As part of the Phase 6 upgrade of the JORN network, the teams controlled a live radar in a demonstration using a new HMI that will enhance situational awareness, optimise coordination and reduce cognitive workload. The upgraded HMI will increase the connection between JORN’s operators and the technology driving the network’s strategic surveillance capability.
“The demonstration’s outcome is a big win for the JORN Phase 6 upgrade. The goals the HMI team are kicking means the new system is well on schedule to start delivering upgraded capability to Air Force in early 2024,” said Nathan Herrmann, JORN Program Director at BAE Systems Australia.
“The new HMI system will be simpler to maintain and more adaptable for future upgrades when they become available.”
JORN is an Over-The-Horizon Radar (OTHR) network that monitors the top of Australia for unidentified sea and air threats, as well as aiding in rescue operations and disaster relief efforts. It has a surveillance range between 1,000 and 3,000 kilometres and has radar sites in Longreach, Queensland; Laverton, Western Australia and Alice Springs, Northern Territory. The JORN Phase 6 Upgrade is enhancing the OTHR’s capabilities and future proofing them for decades to come.
The JORN Operations Centre upgrade, which is delivering the new HMI, is a critical milestone of Phase 6 that has been worked towards since 2018 – and the teams’ success to date is due to the strong working relationship between the BAE Systems’ development team and Air Force end users.
“Providing a highly useable HMI that is customisable, flexible and ultimately gives the Air Force operators what they need is of utmost important to us at BAE Systems,” said Mr Herrmann.
“Mobilisation of an effective JORN User Experience (UX) program in the early phases of solution design provided the basis for the successful outcomes to date. The JORN UX program created a truly collaborative environment between all key Defence and industry stakeholders. It has enabled continuous end user engagement through the HMI design process. This has proven essential in developing an effective product highly customised for the operational user.
“Once the new HMI is delivered to Air Force, it will continue to evolve based end user feedback and future capability needs.”
Further testing will occur throughout this year and the new HMI is expected to be delivered in Quarter 1 2024.