The five-year Narrowband Systems Support Contract (NSSC) incorporates all of the constituent functions required to sustain the UHF SATCOM system, designed to provide narrowband voice and data SATCOM services in support of ADF missions.

This involves support for network control sites and the delivery of ancillary services.

Blacktree Technology is scheduled to assume full ownership of the NSSC from the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) on 1 July 2022. 

Joe Nevin, Blacktree Technology managing director, welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the growth of Australia’s sovereign defence industry.

“The awarding of the NSSC recognises the world-leading sovereign capability within Australian industry, and will further support and develop Australian Industry Capability (AIC) through our local regional supply chain,” Nevin said.

The work is expected to involve 20 Blacktree employees, which includes a contingent of ADF veterans, and is tipped to support the expansion of the company’s offices in Canberra and Perth.  

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“The contract will also engage the support of a range of specialist subcontractors, providing other Australian businesses with the opportunity to work on an advanced military satellite communications system,” Nevin added.

The NSSC supports components delivered under the JP2008 Phase 5A program, which aims to deliver narrowband voice and data SATCOM services for the ADF.

“The system is a critical capability used in military operations, and also to support the ADF in the Australian government’s response to natural disasters,” the Blacktree managing director said.

This work builds on Blacktree’s bid to support the delivery of the High Mobility Mission System (HMMS) under the JP9102 Australian Defence Satcom System (ASDSS) project.

The company has agreed to support both Lockheed Martin Australia and Airbus’ separate bids for the project.

[Related: Blacktree Technology joins Airbus-led JP9102 team]

Charbel Kadib

Author

News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media

Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.

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