17 Apr 2002
BAE Systems showcased a number of its latest Australian developed, secure communications solutions to
defence and industry visitors at its new Canberra facility today.
During the past 18 months, BAE Systems Australia has completed extensive research and development for
a variety of solutions for rapidly deployable, ruggedised and secure communications requirements.
The equipment, now fielded with the Australian Defence Force (ADF), provides encrypted broadband
communications to support a number of applications including command support systems, file transfer,
telephony and videoconferencing.
BAE Systems displayed its Liaison Officer's Briefcase System (LOBS), equipped with its own videoconferencing
terminal and a variety of interfaces (Satcom, ISDN, PSTN), to demonstrate secure data, voice and video
communications.
Being highly portable and easy to integrate with COTS and legacy defence equipment, the LOBS provides the
ultimate in flexibility for today's warfighter, peacekeeper or diplomat.
"In today's heightened defence environment it is difficult to establish a fixed communications infrastructure
for government and defence personnel deployed across the world," said Jim Birrell, Business Development Manager-
CI, BAE Systems Australia.
"The equipment interfaces into the ADF's existing strategic and tactical information environment and provides a
person equipped with a briefcase to establish secure communications with home base from anywhere in the world," he said.
In addition to the LOBS, BAE Systems is the design authority for more than A$1.5 billion worth of existing fielded, Australian
tactical communications equipment including RAVEN and WAGTAIL combat net radio, PARAKEET communications and ROVIS vehicle
intercommunications systems.
BAE Systems has also provided more than A$100 million worth of repair facilities and solutions in support of combat net radio and
trunk communications programs.
"We are focussed on becoming Australia's leading provider of product and system solutions for Communications, Command, Control and
Intelligence support," said Jim Birrell.
