Ground-based air combat officers are now ‘controlling the fight’ after the Vigilare Command and Control System achieved Final Operational Capability (FOC) for Air Force. It is designed to produce a comprehensive picture of air activity over Australia and throughout the near region. Operators are then able to pass surveillance information and instructions to aircraft operating across Australia.
The Vigilare system will significantly enhance the effectiveness of Australia’s existing air surveillance and battle management capabilities, and help Australia maintain an advanced technical capability. Vigilare has already changed the way Surveillance and Response Group operates with air battle management. It allows the exchange of information from the Jindalee Operational Radar Network, E-7A Wedgetail aircraft, civil and military microwave radars, fighter and maritime patrol aircraft, Navy air warfare-capable ships and various intelligence sources.
The Officer Commanding No 41 Wing, GPCAPT Pizzuto, said Vigilare allowed the Wing to remotely access a range of fixed and deployed communications and data link assets dispersed around Australia. “The system delivers unprecedented flexibility and reach,” he said. “It draws in incredible amounts of data and information from more than 240 sources which is then correlated to produce a comprehensive picture of the skies above and around Australia. Vigilare is very much the eyes of the Air Force.”