Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF)

Citation :

NUSQN 725 marks 1,000 hour milestone

The Royal Australian Navy's Seahawk Romeo crews have achieved a significant aviation milestone, passing 1,000 flight hours in the MH-60R aircraft whilst undergoing training in the US.

The New Squadron 725 (NUSQN 725) team clicked over the achievement without fanfare, but with considerable style, during an exercise flying as a dip gang against a Peruvian Type 209 submarine.

With the team's focus remaining on ensuring aircraft on station on time, for 11 sorties over a weekend, the celebrations were on hold until the work was done said Commanding Officer of the squadron, Commander David Frost.

“It’s been another tremendous effort by all to achieve these hours.

“Every sailor and officer of NUSQN 725 should be proud of this milestone and the critical role they play in delivering this significant capability for the Navy and Fleet Air Arm,” he said.

The maintainers charged with preparing the state-of-the-art aircraft have embraced their duties with the knowledge that they are creating a capability that will benefit the Royal Australian Navy for years to come.

Commander Frost elaborated that the team was very focussed on upgrading their skills and working closely with other nations whilst in the US.

"It's great to see young maintainers and aviators so keen and focussed on warfare training. To launch into a local exercise including six US Navy Romeo squadrons, three P3 and P8 Squadrons, two visiting US Navy Carrier Groups and a live submarine, is an opportunity not lost on any of us,” he said.

Crew member of the 'Romeo', Lieutenant Ben Thomson, said the experience was hard to match.

"In the six months since completing my flying training I have participated in warfare exercises against foreign navy submarines, fired hellfire missiles, launched torpedos, conducted gun engagements against land and surface targets.

"I have had an exposure to warfare capabilities that will provide solid foundations for my future career,” he said.

The pace will not slow either, with an ongoing focus on building skills in parallel with the huge task of returning home to the Naval Air Station in Nowra, NSW before the end of this year.

Over 100 officers and sailors, their families, six aircraft and tonnes of equipment will be saying goodbye to Jacksonville, Florida packing up with the support of the Royal Australian Air Force and a C-17 airlift.

When all the moving parts are back at home plate, the team then will turn its attention to its primary role as a Romeo Training Squadron, passing on their new skills to the future maintainers and operators.

NUSQN 725 will conclude its operations in Jacksonville in December, splitting its people and aircraft between the US and Australia from October, with the first Romeo flight anticipated in November.

All people and equipment will be back on Aussie soil, ready to commence operations as a full squadron from early in 2015. - Navy

http://www.australiandefence.com.au

Citation :

RAF Reapers to operate over Iraq


The UK government confirms it is in the process of redeploying some of its 10 General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned air vehicles to support the US-led coalition’s air strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq.

Currently operating in Afghanistan, an undisclosed number of the Royal Air Force’s Reapers will now be sent to operate over Iraq, defence secretary Michael Fallon announced on 16 October.

“We are redeploying Reaper remotely-piloted aircraft from Afghanistan to be based in the Middle East for use against [the Islamic State],” Fallon says. “This deployment will complement our existing capabilities, which provide highly valued surveillance support and situational awareness to the Iraqi authorities and our coalition partners.”

asset image

Crown Copyright

No detail of the precise numbers to be sent was provided, but is understood that two of the 10 Reapers operated out of RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire in the east of England will be sent to join the air strikes, operating alongside similar aircraft flown by the US Air Force.

“We expect to begin Reaper operations in Iraq shortly,” Fallon adds.

This will be the first deployment of the UK’s Reapers outside Afghanistan, but Fallon points out that as the RAF aircraft are withdrawn from Afghanistan, more will be moved to the Middle Eastern theatre.

The UK government voted in support of joining the air strikes in Iraq on 26 September, and began operations with Panavia GR4 Tornados equipped with Rafael Litening III targeting pods and armed with Raytheon Paveway IV precision-guided bombs and MBDA Brimstone missiles on 30 September.

An initial fleet of six Tornados was deployed from RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, with two more being added days later.

“As the UK’s only armed remotely-piloted aircraft, Reaper will add to the strike capability we are already providing with our Tornado GR4 aircraft,” Fallon says. “The policy for their use is the same as that for manned aircraft, with the pilots operating under strict UK rules of engagement.”

The UK’s participation only allows it to conduct strikes over Iraq, but the USA, alongside five Arab states, is carrying out strikes over Syria.

“It is true that in military terms this is a single theatre of operations,” foreign secretary Philip Hammond told the House of Commons in parallel with Fallon’s announcement. “If we see that there is a military case for the UK to take part in air strikes in Syria we will bring a debate to the house.”

“There is more than enough air power in Syria,” Hammond says, referring to conversations he has had with leadership in the USA. “What is needed is more intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.”

http://www.flightglobal.com

Citation :

Enjeux australiens

Industrie et matériels  20 octobre 2014  


Le projet de remplacement des sous-marins de classe Collins baptisé Sea 1000, qui vise à doter l’Australie de 12 bâtiments conven­tionnels de la classe 4 000 tonnes, est sans doute, avec un enjeu de plus de 30 milliards d’euros, le plus lucratif des contrats export accessibles à l’industrie navale française.

Si les responsables politiques semblent convaincus qu’il s’agit d’une chasse gardée anglo-saxonne, c’est pourtant le Japon qui a mené jusqu’à présent l’offensive commerciale la plus spectaculaire.

Tokyo a en effet profité de l’assouplissement de sa Constitution l’an dernier pour repartir à la conquête des marchés de défense en Asie du sud-est, avec la vente remarquée à l’Inde de 18 hydravions de surveillance maritime ShinMeywa US-2.

Possé­dant avec le Soryu le seul sous-marin conventionnel sur étagère participant à la compéti­tion, le Japon a multiplié les gestes diplo­matiques au cours de cette année, avec la signature d’un accord de coopération scientifique sur la propulsion anaérobie ou le déve­loppement de batteries Li-ion.

Si le Soryu est considéré par les ana­lystes navals comme une réus­site technologique qui ne cesse d’évo­luer depuis sa mise en service en 2009 (avec une production record d’une unité par an), les promesses japonaises d’un transfert complet de technologies au gouvernement australien, qui cherche par ailleurs à préserver les emplois du chan­tier naval d’Adélaïde, rendent sceptiques certains observateurs. En effet, le Soryu bénéficie de nombreuses technologies étran­gères fabriquées sous licence, comme les moteurs Stirling du suédois Kockums, la suite sonar de Hughes, ou encore les missiles antinavires américains Harpoon.

Si DCNS se prépare à proposer une offre fondée sur la coque d’un Barracuda d’un niveau de performance équivalent à celui qu’exigent les missions de dissuasion nucléaire, le second colloque organisé début septembre par les think tanks ASPI et IFRI, sur le dialogue défense industrie franco-australien, a pu révéler que les critères de décision du gouvernement australien ne portaient pas que sur la technologie, mais également sur un soutien opérationnel et une coopération militaro-politique de long terme.

L’expansionnisme chinois et les accords de défense à l’égard des pays de l’ASEAN structurent largement la politique de défense des Australiens. En cas d’offensive sur l’Asie du sud-est, la sous-marinade chinoise se doit d’éviter la mer de Chine, dont la profondeur, la température et la salinité n’offrent pas la discrétion requise à une opération militaire d’envergure. La seule issue consiste, pour elle, à rejoindre le Pacifique par le nord du Japon, puis de descendre vers l’Australie. Or, celle-ci sait pouvoir s’appuyer, depuis la signature du partenariat stratégique avec l’Hexagone en 2011, sur la Marine nationale.

Possédant la seconde ZEE au monde derrière les Etats-Unis, la France, à la faveur du retrait américain, est devenue la puissance navale de référence dans le Pacifique sud, comme dans l’océan Indien, et, à ce titre, un acteur majeur des enjeux de sécurité qui touchent l’Australie.

http://www.ttu.fr/enjeux-australiens/

Citation :

Australia's first MH-60R arrives by C-17

The first of the Royal Australian Navy’s Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky MH-60R combat helicopters has been delivered in-country from NAS Jacksonville, Florida, where squadron personnel have been training.

A Royal Australian Air Force Boeing C-17 strategic transport delivered the MH-60R back to HMAS Albatross in Nowra, New South Wales on 14 October, ahead of air trials that are set to take place from the base over the next month.


Commonwealth of Australia

The A$3 billion ($2.7 billion) US Foreign Military Sales acquisition of 24 of the shipborne helicopters saw the first two accepted in the USA by Australia in December 2013. The new fleet will replace Australia’s existing Sikorsky S-70 Seahawks, and the entire fleet is expected to be delivered by 2017.

Training in the USA by the navy's ‘NUSQN725’ pilots, aviation warfare officers and maintainers has been underway since the first acceptance, and the squadron is scheduled to return to Australia in December to be formally commissioned as 725 Sqn. The service received its fifth MH-60R from Lockheed in mid-October, which was delivered to NAS Jacksonville.

The "Romeos" will provide anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine capability. The aircraft will carry Raytheon Mk54 torpedoes and Lockheed AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, operating from the navy’s Anzac-class frigates and Hobart-class destroyers.


Commonwealth of Australia

Meanwhile, 21 of the Australian Army’s Airbus Helicopters Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters are to undergo an interim tactical datalink upgrade, to allow them to receive enhanced in-flight tactical positioning of friendly and enemy forces.

Under the Land 2089 Phase 3B effort, the $20 million upgrade will allow operators to exchange tactical information, which “further integrates the Tiger into the combined arms land force battlespace”, Australia's Department of Defence says.


Commonwealth of Australia

The programme will be predominantly managed by Elbit Systems Australia, the software and battle management system developer, and Airbus Group Australia Pacific, which will conduct the aircraft technical modifications.

The Tigers will be able to share targeting information, coordinate battlefield movements and tactical objectives, transmitting real-time reconnaissance information between the aircraft and land forces, according to the DoD.

http://www.flightglobal.com

Citation :

Minister for Defence – New training system for ADF helicopter crews


A modern helicopter training system for Navy and Army personnel has been approved by the Australian Government, Defence Minister Senator David Johnston announced today.

Senator Johnston said the new training system would better prepare Navy and Army aircrew to transition to the ADF’s current combat helicopter fleet, as well as the advanced helicopters entering service this decade.

The Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) will be based at HMAS Albatross in Nowra, NSW. The preferred partner for HATS, Boeing Defence Australia, has proposed a training system that will include purpose designed syllabi based on 15 Airbus Helicopter EC-135 twin-engine ‘glass cockpit’ training helicopters; three full-motion Thales EC 135 Flight Simulators and addition of a flight deck to Navy’s new sea-going training vessel. Final contract negotiations with Boeing will conclude directly.

“This will deliver a fully integrated modern training environment with both in-flight and virtual environments on contemporary twin-engine helicopters and flight simulators.

“These will prepare both Navy and Army for the new generation of advanced combat helicopters such as the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, MRH-90 Taipan, MH 60R Seahawk Romeo and our new CH-47F Chinook Foxtrots.”

Senator Johnston said the joint service approach would benefit the ADF because of the reduced training burden on operational aircraft and enhanced Navy and Army operations from the new amphibious ships.

“Defence will also achieve a significant efficiency now that all Army and Navy aircrew will do their initial helicopter training in the one location.

“Being based at Albatross will also bring the advantage of aircrew being able to train in realistic conditions at sea including ship deck-landing and search and rescue skills.”

Senator Johnston said there were significant opportunities for the Australian defence industry, with the local component valued at more than 65 per cent of the acquisition and support contracts of the training system.

The approval allocates over $700 million to acquire the new training system which includes around $200 million in new and refurbished facilities at Albatross.

He said he expected that in excess of 380 short term and more than 80 long term jobs will be created because of the project in the Shoalhaven area.

Initial Operating Capability for HATS is late 2018 but the systems will begin to receive students before then, with a mature training capacity of up to 130 students a year covering pilots, aviation warfare officers, aircrewmen, sensor operators and qualified aircrew returning for instructor training.

http://www.minister.defence.gov.au

Citation :

NUSHIP Canberra on its way from Melbourne to Sydney



NUSHIP Canberra, the largest vessel to ever bear the name of our city, is on its way en route from Melbourne to Sydney, where she is due to be commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy on November 28.

Work on her sister ship, the Adelaide, is still in progress at the BAE Systems Dockyard at Williamstown.

The two "landing helicopter docks" (LHDs), which have a combined cost well in excess of $2 billion, represent a major escalation in the amphibious lift capability of the Australian Defence Force.

They may even, if recent comments by Defence Minister Senator David Johnston bear fruit, one day launch short takeoff and landing F-35B stealth fighter bombers into combat.

NUSHIP Canberra, which will be redesignated HMAS Canberra at the commissioning ceremony, has been under construction for almost six years. Hundreds of workers crowded the wharf when she finally put to sea on Wednesday.

Work on her 230.8-metre-long hull began in Spain in late 2008. The hull was launched in early 2011 and arrived in Australia aboard a heavy lift ship in October 2012 after two months at sea. BAE staff then fabricated the massive superstructure, fitted it to the hull and carried out the final fit out.

Although the LHDs are transporters, they can defend themselves from enemy attack with advanced weaponry and defensive systems. These include remote-operated 25mm Rafael Typhoon weapons systems, 12.7mm-calibre machine guns and torpedo and missile decoys.

Canberra and Adelaide are the largest ships built for the Royal Australian Navy, coming in at almost 20 metres longer than our previous aircraft carriers, HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Sydney.

Because of the different roles, the crew complements on the new ships are much smaller however. While the Melbourne and the Sydney sailed with between 1100 and 1300 crew, the Canberra gets by with 358. Of these, 293 are navy, 62 are army and just three are RAAF.

The naval equivalent of a super-sized people mover, the two LHDs are intended to get more than 1000 warfighters and all their equipment from A to B in the shortest time.

They can also be deployed as floating hospitals and command and control centres in response to humanitarian emergencies such as the Boxing Day tsunami, cyclones, earthquakes and other emergencies.

The first HMAS Canberra, a heavy cruiser, was scuttled following the Battle of Savo Island on August 9, 1942. She had been in service since 1928.

The second Canberra, named in honour of the first on the orders of President Roosevelt, was an American cruiser that saw service with the US Navy from 1943 to 1970.

The third warship to carry the name was a guided missile frigate that served with the RAN from 1981 to 2005.

http://www.smh.com.au

Citation :

RAAF Orion drawdown begins



A Royal Australian Air Force Orion has been scrapped and two more are scheduled for disposal by the end of 2014, Defence has confirmed.

The first aircraft, A9-663, which was the only aircraft in the RAAF’s 19-strong Orion fleet not upgraded under the AP-3C program, was scrapped on October 20. All 19 Orions are due to be progressively drawn-down through to June 2019.

“The first stage of the disposal activity is the reduction of the fleet from 19 to 16 aircraft,” a spokesperson for Defence told Australian Aviation. “The retired aircraft provided best value to Defence by being stripped of all useable items as spares…once all of the useable items have been removed, the retired airframes are being reduced to scrap metal by [a South Australian] company. These three aircraft were assessed to have very limited heritage value; future disposal stages will provide for preservation of aircraft with high heritage value.”

The Orion’s maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability is scheduled to be replaced by a mix of manned P-8A Poseidons and unmanned Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Tritons under the AIR 7000 program.

http://australianaviation.com.au

Citation :

Third Cape Class Patrol Boat Officially Named



Cape Nelson is the third of eight boats being provided by Austal for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) under a design, construct and in-service support contract. The vessel was launched at Austal’s Henderson shipyard in May 2014 and has since undergone final fit out, sea trials and was handed over to ACBPS in September. ACBPS are currently undertaking final crew training before the vessel enters operational service.

The naming ceremony was attended by Nigel Perry, acting DCEO Border Enforcement, and Ms Kelly Cartwright OAM, Australian Paralympian who officially named the vessel after Cape Nelson in her home state of Victoria.



Naming Lady Kelly Cartwright OAM and Kenneth Saunders take the helm of Cape Nelson with CO Tim Spencer and DCO Matt Jessup watching on.

During his address Austal Australia Vice President Defence, Davyd Thomas, said: “Over the last 26 years Austal has designed and manufactured more than 250 high quality commercial and defence vessels. The majority of them were designed and built here in Henderson. Each vessel has been an important ingredient of Austal Australia’s evolution as a Global Defence Prime Contractor; especially in developing and maintaining the intellectual property, design, manufacturing and sustainment capability that is now embodied in Cape Nelson; and indeed in other vessels Austal is currently producing and sustaining across the world. This in essence, is what Austal Australia is all about.

Cape Nelson epitomises the strength of our whole-of-business capability, and the skills and endeavour of every individual who has contributed in any way to reach today’s milestone. Congratulations to all those who have had a part to play in bringing this vessel to life and by extension, contributing to our border security and a safer Australia.”

Nigel Perry, acting DCEO Border Enforcement said “The Cape Class represents an enormous improvement in capability over the current Bay Class patrol boats operated by Customs and Border Protection. They are significantly larger than our current Bay Class patrol boats. They have greater range, are faster, able to deploy for longer and have larger crews. Each vessel has a direct connection to Border Protection Command Headquarters in Canberra via the Australian Maritime Information System and can receive up to the minute tactical updates, images or video footage on contacts of interest. Overall they are much better equipped to deal with the threats encountered in our vast maritime domain now, and into the future.”

Cape Nelson is a state of the art maritime defence capability that will play a significant role in protecting Australia’s borders from multiple maritime threats. It has been designed to have greater range, endurance and flexibility - as well as enhanced capability to operate in more severe sea conditions and across longer range - than the current fleet of Customs and Border Protection vessels and indeed the Royal Australian Navy Patrol Boat fleet.

Cape Class is a program of work that underpins Austal’s strategy as a global defence prime contractor of Ships, Systems and Support. It is a Program that has also enabled Austal to reposition and strengthen its Henderson facilities as a defence-focused operation. Along with key intermediate and deep level sustainment activities being performed in Henderson on both Cape and Armidale Class vessels, this total solution capability represents the future of the Australian business as Austal continues to expand and enhance the strategic industry capability necessary to meet the current and future defence needs of Australia and other nations.

Apart from the Cape Class Patrol Boats, Austal is prime contractor for three major defence Programs: the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) Programs for the United States Navy and two High Speed Support Vessels (HSSV) for the Royal Navy of Oman.

http://www.austal.com

Citation :

Australia – C-17 Globemaster III Aircraft

WASHINGTON, Nov 12, 2014 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.609 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Australia has requested a possible sale of up to 4 C-17A Globemaster III aircraft, 19 F117-PW-100 Pratt & Whitney engines, 4 AN/AAQ-24V Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) Systems, 4 Small Laser Transmitter Assemblies, 4 System Processors, 4 AN/AAR-54 Missile Warning Sensors, 1 AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser, 1 AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System, 5 Trimble Force 524 Receivers, 2 GAS-1 Antenna Units, 2 Controlled Reception Pattern Antennas, 1 AN-USC-43V Advanced Narrowband Voice Terminal, 16 Honeywell H-764 ACE Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems, spare and repair parts, supply and test equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documentation, United States Government and contractor engineering, logistics, and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost for up to four C-17As, support and services is $1.609 billion.

This sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major contributor to political stability, security, and economic development in Southeast Asia. Australia is an important ally and partner that contributes significantly to peacekeeping and humanitarian operations around the world. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives and facilitates burden sharing with a key ally.

Australia's current heavy airlift capability consists of six C-17A aircraft. The proposed sale of additional C-17As will further improve Australia's capability to deploy rapidly in support of global coalition operations and will also greatly enhance its ability to lead regional humanitarian and peacekeeping operations. Australia has the ability to absorb and employ these additional C-17As into its inventory.

The proposed sale of these aircraft and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be the Boeing Company in Long Beach, California. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Australia.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.

http://www.dsca.mil

Inédites photo australien SOTG dans le Sud de l'Afghanistan

Citation :

Le passage de navires russes met en lumière le manque d’une 2è base sous-marine australienne


Par Rédacteur en chef.
Publié le 24 novembre 2014, dernière mise à jour le 24 novembre 2014.


Démonstration de force lors du G-20 de Brisbane, la marine russe a envoyé un groupe tactique en mer de Corail. Un sous-marin nucléaire était peut-être présent. L’Australie a été incapable d’envoyer un sous-marin pour surveiller le groupe russe, parce que tous ses sous-marins se trouvaient de l’autre côté du pays.


Cette absence a privé la marine australienne de la possibilité de recueillir des renseignements précieux sur le groupe russe. Le gouvernement australien est désormais poussé à envisager la construction d’une base sous-marine sur la côte est du pays.

Cette absence de sous-marin a aussi empêché la marine d’établir avec certitude si un sous-marin nucléaire accompagnait les 4 navires russes pendant qu’ils naviguaient au large du nord de l’Australie.

La marine australienne a envoyé 2 frégates, le HMAS Parramatta et le HMAS Stuart, surveiller les navires russes en mer de Corail. Un sous-marin aurait permis de recueillir des renseignements sur les capacités et les modes opératoires des navires russes. Il aurait aussi permis de vérifier la présence présumée d’un sous-marin nucléaire russe. Cependant, les 3 sous-marins australiens disponibles étaient beaucoup trop loin pour atteindre à temps la flotte russe.

Le HMAS Rankin naviguait au sud, en transit vers Hobart, pendant que les 2 autres sous-marins s’entraînaient au large de Perth, à des milliers de km de la flottille russe.

Les 3 autres sous-marins subissent des périodes d’entretien dans les bases d’Adelaide et Perth.

Des spécialistes expliquent qu’un sous-marin aurait pu être envoyé s’il avait été basé sur la côte est. La construction d’une telle base a été envisagée par la marine mais refusée par le gouvernement, principalement à cause de son coût.

Référence :
The Australian (Australie)

http://www.corlobe.tk/spip.php?article36621

Le ministre de la défense Australien met un coup de gueule contre le chantier australien ASC incapable selon lui de construire un simple canoé....
http://www.corlobe.tk/spip.php?article36650

Citation :

Abbott christens RAN's biggest ship


The largest ship ever built for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has been cheered into the fleet at Sydney's Garden Island.

In a ceremony on Friday, NUSHIP Canberra became HMAS Canberra, prompting a rousing cheer from the ship's company and the large number of visitors on board for the occasion.

That included Prime Minister Tony Abbott who said this was a proud day for the navy and Australia.

"We are a nation girt by sea. So it is the Royal Australian Navy that guarantees the security of this continent, the free passage of our trade and the safety of our citizens," he said.

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove said commissioning is one of the most important ceremonies in the life of a warship.

"Symbolically it marks when a war ship becomes a part of our navy and that it's entitled to fly the historical white ensign.

"From the date of commissioning, a warship is recognised under domestic and international law as a sovereign representative of its nation," he told the crowd of more than 1500 guests.

"From today, wherever she may travel in the world, Canberra is all-Australian. The ship and her crew are a part of our nation.

"This is now your opportunity to proudly write a new chapter consistent with the finest traditions of the Royal Australian Navy and the wider Australian Defence Force."

The captain of the new vessel John Sadleir said being in charge of HMAS Canberra was humbling.

"What a superb opportunity and what an Australian outcome to have a part to play in, that is humbling."

He said HMAS Canberra is a highly capable warship.

The vessel will depart Sydney in the next couple of weeks to begin training in exercise areas on Australia's east coast.

"Initially we'll put the ship through its paces and the crew through its paces," Captain Sadleir said.

The ship is also designed to be able to conduct large-scale humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.

Canberra is the third vessel to bear this name. The first Canberra was lost at the World War II Battle of Savo Island in 1942. The second Canberra, a guided missile frigate, was retired in 2005 and then sunk as a dive wreck off Victoria.

At 27,500 tonnes, HMAS Canberra is the largest ship ever to serve in the Australian navy, much larger than the navy's last aircraft carrier, the 20,000 tonne HMAS Melbourne.

HMAS Canberra, made in Spain and fitted out in Melbourne, is classed as a landing helicopter dock (LHD) ship, able to transport up to 18 helicopters and an entire infantry battallion, along with armoured vehicles and supplies.

One more is to come, with the second to be named HMAS Adelaide and commissioned in 2016.

https://au.news.yahoo.com

Citation :

Marché des sous-marins australiens : déconvenue pour DCNS

le 03/12/2014


DCNS qui vise le futur marché des sous-marins australiens vient de connaître une déconvenue. Le gouvernement australien a fait savoir mardi 2 décembre qu'il n'y aurait pas d'appel d'offres ouvert pour remplacer ses sous-marins de la classe Collins. Cette décision renforce les chances du Japon d'être choisi pour construire les futurs sous-marins australiens.

http://www.lemarin.fr/defense/20292-marche-des-sous-marins-australiens-deconvenue-pour-dcns

Citation :

Australia Fires Mk 46 MOD 5 Torpedo Warshots With Unmanned Aircraft

Australia's 816 Squadron demonstrated their core war capabilities as they test fire two Mk 46 MOD 5 torpedo warshots and 50 calibre machine gun aboard the Seahawk Romeo helicopter. The test fire was conducted with the Navy Unmanned Aerial System Development Unit or NUASDU Scan Eagle Unmanned Aircraft. The test firing was conducted in support of the development of a new anti-submarine warfare tactics for Australia.

The co-operative test firing conducted early in December is the first both for the 816 Squadron and the Unmanned Aerial System by the Fleet Air Arm. The Royal Australian Navy considered the exercise as a milestone for the fleet.

Mk 46 MOD torpedo warshots has the velocity of 74 kilometres per hour. It is lightweight with self propelled underwater projectile specially designed to attack high-performing submarines. Mk 46 is considered the NATO marked standard lightweight torpedo and the MOD 5 is the most advanced model of its type. Mk 46 MOD 5 can be launched from surface ships, aircraft, helicopters and rockets, according to Deagel.com.

816 Squadron's test firing readied the Seahawk Romeo helicopter for future deployments. Furthermore, the event served as the culmination of the operational flying training for four Aviation Warfare Officers and safeguarding training for the maintenance crew.

"While crews get the opportunity to fire torpedos on a regular basis in the simulator, there is no substitute for flying and deploying a live weapon," Officer in Charge of Warfare Cell in 816 Squadron Lieutenant Matthew Hudson told LEUT Paul Morrisson.

"It was an extremely successful week for 816 Squadron, continuing to develop tactics for the S-70B-2 Seahawk and preparations for the transition to the new Romeo," Hudson added.

The Royal Australian Navy or RAN unveiled the Seahawk Romeo to the Australia public on Nov 14 2014 manned by Lieutenant Craig Castle and Leading Seaman - Aviation Liam Carruthers. But its first successful hellfire missile test firing was conducted in July when it was first stationed at the United States Navy's Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Centre off the Florida coast. Seahawk Romeo is part of a $3.2 billion acquisition program aimed at providing RAN with highly advanced war aircraft.

http://au.ibtimes.com

Citation :

Programme australien Land 400: un appel d'offres en janvier pour des blindés légers





Le ministère australien de la Défense va lancer un appel d'offres dans les premiers jours de janvier prochain pour son programme "Land Combat Vehicle System (LCVS)" qui vise le remplacement des M113 et des Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV 8x8), dans le cadre du Land 400 Phase 2 Project.

Le choix du futur/des futurs blindé(s) ne devrait pas intervenir avant 2017, avec une mise en service en 2020. Ce qui fait qu'alors les M113 (il en resterait 500) auront été en service depuis 55 ans et les LAV (un peu plus de 220 en parc) depuis 33 ans!

Aucun chiffre sur les besoins ne figure dans les documents disponibles mais le chiffre de 700 véhicules circule (celui de 1100 aussi).

BAE Systems et Patria sont sur les rangs, ainsi que le groupement formé par Boeing Defence Australia et Iveco-Oto Melara. Nexter devrait aussi être des candidats.


http://lignesdedefense.blogs.ouest-france.fr/archive/2014/12/15/programme-land-400-un-appel-d-offres-en-janvier-pour-des-bli-13114.html

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Navantia signs Contract to support Royal Australian Navy LHD HMAS Canberra

On the 16/12/2014, Navantia has signed with BAE Systems a contract to support the sustainment of the Australian LHDs. Through this contract Navantia will support the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) and the Diesel Generator system as well as technical assistance in the sustainment of the ships.

On the 16/12/2014, Navantia has signed with BAE Systems a contract to support the sustainment of the Australian LHDs. Through this contract Navantia will support the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) and the Diesel Generator system as well as technical assistance in the sustainment of the ships.
The largest ship ever built for the Royal Australian Navy, Landing Helicopter Dock HMAS Canberra
Picture: Royal Australian Navy

This contract is basic for the objectives of Navantia in relation to the engagement of Through Life Services, which fits within the long term strategy of Navantia in Australia, increasing the relationship with the local industry and customer while increasing its footprint in country by means of placing a technical team and associated infrastructure in Sydney.

Through Life Support Services is one of the key strategic areas of Navantia not only for the reasons above indicated, but also to develop further an activity with relevant potential and which impacts in achieving closer relationship with our customers.

http://www.navyrecognition.com

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Royal Australian Navy Celebrates 30 Years of Operating the AS350BA ‘Squirrel’ helicopter

For the venerable AS350BA ‘Squirrel’ helicopter and the men and women of Royal Australian Navy (RAN) 723 Squadron, 2014 proved to be a remarkable year. The Squadron achieved significant flying hours undertaking aircrew training and fleet support tasking in the ‘Squirrel’. But what made their achievements all the more impressive, is the fact that the Squirrel fleet celebrated its 30th birthday with the RAN this year.

For the venerable AS350BA ‘Squirrel’ helicopter and the men and women of Royal Australian Navy (RAN) 723 Squadron, 2014 proved to be a remarkable year. The Squadron achieved significant flying hours undertaking aircrew training and fleet support tasking in the ‘Squirrel’. But what made their achievements all the more impressive, is the fact that the Squirrel fleet celebrated its 30th birthday with the RAN this year.
AS350BA Squirrel helicopter 806 at the Naval Air Station, HMAS Albatross, Nowra.
Picture: Royal Australian Navy

In total, 723 Squadron conducted over 3,500 hours of flying time on the AS350 for this calendar year, a figure that has not been matched since the early 1990s. What’s more, when accounting for the 1,330 hours logged on the squadron’s other workhorse, the Bell 429, 723 Squadron achieved the highest rate of effort in the entire Fleet Air Arm for 2014.

Commanding Officer Commander Alan Moore, praised the efforts of those who made the feat possible.

“I am extremely proud of the efforts of all personnel who have been involved with the ‘Squirrel’ over its 30 year history and the efforts they have put in, whether maintaining, flying or supporting the aircraft to achieve a most remarkable safety, operational and training record," he said.

The AS350BA Squirrel fleet is due to retire in 2018 with the planned introduction of the AIR 9000 Phase 7 (Airbus Helicopter EC135) Helicopter Aircrew Training System into Australian Defence Force service.

http://www.navyrecognition.com

Exercices de soldats australiens dans la composition SOTG, avant le déploiement en Irak.

Citation :

Endurance record pour un Wedgetail australien

Publié le 16/01/2015 à 14h12, par Emmanuel Huberdeau


F/A-18 F Super Hornet et E-7A australiens en mission au dessus du Golfe. Les Super Hornet emportent à la fois des bombes à guidage laser et
des bombes conventionnelles. © Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence

L'armée de l'air australienne annonce avoir battu son record d'endurance en vol. Un avion de guet aérien E-7A Wedgetail a réalisé une mission de 16 heures et 18 minutes dans le cadre des opérations aériennes conduites par la coalition contre Daesh en Irak.
Alors que l'appareil était en vol depuis plusieurs heures, l'ordre est tombé de poursuivre la mission, l'appareil devant le remplacer n'ayant pu prendre l'air. Grace au ravitaillement en vol, le Wedgetail australien a pu poursuivre sa mission de surveillance et de coordination des opérations aériennes.

Cette "première" permet de mettre en lumière la participation australienne  aux opérations au Moyen Orient. En plus de l'E-7A, un ravitailleur en vol KC-30A et des chasseurs F/A-18F Super Hornet sont déployés. 600 australiens (400 aviateurs et 200 membres des forces spéciales) participent à l'opération OKRA.

Il n'est pas inutile de rappeler également l'aspect exceptionnel des missions aériennes longue durée. En France les appareils des Forces Aériennes Stratégiques, parfois soutenues par des Awacs s'entrainent régulièrement aux vols longs afin d'être capables si besoin d'effectuer des bombardements stratégiques à plusieurs milliers de kilomètres de leurs bases.


http://www.air-cosmos.com/2015/01/16/28027-endurance-record-pour-un-wedgetail-australien

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First Australian pilot to start JSF training


The first Australian pilot is set to start training to fly the new and advanced F-35A Lightning combat aircraft.

Squadron leader Andrew Jackson will begin initial flight training at Eglin US Air Force base in Florida in the United States this week.

But his first flight in the world's most sophisticated combat aircraft could still be some months away. And it might not be aboard either of Australia's two Lightning aircraft.

Australia's second F-35A pilot Squadron leader David Bell, a qualified test pilot, will start training in mid-2015.

Squadron leader Jackson said he was excited to take this leading role in the introduction of these advanced combat aircraft.

'The fifth generation F-35A capabilities represent a quantum shift over legacy fighters. I am looking forward to the training challenge it will present,' he said in a statement.

He said the Lightning would give its pilots a level of situational awareness that far exceeded older aircraft.

'Experiencing this level of capability first hand is something every pilot dreams of,' he said.

Squadron leader Jackson will eventually serve as an instructor pilot for Australian F-35A pilots and those from other nations.

He was selected for his operational flying skills, extensive experience and leadership.

Australia is committed to buy 72 JSF aircraft with the first arriving from the US in late 2018.

The first two rolled off the production line last year. They will remain in the US in pool of training aircraft.

The RAAF's first operational JSF squadron to be established by 2020, replacing ageing F/A-18A/B Hornets at RAAF Bases Williamtown (NSW) and Tindal (NT).

AAP

http://www.skynews.com.au

Citation :

Australie : l'hélicoptère d'entrainement militaire EC135 T2+ prend les airs

Publié le 26/01/2015 à 14h31, par Guillaume Belan


L'EC135 T2+ en vol à Donauwörth, Allemagne © Airbus Helicopters / Charles Abarr

Airbus Helicopters annonce que le premier bimoteur EC135 T2+ acquis par l'armée australienne a réalisé son premier vol. Cet hélicoptère a été sélectionné dans le cadre du programme de formation des équipages d'hélicoptère des armées australiennes (Helicopter Aircrew Training System), contrat remporté par Boeing. L'Australie a sélectionné 15 de ces machines, afin de préparer les équipages qui voleront ensuite sur Tigre, MRH90 Taipan (NH90 Caiman), Seahawk et CH-47F Chinook.

Le vol, qui a duré près d'une heure, a été effectué le 16 janvier à Donauwörth sur le site de production d'Airbus Helicopters en Allemagne.

Basé sur un hélicoptère civil, l'EC135 T2+ offre une très bonne visibilité. Le programme HATS doit débuter d'ici à 2018, et doit êter capable de former jusqu'à 130 stagiaires par an.


http://www.air-cosmos.com/2015/01/26/28232-australie-l-helicoptere-d-entrainement-militaire-ec135-t2-prend-les-airs

Citation :

Saab statement on submarine production in Australia

Defence and Security company Saab in Australia welcomes the announcement by the Australian Government of a competitive evaluation process for the Future Submarine (SEA1000) program. This process will provide Saab with the opportunity to present the Australian Government with its highly competitive offer to build submarines in Adelaide utilising industry Australia wide.

Defence and Security company Saab in Australia welcomes the announcement by the Australian Government of a competitive evaluation process for the Future Submarine (SEA1000) program. This process will provide Saab with the opportunity to present the Australian Government with its highly competitive offer to build submarines in Adelaide utilising industry Australia wide. Saab new generation SSK Kockums A26, will be designed for mainly littoral operations but will also possess ocean-going capabilities. Picture: Saab

In an unsolicited proposal to the Commonwealth in November 2014, Saab outlined that the company could build submarines in Adelaide at a competitive cost.

“The build of the Collins class saw a huge involvement by Australian industry, which we believe can be replicated again in the Future Submarine program. We are delighted that the Australian Government has taken this step and we look forward to demonstrating our capabilities through a transparent process,” said Dean Rosenfield, Managing Director of Saab Australia.

Following the acquisition of Saab Kockums last year, Saab now has over 100 years of submarine design and building expertise. In 25 years of operations and experience in Australia, Saab has repeatedly proven its ability to transfer technology to Australia and has demonstrated itself as a reliable partner to the Australian Defence Force.

“Based on our previous experience building submarines in Australia and Sweden and involvement in many other programs around the world, we believe that the first submarine could be built in Adelaide and delivered within ten years. This will substantially reduce the cost and risk not just for the build but also for the sustainment program” said Dean Rosenfield.

Sweden is one of the few countries in the world currently developing a next-generation submarine, and a partnership would provide Australia with an opportunity to have an advanced submarine which meets Australia’s unique requirements.

Saab employs over 14,000 people worldwide, including 2,500 employees in the naval domain and over 200 naval systems engineers in Adelaide, South Australia.

http://www.navyrecognition.com

vu l´experience avec les collins je doute qu´ils regagnent confiance.
HDW se dit abvoir plus de chance de remporter le bid australien de 12 uboot

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RAAF pushes for tighter integration of assets


The Royal Australian Air Force has ambitious plans that emphasise the seamless integration of airborne assets, as it continues to induct new platforms.

Speaking with Flightglobal on the sidelines of an air force conference, AM Geoff Brown foresees air force operations fundamentally changing in the next ten years, relying on data produced from a range of platforms, as well as improve situational awareness.

The concept, dubbed 'Plan Jericho,' will see greater connectivity, allowing for dynamic re-tasking of aircraft, as well as improved integration between the RAAF, other service branches, and coalition partners.

Several officers spoke on the topic during the conference, which preceded the biennial Avalon air show outside of Melbourne. They made much of the Lockheed Martins F-35 fighter's possibilities in the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance areas, in addition to its combat capabilities.

Australia has commitments for 72 F-35s, and could acquire up to 100 of the type.

Brown adds that eight RAAF crew members are also embedded with a US Navy Boeing EA-18G Growler squadron to learn about the type's electronic warfare capabilities. In addition to its 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets, Canberra has orders for 12 EA-18Gs, but Brown says the RAAF is unlikely to obtain more of the Boeing type.

Brown says RAAF aircraft have performed well in coalition combat operations against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria. Forces deployed include an E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning & control (AEW&C) aircraft, an Airbus Military A330 multi-role tanker transport (designated the KC-30A in Australian service), and F/A-18Fs.

Brown has particularly high marks for the KC-30As, which have refuelled a broad range of coalition fighters. Dispatch reliability of the type is extremely high, and missions can run up to 11-12 hours. The reliability of the E-7A has also been high.

On the issue of the KC-30A's problematic air-too-air refuelling boom, Brown says progress is being made, and the capability should be available across the RAAF fleet by sometime in 2016.

The boom will allow the KC-30A to refuel types such as the C-17, P-8 Poseidon, and E-7, in addition to types operated by friendly air forces - namely Singapore's F-15SGs and USAF aircraft.

Brown also revealed that RAAF personnel are working at Creech air force base in Nevada to familiarise themselves with the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft. He indicates that while Australia has no immediate plans to obtain this system, it could be included in a future defence whitepaper, the next iteration of which is due in the middle of 2015.

"We need to transform ourselves into a truly integrated, networked force that can realise the potential of this technology, and maintain our position as master of the air domain," he adds.

http://www.flightglobal.com

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Australian C-27J crews commence training in USA

Australian personnel are embarking on flight training related to the new Alenia Aermacchi C-27J tactical transport.

In a presentation in Melbourne ahead of the Avalon air show, parliamentary secretary to the minister of defence Darren Chester said that Royal Australian Air Force air crew will commence airborne training in the USA.

RAAF personnel involved with the C-27J programme have been present in the USA since January. The personnel comprise the first batch of pilots and loadmasters for the type.

asset image

Commonwealth of Australia

“The C-27J significantly improves the Australian Defence Force’s ability to move troops, equipment and supplies,” says Chester. “It can land at more airfields and provide disaster relief support in a range of environments.”

Australia has orders for 10 C-27Js, with the first example to arrive in the middle of 2015. Australia obtained the type under a Foreign Military Sales agreement with the US government, that sees green aircraft delivered from Alenia Aermacchi in Italy to Texas, where the US firm L-3 converts them to the Joint Cargo Aircraft configuration.

The work takes three months, and involves the fitting of an electronic warfare and infrared countermeasures suite, US-standard communications equipment and ballistic matting around the cockpit and loadmaster’s station.

http://www.flightglobal.com