SWLD - PROJECT JP 2043 MHFCS

JP 2043 - High Frequency Modernisation Project

Australia

The High Frequency (HF) Modernisation Project (JP 2043) is a part of the Radio Frequency Systems Program Office in the Communication Systems Branch of the Electronic and Weapon Systems Division of DMO. The purpose of the High Frequency (HF) Modernisation Project (JP 2043) is to provide the ADF with a secure, cost-effective information exchange capability for the command and control of deployed forces as a primary survivable system and as a parallel system to satellite communications. The Modernised High Frequency Communications System (MHFCS) comprises a nation-wide network of distributed HF radio stations (the Fixed Network) with a central network management system in Canberra. The Project includes upgrading of HF radio systems in selected mobile platforms and transportable HF communication shelters (the Mobiles). The MHFCS is replacing some of the existing single Service HF fixed-mobile tactical HF gateways.

Transmit Building North West Cape in Western Australia

Receive Site building at Morundah in the Riverina, New South Wales

JP 2043 - HF Modernisation Project will replace the HF components of the Naval Communications Stations Canberra and Harold E Holt and the RAAF Air Operations Communications System stations (AOCS) at Darwin, Perth, Sydney and Townsville. The new network comprises four geographically dispersed remotely operated pairs of transmitter and receiver stations that are inter-connected by a Defence Wide Area Network and controlled by a Network Management Facility located in Canberra. The new stations are located at sites in the Riverina, North West Cape, Darwin and Townsville areas.

Project Schedule Details

The contract for the implementation of JP 2043 was awarded to Boeing Australia Limited and the contract was signed on 31 December 1997.

An initial operational capability was achieved in November 2004. The Project will build progressively on this capability through to 2007, when final acceptance of the Fixed Network is scheduled. The Project will continue until 2010when upgrades to the selected mobile platforms are expected to be completed.

The project is being implemented in a number of phases:

Phase 1	Network Definition Study	1994 -1995 (completed);
Phase 2	Project Definition Study	1995 -1996 (completed);
Phase 3	Implementation of the HF Fixed Network and upgrading of selected mobile platforms.	1998 - 2010 (currently under development)

Project Information

General
The Modernised High Frequency Communications System (MHFCS) is being delivered in two major phases. MHFCS (core) delivers a common, ADF, HF communication network that offers comparable, but more reliable HF services than the existing single Service HF communication networks. MHFCS (final) will deliver enhanced capabilities that support automation of HF services, new HF traffic types and greater HF traffic capacity. Additionally, MHFCS (final) is intended to upgrade the HF communications capability of selected sea, air and land mobile platforms to take advantage of the increase in automation and improvements in technology, nut maintain compatability with legacy (non-upgraded) mobiles and the mobiles of allied forces.

Fixed Network - MHFCS (core)
The MHFCS (core) system replaces the existing single Service HF communication networks operated by the RAN and RAAF. MHFCS (core) provides a level of service that is commensurate with the capabilities of the existing single Service HF networks it replaces. It comprises a range of facilities, hardware and software that incorporate modern technology to deliver voice and organisational messaging capabilities over HF, as a key component of the ADF’s strategic and tactical communications infrastructure.
On 25 October 2004, the MHFCS core system was formally accepted from the Contractor, Boeing Australia. Acceptance marks the inception of the Defence Communications Station (DEFCOMMSTA Australia) which houses the Fixed Network and which is now under the day to day management of the Officer In Charge DEFCOMMSTA Australia.

DEFCOMMSTA Australia comprises a fixed network of four nodes, which are located at Riverina, Townsville, Darwin, and North West Cape. MHFCS (core) is controlled from the central Network Management Facility (NMF) in Canberra and has an interim Core Backup Network Management Facility (BNMF) which has partial functionality compared to the BNF. The nodes and the NMFs are interconnected via the Defence Secure Data Network. Each node consists of:

a. Transmit Station
b. A geographically separate Receive Station, and
c. Local Management Facility.

DEFCOMMSTA Australia is managed by Defence uniformed personnel and operated by a combination of Defence uniformed personnel from the RAN and RAAF, supplemented by a smaller number of Boeing operators. The MHFCS is wholly supported and maintained by Boeing Australia technical staff, including three technical staff at each of these nodes.

The new network comprises four geographically dispersed remotely operated pairs of transmitter and receiver stations that are inter-connected by a Defence Wide Area Network and controlled by a Network Management Facility. The new stations are located at sites in the Darwin and Townsville areas.

Mobiles and MHFCS (final)
The MHFCS (final) will build on the survivable, reliable, long-range secure and insecure tactical HF communications delivered by MHFCS (core), providing coverage on and over continental Australia and offshore to at least 2,000 nautical miles. MHFCS (final) is an upgrade to the MHFCS (core) system, which significantly improves the automation of functions in the fixed Network through the introduction of Automatic Link Establishment, Automatic Link Maintenance, and Automatic Call Maintenance. MHFCS (final) is also intended to deliver enhanced services over HF that include e-mail, interactive services, facsimile and file transfer. A major improvement at MHFCS (final) will be delivery of enhanced HF capabilities to Mobiles platforms, including automation and relay capability for mobile-to-mobile users via the Fixed Network. The automation intended for introduction to the Fixed Network and Modified Mobiles at MHFCS (final) will substantially reduce the manual effort involved in delivering HF communications. Furthermore, Modified Mobile users will experience no reduction in existing capabilities and will have total control over the system e.g. control of the use of HF assets for strategic or tactical requirements, such as entering EMCOM/RADHAZ modes.

The Project includes upgrade of the following:

Defence Force School of Signals;
Local Mine Countermeasure Headquarters x 3;
CH47D Chinook Helicopters x 6;
1CCS Shelter x 4;
S70-9-A Black Hawk Helicopters x 35;
Mine Hunter coastal Ships x 6;
Armidale Class Replacement Patrol Boats x 12;
Hydrographic Ships x 2; and
Army Strategic HF x 16.

Frequencies

Frequency	Emission Designator
2.1450000 MHz	6K00B9W
2.2960000 MHz	6K00B9W
2.7760000 MHz	6K00B9W
2.8435000 MHz	3K00H9W
3.2055000 MHz	3K00F1B
3.3280000 MHz	6K00B9W
3.3480000 MHz	6K00B9W
3.7015000 MHz	3K00H9W
4.3040000 MHz	6K00B9W
4.3100000 MHz	6K00B9W
5.1750000 MHz	6K00B9W
5.1950000 MHz	6K00B9W
5.3755000 MHz	3K00F1B
5.7910000 MHz	6K00B9W
5.8200000 MHz	6K00B9W
5.8435000 MHz	3K00F1B
5.8795000 MHz	3K00H9W
5.8975000 MHz	3K00F1B
6.3780000 MHz	6K00B9W
6.4420000 MHz	6K00B9W
6.7690000 MHz	6K00B9W
6.8985000 MHz	6K00B9W
6.9360000 MHz	6K00B9W
6.9940000 MHz	6K00B9W
7.3200000 MHz	6K00B9W
7.3505000 MHz	3K00F1B
7.4620000 MHz	6K00B9W
7.5275000 MHz	3K00H9W
7.5480000 MHz	3K00F1B
7.5600000 MHz	6K00B9W
7.6810000 MHz	6K00B9W
7.6930000 MHz	6K00B9W
7.7500000 MHz	6K00B9W
8.0560000 MHz	6K00B9W
8.4600000 MHz	6K00B9W
8.5570000 MHz	6K00B9W
9.0500000 MHz	6K00B9W
9.0575000 MHz	3K00F1B
9.0705000 MHz	3K00F1B
9.1590000 MHz	6K00B9W
9.3415000 MHz	3K00H9W
9.4120000 MHz	6K00B9W
10.1050000 MHz	6K00B9W
10.2135000 MHz	3K00H9W
10.2165000 MHz	3K00H9W
10.3680000 MHz	6K00B9W
10.4070000 MHz	6K00B9W
10.5120000 MHz	6K00B9W
10.5180000 MHz	6K00B9W
10.5950000 MHz	6K00B9W

10.8250000 MHz	6K00B9W
10.8472000 MHz	6K00B9W
10.9210000 MHz	6K00B9W
11.1575000 MHz	3K00F1B
11.1650000 MHz	6K00B9W
11.4025000 MHz	3K00H9W
11.4810000 MHz	6K00B9W
12.0600000 MHz	6K00B9W
12.1405000 MHz	3K00F1B
12.1435000 MHz	3K00F1B
12.1735000 MHz	3K00H9W
12.1765000 MHz	3K00H9W
12.8120000 MHz	6K00B9W
12.8760000 MHz	6K00B9W
13.4400000 MHz	6K00B9W
13.4800000 MHz	6K00B9W
13.8835000 MHz	3K00F1B
13.9650000 MHz	6K00B9W
14.6870000 MHz	6K00B9W
14.6930000 MHz	6K00B9W
14.7900000 MHz	6K00B9W
14.8740000 MHz	6K00B9W
15.6960000 MHz	6K00B9W
15.8580000 MHz	6K00B9W
15.9635000 MHz	3K00H9W
16.2700000 MHz	6K00B9W
17.0020000 MHz	6K00B9W
17.1170000 MHz	6K00B9W
17.4200000 MHz	3K00F1B
17.4750000 MHz	6K00B9W
18.3650000 MHz	6K00B9W
18.4085000 MHz	3K00J9W
18.4350000 MHz	3K00J9W
18.5220000 MHz	6K00B9W
18.5280000 MHz	6K00B9W
18.5510000 MHz	6K00B9W
18.5850000 MHz	6K00B9W
18.7350000 MHz	6K00B9W
19.0600000 MHz	6K00B9W
19.1500000 MHz	6K00B9W
20.1100000 MHz	6K00B9W
20.4200000 MHz	6K00B9W
20.5500000 MHz	6K00B9W
20.5500000 MHz	6K00B9W
20.6335000 MHz	3K00H9W
20.9310000 MHz	6K00B9W
20.9370000 MHz	6K00B9W
20.9680000 MHz	6K00B9W
22.4490000 MHz	6K00B9W
22.6395000 MHz	6K00B9W

22.8695000 MHz	3K00H9W
23.1435000 MHz	3K00J9W
23.1465000 MHz	3K00J9W
23.1850000 MHz	6K00B9W
23.5890000 MHz	6K00B9W
24.2100000 MHz	6K00B9W
24.3000000 MHz	3K00J9W
24.4200000 MHz	6K00B9W
24.6515000 MHz	3K00J9W
24.7015000 MHz	3K00J9W
24.8015000 MHz	3K00J9W
25.0125000 MHz	3K00F1B
25.3015000 MHz	3K00J9W
25.3600000 MHz	6K00B9W
25.4015000 MHz	3K00J9W
25.4570000 MHz	6K00B9W
25.5150000 MHz	6K00B9W
26.2015000 MHz	3K00J9W
26.3015000 MHz	3K00J9W
26.3980000 MHz	3K00H9W
26.5015000 MHz	3K00J9W
26.7865000 MHz	3K00J9W
27.4355000 MHz	3K00J9W
27.4475000 MHz	3K00J9W
27.4535000 MHz	3K00J9W
27.4595000 MHz	3K00J9W
27.4745000 MHz	3K00J9W
27.4775000 MHz	3K00J9W

Information from Department of Defence and ACMA, correct as of 18 July 2005

JP 2043 - High Frequency Modernisation Project

Project Description

Project Schedule

Project Information

Frequencies

Project Description

Project Schedule Details

Project Information

Frequencies