DEWC Systems and Australian launch services company Gilmour Space Technologies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the next generation Miniaturized Orbital Electronic Warfare Sensor Systems (MOESS) system as a sovereign, space-based, Electronic Warfare (EW) system.
In a bid to increase Australia’s Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare (ISREW) capability, DEWC Systems and Gilmour Space have signed a five-year sovereign collaboration to advance the sensor capability, deployment and uptake of ISREW satellites in LEO.
The companies also envisage co-development projects based on the current 3U platform including assets in the 80 to 100 kg class that will lead to a smallsat prototype. A joint research activity will be conducted to understand the requirements of manufacturing a prototype satellite using commercially available components.
DEWC Systems role in the partnership is to further develop its Miniaturized Orbital Electronic Warfare Sensor Systems (MOESS) – a dynamically reprogrammable, multi-purpose, Electromagnetic sensor system integrated and deployed on smallsats to provide a unique and enhanced space-based EW capability for Australia. MOESS was DEWC Systems’ first collaborative project with top South Australian universities and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) where the development of a proof-of-concept was funded by the Defence Innovation Partnerships two years ago.
Phase Two, funded through a Defence Innovation Hub contract, enabled DEWC Systems to work on the design and development of assembled systems and demonstrate the technology.
Phase three will see a maturing of the system with a view to integrate with a small satellite, launch the prototype to orbit and demonstrate the live capability. This collaboration seeks to develop the technologies required to ensure that the launch will be on an Australian made rocket.
DEWC Systems, being the first Australian company to launch a payload on a space-capable rocket from Australian soil that helped lead Australia into the Space 4.0 era, will be a step closer to launching a constellation of cubesats.
“We are committed to developing a LEO launch and satellite platform that will support new and valuable sovereign space capabilities, such as DEWC System’s ISREW solution for Defence,” said Adam Gilmour, CEO of Gilmour Space.
“I believe in the ingenuity, innovation and the ‘can do’ attitude of the Australian spirit. Through effective collaboration with like-minded Australian companies, such as DEWC Systems and Gilmour Space Technologies, I am confident that we can deliver a true and enduring sovereign Defence space capability,” said Ian Spencer CEO of DEWC Systems.
DEWC Systems is a South Australian owned technology company founded by veteran EW operators for the purpose of enhancing Australia’s technological capabilities in EW system design and development. DEWC Systems is focused on developing innovative, state-of-the-art systems and sub-systems for Defence and Space applications including the Wombat S3 (Smart Sensor Suite) and STAC (Sensor Telemetry and Communications) products.
Gilmour Space Technologies is a leading venture-backed Australian launch services provider and spacecraft manufacturer. The company’s mission is to provide affordable and reliable spacecraft and launch services to global customers with their next-generation G-class satellite platform and Eris orbital rockets. Launching in 2022.