21st Century Security
Australia News Releases
CANBERRA, 4 July 2022 – Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA) and Canberra-based satellite communications small-to-medium enterprise (SME) Clearbox Systems have successfully completed critical ground segment software integration as part of their teaming for JP9102.
The technological achievement underpins LMA’s bid to deliver a sovereign, end-to-end military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) system to Defence under JP9102.
The successful integration represents a key milestone and further mitigates technical risk across the ground and control segments of the system. This will help ensure project execution on schedule and budget.
Activities have seen engineers from both companies joining 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.
These milestones underline the agility of LMA’s ground and control segment solution for JP9102, which is specifically designed to enable the integration of disparate, best-of-breed data sources and software applications.
“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.
“Lockheed Martin Australia’s enduring relationship with Clearbox is representative of our broader commitment to investing in and developing the capabilities of Australian SMEs, and strengthening the nation’s Defence and Space industries.”
Enduring cooperation between LMA and Clearbox for JP9102 builds on an increasingly mature relationship. 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.
“Through its JP9102 campaign, Lockheed Martin Australia is generating significant opportunities for Australian industry team members like Clearbox to grow their space capabilities. It’s a win-win situation, providing Lockheed Martin Australia access to world-leading software solutions, and Clearbox access to the resources needed to grow our team and expand our offering,” said Matt Collins-Leslie, Chief Executive Officer of Clearbox Systems.
“Clearbox is proud to be working alongside Lockheed Martin Australia and some of our nation’s leading defence SMEs to ensure the effective and timely delivery of a world-class, sovereign military satellite communications solution for Defence.”
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.
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About Lockheed Martin Australia
Headquartered in Canberra, Lockheed Martin Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation. The company employs more than 1,200 people in Australia working on a wide range of major programs spanning the aerospace, defence and civil sectors.
About Clearbox Systems
Clearbox Systems is a Canberra-based technology company focused on developing new and better techniques to help its customers operate and manage their Communications Networks and the Electromagnetic Spectrum. Clearbox uses the latest technology to integrate disparate systems for its customers and as a result, reduce complexity, increase efficiency and maximise ROI of key infrastructure.
Media Contact:
Joanne Hon: joanne.hon@lmco.com; Tel 0458 175 404