Developments in Maritime Communications Boost Network Centric Warfare Concept
11 July 2009
It may not have been as dramatic as the famous 1910 telegraph from the steamer SS Montrose that led to the capture of fugitive wife killer Dr Crippen, but the video transmission between HMAS Darwin (CMDR Christopher Smith CSM) and HMAS Newcastle (CMDR Justin Jones) while in the Coral Sea during TALISMAN SABER 09 still heralded a major step forward in Australia’s maritime communications capability.
Using Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) and Video Teleconferencing (VTC), the Weapons Electrical Engineering Officers on both ships conducted a satellite free, wireless and secure 10 minute conversation. The ‘proof of concept’ demonstration took place while the two FFGs were within a four nautical mile range for a Replenishment at Sea (RAS) with HMAS Success.
Test co-ordinator and Defence Materiel Organisation Communications Engineer Aidan Crees described the test transmission, developed under the mantle of the SEA 1442 - Maritime Communications Modernisation program, as very encouraging.
"The proof of concept transmission was the first test of one of Navy’s key ‘network centric warfare’ objectives aimed at modernising and enhancing ship to ship communications.
"TALISMAN SABER 09 has provided the ideal environment in which to conduct this preliminary test. Using the minimal power and ‘over the counter’ software and hardware we were able to successfully show the possibility of two Australian war ships in range using video communication that did not require a satellite feed," he said.
"This capability is designed to augment existing satellite based communications but also has the advantage of operating when satellite coverage is unavailable. Therefore it offers additional communication support to command and control decision making," Mr Crees said.
According to Mr Crees, the SEA 1442 - Maritime Communications Modernisation program was aimed at delivering a greater level of useability and flexibility to Navy’s external communication systems.
The goal is to integrate the range of media and communications systems on board ship, such as video, voice, emails, chat and web browsing, signals messaging and internal database management, into a single automated Maritime Tactical Wide Area Network (MTWAN) system. SEA 1442 Phase Three of this project is already underway with the installation of MTWAN as part of the upgrade of HMAS Melbourne.
"It is envisaged that the rollout of MTWAN under SEA 1442 Phase Three to the larger operational surface ships will be completed over the next few years and capabilities such as those demonstrated in TALISMAN SABER will be implemented in Phase Four of the project." said Mr Crees.
This latest test is the next generation of mobile ship to ship communications able to meet the requirements of the new Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers and the Canberra class amphibious assault ships Landing Helicopter Dock.
The achievements of SEA 1442 Phase Three project team was recognised last February at the annual Defence Magazine Awards Dinner in Canberra when it was jointly awarded (with prime contractor Thales Australia) the Australian Defence Magazine 2008 DMO/Industry Team of the Year Award for Collaboration, in the Major Acquisition Category for their efforts in modernising maritime communication wide area network.
