Defence has completed operational test and evaluation on the new mySPECTRA software, designed to modernise management of the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS).
This includes the assignment and protection of frequencies across the ADF in preparation for the rollout this year.
During two weeks in early November, personnel tested its performance and workflows.
Director Defence Spectrum Office Paul Burford said the evaluation was essential for refining the technology and procedures.
"The testing allows us to see how the services and ourselves will use the systems and identify any areas that need to be addressed," Mr Burford said.
The mySPECTRA software will support better planning and manoeuvre within the EMS during training and operations, which is an important component of the cyber domain.
Mr Burford said a practical scenario might involve a large joint training exercise where multiple ADF units need to access radio frequencies simultaneously.
"It will enable the services to make more assignments themselves and speed up the provision of radio frequencies for what they require," he said.
Under the old system, requests for frequency clearances often had to pass through several manual approval stages, slowing down coordination.
With mySPECTRA, frequency managers can assign and de-conflict channels in real time, reducing interference risks and ensuring communications stay reliable across all domains.
The system's advanced analysis tools will also enable more specific area-based planning, a capability the old software could not provide.
Corporal Joshua Telfer, a Land Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Cell Detachment Commander at Army Headquarters, took part in the test and evaluation, providing user feedback from an operator's perspective.
He said taking part in the test and evaluation gave him a firsthand look at how the new system improves efficiency and ease of use for operators.
"It's going to improve the efficiency of what we do, because we spend a lot of time messing around with data transfers because the old software is outdated," he said.
"Using the new software is like going from Windows XP to Windows 11. Everything's modernised, it looks better and functions like a modern website everyone uses."
The software is expected to roll out and be operational by March.
