Project | Explanation |
Background | The JP2008 Phase 5 project was created to provide capability originally planned for under the JP2008 Phase 4 Next Generation SATCOM Capability project (a result of Phase 4 of the project being re-scoped to provide access to the Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) capability). UHF SATCOM provides critical tactical radio coverage over the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO), particularly to Special Forces in Afghanistan. Current coverage is provided by leases on two commercial satellites and channels loaned by the United States (US) Government on an availability basis, which has proven to be significantly less than the capability needed by the ADF. This project was also formed on the basis that LEASAT 5 would reach end of life in 2011. LEASAT 5 now has an extended life beyond 2013 due to a change in orbital location, however, only a single channel is available on LEASAT 5. A market survey was conducted in September 2008 to inform cost and capability options for JP 2008 Phase 5. It revealed an opportunity for Defence to host a payload on an Intelsat commercial satellite over the region in mid 2012. A Restricted Request For Tender (RFT) was subsequently let to ten companies for the capability in November 2008 and Intelsat was selected as the preferred tenderer. Combined first and second pass Government Approval was given in March 2009 and a contract was signed with Intelsat for eight 25 kHz channels and 15 years support in April 2009. First pass Government approval was given in March 2009 for the project to pursue a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with the US to provide global UHF SATCOM coverage using US satellites in return for access to ten 25 kHz channels on IS-22. A subsequent second pass approval was given in March 2010 which allowed the project to procure the full payload on IS-22. Defence also successfully completed a similar project under JP2008 Phase 3D in 2003 which was the procurement of a hosted payload on the Optus C1 satellite. |
Uniqueness | The contract with Intelsat is based on the standard DMO ASDEFCON template; however, it required significant tailoring based on input from specialist space lawyers. There are also a number of unique aspects to a contract for a Satellite, including the unusual risk profile of the Launch and the corresponding high degree of schedule uncertainty which is typical of a satellite program where product quality requires a high priority. |
Major Challenges | A major challenge for the project resulted from a compressed Government approval process, which impacted on the timely generation of the Capability Development Documentation (CDD) suite. This compressed approvals process also meant that ancillary parts of the capability such as the Network Control System were not fully considered for cost and schedule as would have occurred if a full first to second pass process had occurred. Notwithstanding this, these sub-systems represent relatively small parts of the capability and cost of the project. The major challenges in the last 12 months have related to the ground systems. The project released an RFT in December 2010 for the Network Control System but no successful tenderers were found. The project is now replanning this activity to meet the requirement in time to support in orbit operations of the IS-22 satellite. |
Other Current Projects/Sub-Projects | JP2008 Phase 3E Advanced SATCOM Terrestrial Infrastructure System: This project provides the supporting ground infrastructure for Satellite Communications including UHF, X and Ka band communication services. JP2008 Phase 3F ADF SATCOM Terrestrial Enhancements: This project will provide the mature Australian Western Seaboard anchoring capability for the WGS constellation. JP2008 Phase 4 Next Generation SATCOM Capability: Provision of WGS. |