Page 12 - Australian Defence Magazine Nov 2020

12 NEWS REVIEW
NOVEMBER 2020 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
NEW COMPUTER INTERFACE IMPROVES ISR CAPABILITY
Once complete, the project will have in- vested around $450 million in Australian industry, providing opportunities across a number of sectors.
“This offers Australian industry oppor- tunities in development and integration services, data analytics, and ICT support, and includes the addition of 65 new jobs for a development and support centre,” Air Marshal McDonald added.
The word ‘Wagardi’ (meaning ‘dilly bag’) comes from the language used by the Lar- rakia people – traditional custodians of the Darwin region.
Initial Operating Capability was re- cently declared for the Wagardi Mis- sion System on budget and three months ahead of schedule.
A SUCCESSFUL Defence and industry part- nership has improved the ability for ana- lysts to search for and assimilate Intelli- gence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) data.
The Wagardi Mission System is a new computer user interface that searches across multiple ISR databases, delivering information to the warfighter that is more complete in a reduced timeframe.
Chief of Joint Capabilities Air Marshal Warren McDonald said the project was an important investment in sovereign capability.
“The Wagardi Mission System is be- ing delivered in partnership with Leidos Australia and is part of the first tranche of Joint Project 2096 – ISR Integration,” Air Marshal McDonald said. “The system will improve the ability for personnel to provide complete information, in a re- duced timeframe, to support operations.”
ABOVE: The Wagardi Mission System is a new computer user interface that searches across multiple ISR databases.
BOXER TRAINING BEGINS
THE Army has commenced train- ing on the new Boxer 8x8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRVs) which are being delivered under the Land 400 Phase 2 program.
The 211 new Boxer CRVs will re- place Army’s Australian Light Ar- moured Vehicles.
Minister for Defence Linda Reyn- olds said the commencement of training brings Army a step closer to having world-class combat recon- naissance capability.
“These vehicles will provide our soldiers with increased protection, lethality, connectivity and mobil-
ity for the next 30 years,” Minister Reynolds said.
“Defence has continued recruiting and training personnel under COV- ID-safe conditions to meet our force generation requirements to continue defending the nation and its interests.”
According to Defence, the Boxer training is being run in a COVID safe manner: “Defence and Rhe- inmetall Defence Australia have worked closely together to implement the necessary changes to ensure the training could be conducted safely.”
To date, Defence has accepted de- liveryofsixBoxervehicles.
ABOVE: 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) conduct live fire training with the Powered Weapon Station fitted to a new Boxer.
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