blacktree will primarily support the Lockheed Martin Australia narrowband MILSATCOM ground segment.

Blacktree managing director Joe Nevin welcomed the opportunity to support JP9102.

Nevin said: “This agreement capitalises on our deep heritage in high mobility MILSATCOM and will in turn add to our capability and reputation as a market leader in UHF ground segment solutions.”

DXC Technology, a leading global IT services company, will oversee the development of ground and control segment cybersecurity architectures, including interfaces with existing hardware and external software elements.

DXC and Blacktree join a growing network of Australian SMEs and team members, including Conscia, Av-Comm, Calytrix Technologies, EM Solutions, Shoal Group, Clearbox Systems, STEM Punks and Ronson Gears, that are supporting Lockheed Martin Australia to deliver best-of-breed sovereign solutions and supply chain opportunities for JP9102 and beyond.

Picture: Lockheed Martin Australia

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