Australian Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

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Jeff Head

General
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Amen to that Jeff. She needs everyone one of them,probably more I know I am stating the obvious, but Ill say it anyway, Australia has the most coastline and oceans,seas,to patrol than any other country.
And may our friendship as allies and friends...as nations...continue, based on the value we share, and the belief system and foundational principles resulting from our Christian and moral heritage..keep us in the United States always available to help you patrol and defend, whenever necessary, your coastlines from any antagonist. @Brumby @SouthernSky
 

SouthernSky

Junior Member
GREAT to see this.

Now begin coupling them with the MQ-4C Tritons (as I believe the RAN intends) and that will be a hack of an MPA/ASW/Long Range surveillance capability for Australia!

It is certainly the intention of the Australian Government to equip the RAAF with the MQ-4C.

The Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), is a high altitude, long endurance (HALE) aircraft that will be used for maritime patrol and other surveillance roles.

Supporting missions up to 24 hours, the Triton is equipped with a sensor suite that provides a 360-degree view of its surroundings, for over 2,000 nautical miles.

The seven Tritons will be based at RAAF Base Edinburgh and will operate alongside the P-8A Poseidon to replace the AP-3C Orion capability.

The Triton will operate alongside the P-8A to replace the ageing AP-3C Orion capability. The endurance of the Triton means it can stay airborne for longer than a traditional aircraft where the pilot is in the aircraft.

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Like other Air Force aircraft, the Triton will be flown by a qualified RAAF pilots, experienced in complex airspace. However the Triton will be flown from a ground station where pilots are supported by a co-pilot while the information gathered is analysed and disseminated by operational staff.

Operational staff may include aircrew, intelligence, operations and administration officers, engineers and logisticians, depending on the training or mission requirements.

Whilst building on elements of the Global Hawk UAS, the Triton incorporates reinforcements to the airframe and wing, along with de-icing and lightning protection systems. These capabilities allow the aircraft to descend through cloud layers to gain a closer view of ships and other targets at sea when needed and will complement the P-8A Poseidon.

The Triton platform has been under development by the United States Navy since 2008.

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The RAAF big jet fleet has certainly grown significantly over the last decade, and will continue to do so for some time yet.
 

SouthernSky

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Lockheed Martin wins contract to supply and install combat system on Australia's future submarine.

The Australian arm of US company Lockheed Martin has won the contract to fit the combat system to the navy’s 12 new submarines.

The system, including everything from sonars to torpedoes, is the reason for the submarines’ existence.

Because of the intense secrecy required to preserve the system’s security, the two contenders were both US companies. The other was the Australian arm of Raytheon, which will continue to service the US-Australian designed combat systems aboard the six Collins-class subs.

The combat systems will be fitted to all 12 new submarines in Adelaide in partnership with Defence and the French company DCNS.

“By partnering with an Australian-based company with strong links to the US, we will ensure that we get the best Australian and US technology, while ensuring that our sensitive technology is protected,” Defence Minister Marise Payne and Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said in a statement.

That decision was subject to further talks on commercial matters.

Mr Pyne said Lockheed Martin Australia intended to team with other Australian firms to provide the local engineering capacity needed to support the program.

The two ministers also announced that the contract had been signed for the detailed design of the new subs.

What was accepted previously was a broad concept for the French company’s Shortfin Barracuda. Mr Pyne said the design agreement was signed ahead of schedule.

The Shortfin Barracuda is a conventionally powered version of DCNS’s nuclear-powered Barracuda sub.

The ministers said the combat system integration program was likely to create about 200 skilled Australian jobs as part of the 2800 jobs associated with the broader Future Submarine Program.

“This will see investment in engineering, project management and other high-technology industries in Australia,” they said.

Lockheed Martin Australia would draw upon expertise from Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training, and General Dynamics Electric Boat, both of which are based in the US.

“Australian industry will be directly involved in the highly technical work of designing and integrating the combat system for the Future Submarine,” the ministers said.

“Mobilisation and design activities will mark the start of the Future Submarine Program, with work also commencing to maximise Australian industry involvement and early planning for the construction of the submarines in Australia.

“The timely start of design and robust planning for each phase of the Future Submarine Program are essential to success and for the benefits to start flowing to the Australian economy.”

Involvement of Australian industry in the program was vital to the construction and sustainment of the submarine fleet and to creating job opportunities across Australia, the ministers said.

Other highly technical work to be done in Australia would include the integration and testing of the subs’ propulsion and combat systems.

“Our future submarines will be an essential part of Australia’s naval capability and will provide us with a strategic advantage,” the ministers said. “Submarines are an effective deterrent, and make a meaningful contribution to anti-submarine warfare in our region.”

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emerging :) ...
First Contract Signed with DCNS to Commence Design Phase
30 September 2016

The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP and the Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne today announced the next significant step in the building of Australia’s Future Submarines with the signing of the contract between the Government and DCNS to commence the design phase of the Program.

Mr Pyne said the signing of the Design and Mobilisation contract today with DCNS was ahead of schedule and not only represented another significant step along the path to developing a regionally superior Future Submarine but also was good news for Australian Defence industry.

“The signing ahead of schedule of the Design and Mobilisation Contract with DCNS demonstrates the Turnbull Government’s commitment to ensuring the project is on track and that planning and preparations at each step are consistently thorough.

“Mobilisation and design activities will mark the start of the Future Submarine Program, with work also commencing to maximise Australian industry involvement and early planning for the construction of the Submarines in Australia.”

“The timely start of design and robust planning for each phase of the Future Submarine Program are essential to success and for the benefits to start flowing to the Australian economy.

“Involvement of Australian industry in the Future Submarine Program is of vital importance to the construction and sustainment of the submarine fleet into the future, creating job opportunities across Australia.

Alongside construction of the future submarines in Adelaide, there is other highly technical work to be conducted in Australia. This will include the integration and testing of submarine systems, including the propulsion and combat systems for the submarines.”

Minister Payne said that the start of design marks a significant milestone in the development of regionally superior Future Submarine capability for Australia.

“The design phase will enable Australia, in partnership with DCNS and Lockheed Martin Australia, to design a submarine that meets our unique capability requirements, which include superior stealth and sensor performance,’’ Minister Payne said.

“This will be essential to meeting the security challenges we face over the coming decades as set out in the 2016 Defence White Paper.

“Our future Submarines will be an essential part of Australia’s naval capability and will provide us with a strategic advantage. Submarines are an effective deterrent, and make a meaningful contribution to anti-submarine warfare in our region.”

“We look forward to our cooperation with France and the United States to support the development of this most important Defence capability for our nation,’’ Minister Payne said.

Mr Pyne said he was especially pleased that DCNS and Lockheed Martin Australia will be leading industry days in Australia in November and throughout 2017 across the nation to maximise Australian industry involvement in this major Defence acquisition program.
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Jeff Head

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CtjabORUAAA9DWW.jpg
emerging :) ...
First Contract Signed with DCNS to Commence Design Phase
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“The design phase will enable Australia, in partnership with DCNS and Lockheed Martin Australia, to design a submarine that meets our unique capability requirements, which include superior stealth and sensor performance,
I believe that the sub structure and hull itself is going to be a good deal for Australia from France,

I also believe that getting the US to work the armament and weapons systems onto that sub with Australia will also be a great hing if they can quickly establish the communication and project mamanagement prtocals necessary to allow the two companies to work well together.

That will be critical.
 
arming up: Australian Navy receives first SM-2 missile for new Hobart-class destroyers
The first upgraded Standard Missile (SM-2) All-Up Round was delivered to the Royal Australian Navy in what is considered a major capability upgrade for the navy.

Hobart class destroyers will be the first Australian warships to be equipped with the upgraded Standard Missile (SM-2).

According to Director General Explosive Materiel, Commodore Simon Ottaviano, the delivery marks the culmination of years of planning and dedicated work.

“This is a milestone event for both capability acquisition and sustainment group, and navy in delivering this capability as it ensures that the new destroyers have the most advanced area air defense weapon available in the world,” Commodore Ottaviano said.

“The DDGs will use the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System where each missile is stored in its own canister until launched. The existing stock of SM‑2 missiles will be converted from rail launch to vertical launch configuration to be used in the destroyers.”

The air-defence missile is used to defend ships from attack by anti-ship missiles and aircraft and can be used against surface vessels. SM‑2 was introduced into the Navy in 2009 in the Adelaide class frigates to replace the obsolete SM-1.

In another milestone event NUSHIP Hobart recently completed ship builder sea trials after several days of testing in South Australian waters.

According to the Royal Australian Navy, further sea trials will take place in early 2017 when Hobart conducts more advanced testing of the ship’s combat and communications systems.
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FORBIN

Lieutenant General
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Navantia, Australia release further dates and details on RAN tanker programme

Key Points
  • Further details released on Australia's new oiler programme
  • The two ships are scheduled to be handed over in August 2019 and May 2020 respectively
Spanish state-owned shipbuilder Navantia and the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) have released further information on the programme for delivering two new Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) vessels for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

The two 19,500-tonne oilers, ordered under an AUD642 million (USD471.4 million) contract placed in May 2016, will replace the RAN's two current AORs HMAS Success and HMAS Sirius .

With steel-cutting on the first oiler now set for June 2017, Navantia told IHS Jane's that the handover date for the lead ship has been fixed for August 2019.

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FORBIN

Lieutenant General
Registered Member
Collins reliable now good for Down Under :)

Australian Navy submarine returns from five-month deployment

Following a five month deployment to south-east Asia, Australian Navy submarine HMAS Sheean returned to Fleet Base West, in Rockingham, Western Australia last week.
Sheean’s deployment included visits to Singapore, Kuantan, Subic Bay and Darwin as well as involvement in Exercise Kakadu, held in the waters off the top end of Australia.
During her deployment, the submarine also completed a supported maintenance period with the assistance of Submarine Enterprise partners. Personnel and stores were effectively mobilised and deployed in challenging monsoon conditions for logistics and maintenance support visits in the region.
Commanding Officer Sheean, Commander Jason Cupples said he was proud of his team.
“After several months away and numerous hours dived, the crew have worked and performed impeccably, accepting all challenges and displaying professionalism second to none,” he said.
Commander Submarine Force Captain Matt Buckley said the boat had been busy completing tasking in support of protecting Australia’s national interests.
“This is yet another highly successful deployment for an Australian submarine into the Indo-Pacific. Through the excellent work of the crew, supported by the Submarine Enterprise, Sheean has delivered a sustained and highly effective deterrent capability with excellent reliability achieved throughout,” he said.

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HMAS Sheean returned to Fleet Base West October 6th - 2.jpg
HMAS Sheean returned to Fleet Base West October 6th.jpg
 
it's interesting Come fly with me - Australia gets its Air Force One
Australia is getting its own Air Force One – albeit a budget version.

After years of deliberations and political hesitancy, the Defence Department has been given the go-ahead to convert a KC-30A air-to-air refuelling aircraft, essentially an Airbus A330, into the VIP jet, replacing the ageing leased fleet.

First floated in a white paper, Defence has admitted, five months after it was first asked, it is moving ahead with modifications of one of its $204 million refuellers to give the Prime Minister an office in the air.

The new VIP jet is to be kept "modest" with only the minimum required modifications, remain capable of acting as an air-to-air refueller, but will also allow for "the continuance of Government business whilst in transit", meaning the Prime Minister will remain in contact at all times.

The government has chosen the cheapest of the options available to it, following former British prime minister David Cameron's lead. Defence confirmed it was "managing the modification", with the cost to come from $190 million already set aside to alter planes according to the air force's needs. Britain managed it for £10 million, which equates to about $16.5 million.

The current Australian VIP jets, which
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Boeing Business Jet 737s as well as three smaller planes, are shared between the Prime Minister, dignitaries, visiting royal family members, the Governor-General and ministers.

Leased in 2002 during the Howard years, frustrations have recently risen over the fleet's limitations, of which size is one. The 737s can carry fewer than 40 people, meaning business delegations and (paying) media cannot travel on the same aircraft, raising issues during multi-stop trade missions.

The range of the 737s has also proven frustrating – a trip to Washington required two stops for refuelling.

The Royal Australian Air Force
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the KC-30A on its website as being capable of carrying 270 passengers while in transport mode, with a range of 14,800 kilometres.

The new, larger jet won't solve all the government's transport woes as the decision means the government is replacing two planes with one. Protocol dictates the Governor-General takes precedence over the Prime Minister.

But a former adviser who often travelled on the current Boeing Business Jet said it would be an improvement, with the BBJ planes "not great for the role".

"They are not suitable planes for a country on the other side of the world," he said.

"They are very small and only fit staff, which is an issue when you are on delegations, or need to take the media with you, which is what every other country does.

"It's understandable that there has been political angst over the purchase – as there is for any large expensive that seems extravagant, but a plane like this is something every government in the world has and we are a serious middle power and it is entirely appropriate we have the same."

Sean Kelly, a former adviser to prime ministers Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard, wasn't quite as harsh in his assessment of the current VIP fleet – "It's a great trip, you're on a plane, there are private staff there to really meet your every whim, there is reasonable amount of space, there is a lot of privacy, it's a joy to fly with them" – but agreed there were limitations.

"The main benefit would be being able to take the press pack and that is a benefit for the Prime Minister and for the journalist themselves," he said.

"Right now you have this crazy situation, where journalists who are conducting exactly the same trip as the Prime Minister, who are flying with the Prime Minister around the world, jumping from country to country, sometimes for weeks at a time, have to make their own arrangements entirely separately, which is not only inconvenient but also means it is a struggle for journalists to make sure they are actually at the same place at the same time as the Prime Minister and that obviously impedes coverage.

"If you bought a bigger plane, then you would be able to take the press pack with you, which would automatically mean that coverage of the Prime Minister was made simpler, which would also serve voters."

Malcolm Turnbull's office declined to comment.
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