The US government has selected Lockheed Martin Australia to provide high frequency over-the-horizon radar technology to the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in a move that reinforces Australia’s status as a provider of world-leading radar technology, the company stated.
This technology is the result of a partnership between Lockheed Martin Australia and Adelaide-based high-powered amplifier systems company Schach RF.
“Lockheed Martin Australia recognised the expertise of Schach RF in the design of innovative high-power amplifier solutions,” Lockheed Martin said in a statement. “Together, local Lockheed Martin Australia engineers worked closely with Schach RF to successfully engineer a world-leading product, which not only meets stringent performance requirements levied by NRL but also provides them with improved logistical convenience and deployment flexibility through modular design and standardisation practices.”
The awarding of a contract will see Lockheed Martin and Schach RF providing next-generation high-power amplifier solutions to the NRL over coming years. This technology will allow the NRL to further its high frequency radar research, which has many potential applications, according to Lockheed Martin, including the development of surface wave radar programs to detect and track air and surface targets.
“At Lockheed Martin Australia, we know that investing in local small to medium enterprises, particularly those spearheading new research and developments, will transform our local and international industry,” said Lockheed Martin Australia general manager Jack Mahoney. “This partnership gives us the opportunity to export homegrown technology to the United States, confirming us as a world force in defence innovation.”
Schach RF chief executive Chris Schach highlighted the importance of the awarding of the contract: “Schach RF is delighted to be able to incorporate its leading-edge amplifier technology to address the NRL’s needs.
“Our ongoing partnership with Lockheed Martin Australia to help further develop this technology and deliver it to both local and international customers demonstrates the value of local innovation, which is competing and winning on a global scale.”
B. Harrison
says:Remember when the media constantly bagged the “Over the horizon” system? It was a punching bag for arm chair defence “experts” to rubbish. Not anymore. The U.S Navy has one of the most stringent defence contract systems in existence and would not touch it with a barge pole if it was anything that it claimed not to be.
Tim
says:OTH has been a long time coming. It was never a bad system, it was basically too good. It produced way too much data for 1980s computers to handle.
Craigy
says:Good to see more recognition from the US Navy of excellent defence related products. Austal with the Littoral patrol vessels and the expeditionary high speed vessels. Now OTHR. Given the very close relationship between the USN and RAN, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the USN take more Australian innovations. One good thing to come out of the Whitlam era
paul
says:Geraldton,Pine Gap,Shoal Bay,North West Cape,Jorn.Wow.Great capabilities and throw in Wedgetails,Gulfstreams,Growlers UAVS.Bring it on.
PAUL
says:System Jindalee has delivered…
Chris
says:Legend has it JOHRN can see right into China under certain atmospheric conditions.
Mick181
says:Craigy other Naval exports from Australia to the USN include the Nulka decoy system and joint devolopment of the latest model MK 48 Torpedo.
Craigy
says:Thanks Mick181. I had a feeling we had but wasnt sure. I wasn’t aware of the MK48 torpedo developments.
paul
says:And F-35s as well.Aussie knowhow has come along way.
Myles
says:What clinched it from what i heard was that JORN coud see the B2 stealth bomber when they came to visit Australia a few years ago and they were called up by the Air Traffic Coordinators at Tindal more than a thousand clicks out which came as a bit of a shock.for them.and with Russia, China and others pursuing stealth Tech we will all need it. it has always been able to see a couple of thousand ks but as Tim said processing power to interpret the data was the problem.