HTTP/1.1 200 OKServer: AkamaiNetStorageContent-Length: 42735Content-Type: text/htmlSet-Cookie: nk=d4fd537ff29480321d64cc0d8815e26d; expires=Mon, 09-Mar-2026 14:34:09 GMT; domain=.adelaidenow.com.au; secure; SameSite=NoneSet-Cookie: nk_debug=nk_set; expires=Wed, 08 Mar 2028 14:34:09 GMT; path=/; domain=adelaidenow.com.au; SameSite=None; Secure;Set-Cookie: nk_ts=1711775422; expires=Wed, 08 Mar 2028 14:34:09 GMT; path=/; domain=adelaidenow.com.au; SameSite=None; Secure;Set-Cookie: nk=d4fd537ff29480321d64cc0d8815e26d; expires=Wed, 08 Mar 2028 14:34:09 GMT; path=/; domain=adelaidenow.com.au; SameSite=None; Secure;Vary: User-AgentX-PathQS: TRUEX-ARRRG4: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/X-ARRRG5: /blaize/decision-engine?path=https%3a%2f%2fwww.adelaidenow.com.au%2fsponsored%2f3MNyUwCbFsLN9SJOVlGq%2fhow-cutting-edge-technology-monitors-australias-northern-reaches%3fnk%3dd4fd537ff29480321d64cc0d8815e26d-1711775422&blaizehost=v4-news-au-adelaidenow.cdn.zephr.com&content_id=&session=d4fd537ff29480321d64cc0d8815e26dBlaizeHappened: trueContent-Security-Policy: block-all-mixed-content; style-src https: 'unsafe-inline'; script-src https: blob: 'unsafe-inline' 'unsafe-eval'; img-src https: data:; frame-src https:;Content-Security-Policy-Report-Only: frame-ancestors 'self'; report-uri https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/csp-reportsStrict-Transport-Security: max-age=31536000 ; includeSubDomainsETag: "1dee423e3283b18614c444f0a4711afa:1687398366.641409"Expires: Sun, 09 Mar 2025 14:34:09 GMTCache-Control: max-age=0, no-cachePragma: no-cacheDate: Sun, 09 Mar 2025 14:34:09 GMTConnection: keep-aliveHow cutting edge technology monitors Australia’s northern reaches How cutting edge technology monitors Australia’s northern reaches
Few may have heard of it, but this multi billion-dollar program is an integral part of Australia’s defence system.
Find a world of career opportunities at BAE Systems Australia.
It was an idea born from the darkest days of World War II: how can we better monitor the region north of Australia to detect incoming threats?
While the technology did not exist then, the idea was a good one. And for the past 35 years, Australia’s northern borders have been protected by a program called JORN, the Jindalee Operational Radar Network.
Stretching from Queensland to Western Australia, JORN is a state-of-the-art Over The Horizon Radar (OTHR) network that monitors activity across thousands of kilometres invisible to conventional radar. The JORN program is overseen by the Department of Defence and supports the Australian Defence Force in border protection, disaster relief and rescue operations.
The current upgrade of the JORN network, requiring capital expenditure of more than $1 billion, is being led by BAE Systems Australia.
BAE Systems Australia also oversees the sustainment of the JORN capability across a number of sites including the installations in remote Australia. This work is conducted by teams of experts who take pride in knowing they are playing their part in the security of Australia.
Cameron Footner is an Integrated Logistic Support Analyst at BAE Systems Australia who is working to sustain the JORN operation and ensure it is meeting defence needs.
“No two days are the same,” Mr Footner says.
“My work directly relates to keeping the radar capability operating by compiling and analysing data to predict problem components and assemblies to determine the best course of action for remediation. I’ve been building tools to help manage that, as we have many components and systems to look after.”
Mr Footner says he is driven in knowing how important the cutting-edge program is a critical part of Australia’s defence complex.
“Knowing that your work contributes to the safety and security of the country is definitely number one for me,” he says. "You are contributing to the safety of the nation – it gives you a bit more purpose.”
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
Mr Footner’s colleague Ruby Kaur is also motivated by the knowledge her job is critical for Australia’s defence interests.
Ms Kaur spends her working day investigating ways the JORN radar system can be upgraded to improve its operational performance.
“It is critical that we continue to upgrade the radar to enhance the operational performance, reduce maintenance and operating costs, and standardise systems across the capability,” she says.
Ms Kaur says while technical work is a critical part of her role as Systems Engineer, she cannot overlook the engineering management side of the operation which includes organisational, administrative, legal and planning abilities of management and a good mix of technical and interpersonal skills.
Ruby Kaur who works on the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) program
“We communicate the customer’s needs to different teams such as hardware and software, oversee the technical build/design and problem solve along the way, document the design and deliver the tangible output to the Commonwealth."
Ms Kaur is encouraging more women to get involved in engineering and defence programs such as JORN.
“It brings together analytic, critical and logical skills,” she says.“Women underestimate their own capabilities. But I feel so much pride in my work – we know what we’re doing and how it feeds into the bigger picture. That’s why I love my job.”
ENCOURAGING THE NEXT GENERATION
Mr Footner was “brought up with a little bit of defence influence” as his father worked in the defence industry for 40 years. But it was his passion for learning how things work that drew him into the Engineering profession.
“Engineering and defence were two natural parts of my life that I merged together. It was natural for me to get into dngineering, and then defence,” he says.
Mr Footner is encouraged by younger generations exploring technologies such as robotics, and hopes more people will seek out engineering in defence industries as a career.
“If you’re exposed to anything like engineering or robotics and you find it fun, pursue that interest. If you enjoy what you do, you won’t feel like you’re working,” he says.
There was huge growth in defence industries, with career opportunities evolving quickly, he adds.
“Defence is booming and growing. There are so many exciting opportunities and cool projects. There’s never been a better time than now to get involved,” he says.
“The workplace culture is fantastic, with growth and support networks, lots of opportunities to do whatever you want really – it’s really exciting.”
Ms Kaur says her job is a lot more creative than many people outside the industry expected.
“Behind every innovative idea there is an engineer. If you’re a creative person, then engineering is for you,” she says.
She adds that the opportunity to develop her career working in the latest technology, while helping her adopted country, was something that will continue to motivate her.
“It’s cutting-edge technology with a purpose to serve our nation. I really feel pride (coming to work). And I always remember this quote: 'Your country becomes great because of your pride in it.'"
BAE Systems is looking for people who want to design, build and support new technologies and equipment that help protect our nation. Whether you’re an experienced engineer looking for a change, or a student thinking about the future – we have opportunities for you. Learn more.
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