Boeing Defence Australia Modernised High Frequency Communications System Component Passes Formal Testing

AVALON AIRPORT, Victoria, Australia, March 10, 2009 — Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], has achieved a significant milestone toward delivery of the Modernised High Frequency Communications System (MHFCS) to the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The land-and-sea Generic Mobile Upgrade System, the first of two mobile high-frequency (HF) communications systems for MHFCS, has passed formal testing. The final phase of testing, conducted at Boeing Defence Australia’s Brisbane site over two weeks, involved executing 44 test cases and testing more than 200 requirements.

“The successful completion of this test means the upgraded system is ready for integration onto ADF military land and sea assets. It also means we’ve passed a critical milestone toward final system acceptance by the Commonwealth of Australia,” said Steve Parker, vice president and general manager of Boeing Network and Space Systems — Australia.

The MHFCS consists of two phases: the core system and the final system. The core system, delivered in 2005, replaced three of the ADF’s aging HF communications systems with a single integrated system consisting of four HF radio stations and two purpose-built control centers. The final system will provide greater levels of automation, performance and capability for ADF users; a backup network management facility; and two Generic Mobile Upgrade Systems — one land-and-sea component and one air platforms component. Final MHFCS acceptance is planned for 2010.

“The next step for us is to complete testing on the air platforms component,” said Parker. “We are on track to achieve this in May.”

The ADF uses the MHFCS to securely transmit voice and data services such as e-mail, facsimiles and Web browsing. It is considered the world’s most advanced strategic HF communications network because of its automation levels, range and clarity, traffic volume and connection speed.

Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned Boeing subsidiary and a business unit of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, has more than 2,300 employees at 14 locations throughout Australia supporting programs for the Australian government and defense forces, international and commercial customers.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

ENDS