Boeing’s Battlespace Communications System achieves Initial Operating Capability
· Milestone reached on schedule and on budget.
· System currently being fielded at Army’s largest military exercise, Exercise Hamel 2018.
BRISBANE, Australia, Jul. 2, 2018 — Boeing’s Currawong Battlespace Communications System has achieved Initial Operating Capability (IOC) on schedule and just four months after its Initial Material Release.
Boeing Defence Australia vice president and managing director Darren Edwards said with the declaration of IOC, the Australian Defence Force now has the world’s most advanced battlespace communication system to transfer secure data, voice and video between Australian headquarters and deployed forces globally.
“The system improves the set-up time, capacity, flexibility, and responsiveness of the Australian Defence Force information exchange while reducing equipment size, weight and power during operations,” said Edwards. “The rapid implementation of the Australian-designed and manufactured communications network is testament to the high customer engagement during product development and the expertise of Boeing’s Australian team in delivering complex development systems.”
More than 700 communications specialists have now been trained to use the system, with ongoing support provided by Boeing Field Service Representatives as part of the support contract.
Lieutenant Colonel Les Juckel Commanding Officer 7th Combat Signal Regiment said IOC was achieved during the recent Exercise Carbon Diamond with ‘overwhelming success’.
“The Integrated – Battlefield Telecommunications Network (I-BTN) was unquestionably superior to previous Defence networks in terms of ease of configuration, situational awareness for the operators, and network performance,” said LTCOL Juckel. “Overall the operation of the network was beyond the expectations of the operators and left them awaiting future material and software releases for further capabilities.”
Multiple defence units are currently using the Currawong I-BTN during Army’s largest annual exercise, Exercise Hamel 2018, in Shoalwater Bay.
Under release 1, LAND 2072 Phase 2B delivered the core communication network software and hardware, and 39 deployable communication nodes to the ADF to date.
Since 2014 Boeing has invested over $130 million in local Australian suppliers involved in the program, including Boeing Defence Australia investment.
With a world-class team of more than 2,000 employees located at 26 sites at 14 locations across Australia with three international sites, Boeing Defence Australia supports some of the largest and most complex defence projects in Australia.
