Overview
Citadel Edge supports the Department of Defence with the design, build and sustainment of the AV components for the F35 program.
Background
The Department of Defence commissioned an extensive refit and build program as part of the F35 program in response to the aging base infrastructure and the pending deployment of next generation fighter aircraft into RAAF Williamtown and RAAF Tindal.
Citadel Edge was brought onboard through a partnership with Telstra (contracting to Military Platforms Integration) to provide the design, build and sustainment of the AV components required for the F35 program.
Challenges
Our primary team on this project comprised a Project Manager, two technicians, a programmer, and a commissioner.
The initial stages of the program saw the Citadel team liaise with Lendlease (the builders of the facility) and now with Telstra to support the end user- the Department of Defence.
To meet the requirements of the program provided to us by the end user, in conjunction with a 3rd party (US based company), our team had to ensure that our systems worked in tandem with the capability of the new aircraft.
The heightened security requirements of the new aircraft led to unique physical and information security features being necessary. Our team throughout the implementation of the solution on this project ensured:
- Each team member was cleared (Negative Vetting 2) and had their background checks done
- Participation in the debriefing each morning and stand down meeting at the end of each day
- They informed themselves to meet the security requirements as defined by Defence
Citadel’s project manager understood the operational impact of working on such secured facilities and always ensured that we planned well ahead of our needs to meet the Defence scheduling requirements. We understood that any delays to the schedule would have massive financial implications (to the tune of millions of dollars) for Defence.
To avoid any delays and additional costs to the Defence project, our team stuck to the tight timelines set and security protocols laid out throughout the project. This meant booking spaces in advance, obtaining the required clearance, and developing schedules that worked well with the timelines of Defence (eg scheduling work when the runway could be shut down).
Additionally, Citadel were only allowed to have four people from our team within a room at any given time. Citadel worked around this and ensured that if we required more people to implement a task, they were available remotely to provide support and assistance. Additionally, we worked in a way that those not required to working on a task at a given time, stepped out of the room, and allowed those that were needed to step in.
Scope of work
Having commenced in late 2017, Citadel continues to support this program. Through our involvement over the years, we have successfully provided the Department of Defence with:
- Detailed design
- Equipment supply
- System implementation (including supply and installation of required patching cables between wall interface plates and equipment)
- Control programming
- System commissioning
- Testing, handover, and provision of operation and maintenance and as-built documentation
To date, Citadel has worked on 180 spaces (design/ build/ sustainment) on this program, with the scope of work having largely involved digital signage, small huddle spaces, IPTC, medium to large meeting rooms, theatrettes, and multiple classification Sensitive Compartmentalised Information Facilities (SCIFs).
The work done on this project has gained us appreciation from the Defence on several fronts including our ability to meet timelines, understand complex requirements and adapt quickly to the security protocols and the Defence’s way of working.
Defence has been required to market test with other AV providers but were compelled to come back to us owing to the quality of work done, results achieved and the expertise we were able to provide them with. We continue to foster a strong relationship with Telstra and the Defence on this project.
Our experience of working on such a detailed scope of work and with specific security requirements has provided our organisation and our team with the skills to navigate the requirements of working within secured spaces in an efficient and effective way.
