Local technology partnership key to JORN upgrade

Local technology partnership key to JORN upgrade BAE Systems Australia announced today that it will integrate customised software to strengthen the Jindalee Operational Radar Network’s (JORN) ability to protect Australia’s northern borders.   BAE Systems has selected South Australian company Dedicated Systems to provide the software that will be integral to the upgrade of the Jindalee Operational Radar Network   JORN provides long range, persistent wide area surveillance of aircraft and ships across Australia’s northern maritime approaches.   BAE Systems is undertaking the most significant system upgrade of the world leading radar since it was accepted into service in 2003.   The new software will significantly increase the area covered by the radar and the amount of information gathered for the Royal Australian Air Force.   An important part of the radar upgrade is the planned migration to a modular and scalable framework of open system architecture which will increase the reliability and performance of the radar.   This will also enable much quicker system maintenance and upgrades and can be easily integrated with other software.   Through Dedicated Systems, software connectivity specialist RTI will provide a product called ‘Connext DDS’ as the framework for the software upgrade.   To be installed at the three radar sites (in Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia) over five years, the industry standard software will enhance real time data distribution.   Dedicated Systems worked with RTI to validate the software modernisation for BAE Systems in a two year demonstrator project to ensure it would meet the needs of the JORN upgrade.   BAE Systems, Dedicated Systems and RTI are also collaborating to establish HF technology exports opportunities as part of the partnership.   BAE Systems Chief Executive Gabby Costigan said: “The application of rapidly developing technology will help ensure Australia maintains a capability edge and superior situational awareness to ensure our northern approaches are secure.”