03 June 2008
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, at the Wideband Global Satellite Communications (WGS) activation demonstration
Greg Combet, the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, today announced that following a successful operational test program, Australia is receiving operational capability from the Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) Communications system.
“This provides Australia with access to a world-leading communications capability in terms of coverage, operational flexibility and bandwidth”, he said.
“Australia will incrementally receive more capability as satellites are added to the constellation leading to full capability in 2013”.
“The Wideband Global Satellite Communications system supports wideband military satellite communications services to a diverse community of mobile, transportable, and fixed users”.
“The system supports a variety of networks that include broadcast, hub-spoke, netted, and point-to-point connections”, Mr Combet said.
Access to this capability will enable the next generation of military capabilities, such as Air Warfare Destroyers, Amphibious Ships, Multi-mission Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Land platforms to operate in a network centric environment.
“The capability is realised through a partnership with the US Department of Defense. Under this partnership Australia has funded one satellite plus associated ground infrastructure to extend the constellation to six satellites with the US providing funds for the remaining five”.
“This new partnership further strengthens the Australia-US alliance. In particular, it will enhance the interoperability between Australian and US defence forces” said Mr Combet.
Greg Combet, the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, today announced that, following a successful operational test program, Australia is receiving operational capability from the Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) Communications system.
(Date taken: 03 June 2008)
Low Res | High Res
Greg Combet, the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, today announced that, following a successful operational test program, Australia is receiving operational capability from the Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) Communications system.
(Date taken: 03 June 2008)
Low Res | High Res
The Department of Defence's Director of Satellites and Tactical Interoperability, Greg McKinnon, addresses a selected audience at the official launch of Defence's latest communications system.
(Date taken: 03 June 2008)
Low Res | High Res
Greg Combet, the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement (right) with Brigadier General John E. Seward Deputy Commanding General for Operations, Space and Missile Defense Command, US Army (left) and Dr Stephen Gumley, the Chief Executive Officer of the Defence Materiel Organisation (centre) watch the launch of another Wideband Global System satellite - part of Defence's latest world-wide comms system.
(Date taken: 03 June 2008)
Low Res | High Res
Brigadier General John E. Seward Deputy Commanding General for Operations, Space and Missile Defense Command, US Army (on right) watches Rear Admiral Peter Jones, Head Information Communications Technology Operations Division, Department of Defence in a live video hook-up with HMAS Manoora at sea, using the new satellite technology. Defence has never had this capability before.
