The Australian Department of Defence is implementing leading New Zealand mobile communications technology in military training areas throughout the country, as part of a unique system to revolutionise range safety communications.

Tait Electronics Ltd won the multi-million dollar contract to supply communications equipment for the new Standard Training Area Range Safety Network (STARSN), after developing a solution that solved major technical difficulties for the DoD.

The system is being progressively installed on 24 training areas spread across the nation over a period of 18 months. It involves the installation of Tait base stations, powered by large solar panels, on significant high points in the training areas. Tait is also providing local service and maintenance support to each training area for five years.

All military personnel will use the system for communications while in the training ground, increasing their safety during training exercises.

Tait has undertaken extensive product development to build systems that would interoperate with the existing VHF combat radio system used by the DoD - meaning troops training on the ranges did not have to carry additional radios to access the safety net.

As a designer and manufacturer of world-class mobile radio communications products, Tait faced a difficult task to find a solution that complied with defence requirements. Its revolutionary Quasi-Sync system will solve a significant challenge faced by the DoD, through the use of multiple repeater stations enabling military personnel to communicate from anywhere on the training area using a single radio frequency.

Quasi-Sync provides superior radio coverage over a wide area, by broadcasting simultaneously from several transmitters on the same frequency. The open channel provides immediate contact between all users for the fast, efficient sharing of information.

Tait equipment exceeds tough Defence standards

Tait Oceania's Sydney branch manager Mike Head negotiated the deal with the DoD, and said Tait was the only company in Australasia that could meet the full radio requirements of the DoD for the STARSN project with a customised safety communications system.

"STARSN is a significant project for the Australian Department of Defence, and Tait's reputation for providing innovative solutions had a big part to play in our winning the contract.

"Tait was able to provide both software and hardware customisations to suit the DoD's requirements, and a small team of engineers in Tait's Custom Integration group also worked hard on this. The Australia-wide installation didn't pose an issue for us - we have an extensive dealer network in Australia enabling us to deal with installation and maintenance in all the defence training areas, and to assist with user training on the systems," Mr Head said.

The DoD has spent the past three years developing STARSN, which started after a review of range safety procedures. During the review, the DoD discovered a need to upgrade range communications systems throughout Australia.

Rising to the technical challenge

Lieutenant Colonel Brian Agnew of the Australian Army's Corporate Services Infrastructure Group said an important consideration for the project was that commercial radios needed to communicate as part of the military network so any soldier could use his radio to speak on the safety net in an emergency.

"It was a difficult technical challenge which Tait has overcome. Some people didn't think it could be done," Lt-Col Agnew said.

Tait will provide and install the communications equipment for STARSN, while three Australian companies are handling other sections of the contract. Imark Communications designed and built the solar power system and repeater enclosures to be used at undeveloped remote sites, Tekserv International is handling these remote installations, and Bytecan Pty Ltd is building the towers and providing occupational safety and health advice on problems relating to electromagnetic interference.

The first installations were at the Greenbank and Enogera training areas near Brisbane in Queensland early this year. A noteworthy installation in the STARSN roll-out is currently underway at the DoD's premiere 274,070 hectare Shoalwater Bay training area in Central Queensland.

This will prove to be a significant logistical challenge, as helicopters will be needed to install four repeaters on mountain tops. A supplementary Tait radio system for use by combat simulation umpires is also being installed .

The STARSN project is one of the largest contracts won by Tait in Australia and it is hoped that further contracts with the Australian Department of Defence will follow in its wake.

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