The Australian defense ministry is investing A$70 million in the upgrade of the Digital Terminal Control System, which enables joint terminal attack controllers (JTACs) and joint forward observers (JFOs) to request and coordinate fire support.
Collins Aerospace, which has been providing support for the original DTCS for over a decade, will be responsible for supplying the next generation DTCS.
The NextGen DTCS will enable users to rapidly identify and engage threats accurately, safely, with greater speed and reliability, with the help of new targeting equipment, tactical software and a user-friendly interface.
DTCS is a critical component of the ADF joint fires capability to communicate to mortars, artillery, strike aircraft, helicopters and ships. It will greatly enhance defense’s digital joint fires capability, the Australian defense ministry said.
The new capability will be interoperable with the next-generation of ADF and coalition partner strike platforms for joint allied nation operations.
Collins Aerospace will perform the role of prime system integrator, undertaking integration, test, evaluation, training and logistic activities, providing local opportunities for Australian industry in the engineering and technical fields.
