Lockheed Martin Australia Partners With Clearbox Systems To Integrate Sovereign Satellite Communications Software

Monday 23 August, 2021

Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA) has announced the successful integration of Clearbox Systems’ Foresight ESM software application as part of its campaign to build a sovereign satellite communication system for Defence.

The work, undertaken as part of a teaming agreement for Defence Project JP9102 between LMA and Clearbox Systems, a leading Australian based defence and space SME, has seen engineers from both companies working together to minimise technical risk and maximise technical readiness to assure execution of the project on schedule and budget.

“We’re very proud of this milestone”, said David Ball, Regional Director for LMA Space. “This integration project is a core element of our approach for JP9102; working hand in glove with Australian industry, mitigating risk, ensuring seamless delivery of world-class, sovereign satcom solutions on a timeframe that allows Defence to meet the growing pressures in Australia’s strategic environment.” 

The integration of Clearbox’s proprietary Foresight ESM software has also been used to demonstrate the agility of LMA’s satcom control segment, which serves as the crucial link between the satellites and ground stations in Defence’s future sovereign satcom system. Based on modular, open architecture software, LMA’s control segment is specifically designed for rapid integration of third-party, best-of-breed software products.

Foresight ESM is a sovereign Electromagnetic Spectrum Management (ESM) application born out of Clearbox’s bi-lateral collaborative research and development agreement with Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), and is key to Defence satellite communications. The software provides ADF operators with the ability to efficiently plan, coordinate and use the electromagnetic spectrum in ways that optimise operational performance by limiting interference.

Cooperation between LMA and Clearbox for JP9102 builds on an increasingly mature relationship. In 2020, Clearbox was the inaugural graduate of LMA’s Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP). The MPP is part of LMA’s commitment to strengthening Australian industry by readying high-calibre SMEs for work with Defence and prime contractors alike. Through the course of the program, Clearbox completed a systematic set of training modules over a 13-month period under the guidance of LMA executives and subject matter experts with full funding provided by LMA.

The MPP encompasses best practices in program management, human resource processes, business ethics, product management, competitive intelligence, and cyber security readiness.“We’re excited to be taking our relationship with Lockheed Martin Australia to the next step on JP9102,” said Jeremy Hallett, CEO and Managing Director of Clearbox Systems. “Our dealings with Lockheed Martin are a demonstration of their commitment to deep, respectful, and enduring partnerships with Australian Industry. By completing this integration of our respective, world-leading capabilities we, together with other Australian partners, are well prepared to provide Defence with a MILSATCOM architecture defined by its resilience, agility and superior operational performance leveraging unparalleled MILSATCOM heritage.