Boeing NC3S Project Vigilare completes first data transmission with Wedgetail

Boeing Defence Australia has announced that Project Vigilare, a Network Centric Command and Control System (NC3S) solution for Australia, recently completed its first data transmission with a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft using Link 16.

"This achievement demonstrates the significant interoperability NC3S provides between key assets using tactical data links," Rod Drury, Boeing Defence Australia vice president of Strategy and Business Development, said today at the Singapore Airshow, where Boeing is presenting an NC3S display until Feb. 7.

The Link 16 data transmission took place on Dec. 14 between the Vigilare system installed at the RAAF's Northern Regional Operations Centre in Northern Territory, Australia, and an airborne Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft performing training missions over Australia's east coast. Link 16 capability will enable the RAAF to transfer and receive critical tactical data from Australian Defence Force platforms including Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft, F/A-18 Hornets, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, and naval assets, as well as future platforms such as Aegis-equipped Air Warfare Destroyers and P-8 maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

"As Vigilare is an extremely complex system-of-systems project requiring the merging of data from a large number of dynamic and disparate sources, the successful demonstration via Link 16 was a good indication of the progress that is being made and a further risk reduction activity ahead of the operational test event that will occur this year," said Air Commodore Steve Sheedy, Director of the General Surveillance and Control branch of the Australian government's Defence Materiel Organisation.

"Vigilare represents a fundamental shift in Command and Control systems, and Australia is leading the way in its development," said Steve Parker, Boeing Defence Australia vice president and general manager for Network & Space Systems - Australia. "Today, NC3S is one of the most capable surveillance and battlespace-management systems available that has application with air forces and higher defense headquarters around the world. We are pleased with the level of interest being shown internationally, and we are currently working with several international customers to define their future NC3S requirements."

Developed by Boeing Defence Australia, NC3S integrates advanced technologies that combine data from land, sea, air and space platforms, sensors and data links to provide tactical and strategic surveillance and battlespace-management operations across wide geographic regions.