Airshow Briefs

Gilmour Space Technologies (“Gilmour”) and Atomos Space (“Atomos”) have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore a multi-year contract for Gilmour and Atomos to mutually purchase services for launch and in-space transportation.

Melbourne-based critical communications SME, C4i, has been awarded a nationwide voice communication control system (VCCS) contract. Following a successful initial system delivery on behalf of C4i, this contract will expand on what is already one of the largest systems in Asia Pacific.

CGI the worldwide IT and business consulting services firm, has been awarded a Smart Sat Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) project alongside domain experts from both Swinburne University of Technology and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), to develop a space domain awareness technology demonstrator. The demonstrator will explore the application of artificial intelligence and advanced data visualisation techniques to enhance space domain awareness (SDA) and related mission systems.

The Department of Defence announced its intent to “replace and expand” its fleet of C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical airlifters in November 2022. According to Defence, “the C-130J-30 represents the only option that meets all of Australia’s capability requirements and will be the only option that Defence will progress for Government approval under Project AIR 7404 Phase 1 in 2023.”

Airbus Defence and Space has selected Blacktree Technology Pty Ltd of Perth, Australia, to provide the ground segment for the Airbus funded UHF military communications hosted payload onboard a commercial telecommunications satellite manufactured by Airbus.

Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand announced partnerships with Marand, Survitec and TRCalibration to provide instrumentation, calibration and repair services for its aircraft ground support equipment as part of Lockheed Martin’s Product Support Provider network (PSPn).

For the first time, Boeing will hire Australian companies to supply parts for its AH-64E Apache helicopters. Suppliers will provide components for these aircraft including Australia’s future fleet of 29 Apaches. Australian companies Cablex and Thomas Global Systems respectively will manufacture cabling, and design and manufacture cockpit avionics components for the global fleet of Apaches. For the Australian fleet, four companies – Cablex, Ferra, Axiom Precision Manufacturing and Mincham were selected to supply wire harnesses, electrical panels, vertical spar box, machined parts, fairings and composites.

GE Aerospace and Asia Pacific Aerospace (APA) signed an agreement for APA to provide GE-authorised T700 engine line maintenance training to operators in the region. This agreement expands an existing arrangement between the two companies that named APA as a GE- authorised Engine Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) provider for T700 engines.

Advanced Air Mobility in Morwell

Working collaboratively to co-design the future of advanced air mobility (AAM) will be the focus of a new partnership between Latrobe City Council and Swinburne University of Technology.

The partnership will explore how advanced air mobility can be established at the Latrobe Aerospace Technology Precinct to drive economic growth in the region. Researchers from Swinburne’s Aerostructures Innovation Research Hub (AIR Hub) will work with Latrobe City Council, local research and industry partners, and certification organisations such as CASA, to pioneer new technologies in AAM for the region and develop green aviation solutions to address real-world problems. The Latrobe Aerospace Technology Precinct is located at Latrobe Regional Airport in Morwell.

Swinburne’s AIR Hub is one of Australia’s largest and most active industry-research collaborations, driving the future of air mobility and developing the next generation of aerostructures in Australia.

Lockheed Martin technical hub for Victoria

Lockheed Martin Australia announced its intent to work with the Victorian Government to establish Victoria as the engineering and technical hub for its proposed JP9102 solution. This investment would create more than 200 advanced space industry jobs in Victoria.

Under its proposal, Lockheed Martin Australia would invest in infrastructure and programs in Victoria to support the delivery of a Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) solution for Defence.

Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive, Warren McDonald, commented on Lockheed Martin Australia’s commitment to Victoria and the relationship with the Victorian Government.

“We have a well-established presence in Victoria, including our STELaRLab HQ in Melbourne – Lockheed Martin’s first multidisciplinary research and development laboratory outside of the United States,” he said.

“Through STELaRLab we are currently partnering with universities from across Australia in critical areas such as spacebased image exploitation, automated AI-based knowledge generation using nuero-symbolic reasoning and developing world-leading sovereign technologies for space domain awareness.

“The proposed investments in infrastructure, skilled jobs and STEM initiatives are designed to contribute significantly to ensuring Victoria’s space economy grows sustainably for decades to come.”