Airbus emphasises AIC in JP9102 bid

Airbus Asia-Pacific’s Team Maier has confirmed it submitted a bid for Defence’s Joint Project 9102, which will deliver a world-leading MILSATCOM capability for Australia. The Team Maier approach will deploy advanced capabilities already proven on the Skynet 5 and 6A constellations in the UK to ensure that Australia’s sovereign capability will be the most advanced available and tailored to the needs of the ADF, says the company.

“The unique teaming arrangement will put Australian organisations at the forefront of the programme and, by transferring knowledge from international partners, will spur the growth of Australia’s wider space industry and create an export base,” said Martin Rowse, Airbus Campaign Lead for the JP9102 program. “In doing so, Team Maier will encourage the growth of Australian Industry Capability to ensure Australia’s sovereign space capability is secured for the long term.”

Team Maier includes engineering and facilities provider UGL, satellite antenna manufacturer Blacktree Technology, network infrastructure provider Clearbox Systems, Microsoft and Willyama, Australia’s leading indigenous and veteran-owned professional services company which focusses on classified network planning and end-to-end cyber security.

Airbus is one of several prime contractors to have submitted bids for JP9102, including Lockheed Martin Australia, Boeing Australia, Australian telecommunications firm Optus and Northrop Grumman Australia.