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Communications & IT

Communications and information technology are vital to the operation of a modern working Army. From mobile satellite communications systems to network security and electronic warfare, the Army is at the cutting edge.

Royal Australian Signals Corps

The Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RASigs) is one of the 'arms' (combat support corps) of the Australian Army. It is responsible for installing, maintaining and operating all types of telecommunications equipment and information systems.

Modern Army command and control systems demand reliable, high speed transfer of large volumes of data. The communications systems provided by RASigs must keep pace with modern information technology. The control of the electromagnetic spectrum offers a decisive advantage in modern warfare and Electronic Warfare, listening to or interfering with enemy electronic transmissions, is a critical contribution by the Signals Corps to the Army's combat capability.

On the battlefield, RASigs provides commanders with the means of controlling the battle using a number of methods including radio, fibre optic, microwave, information systems and satellite links. By planning, deploying and maintaining robust, scalable, secure local and wide area networks, RA Sigs ensures the Army's information services are available 24/7 anywhere in the world.

Communications Engineer
(Signals Corp Officer)

Care & Support Business & Administration Engineering Communications, IT & Education Combat. Learn more

Field Communications Centre

Out in the field, members of the RASigs maintain the Army's communications needs with the Field Communications Centre. Operated by a team of 3 or 4 people, it is capable of handling all the data and communications for a command post of several hundred personnel.

The Satellite Terminal Assembly (STA) is a vehicle that is used to make a satellite connection for the Communications Centre. It can connect to any number of geostationary satellites and provide a channel for internet, email or telephone data.

Communication Systems Operator

As a trained Communication Systems Operator you will use your knowledge of radio and satellite communications to provide essential communications for the Commander. Learn more

If a Communications Centre is set up in the field, usually a number of STA's would accompany it to deliver high data-rates and provide redundancy. This arrangement would be maintained by a large number of people and handle everything from file servers, telephone connections and internet for HQ.

Commercial satellite phones are used to provide low-capacity voice or data or act as redundancy for larger systems such as an STA.