Uni of Adelaide, BAE Systems, Defence to establish Centre for High Frequency Technologies

BAE Systems Australia, Defence and University of Adelaide have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on HF radar, including establishment of a new Centre for High Frequency Technologies.

The move is aimed at boosting national strength in HF radar engineering. This is critical to operation of the Jindalee Operational Radar Network, which includes three radars in NT, Queensland and WA, and BAE’s control centre in Edinburgh, South Australia. 

The MoU formalised the JORN Open Innovation Network, defence minister Linda Reynolds said in a statement, and would promote innovation and cross-disciplinary research.

 “It is a significant step forward in growing and strengthening a highly skilled sovereign HF radar workforce and technology pipeline,” she said.

“The Centre will develop and commercialise new technologies that will benefit defence industry and Defence’s ability to transition innovation into capability,” added defence industry minister Melissa Price.

“This key partnership comprises a five-year extendable program that will assist academia to provide undergraduate and post-graduate education in an area of critical importance to Defence.

JORN is supported by over 200 BAE engineers and forms a key part of Australia’s surveillance, used in defence, border protection and search and rescue. It provides “wide-area surveillance at ranges of 1000 to 3000 kilometres from the radar sites” for monitoring sea and air.

Picture: BAE Systems

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