How ADF can work with partners using ‘fifth-generation’ unmanned aircraft

Realising the ‘fifth-generation’ potential requires the Australian Defence Force to be connected to fully integrated, cyber-resilient networks.

Warren King, chairman, Northrop Grumman Australia Advisory Board.

Australia’s defence industry is critical to the delivery of the capabilities necessary for successful Australian Defence Force operations.

In today’s challenging security environment, information moves at the speed of light and complex missions demand that the ADF — particularly its platforms and systems — must communicate with allies across multiple domains in real time to stay ahead of adversaries.

Australia’s policymakers are right to support an ADF that can operate with coalition partners in a fifth-generation battlespace.

Realising the full potential of fifth-generation air, land and maritime platforms requires the ADF be connected to fully integrated, cyber-resilient networks.

Australia’s defence industry will play a critical role in delivering these key capabilities.

To this end, the government’s $195 billion commitment under the government’s Integrated Investment Program provides the budget certainty to allow companies to develop a strong industrial base and invest in advanced technologies.

Over the next decade, as the focus of defence acquisitions under the IIP transitions from platforms to systems, Northrop Grumman Australia will lead efforts to support the ADF to realise these critical fifth-generation capabilities.

One such capability is Northrop Grumman’s MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial system, the acquisition of which was announced by the Australian government in June 2018.

Triton is a high-altitude, long-endurance system that will provide a transformational increase in Australia’s maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Triton will be able to conduct a range of national security, environmental and resource-monitoring missions across Australia’s extensive geographical area. Triton’s most critical element is the highly sophisticated sensor suite, which supports the processing and distribution of large volumes of data.

A Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton remotely-piloted ‘aerial system’.

Support of fifth-generation systems such as Triton require strong partnerships between government, industry and academia. Northrop Grumman recognises this and that is why we have made a $50 million investment in an advanced electronics sustainment centre at RAAF Richmond.

This facility demonstrates our company’s commitment and deep understanding of the sustainment, modernisation and platform stewardship needs of the commonwealth and that they be established in Australia.

Northrop Grumman also contributes to the Australian defence enterprise through its corporate social activities in support of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers. We are extremely proud of our academic research partnerships with a number of Australian universities that reflect our focus on future technological developments.

Albeit with a focus to the future, Northrop Grumman Australia already offer a range of multi-domain, fifth-generation command and control (C2) and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, which fuse situational awareness and enable the exchange of data across air, land, surface and undersea elements.

Systems integration is essential in a fifth-generation world as it provides greater capability for the ADF and a greater return on investment for the Australian government.

We have made considerable investments in local systems integration expertise and will continue to do so in order to integrate our capabilities into the ADF’s ‘‘joint by design’’ requirements and we particularly look forward to sharing our expertise in joint battle management and integrated air and missile defence solutions under project Air 6500.

Northrop Grumman Australia also provides a range of cyber and space capabilities. We possess expertise in cyber training and skilling for the ADF’s cyber-operations workforce.

Likewise, we are committed to partnering with the Australian government and commercial satellite operators to develop Australia’s space capabilities and we deliver agile, affordable commercial communications and national security satellites, as well as satellite life-extension capabilities.

Northrop Grumman is fully committed to partnering with the Australian government, industry and academia to create solutions that will ensure the ADF maintains a decisive advantage across the fifth-generation battlespace and beyond.

Warren King is chairman, Northrop Grumman Australia Advisory Board.