OREANDA-NEWS. March 14, 2016. Chief Executive Officer Glynn Phillips said: “BAE Systems is totally committed to continuing its long term association with JORN. Our team is proud to have supported the Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group in creating the original long range high frequency radar system used by JORN and we have continued to invest in developing, supporting and enhancing this wholly Australian owned technology over the past 35 years.

“We are currently working closely with the government and DST Group to upgrade aspects of this critical technology in readiness for the major Phase 6 undertaking.”

BAE Systems will submit its tender as a prime contractor for Project Air 2025 Phase 6 when the Request for Tender opens in 2016. The Phase 6 upgrade is due to commence in 2018 and is designed to extend the operational life of JORN to beyond 2042.

BAE Systems is at the forefront of HF receiver technology, is the original equipment manufacturer for the JORN radar and is an international leader in wide area surveillance.

The company has commercialised the unique technology for export and has been providing similar technology to the US Government for nearly ten years. It is currently working with the US Government to supply a multi-channel digital High Frequency receiving system based on the JORN Phase 6 technology. The work should be completed by the end of next year.

JORN is a network of three remote over-the-horizon radars located in Queensland, Western Australia and Northern Territory. The state-of-the-art defence system provides wide area surveillance at ranges of 1000 to 3000 km, and plays a vital role in supporting the Australian Defence Force’s air and maritime operations, border surveillance, disaster relief and search and rescue operations.

BAE Systems has a team of more than 200 engineers and technicians committed to the ‘life cycle’ of the highly sophisticated JORN wide area surveillance capability, from hardware and software engineering development to manufacturing, 24/7 operational support and radar maintenance, logistics and operator training in some of Australia’s most remote areas. The company also manages the JORN radar in the Northern Territory near Alice Springs and works closely and shares site facilities at Edinburgh with the OTHR Systems Project Office and the Defence Science Technology Group.