Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF)

22-08-11 HMAS Canberra

Photo Señalero ( FdB )

Citation :

Royal Australian Navy signed Contract with Raytheon for Helicopters



Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that the Royal Australian Navy has signed a new contract with Raytheon Australia to provide three Bell 429 helicopters aimed to maintain and develop the skills of junior Naval helicopter aircrew.

The contract is worth around A$26 million over four years and includes support and maintenance. Mr Clare said that the helicopters would be operated by Navy’s 723 Squadron in Nowra.

“This is one way the Navy is making sure that pilots and aircrew are ready for the new Romeo combat helicopters which will start arriving in 2014,” Mr Clare said.

“Junior aircrew initially train in Squirrel helicopters. They will then move on to the Bell 429 to improve and maintain their skills.

“This gives young Naval pilots and aircrew the chance to hone their skills before they start flying the new combat helicopters, the MH-60R Seahawks or the new MRH-90 helicopters.” The lease of these helicopters is necessary to assist in the skills development of Naval aircrew following the cancellation of the failed Seasprite project.

defenseworld

Citation :

La marine australienne désarme son dernier Newport

Le HMAS Kanimbla crédits : MARINE AUSTRALIENNE

21/09/2011

L'Australie a, finalement, décidé de désarmer son dernier bâtiment de débarquement de chars du type Newport. Après le retrait du service du HMAS Manoora en mai dernier, c'est le HMAS Kanimbla qui prend sa retraite. Bien que refondus à grands frais entre 1996 et 2001, ces deux navires, construit aux Etats-Unis et entrés en service en 1971, n'ont pas donné satisfaction et ont rencontré de gros problèmes techniques. Alors que le HMAS Manoora était arrêté depuis septembre 2010, la marine australienne avait songé à réparer le HMAS Kanimbla pour le maintenir jusqu'en 2014, année prévue pour la livraison du premier des deux porte-hélicoptères d'assaut (HMAS Canberra et HMAS Adelaide) commandés au groupe espagnol Navantia. Cette option a, néanmoins, été abandonnée. Pour compenser le retrait prématuré des deux anciens LST américains, l'Australie a décidé d'acheter le transport de chalands de débarquement auxiliaire britannique RFA Largs Bay. Ce bâtiment, construit en 2007 et vendu par la Grande-Bretagne pour cause de restrictions budgétaires, devrait être livré en fin d'année pour une mise en service sous son nouveau pavillon début 2012. Il sera baptisé HMAS Choules, du nom du dernier vétéran de la guerre de 14/18. Le Britannique Claude Stanlay Choules, qui a servi durant la grande guerre au sein de la Royal Navy, est décédé en mai dernier, en Australie, à l'âge de 110 ans.

M&M

Citation :

Austal va construire 8 patrouilleurs pour la douane australienne

Vue du futur patrouilleur commandé par le CBPS australien crédits : AUSTAL

23/09/2011

Le groupe Austal a signé un contrat portant sur la réalisation de 8 patrouilleurs destiné au Custom and Border Protection Service australien. Du type Cape, ces navires de 57.8 mètres seront armés par un équipage de 18 hommes. Ils pourront atteindre la vitesse de 25 noeuds et présenteront une autonomie de plus de 4000 milles à 12 noeuds. Devant remplacer les 8 patrouilleurs du type Bay, mis en service en 1999 et 2000, les nouveaux bâtiments seront réalisés par le chantier Austal d'Henderson, dans l'ouest de l'Australie. Les livraisons devraient s'échelonner entre mars 2013 et août 2015.


Patrouilleur du type Cape (© : AUSTAL)

M&M

Achat de 12 LCM-1E pour le 2 LHD de Navantia

http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2011/09/27/minister-for-defence-materiel-lhd-watercraft-and-enhanced-joint-operations-centre-command-and-control-capability-projects-approved/

Citation :

Tiger helicopters at last ready to prowl at night




The Australian Defence Force will stage a night-time helicopter training exercise in the Top End.

Four Tiger helicopters will be flown on week nights between 6pm and midnight over the next two months.

The operation will be managed from Darwin but defence says the majority of the training will take place in regional and low-population areas to limit disruptions to the public.

The ADF says the training marks a significant step forward in the use of reconnaissance and attack helicopters.

The helicopters taking part in the night exercises are among 22 Tigers ordered by the ADF under a $2 billion contract.

They had been limited to daylight operations because of delivery delays for night-vision helmets.

It is expected that some of the Tigers will see service in Afghanistan.

Diggers fighting in Afghanistan currently rely on US Black Hawk and Apache helicopters for air fire support and medical evacuations.

abc.net.au

Citation :

RAAF C-130J Hercules full-flight and mission simulator upgraded to provide enhanced tactical training capabilities



Sydney, Australia | CAE Australia today announced that it has upgraded the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) C-130J Hercules full-flight and mission simulator (FFMS) to provide additional tactical training capabilities. The upgrade was completed on budget and without taking the simulator out of service.

CAE Australia, prime contractor under the Management and Support of the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) Aerospace Simulators (MSAAS) contract, upgraded the C-130J simulator with a new radar warning receiver (RWR) simulation, which will be used to provide RAAF C-130J aircrews with early warning and threat detection alerts during training. Instructors will also be able to insert various radar threats into the simulator training sessions to provide RAAF aircrews with realistic tactical mission training scenarios.

“The addition of the RWR simulation to the C-130J simulator is consistent with the Commonwealth’s objective to ensure the Royal Australian Air Force’s training systems are concurrent with the platforms they simulate,” said Peter Redman, acting Managing Director, CAE Australia Pty Ltd. “We completed this simulator upgrade without any downtime to current training, and in advance of the upgrades being completed on the actual aircraft. The RAAF C-130J aircrews will now be well-trained and prepared as the RWR-capable Hercules aircraft re-enter service.”

The addition of the RWR simulation not only ensures the ongoing fidelity of the C-130J simulator, but also enhances the tactical training capabilities of the C-130J aircrew training system. The C-130J FFMS includes CAE’s Interactive Tactical Environment Management System (ITEMS) for creating complex tactical environment scenarios, as well as Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) functionality so the C-130J FFMS can be networked with the C-130H FFMS co-located at RAAF Base Richmond.

CAE Australia performed the upgrade under CAE’s Authorised Engineering Organisation (AEO) Letter of Authority. As a certified AEO, CAE is delegated design approval authority for engineering upgrades on in-service simulators for the Australian Defence Forces.

defpro

Citation :

$30m Tiger down not a problem, says Defence

Ashleigh Raper

Updated October 11, 2011 12:15:09

Photo: Safe landing: The Tiger helicopter sits in a paddock on the outskirts of Darwin. (ABC)

Map: Darwin 0800


The Defence Department has ruled out problems with its new Tiger helicopters, after one was forced to make an emergency landing in Darwin's rural area last night.

The $30 million armed reconnaissance helicopter was taking part in a night-training exercise when its windscreen cracked.

The pilot was forced to land the aircraft in a paddock at Lambells Lagoon.

First Aviation Regiment commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel John Fenwick says the windscreen will be repaired.

"This is an isolated incident," he said.

"There is no need or reason to suggest that this is broader than just this aircraft at this stage.

"Certainly (there is) no need to suggest that all the other aircraft are imminently affected and affects safety for everyone."

Northern Territory Police say they were alerted to the incident when a woman called emergency services when she saw the helicopter flying at a low altitude above her property last night.

The Rescue Coordination Centre in Canberra also received a distress signal.

The army is conducting a series of night-training exercises in the Top End, using up to four helicopters at a time.

Until recently, its Tiger helicopters were confined to daytime operations because of a lack of night-vision equipment.

abc

L'histoire qui veut pas prendre fin

Citation :

Les sous-marins classiques australiens coutent 2 fois plus chers que leurs équivalents nucléaires américains


Les sous-marins australiens de la classe Collins coutent 2 fois plus chers pour leur mise en œuvre que les sous-marins nucléaires de l’US Navy.



Des nouveaux chiffres montrent que les 6 sous-marins australiens de la classe Collins coutent environ 630 millions AUS$ (468,5 millions €) par an, soit 105 millions AUS$ (78,1 millions €) par sous-marin, ce qui en fait les sous-marins les plus couteux qui aient jamais navigué.

Actuellement, seuls 2 des 6 sous-marins de la flotte pourraient accomplir une mission de combat. Et avec un maximum de 3 disponibles à n’importe quel moment, les couts sont encore plus élevés, lorsqu’on les rapporte aux missions accomplies.

Le cout annuel de l’entretien (maintenance et soutien) est de 415,9 millions AUS$ (309,3 millions €) pour 2011-12, et les couts d’opération (carburant, nourriture, salaires et primes, armement) s’élèvent à 213,4 millions € (158,7 millions €).

Par comparaison, un sous-marin nucléaire d’attaque américain, qui est 3 fois plus gros que les Collins, coute seulement environ 50 millions AUS$ (37,2 millions €) par an.

En 2008, l’état-major de la marine australienne, très embarrassé par ces chiffres, a arrêté de mentionner les performances de la flotte sous-marin dans le rapport annuel sur la Défense.

En 2007-08, les chiffres montraient que la flotte n’atteignait que 64% de sa capacité théorique de mission, soit 559 jours de disponibilité réelle.

Adelaide Now

C'est pas assez cher ... à la poubelle

Citation :

La marine australienne écarte les propositions française et espagnole pour ses nouveaux sous-marins


Des responsables de la défense australienne ont révélé qu’au moins 2 concurrents possibles pour la nouvelle flotte de sous-marins australiens, le S-80 espagnol et le Scorpene français, ont été écartés du futur projet.



Répondant aux questions de l’opposition, le ministère australien de la défense a expliqué que ces 2 types de sous-marins ne correspondaient pas aux « besoins de l’Australie comme ils ont été spécifiés dans le Livre Blanc de la Défense ».

Ils sont plus petits que les sous-marins actuels de classe Collins, alors que le Livre Blanc demande 12 sous-marins plus gros, pour un montant pouvant aller jusqu’à 36 milliards AUS$ (26,8 milliards €).

La décision sur la direction du projet de futur sous-marin doit être prise à la fin de cette année ou au début 2012.

Adelaide Now

cette marine semble faire dans les commissions sous table,ils veulent tout simplement acheter US coute que coute

Citation :

RAAF Base Amberley to welcome four more Super Hornets from the US to complete fleet




Loud and proud: Up to 20 Super Hornets will fly over the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Ipswich on Friday. Source: AAP

Up to 20 RAAF Super Hornets are expected to buzz southeast Queensland on Friday.


The RAAF will celebrate the completion of the fleet for 1 and 6 Squadrons, based at Amberley, near Ipswich, with the flypast before an official ceremony at the base on Friday morning.

(See timetable below)

A RAAF spokesman said the arrival of four jets from the US will take the number of the F/A-18F fighter jets to 24 at the base.

``A flypast of up to 20 jets will take place over the skies of Queensland on Friday followed by a solo aerial display that will be performed over the base,'' she said.

The jets will fly over the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and then arrive at the base after 11am.

The first 15 Super Hornets became operational in December after the retirement of the F-111s.


Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.


Fighter jets

End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.

Thousands of spectators witnessed the final flight of the F-111s from multiple vantage points last year.

Another spokesman said the Super Hornet display would be a good training exercise for the RAAF.

"There will be a mass formation flypast of up to 20 F/A-18F Super Hornets over the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, Brisbane and Ipswich, this Friday as part of the welcoming ceremony for four new Super Hornets," he said in a statement.

"Sixteen aircraft will depart RAAF Base Amberley between 10am and 10.30am and will fly in a loose formation to a point off North Stradbroke Island, where they will form up and fly south, crossing the coast at Southport before flying down the Gold Coast to Tweed Heads.

"The armada will then fly out to sea and reform at a point off the Sunshine Coast where it will join with the four new Super Hornets.

"The 20-strong formation will fly south from Noosa Heads down the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane where it will then fly over the CBD en route to Ipswich and RAAF Amberley. It is expected to pass over the base at 11.30am.

"The formation will be accompanied at intervals by up to two Hawk Mk127 lead-in fighters.

"The final number of aircraft flying will depend on operational and training tasks for the aircraft."


FLIGHT PATHS:

Outward leg including Gold Coast
Up to 16 x F/A-18F Super Hornets

10am: 16 x F/A-18F Super Hornets commence their launch from RAAF Amberley.

10.18 Springwood

10.21 North Stradbroke Island

10.23 South Stradbroke Island

10.25 Southport

10.26 Surfers Paradise

10.26 Burleigh Heads

10.27 Coolangatta

10.28 Trweed Heads.

Sunshine Coast
Up to 20 x F/A-18F Super Hornets

11.04 am Noosa Heads

11.06 Coolum Beach

11.07 Maroochydore

11.08 Caloundra

11.11 Bribie Island

11.13 Redcliffe

11.14 Fisherman's Islands

11.15 Manly

11.16 Wellington Point

11.17 Southern Tip Moreton Island

11.19 St Helena Island

Brisbane - Ipswich
Up to 20 x F/A-18F Super Hornets following the Brisbane River

11.20 am Lytton

11.21 Balmoral, Hawthorne, Kangaroo Point, Botanic Gardens/Captain Cook Bridge

11.22 Highgate Hill, St Lucia, Indooroopilly, Kenmore

11.23 Jindalee, Moggill

11.24 Ipswich

.couriermail.

Citation :

Construction Begins at Navantia of Five Blocks Second Royal Australian Navy Destroyer



The Navantia-Ferrol Fene shipyard on 18 October began the construction of five blocks for the second Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) for the Royal Australian Navy.

This milestone was achieved on the premises of Aceros de Ferrol, when first steel was cut for block number 109.

The five blocks to be built will be the 109, 103 and 101, to be held in the premises of Ferrol, and 107 and 105, to be made in the Fene facilities. Previously, before the three AWD blocks, block 603, for the dome area of the ship, was also built at Fene.

It is expected that the contract for the execution of these five blocks, which was approved by the Australian Government last May, be signed shortly, once the scope of all technical requirements have been agreed. The realization of these blocks will be a generate a workload of 410,000 man-hours.

In 2007, Navantia won the contract to design and support three AWDs, based on the proposed F-105 Frigate of the Spanish Armada, as well as certain equipment and systems for these vessels.

defpro

Citation :

Australia takes delivery of UK ship Kargs Bay

AUSTRALIA has officially taken delivery of a surplus British amphibious transport ship which will enter navy service later this year.

Largs Bay, to be renamed HMAS Choules, has been handed over formally to the Australian Defence Force at Falmouth Dockyard in the United Kingdom.

The vessel sets sail for Australia in November, arriving in Western Australia in mid-December where it will be officially commissioned.

It has been named after Claude Choules, who died in May at the age of 110.

Choules saw service in World War I and World War II, first as a member of the Royal Navy and then the Royal Australian Navy.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith says the ship will help ensure the navy has the amphibious capability it needs for operational and humanitarian support in the the period leading up to the arrival of landing helicopter dock (LHD) vessels.

Largs Bay, commissioned in 2006, was declared surplus and offered for sale with Australia snapping up the vessel for $100 million.

The 16,000-tonne vessel can carry cargo equivalent to the combined total of that carried by HMAS Tobruk and the now retired ships Manoora and Kanimbla.

heraldsun

Citation :

Govt Requests Pricing & Availability for a RAAF C-27J Buy


The federal government has confirmed it has requested pricing and availability of 10 Alenia C-27J tactical transport aircraft for the RAAF.


The Air 8000 Phase 2 Battlefield Airlifter (BFA) project aims to replace the tactical airlift capability left vacant by the retirement of the RAAF’s DHC Caribou in December 2009, and has been put off by successive governments over a period of more than 20 years.


The C-130H and C-130J Hercules operated by Richmond based 37SQN have to some extent fulfilled this role in recent years, but the Hercules lacks the short field performance and is much heavier than the Caribou or its possible replacements, while helicopters lack the range or speed of a fixed wing aircraft.


In a statement released on October 19, Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare said the formal request was being sent now because production of 38 C-27Js for the US Air National Guard was coming to an end. “Due to the pending closure of the production line for US Air National Guard aircraft the Government has authorised Defence to issue a non-binding/no-commitment Letter of Request seeking price and availability information on the C-27J,” the statement reads.


While Defence was unable to confirm at time of writing to which organisation the request had been submitted, the ministerial statement suggests the C-27J may be acquired through the US Foreign Military Sales process. This would give Australia an opportunity to tie into the US’s sustainment and upgrade program for its fleet, as well as giving greater economies of scale for both operators.


Recent media reports suggest US politicians are pushing for an increase in the US ANG fleet to as many as 75 C-27Js, as the type is now in operation in Afghanistan and has proven to be far more economical than the larger C-130 with typical loads. The C-27J shares common engines and cockpit avionics architecture with the C-130J.


The formal request doesn’t mean the C-27J has been selected to fulfil the Air 8000 Phase requirement over Airbus’s rival C295. “The information from the Letter of Request will inform Government consideration of capability, cost and schedule issues associated with this project as well as consideration of the acquisition strategy, including whether a roader tender process will be pursued,” the ministerial statement said.


But the RAAF is known to have long favoured the more rugged structure and larger cargo hold of the C-27J over the smaller but longer C295, and is likely to push for a sole-source selection. The statement says it expects a response to the request by February 2012, after which “careful consideration of all the options will then proceed.”


The statement has also for the first time officially acknowledged that Defence is developing options to retain the C-130H fleet – of which about eight aircraft are operational out of a core fleet of 12 – beyond its planned retirement in 2013 out to 2016.

(Australian Aviation)

HMAS Success et HMAS New Castle lors d'un exercice de ravitaillement en mer ( 2004 )

Citation :

High-tech plane to scan for threats




The world's most sophisticated surveillance and control plane, the $600 million Wedgetail, flew into Perth yesterday to give the defence force blanket radar coverage for CHOGM.

The Royal Australian Air Force Boeing Wedgetail, one of a fleet of five, can destroy incoming missiles with laser beams and track airborne targets up to 400km away while monitoring ground threats up to 100km away.

The plane's Northrop Grumman MESA radar, which sits on top of the fuselage, can track 3000 targets - in the air and on the ground - simultaneously.

According to Andrew McLaughlin, deputy editor of Australian Aviation, the planes quadruple the effectiveness of the RAAF's F/A-18 Hornet fighters, eight of which will be based in Perth during CHOGM.

"The Wedgetail, which is based on the Boeing 737, has an amazing capability," McLaughlin said.

Whatever the Wedgetail's radar sees can be sent via data link to a computer screen in the Hornet's cockpit.

"This effectively allows them to see four times the distance and critically it enables the Hornet pilots to leave their radars off until the last minute before engaging any enemy," McLaughlin said.

RAAF Group-Capt. Joe Iervasi, in Perth to co-ordinate the defence force role for CHOGM, said the Wedgetail was "at the leading edge in technology".

"Over the next week its primary role will be to provide surveillance," Group-Capt. Iervasi said. "It will be airborne every day."

The F/A-18s, however, would not be airborne every day.

"They will be on an alert posture but the public should not be concerned if they are airborne - it does not necessarily mean there is a threat," he said.

The Wedgetail and F/A-18s will be conducting exercises on Monday and Tuesday.

The Wedgetail has two pilots and eight multirole, multipurpose mission specialists.

McLaughlin said the Wedgetail put Australia's defence force in a unique position.
"The Wedgetail is state-of-the-art and only the US, Britain, NATO and Saudi Arabia have a capability that is even close," he said

au.news.yahoo.com

HMAS Dechaineaux dans la rivière de Tamar en Tasmanie, photo prise ce matin.

L'histoire de l'Australie avec les SM datent de la Fin des années 60, ou il décide d'acheter 6 SM type Oberon, ASA entre 1967 et 78. En 82, l'Australie lance le projet de remplacement de ces unités, la tête de série était déjà à mi-vie opérationnelle. L'Appel d'offre lancé en 83 portait sur des SM océanique avec une autonomie de 70J et pouvant patrouiller 2500mn loin de leurs ports d'attaches, le final round mettait les allemands et les suédois en face à face, les derniers l'ont remporté et le contrat est signé en 87 portant sur la construction de 6 SM dérivés des Vastergotland, mais d'un tonnage plus conséquent et adapté à la nature des eaux australiennes. C'est ainsi que nait la série des SM de la classe Collins, le premier est construit partiellement en Suède, mais terminé en Australie, les autres ont été construits localement avec l'aide technique suédoise. HMAS est ASA en 96, le dernier, HMAS Rankin, en 2003. Toutes les unités de cette classe portent les noms des officiers de la marine, héros de la WWI & WWII, principaux facteurs de l'épanouissement de la RAN moderne !
Les Collins, semble ne pas être une source de satisfaction pour l'EMM australien, plusieurs problèmes ont été constatés dés leurs mis en service, un rapport les a même qualifié de SM inapte pour le combat signalant l'obsolescence de leurs système de combat, qui a été remplacé en 2002 par le système américain BYG1 qui équipent les SNA US, des nouveaux systèmes de détection, de communication et de navigation ont été installés. Le problème ne s'arrêtait pas là, avec le temps des problèmes au niveau des soudures ont été constatés et corrigés après. La classe a été jugé pour vulnérable à cause des forte signatures sonores des propulseurs, problème qui semble être lui aussi corrigé après.
En cette année on doit normalement savoir qui succédera aux Collins après 6 ans d'études, ils doivent entrés en service à partir de 2025, ce qui sur jusqu'ici, c'est qu'il sera plus conséquent en tonnage et en nombre aussi.

Citation :

Australian Submarine Suffers Gas Leak on Multi National Exercise

The Royal Australian Navy submarine HMAS Farncomb is returning to Singapore after partial failure of its cooling system during the Five Power Defence Agreement (FPDA) Exercise Bersama Lima 2011 (BL11).

The submarine crew followed standard emergency operating procedures to clear the refrigerant gas, Freon which had leaked as a result of the failure. No one was injured.

Farncomb will undertake repairs in Singapore over the coming days.

BL11 involves a total of 18 warships, one submarine and 65 military aircraft, as well as various support elements.

BL11 is being conducted by the FPDA member countries in various locations on the Malaysian Peninsula and in the South China Sea from 17 October to 4 November 2011.

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of a successful FPDA illustrating the long-term commitment of the founding members to Defence cooperation and regional stability.

defpro

Citation :

Australia's Wedgetail aircraft successfully completes Five Power Defense Exercise: minister

CANBERRA, Nov 03, 2011 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Australia's Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft has successfully participated in the Five Power Defense Arrangement Exercise (FPDA) BERSAMA LIMA 2011, Australian Defense Materiel Minister Jason Clare said on Friday.

BERSAMA LIMA commenced on 17 October and will finish on Friday in the Malaysian Peninsula and South China Sea.

During the exercises, the AEW&C aircraft's sensors, communications suite and data-links were used for Maritime Strike, Offensive and Defensive Counter Air operations.

Clare said 56 Australian personnel have deployed with the aircraft, comprising two flight crews and two maintenance crews as well as support personnel.

"This is another step forward in the four billion U.S. dollars project which will provide the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) with a leading-edge surveillance aircraft," Clare said in a statement released on Friday. "Our aircraft worked with ground, sea and air assets from Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom in a range of exercise scenarios." Boeing delivered the first two 737 AEW&C aircraft to the RAAF in 2009. In May 2010, the Royal Australian Air Force formally accepted these aircraft into service.

Clare said the exercise provided important training for Australian pilots, air crew and ground crew in maritime and air combat situations, working closely with the Five Power partners.

About 4,000 personnel, 19 warships, 68 military aircraft plus support elements from FPDA countries were involved in the exercise.

Les "Aussies" en Afghanistan... :balkom:

Équipe de Commandos de l'Air, en protection des rotations des aéronefs sur la plateforme de Kandahar



Départ en patrouille autour de l'aéroport pour cette équipage du Sq.34.

Citation :

Third Airbus Military A330 MRTT handed over to Royal Australian Air Force

08-11-11

The third aircraft in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) expanding fleet of new-generation Airbus Military A330 MRTT multi-role tanker/transports has been formally handed over to the RAAF providing a significant boost to Defence’s in-flight refuelling, air logistics support and air combat capability.




The delivery of the aircraft to RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland, today marks another major milestone for the A330 MRTT programme and the world’s most advanced air-to-air tanker aircraft, designated the KC-30A in Australian military service. The first two KC-30As were delivered in June.

Today’s delivery is the third of five MRTTs ordered by the RAAF. As with the first two aircraft delivered in June, this MRTT was also converted from an Airbus A330 commercial passenger jet to a military tanker/transport by Qantas Defence Services at the Australian MRTT Conversion Centre at Brisbane Airport.

With three MRTTs now in RAAF fleet service, a fourth - actually the first to be converted but at Airbus Military’s headquarters in Spain - will be handed over in Madrid in December. The fifth and final aircraft, which arrived in Brisbane for conversion some weeks ago, will be delivered next year.

All five A330 MRTTs were acquired under AIR 5402 to provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with what is the world’s only certified and flying new generation tanker/transport aircraft. The type has also been ordered by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, with Saudi Arabia having already placed a repeat order.

In RAAF service, the aircraft are equipped with two underwing refuelling pods, the fly-by-wire Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), and a Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) enabling it to be refuelled from another tanker. Powered by two General Electric CF6-80E engines, the aircraft are equipped with a comprehensive defensive aids suite (DAS) and fitted with 270 passenger seats.

About the A330 MRTT
Having received its supplemental type certificate from European civil certification Authority EASA in March 2010 and military certification from Spanish Authority INTA in October 2010, the Airbus Military A330 MRTT is the only new generation strategic tanker/transport aircraft flying and available today. The large 111 tonnes/ 245,000 lb basic fuel capacity of the successful A330-200 airliner, from which it is derived, enables the A330 MRTT to excel in Air-to-Air Refuelling missions without the need for any additional fuel tank. The A330 MRTT is offered with a choice of proven airto-air refuelling systems including an advanced Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System, and/or a pair of under-wing hose and drogue pods, and/or a Fuselage Refuelling Unit.

Thanks to its true wide-body fuselage, the A330 MRTT can also be used as a pure transport aircraft able to carry 300 troops, or a payload of up to 45 tonnes/99,000 lb. It can also easily be converted to accommodate up to 130 stretchers for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC). To date, a total of 28 A330 MRTTs have been ordered by four customers (Australia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom), with Saudi Arabia having already placed a repeat order.

Citation :

Saab has received an order from Australia for ammunition to the Carl-Gustaf M3 weapon system



The defence and security company Saab has received an order from Australia for ammunition to the Carl-Gustaf M3 weapon system. The order sum is MSEK 160.

It is the Australian Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) that has selected Saab to be the provider of various versions of 84 mm Carl-Gustaf ammunition.

“This shows the high level of trust Australia have for the Carl-Gustaf system. It is a strategic and important contract securing production as well as contributing to further development of the system” says Tomas Samuelsson, Head of business area Dynamics.

In late 2009 the Australian Defence Force selected the Carl-Gustaf M3 weapon system after thorough evaluation as their future multi-purpose weapon system. The Carl-Gustaf weapon until now has been exported to more than 40 nations worldwide.

Manufacturing will be done by Saab in Karlskoga, Sweden, and deliveries take place within the next half year.

Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.


Saab Press Centre

Citation :

ADF Ship Choules is put through her paces during sea trials off the coast of the UK. The Bay Class ship was purchased by the RAN this year and will arrive in Australia in December.