Australian Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

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Naval Today said:

BMT Design & Technology (BMT), a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, in collaboration with Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), has secured funding through the Australian Defence Science Institute’s Collaboration Research Grant Scheme which, this year, attracted more than 30 high quality research proposals seeking over $1.4 million in funding.

The scheme was introduced to enable industry and/or DSTO to undertake collaborative research with DSI participating universities. Through the research grant, BMT will work closely with DSTO and Victoria University to develop a risk analysis and evaluation of emerging technologies, challenges and design solutions for input to the SEA1000 program.

Specifically, the research project will seek to review the range of possible technologies that could be integrated into the future submarine and provide a risk-based assessment of all components and sub-components of the future submarine fire safety system, from fire prevention, detection and suppression to occupant response/behaviour and emergency procedures.

Aidan Depetro, Senior Engineer at BMT Design & Technology comments:

"Australia’s next generation submarine is likely to feature a combination of new and existing technologies which in turn, creates unexplored risks. The severity of those risks, potential mitigation measures and the effectiveness of any proposed controls are all unknown and there has been very little work carried out in this area.

This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap and build on our existing assurance, risk analysis and business case services. Importantly, it provides BMT with the opportunity to offer technical support to the SEA1000 program which is the aspiration of many engineers within the Australian defence industry, none more than those at BMT."

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Naval Today said:

The MH-60R Seahawk ‘Romeo’ became part of 725 Squadron in a ceremony at HMAS Albatross in Nowra, New South Wales, on 11 June.

Australian Minister for Defence, the Hon Kevin Andrews said the introduction of the Romeo helicopter marked a significant enhancement of the strength of the Fleet Air Arm.

The Squadron has its origins in the Royal Navy, where it was formed in 1943 before being disbanded in 1945. It was first formed as a Royal Australian Navy Air Squadron in 1958, and apart from a brief period in 1961/62, served continuously until its last decommissioning in 1975.

$3.2 billion dollars have been invested in procuring 24 Seahawk Romeo helicopters for Navy. Eleven aircraft have been accepted into service to date, with the delivery running on budget and ahead of schedule.

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France eyeing joint bid with Japan to build Aussie subs: report

SYDNEY – France is exploring the possibility of collaborating with Japan to win a contract to build new Australian submarines, a major newspaper reported Monday.

“It is possible French-Japanese collaboration could be discussed when French Prime Minister Manuel Valls visits Japan in October,” the Australian said.

It quoted a senior French government source as saying that “France and Japan could offer something together for a contract seen as ‘strategically important.’ ”

Australia plans to choose a partner by the end of this year for the construction of up to 12 submarines from among Japan, France and Germany after comparing their technologies.

The Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Soryu-class subs are seen as a prime candidate to replace Australia’s Collins-class vessels. However, some experts have warned that a decision to award the contract to Japan could anger China, Australia’s largest trading partner.

Australia may be able to avoid any Chinese backlash by not awarding the contract solely to Japan, sources familiar with the matter said...... to read more

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The wilful destruction of the ASC
The government-owned shipyard has been singled out as responsible for a $3 billion blow-out in cost, and a 24-month delay in schedule on the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) program that’s currently underway at Outer Harbour in Port Adelaide.

These increases in cost and duration are taking place under a contract that includes an unusually high profit margin as well as providing a significant premium reflecting the costs of local construction. The inability to perform to such a contract is a manifestation of gross incompetence.Ministers have openly declared their lack of confidence in ASC but the Abbott government remains wholly responsible for the performance of the company. ASC’s sole shareholder is the Department of Finance, which reportedly has no intention to privatise the company.

The Japanese gambit
Adding to the uncertainties dogging ASC is an apparent agreement between Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe to design and built the next generation of Australian submarines in Japan. The US has expressed strong support for increased military cooperation between Australia and Japan. Referring to Japan’s undersea capabilities, RADM Stuart Munsch USN — who’s in charge of all USN submarines between the International Date Line and the Red Sea —

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that “the Japanese have got the (technological) lead right now”..... to read more

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