14 September 2015

Industry: Boeing to Develop New Military Communications Network for Australia

Land 2072 Phase 2B heralds next generation of networking for Australian Defence Force

BRISBANE, Australia, Sept. 10, 2015 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] will provide the next-generation communications system for land-based Australian Defence Forces (ADF) deployed around the world. Developed by an industry team led by Boeing Defence Australia (BDA), the Land 2072 Phase 2B system will provide secure wideband voice, data and video services over wireless and wired infrastructure between deployed forces and headquarters.

Acting BDA vice president and managing director Bill Madley said the system will be based on an agile, modular network design that improves communications capacity, flexibility and responsiveness. “After successfully delivering a number of the ADF’s most complex communication and information systems to date we are ready to deliver this critical new capability to the Commonwealth,” he said.

Under terms of the $665.7 million AU contract, BDA will provide the communications system and initial support services.

Defence’s Director General of Communication Systems, Myra Sefton, said that Defence's new Integrated Battlefield Telecommunications Network represents a generational transformation in the deployed communications capability of the Australian Defence Force.

“It will provide the infrastructure to handle the increasing data requirements of our modern defence force as they face a complex and dynamic battlespace,” Ms. Sefton said.

“The capability being developed by Boeing Defence Australia and its partners will be a force multiplier that will significantly enhance the effectiveness of our forces on deployed operations."

The Boeing solution is designed to be interoperable, scalable and able to evolve and grow with the needs of Australia’s modern army.