The Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) have delivered a significant capability to provide enhanced force protection and battle-space awareness to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and its coalition partners.
The sensitive Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) consists of an Australian Mission Processor, which utilises United States (US) Air Force-derived space-based infrared satellite data that detects infrared events in Australia’s area of interest.
CASG’s Wide Area & Space Surveillance Systems Program Office (WASS SPO), working with the Defence Space Coordinating Office (DSCO), developed, procured and integrated a mission system capable of processing OPIR data from US satellites as part of Joint Project (JP) 2057 Phase 3.
JP 2057 Phase 3 Project Manager, Squadron Leader (SQNLDR) David Woerner, explained that the project continues a long standing Australian cooperative participation with the US OPIR community.
“The project first began as a capability demonstrator for Air Force’s Number One Remote Sensor Unit (1RSU) and the Defence Science and Technology Group in Phase One, before progressing to an interim operational capability in Phase Two,” SQNLDR Woerner said.
“Phase Three then produced the full operational system, allowing the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to interpret, analyse and disseminate infrared events in real time to the Australian war fighter.”
SQNLDR Woerner said that the relationship built between Australia and the US within the OPIR community over the years had been highly beneficial as it had facilitated access to the US developed OPIR capability.
“It has been exciting to work with Australia’s coalition partners on this cutting edge technology," he said.
CASG’s Director Space Surveillance Systems, Brenton Whitington advised that it was an exciting time to be involved in space capabilities within the ADF.
“I am looking forward to the strengthening relationship that CASG has with its international partners in the continual development of not only this OPIR technology but also other space capabilities," he said.
The OPIR capability will be operated by 1RSU at RAAF Base Edinburgh and the capability overseen by the Capability Manager at the DSCO in Air Force Headquarters.