$1.2bn AUD upgrade to Operational Radar Network

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) connectivity company, Real-Time Innovations (RTI), has announced that BAE Systems Australia, provider of some of the technology-led solutions for the Australian Defense Force, has selected RTI Connext DDS as the connectivity framework for Australia’s Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) Phase 6 Upgrade program.

RTI’s technology will be part of the modern software system that will significantly increase the radar coverage area and information gathered for the Royal Australian Air Force, strengthening the protection of Australia’s northern borders.

JORN is an over-the-horizon radar (OTHR) network that provides long range, wide area surveillance of Australia’s northern coasts. It plays a vital role in supporting the Australian Defense Force’s air and maritime operations, border protection, disaster relief, and search and rescue operations. The Phase 6 Upgrade, led by BAE Systems, will be the most significant system upgrade to JORN since it was accepted into service in 2003.

A key component of the upgrade will include the migration to a modular, scalable software framework of open system architecture that will increase the reliability and performance of the radars. This flexible framework will enable the development team to efficiently upgrade the system and perform maintenance tasks, while ensuring easy integration with other software solutions.

BAE Systems selected RTI Connext DDS as the connectivity framework for the software architecture due to the real time performance and security provided by RTI’s products. Connext DDS is the a leading implementation of the Data Distribution Service (DDS) open standard and is proven in thousands of mission-critical systems for its modular, flexible architecture. Because the JORN system won’t be refreshed again for another ten years or more, it required a solution that would allow for easy modifications to the system over time, a key benefit of Connext DDS.

David Barnett, Vice President of Products and Markets at RTI, stated: “In large defence systems, it’s critical that command data be delivered with 100% accuracy and reliability. Connext DDS meets these requirements by solving a wide range of connectivity challenges and accelerating the development of complex radar systems. We are honoured to be a part of the JORN project. We look forward to continuing our efforts in advancing the future of radar systems.”