The Department of Defence, BAE Systems Australia, and the University of Adelaide have launched the JORN Open Innovation Network (JOIN) Centre for Advanced Defence in HF Technologies (CADR-HFT).
The facility will train a specialised workforce needed to underpin Australia’s sovereign capability in HF systems and Over-The-Horizon Radar (OTHR), Australia’s Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN).
Operating on HF tech developed in Australia, the network delivers wide-area surveillance of the country’s northern approaches and is vital in supporting the Australian Defence Force’s air and maritime operations, border protection, disaster relief, and search and rescue operations.
The partnership between BAE Systems, Australian Defence, and the University of Adelaide aims to further enhance radar performance through research and provide a pipeline of talent for the OTHR innovation ecosystem.
“The single biggest challenge we face in growing our defence sector is not securing work – it is finding the highly qualified workers to carry out the complex, fulfilling and well-paid roles that are coming our way,” said South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas.
“This centre will see some of the best minds in the defence workforce of the future trained to support the world’s leading surveillance technology to maintain peace in our region.
Established on the University of Adelaide’s North Terrace campus, JOIN CADR-HFT aims to boost Australia’s global edge in HF radar technology through research on HF systems and ionospheric physics and upskilling experts in the field.
The centre also seeks to attract post-doctoral fellows, who will engage with the broader research community to develop collaborative partnerships to find innovative solutions to HF research problems and continue to grow the future workforce.
“The JOIN Centre for Advanced Defence Research in HF Technologies will be a focus for some of the University’s best minds who will work on cutting-edge science and technology,” said Professor Peter Høj, vice-chancellor and president of the University of Adelaide.
“The new Centre will sustain a skilled workforce for a sovereign capability and promote innovation to support JORN and other defence projects involving high-frequency technology.”
BAE Systems and its network of industry partners are currently upgrading and maintaining JORN.
The 10-year upgrade will enhance aircraft detection and sensitivity and extend the life of JORN beyond 2040, BAE Systems said in a media release.
