New radar system to boost protection of our coastline

DEFENCE, along with Customs Coastwatch, will be better equipped to monitor Australia’s northern coastline following the signing of a contract to trial a new over-the-horizon high frequency surface wave radar.

Defence and Daronmont Technologies signed a three-year $15 million contract recently for the provision, operation and support of the radar, known as SECAR.

Once Government negotiations for access to appropriate indigenous land have been completed, the radar system will be deployed in northern Australia.

The radar can detect surface vessels and low-flying aircraft beyond the visible horizon, unlike conventional radars which are limited in operation to line-of-sight.

The technology will allow 24-hour wide area coast surveillance, enabling authorities to better protect Australia’s fisheries resources and our offshore oil and gas assets and to deter smugglers and illegal entrants.

The monitoring will also help with search and rescue operations and early storm warning.

The trial will allow authorities to test and evaluate the future surveillance potential of the radar, using it to complement other surveillance assets and systems.

The project, a joint venture between the Department of Defence and Customs Coastwatch, will be managed by the Defence Materiel Organisation.

Daronmont Technologies is an Australian owned enterprise that specialises in design, engineering, integration and support of complex high technology electronics and software-intensive systems.

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