Australian Army tests networking technology in US Project Convergence

The Australian Army has participated in the US-led Project Convergence, testing and developing networks, robotic and autonomous systems, air defence and strike-related systems at two locations in California.

Project Convergence is a campaign of learning through persistent experimentation. It was designed to aggressively advance and integrate technology across all warfighting domains, to overmatch an adversary in competition and conflict. Some 120 Australian military and civilian personnel from the Canberra-based Land Network Integration Centre (LNIC) and 3 Combat Signal Regiment took part in the activity at Camp Pendleton and Fort Irwin.

Director Australian Defence Force Multi-Domain Strike Colonel Casey Guidolin said being part of Project Convergence meant the ADF could test more new and emerging technologies as a part of a coalition force.

“Project Convergence Capstone Four provided Australia with the opportunity to work closely with allies and partners to promote a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” Colonel Guidolin said. “The ADF continues to test and invest in new and emerging technologies through multinational activities such as Project Convergence.

“In a time of heightened competition and conflict, working with the militaries of our allies and partners ensures we can work together as an integrated force in all warfighting domains on national defence.”

The Project was hosted by the United States Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Space Force, and included participants from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France and Japan.

This year’s event provided the Australian Army the opportunity to test capability modernisation as an integrated force for Australia’s national defence across all warfighting domains – land, air, sea, space, cyber.

The Deputy Director Land Network Integration – Army Lieutenant Colonel Lucas Connolly said the LNIC team of 15 was a key enabler for the network connectivity required for the experiment.

“LNIC served as the cornerstone for coalition integration on Project Convergence,” he said. “It was a pivotal role, which was amplified by the sophisticated network that our expert workforce worked with.

“The team that attended PC-C4 enabled the seamless integration of Australia with its coalition partners during the experiment.”

“LNIC provided the networked environment to enable core services integration to support the serials as they were conducted,” said WO2 Ray James, a LNIC telecommunication network manager deployed to coordinate the workforce.