Canberra, 28 October 2020 – Airbus Defence and Space is relaunching a series of virtual space webinars across Australia to increase collaboration and engagement with small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
Following the launch of Team Maier for a complete Defence Satellite Communications System for Joint Project (JP) 9102, Airbus will be running a series of webinars to detail opportunities and future collaboration for SMEs across the Commonwealth.
Andrew Mathewson, Managing Director Airbus Australia Pacific said: "We have always recognised the huge value that SMEs offer in our supply chain, both in terms of ideas, systems and component supply. Space is not only a potentially huge growth area, it will also become a critical part of our national infrastructure and we are determined to ensure greater Australian involvement across the board. We are now looking to ramp up our engagement with SMEs to tap into the talent and expertise that covers the space domain and it will be key to our approach for the milsatcom bid under the JP9102 programme."
Airbus is committed to building its links and cooperation with defence and security businesses across Australia for milsatcoms technology and services to build and deliver sovereign capability and innovation.
The next virtual space briefing webinar is planned for Wednesday 4 November from 15.00 to 16.00 covering Queensland. The event is open to industry, academia and start-ups and will be of particular interest to defence and space related SMEs. Full details here.
During the webinars Airbus will outline its current space pursuits, with particular focus on JP9102. Airbus is seeking companies with the following capabilities: advanced manufacturing, electronics/electrical engineering, antenna design and manufacturing, mobile terminals, electrical harness, software development, payload development, and ground infrastructure.
An upcoming webinar is planned for Victoria on 5 November. Full details here.
In 2016, Airbus established a brand new purpose built satellite ground station in Adelaide to land Airbus Defence and Space's Skynet secure military satellite communications. The Australian facility extended Airbus' existing chain of teleports in France, Germany, Norway, the UK and the USA, providing global coverage in both fixed and mobile satellite services.
Airbus is continuing to expand its investment and presence delivering vital secure connectivity services in Australia, having delivered for over 40 years naval communications solutions for the Royal Australian Navy.
Airbus has owned and operated the UK Skynet military satellite communications system, providing 24/7 services across the world for more than 15 years on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence, under a multi-billion contract. Through the Skynet programme Airbus provides a range of space-based services to export customers worldwide including Australia, the US and other NATO Allies.
Airbus has over five decades of presence in Australia, across the country's defence, helicopters and commercial aircraft segments. The company has directly invested more than A$100 million into ARH Tiger and MRH90 projects. With a strong local team of more than 1,500 employees working across 21 sites for civil and military fixed-wing and rotary wing aircraft, Airbus is committed to long term collaborative relationships that will deliver real results for Australia's Defence industry capabilities, create local jobs and technology upskilling.
About Airbus
Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2019, it generated revenues of € 70 billion and employed a workforce of around 135,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world's leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.
