Shoal joins Lockheed Martin JP9102 team
Canberra/Adelaide 11 October 2021 —Complex systems design firm, Shoal Group, has partnered with Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA) on Joint Project (JP) 9102 in a bid to deliver a next-generation military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) system for Defence.
The JP9102 Australian Defence Satellite Communication System will provide an independent and sovereign communications network and an enhanced space control program that will significantly enhance military capability. The sovereign MILSATCOM system will address Australia’s legacy network that relies on SATCOM provided by international allies and commercial companies.
Shoal’s experience across many of Defence’s biggest and most complex capability acquisition and sustainment projects will provide critical expertise to Lockheed Martin Australia’s JP9102 solution throughout each stage of the project.
“Our partnership with Lockheed Martin Australia reflects the trust, respect and complementary skillsets that our companies bring to the table needed on a project of this scale and importance. It builds on a legacy of successful multi-domain cooperation in everything from undersea warfare to Integrated Air and Missile Defence and now space-based communications,” said Shaun Wilson, Founder and Head of Business Development at Shoal Group.
“Shoal Group specialises in engineering solutions for complex systems of systems and by partnering with Lockheed Martin Australia in the delivery of a ‘world’s best’ MILSATCOM sovereign satellite communications system we see the exponential potential for our business in terms of space systems capability development and long-term growth.”
“The benefits of adopting early-stage systems engineering in a project like JP9210 puts the focus on designing a system that addresses the needs of Defence to inform an end-to-end solution. We understand when there is uncertainty in complexity and how to mitigate risk.”
Early risk mitigation activities have been underway since mid-2020 and have so far included capability definition, proposal development, systems design, integration management, and supply chain strategy development.
“As a sovereign capability partner on various Defence programs, Lockheed Martin Australia has long recognised that Shoal Group punches above its weight in the complex world of model-based system engineering,” said David Ball, Space Regional Director, Lockheed Martin Australia.
“This teaming agreement combines Shoal Group’s expertise and Lockheed Martin Australia’s optimal solution for a resilient, operationally superior military satellite system.”
“The multi-award winning team at Shoal Group brings unmatched expertise in the use of digital design tools and analytics that will support us in minimising risks and maximising schedule assurance. This teaming build on Lockheed Martin’s proven record of superior military satellite communications solutions and will ensure the development of a sovereign MILSATCOM system that will be defined by its resilience and operational superiority.”
Along with early-stage systems engineering, Shoal Group will continue to support Lockheed Martin Australia for JP9102 on the solution design including key project reviews, and modelling, simulation, and analysis.
About Shoal
2021 marks 20 years of operations for Shoal, who started out as Aerospace Concepts in Canberra supporting the defence sector. Shoal Group has flourished into an SME headquartered in Adelaide, with nearly 100 people across four cities including Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, and Auckland.
Shoal’s experienced team has led the development of the early-stage design and development for some of Australia’s largest and most complex systems.
Media contact: Jacqui Tyack, Marketing and Brand Manager +61 422 999 088 [email protected]
