Adelaide-based Silentium, a deep tech startup spun out of Defence, has delivered its first passive radar systems to Australia’s $620 million Joint Air Battle Management System project ahead of schedule.
The technology will be incorporated into advanced air and missile threat detection systems to be delivered by Lockheed Martin under tranche two of the project, also known as AIR6500.
Silentium’s MAVERICK passive radar systems provide ongoing surveillance in all directions without emitting radio signals itself. Instead, it detects disturbances in existing radio transmissions.
Silentium’s passive radar technology was spun out from the Defence Science and Technology Group in 2017, initially through funding from its co-founders James Palmer and Simon Palumbo.
It currently has more than 60 staff across three facilities and is the only passive radar supplier with products suitable for sea, air, land, and space surveillance.
The company says its MAVERICK Fortress-3D product’s low electromagnetic signature makes it difficult to find and destroy. The system can be deployed independently as a standalone device or networked into a wider detection system.
Silentium is also expanding its US customer base, building on its first US contract win in October 2023. Mr Palumbo moved to Virginia as executive vice president of its American operations to respond to growing demand from defence and government markets.
Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand chief executive Warren McDonald said he is delighted to partner with the deep tech startup and lauded its commitment to “agile contracting and rapid capability delivery”.
“I commend Silentium Defence on its early delivery of the first sensors under the AIR6500 Tranche 2A contract. This is an important milestone that shows Australian industry can and has stepped up to deliver accelerated sovereign capability to meet Defence’s mission,” Mr McDonald said.
“In partnership with Defence, Lockheed Martin Australia is drawing on the nation’s best homegrown technologies to build an advanced, resilient and affordable air battle management system that bolsters Australia’s national security.”
Lockheed Martin landed the Tranche 2A contract for the Joint Air Battle Management System in March for $624 million. It is expected to deliver the system by the end of June 2032.
At the time, AIR6500 Project Director Group Captain David Hood said the system would enable Defence to “efficiently and effectively sense and respond to air and missile threats”.
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