The collaboration between BAE Systems and Daronmont is centred around the $1.2 billion Phase 6 upgrade of the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) that has been underway since 2018. The combined BAE Systems–Daronmont team was recognised as a finalist in the 2023 Defence Teaming Awards.
Daronmont was selected as a Tier 1 supplier for a number key scope elements in the JORN program and its partnership with BAE Systems has only strengthened over time.
JORN is a critical defence asset that provides wide area surveillance of Australia’s northern approaches. The Phase 6 program is upgrading capability, replacing obsolete technology and future proofing the radar network for decades to come. JORN is 98% Australian designed and sustained.
BAE Systems Australia’s Strategic Surveillance Program Director Nathan Herrmann said Daronmont was selected for the JORN enhancement because of its proven track record for delivery, support of operational defence capability and expertise in HF radar technologies.
“Daronmont’s unique capabilities complimented BAE Systems’ core strengths, and our initial collaboration upgrading critical elements of the JORN capability have been highly successful,” said Mr Herrmann.
Early on in the partnership, the two companies adopted a ‘one team’ culture, which enhanced openness and transparency between the teams.
Mr Herrmann said, “The two teams quickly adopted an open, transparent and collaborative relationship focussed on ‘best for capability’ principles for decision making, resource assignment, prioritisation and joint management planning.
“The collaboration with Daronmont has resulted in successful capability development outcomes through challenging phases of the project. This would not have occurred without the teams operating beyond traditional commercial boundaries and working together flexibly to achieve a common goal. This is a credit to how Daronmont operates as a leading Australian Defence Industry small-to-medium enterprise (SME).”
Daronmont Technologies’ Business Development Manager Lee Stanley said the Australian SME specialises in systems integration and operates in the Defence C4ISREW (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare) sector.
“Daronmont has operated for 25 years and has expertise in electronic warfare, radar technologies and fixed and deployable shelter systems. We have built a successful track record delivering and supporting military and government customers at home and abroad,” said Mr Stanley.
“Currently, we’re engaged in a range of defence work contracts with CASG (Capability Acquisition & Sustainment Group) and the DSTG (Defence Science and Technology Group), as well as subcontracts to Defence Primes.”
Mr Stanley shared that the JORN collaboration with BAE Systems Australia has strengthened Daronmont as a business and that it has opened up new opportunities.
“The teaming arrangement with BAE Systems Australia was the largest acquisition contract we had been awarded at the time and, as part of this, BAE Systems supported us in developing a strong Earned Value Management capability. This capability is increasingly required in subcontracting on major defence acquisition programs under the ASDEFCON (Australian Standard for Defence Contracting) framework,” said Mr Stanley.
“We have gained invaluable experience in program management and the collaborative environment has fast tracked the development of many of our project managers and engineers. They have benefitted from the business specialists and professional development opportunities that BAE Systems Australia offers.”
The partnership between BAE Systems Australia and Daronmont has harmonised the two companies’ supply chains with the SME appointed to two exclusive BAE Systems key supplier programs. Both are now working together exploring new defence industry business opportunities.