Defence has actually terminated a multi-billion buck task for a geostationary planet orbit (GEO) satellite interactions system that Lockheed Martin was readied to construct.
. Image credit report:Lockheed Martin .
Lockheed Martin was last year announced as preferred partner for the task – codenamed JP9102 – which was indicated to provide “Australia’s first sovereign-controlled satellite communication system”.
But Defence claimed that improvements in satellite interactions systems, along with the danger landscape, had actually required a turnabout.
“With the acceleration in space technologies and evolving threats in space since the project’s commencement, Defence has assessed that a single orbit GEO-based satellite communications system would not meet strategic priorities,” it said in a statement.
“As such, Defence has actually determined to discontinue its existing purchase task with Lockheed Martin Australia for a solitary orbit GEO-based satellite interactions system.
“Instead of a single orbit solution, Defence must instead prioritise a multi-orbit capability increasing resilience for the Australian Defence Force.”
Defence claimed its existing satellite interactions sustain its “immediate needs”.
“This decision allows Defence to prioritise emerging needs, mitigate capability gaps and continue to support our transition to an integrated, focused force,” it included.
