Harris Corporation Receives $55 Million Order from the Australian Defence Force 31106153

Defence & Security News - Australia
 
Harris Corporation Receives $55 Million Order from the Australian Defence Force
Harris Corporation has received a $55 million (€37 million) order to provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with comprehensive technical and logistics support for Harris tactical radios that enhance the nation's networked battlefield communications. Harris will provide maintenance, training, warehouse and distribution, and engineering support under a turnkey, performance-based contracting model to support the Joint Project 2072 Battlespace Communications program.
     

Australian soldiers with Falcon III radio (© Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence )
     

The two primary fleets of communications equipment are maintained via sustainment contracts with Thales Australia, Saab Australia and BAE Systems Australia. JP 2072 is a major project that is replacing the current generation of Battlespace Communications Systems via a series of project phases.

During 2014-15, the key focus will continue to be on planning and executing the transition of the first phase of the JP 2072 generation of communications equipment from acquisition to sustainment. A major aspect of this transition is the establishment of mature maintenance and support contracts with Harris Corporation and Raytheon Australia. Concurrently there will be continued focus on identifying elements of the current fleet that can be rationalised or retired from service. Planning for the timely withdrawal of current fleets, as the new radios are introduced into service, remains critical to minimising longer term sustainment costs.

The ADF uses Harris Falcon III / AN/PRC-152 multiband, multi-mode radios in manpack, handheld and vehicular configurations for wideband tactical networking capabilities, as well as line-of-sight, ground-to-air and tactical satellite communications.

"The wide-ranging technical and logistics support will optimize the investment the Australian government has made in Harris tactical radios and strengthen our long-term, collaborative relationship," said Alan Callaghan, vice president, International Sales and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Harris RF Communications.