Through a five-year, 66.7 million Australian dollar ($60.45 million) contract with the Australian Department of Defence, Boeing will provide enhanced support services for Vigilare, the air defense command and control system that is giving the Australian Defence Force unparalleled ground and airborne situational awareness.

Through remediation of the multiyear performance-based contract, signed on July 1, Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) will provide engineering, maintenance, supply and training services, and system updates.

"This contract provides Defence with more effective and flexible Vigilare support arrangements, enhancing No. 41 Wing operational outcomes while delivering promised savings to the Australian government as part of Defence's Strategic Reform Program," said Group Captain Dean Overend, Officer Commanding Ground Telecommunication Equipment Systems Program Office.

Since becoming operational in mid-2010, the Boeing-built Vigilare has become the core of the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) air defense surveillance network, providing battlespace management that supports operations and training.

In near real-time, Vigilare integrates information from many platforms and sensors to support operations at tactical and strategic levels. The system facilitates interaction with assets including the RAAF's Boeing Airborne Early Warning and Control Wedgetail, Hornet and Super Hornet aircraft, and Royal Australian Navy vessels.

"The contract ensures that this essential air surveillance and battle management system continues to be cost-effectively maintained and relevant to the Australian Defence Force's requirements, including the need to be interoperable with a wide range of defense and civil systems," said Bill Madley, BDA general manager for Information and Operational Services.

Vigilare operates from the Northern Regional Operations Centre and Eastern Regional Operations Centre, located at RAAF Bases Tindal, Northern Territory, and Williamtown, New South Wales, respectively.