[Avionics Today 06-03-2015] The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) flew its first Boeing-built C-17A Globemaster III equipped with a new advanced satellite communication (satcom) and imagery display system designed to enhance situational awareness. Boeing installed the system to support the RAAF’s Plan Jericho, an initiative to transform the Australian military into an integrated, networked force able to deliver air power in all operating environments.

According to Group Captain Robert Chipman, director of Plan Jericho, the C-17 system allows personnel on the aircraft to receive live en-route updates and video from their destination, such as enemy positions or disaster-damaged areas, right up to the point of insertion. “The systems may also support other kinds of operations, such as aeromedical evacuations, by giving medical staff on board the ability to video conference with specialists on the ground,” said Chipman.

The antenna enables applications such as video teleconferencing, instant messaging, e-mail, transfer of large graphics files, voice and radio over internet protocol, and common operating picture capability. The RAAF currently has six C-17s with an additional two aircraft on order.