PETER LA FRANCHI / CANBERRA
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has revealed that its interest in new airborne signals intelligence assets includes options for helicopter, fast jet and large multi-engined aircraft as part of its proposed Project Bunyip force-level electronic warfare architecture.
The interest in a wider than previously announced range of aircraft types is revealed in restricted circulation briefing documents released by the defence department.
Interest in larger aircraft indicates that Australia is in part looking to use the project as a growth path for the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) Lockheed Martin EP-3C and Lockheed Martin EC-130 signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft.
In February, the RAAF revealed its interest in airship-mounted passive array and unmanned air vehicle-mounted SIGINT capabilities as part of the Bunyip architecture.
A Bunyip market survey was released to pre-qualified industry participants on 14 March.
The project is due for defence department review in October with funding of A$100 million-A$150 million ($53 million-$80 million) proposed for inclusion in next year's defence budget.
The survey advises that Bunyip will seek to "maximise the level of integration and commonality that is practical and cost effective across the navy, army and air force.
"Integration, appropriately managed, is expected to provide the ADF with considerable through life support cost savings in manpower, maintenance, stockholdings and cost of ownership."
The Bunyip architecture will support signals, communications and electronic intelligence; radar early warning and electronic attack capabilities, so "the final Bunyip may be a multi-vendor solution".
The ADF is also examining armoured vehicle, man portable and submarine mounted segments under the common architecture approach.
Source: Flight International
