The BAe Systems Parakeet or tactical satellite & trunk communications system is a revolutionary way for land forces to operate and share information. Parakeet supports the operations of remotely deployed units by providing a comprehensive, secure and highly mobile, tactical satellite & trunk communications infrastructure.
Developed by BAe SYSTEMS for the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force, Parakeet can operate across vast distances with limited physical and human resources.
Based on the Land Rover Defender, Parakeet is an extremely mobile, modern electronic office communications suite which offers a range of communications features including facsimile, telephone, data and messaging for the military subscriber.
The Parakeet system comprises seven key elements:
Satcom
Terminal Assemblage.
Circuit
Switch Assemblage.
Radio
Relay Assemblage.
Communications
Control Assemblage.
Combat
Net Radio Interface.
Deployable
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) Hub Assembly.
A series of stackable,
modular communications Frames to support smaller subscriber sites
These are connected via radio bearers and a range of cable types
including optical fibre, to form a communications node that can
support a range of subscribers from 30 to over 300.
Parakeet successfully provided the communications infrastructure
between the Australian mainland and East Timor and between deployed
elements of the Australian Defence Force within East Timor during
peacekeeping operations in 2000.
In 2002 a second generation version of the Parakeet was completed .
The second generation STA provides the Australian Defence Force (ADF)
with a substantial increase in data transmission capacity - up to
eight times more. The ability to operate in the military X band and
commercial C band frequencies was also added to improve flexibility
to operate with other defence forces and international satellite
systems.
Significant changes were also made to enhance the STA's capability
to be deployed to areas of extreme temperature range and to
incorporate an automatic satellite tracking capability.
Subsequently post-deployable Cordless Access Telephone System
utilizing DECT technology, the employment of Asynchronous Transfer
Mode (ATM) switching hubs ruggedized for field deployments and
improved bandwidth and optional C and X band transmission for the
SATCOM Terminal Assemblage.
Andy Makin, C3I Domain Manager, BAe SYSTEMS Australia said
"Experience gained through years of pioneering development on the
PARAKEET STAs places BAe SYSTEMS in a unique position to market our
systems as quality, low risk contenders for several major
opportunities in both the United States and United Kingdom."
Key features:
Operates across
vast distances with limited physical and human resources required.
Compatible
across national and international communications standards.
Highly
maintainable with full support infrastructure.
Easily operable
in the field in all weather extremes.
Easily
transportable by air, land, sea and rail.
