Page 20 - Australian Defence Magazine November 2021

20 NEWS REVIEW INDUSTRY UPDATE
NOVEMBER 2021 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
FIRST OPERATIONAL BLOCK III F/A-18 SUPER HORNET DELIVERED TO US NAVY
BOEING has delivered the first of 78 con- tracted Block III F/A-18 Super Hornets to the US Navy.
Block III gives the US Navy ‘the most networked and survivable F/A-18 built with a technology insertion plan that will outpace future threats.’
“The fleet needs capabilities to keep its edge,” said CAPT Jason Denney, US Navy
F/A-18 and EA-18G program manager. “Getting the first operational Block III in our hands is a great step forward in sup- porting our capability and readiness goals.”
Block III’s new adjunct processor trans- lates to a fighter that Boeing says will do ‘more work and in far less time’, increas- ing a pilot’s situational awareness. The jet is ready to receive apps-based solutions
LEFT: Boeing will continue to deliver Block III capabilities to the Navy through the mid-2030s from three lines.
that will allow upgrades to the aircraft throughout its life span.
“We invested in Block III technology and developed the capabilities in partnership with the US Navy to meet its emerging require- ments,” said Jen Tebo, Boeing vice president of F/A-18 and EA-18G programs. “The hardware upgrades are complete. Today we are maxi- mizing the open hardware and software and developing the apps to keep Block III ahead of future threats. We are giving Navy pilots the tools to make the fastest and most informed decisions possible now and in the future.”
Boeing will continue to deliver Block III capabilities to the Navy through the mid- 2030s from three lines. One new build production, and two Service Life Modifi- cation lines extending the life and eventu- ally upgrading Block II Super Hornets to Block III. The first aircraft delivered will complete the US Navy flight test program before deploying to a squadron.
BABCOCK AWARDED MAJOR CONTRACT FOR HIGH FREQUENCY RADIO COMMS
A £110 million (A$208 million) contract has been awarded to Babcock Interna- tional Group to deliver the UK’s new De- fence Strategic Radio Service (DSRS) to critical military operations.
DSRS uses the Earth’s ionosphere, part of the upper atmosphere, to allow radio signals to be sent and received across thousands of kilometres. This al- lows communications to be rapidly deliv- ered across a variety of domains to ser- vice personnel.
The new communications service re- moves the traditional requirement for direct-line-of-sight between the transmit- ter and user. Members of the UK Armed Forces will reportedly be able to com- municate more effectively and quickly in challenging terrain, such as built-up cit- ies, mountains and jungles.
“Babcock is delighted to be awarded
the new Defence Strategic Radio Ser- vice contract which builds on our exten- sive experience and knowledge in this field,” Babcock Chief Executive David Lockwood said. “In collaboration with both our partners and customer we will work together to deliver a secure, resil- ient and advanced solution that will en- sure DSRS users receive assured servic- es, in support of the critical operations they perform, that are fit for today and ready for tomorrow.”
Babcock says the new system will also be critical for flight safety communica- tions to all military aircraft while also supporting the ‘mayday’ fallback facility for the wider UK aviation community.
RIGHT: The new radio service aims
to boost communications across multiple terrains and domains.
While used by the UK Armed Forces, the radio system will also support civilian tasks when required, including mountain rescue and civilian aircraft emergency communications.
DSRS works across all single Service capabilities and can be integrated with communication systems of global allies, improving the UK’s ability to command and control its forces worldwide.
BABCOCK
BOEING