Clearbox wins Defence SATCOM contract

The Australian Department of Defence has selected Australian small business Clearbox Systems to enhance its global SATCOM network.

The multi-year contract, which includes options for extension, will see Clearbox Systems design and implement the Aggregated Monitoring and Control System (AM&CS) to provide remote, centralised operation of Defence’s SATCOM ground and space assets in Australia and abroad.

Currently, various SATCOM capabilities are operated in ‘silos’ causing operators to have to navigate through multiple systems to complete everyday tasks. The AM&CS will make use of Clearbox Systems’ technology to integrate these silos, enabling Defence to meet its growing bandwidth needs by making more efficient use of equipment and radiofrequency resources as they become available.

The value of the award to date is $12.1 million with the contract allowing for future task orders as the program progresses.

Work has commenced to deploy the system with Clearbox Systems providing locally developed products as well as specialist software engineering, integration and cybersecurity services.

The work is being conducted out of the company’s secure facilities in Sydney and Canberra and has led to the creation of new specialist engineering roles within the firm.

Image © Commonwealth of Australia 2017