Lockheed Martin Makes Final Preparations for DigitalGlobe’s WorldView 4 Earth Imaging Satellite Before Launch. Photo: Lockheed Martin

DigitalGlobe has signed a Direct Access Program (DAP) contract with the Australian Department of Defense. This multi-year agreement will allow the Australian government to access DigitalGlobe’s commercial satellite imaging constellation to support defense and intelligence missions. The company expects the contract to deliver $83 million in incremental revenue over four years, beginning in January 2018.

As a DAP partner, the Australian Department of Defense will be able to directly task and download imagery in real-time to its ground station from all five DigitalGlobe satellites. According to the company, the addition of Australia — a key United States ally and member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance — expands the global footprint of DigitalGlobe’s DAP and reflects the Australian government’s commitment to increase the use of commercial satellite imagery for its critical national defense and intelligence missions.

MDA, a long-standing partner in DigitalGlobe’s DAP and will be providing the multi-satellite ground system to support tasking, reception and precision processing of imagery from the satellite constellation. ViaSat will provide the ground antenna systems that will enable direct tasking and downlink capabilities.