Lockheed Martin Australia and Clearbox Systems achieve JP9102 milestones

Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA) and Sydney-based Clearbox Systems have successfully completed critical ground segment software integration as part of their teaming for JP9102. LMA is bidding to deliver a sovereign, end-to-end military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) system to Defence under JP9102.

The successful integration further mitigates technical risk across the ground and control segments of the system, says LMA. This will help ensure project execution on schedule and budget.

Engineers from both companies joined forces to integrate Clearbox’s Foresight Centralised Monitoring and Control (CMC) and Electromagnetic Spectrum Management (ESM) applications with LMA’s Integrated Ground Environment demonstrator. This has included integration with LMA’s control segment software, as well as enhancing Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) and Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) applications for cybersecurity and operational capabilities. Use of these open-source capabilities maximises the Commonwealth’s flexibility when considering vendors and solutions, while providing an additional element of sovereignty.

“By investing in systems integration at this early stage, Lockheed Martin Australia is minimising technical risk and ensuring it can more seamlessly deliver an operationally superior MILSATCOM solution in a timeframe that meets Defence’s schedule requirements,” said Chris Jewell, JP9102 Program Director, Lockheed Martin Space.

In 2020, Clearbox was the inaugural graduate of LMA’s Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP). The MPP is part of LMA’s commitment to strengthening Australian industry by readying high-calibre SMEs for work with Defence and prime contractors alike.

In addition to Clearbox, LMA has engaged an extensive network of Australian industry organisations to deliver solutions and supply chain opportunities for JP9102, including Av-Comm, Blacktree, Calytrix Technologies, Conscia, DXC, EM Solutions, Inovor Technologies, Linfox, Ronson Gears, Shoal Group and STEM Punks.