Hills – BAE Systems to develop satellite terminal for crucial USA - Australia defence forces communications

3 February 2014

Hills Limited’s satellite division, STEP Electronics announced that it is partnering with BAE Systems to develop a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) terminal crucial to the satellite communication systems of Australian-USA and allied defence forces. 

This terminal is central to command post communications for the Wideband Global SATCOM system (WGS) – the high throughput satellite communications system now used in partnership by the United States Department of Defence, the Australian Department of Defence and several other countries.

Once completed, the terminal will be submitted for Type Approval to the Australian Defence Materiel Organisation, prior to being offered to WGS partners globally.

This new STEP work follows the four-year contract won a year ago by the Hills subsidiary for the design, supply and installation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) bandwidth efficient global satellite network for more than 60 Australian Embassies and other DFAT offices around the world and for the continuing support for DFATs high security satellite communication requirements.

Ms Leanne Francis, Executive Director, Hills Communications, said STEP Electronics had joined forces with BAE Systems to commence construction of the terminal at STEP’s Sydney headquarters this month.

“This current satellite communications project with BAE Systems is further recognition of the capabilities of STEP Electronics and its ability to meet stringent WGS defence standards,” Ms Francis said.

“As part of our broader Communications Division, STEP continues to play a key role in ensuring that Australian military and its international partners have appropriate access to the fast, reliable and secure transportable communications needed for successful missions around the globe,” she said.