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Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy has added a new project to the Projects of Concern list following scheduling delays that arose due to “technical challenges”.
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The Satellite Ground Station – East and Wideband SATCOM Network Management System was added to the Projects of Concern list following technical challenges that caused scheduling delays.
To date, infrastructure has been developed for the project including three large ground antennae.
By adding the project to the list, the Commonwealth hopes to deepen the relationship between Defence and Northrop Grumman Australia to “remediate the Wideband SATCOM Network Management System component of the project”.
The project aims to enhance Australia’s satellite communication capacity by improving and transforming Defence’s new and existing wideband stations and deployed systems.
“This new listing demonstrates the Albanese government’s commitment to remediating underperforming projects, in order to deliver the capabilities urgently needed by the Australian Defence Force,” Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said.
“We look forward to working closely with Northrop Grumman Australia to get this project back on track and deliver the Wideband SATCOM Network Management System.”
In October, the Albanese government listed the Thales Australia-led Civil-Military Air Traffic Management System project as a “project of concern”, citing “significant schedule, technical and cost challenges”.
The project aims to deliver a joint Civil-Military Air Traffic Management System to support civil and military operations, including at 12 ADF air bases around Australia.
According to the government, the project has experienced a two-year delay in forecasting initial and final operational capability.
“It is my expectation that this listing brings more high-level attention, resources, and energy — from both Defence and our industry partner Thales Australia — to the task of remediating this project,” Minister Conroy said.
The same month, the government has removed the Deployable Defence Air Traffic Management and Control System project from the list, lauding Indra Australia’s work remediating the project.
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