HF lab unveiled by BAE Systems in SA

A world-class high frequency (HF) laboratory has been opened by BAE Systems in South Australia.

The laboratory will be used to develop new technology for the upgraded Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN).

Using high frequency technologies developed in Australia, JORN is used by the Royal Australian Air Force to monitor Australia’s northern approaches through a network of three remote radars in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

The radar network plays a pivotal role supporting the Australian Defence Force’s air and maritime operations, border surveillance, disaster relief and search and rescue operations.

The current $1 billion, 10-year upgrade will significantly increase both the surveillance area and the data gathered by the network.

Up to 80 specialist engineers and graduate engineers will work in the purpose-built facility at Edinburgh Parks, continuing to evolve the ‘DNA’ of the HF technology that will underpin the JORN upgrade.

BAE Systems’ investment in the facility will enable continued research and development of new technologies that will be integral to increasing surveillance of the northern and western approaches to Australia.

It will provide a world-class environment to support specialist and graduate engineers to develop, build and integrate the latest technologies into the network.

The laboratory will also be a catalyst for the research and development of Australian HF technologies to continue to grow the nation’s defence exports.

“Our investment in this laboratory will ensure that we can significantly improve the radar’s capability and better support this critically important defence asset,” said BAE Systems Australia Chief Executive Gabby Costigan.

“This is a unique facility that will allow the development and testing of specialist equipment to ensure that the decade-long upgrade realises the full potential of JORN beyond 2042.

“The next generation of engineers working on this program have the opportunity to bring new insight and innovation to JORN that will ensure it continues to play a key role in protecting the nation.”

The new laboratory will also facilitate continuing collaboration with DST Group to further evolve the world-class HF sensor technology developed for JORN.

Image courtesy of BAE Systems.

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