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Citation :: AWD sonar block arrives in Adelaide

File pic of AWD Alliance CEO Rod Equid with the Vertical Launch System modules for the first Air Warfare Destroyer being built in Adelaide. Picture supplied by AWD Alliance. Source: AdelaideNow

THE first sonar block for the three Air Warfare Destroyers being built at Techport arrived on a road train from Melbourne this week following a six-week sea journey from Navantia in Spain.

It would now be fitted onto the first ship being built for the Australian Navy at Osborne.

AWD Alliance chief executive officer Rod Equid said the next two sonar blocks to be fitted onto ship two and ship three were expected to arrive later this year.

The curved block would be installed at the front of the ship under the keel and it would then have a fibreglass sonar dome installed underneath to house and protect the sensitive equipment that would help make it among the most capable in the world.

"Sonar, or sound navigation and ranging, is a system which navigates, communicates and detects objects underwater, such as submarines," Mr Equid said.

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"This is done by transmitting sound waves and measuring how long it takes for an echo to return after hitting the foreign object."

Work on the three destroyers has been going on for six years with the completed ships to be delivered to the navy between 2015 and 2017.

Blocks are being built at the Techport facility at Osborne, BAE Systems in Victoria, Forgacs in NSW and Navantia in Spain with MG Engineering in Port Adelaide building the mast.

The Alliance also received the last of six gas turbines for the AWDs this week.

Each ship will be fitted with two LM2500 gas turbines configured in a Combined Diesel or Gas arrangement with two diesel engines.

This means they can provide power to the ships at high speeds, taking over from the propulsion diesel engine that would drive the ship at lower speeds.

The gas turbines were manufactured by General Electric in Ohio, in the United States, with each turbine having a brake horsepower of 25,000.

adelaidenow

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Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

Le Prophéte (saw) a dit: Les Hommes Les meilleurs sont ceux qui sont les plus utiles aux autres Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Captur10

Citation :: Nuclear not an option for next generation of submarines

LATER this year, the government will make a decision to narrow the choice for Australia's future submarines. Contrary to opinions expressed in The Weekend Australian ("Past sub mistakes make a case for going nuclear", January 5-6) the preferred option will certainly not be a nuclear submarine.

And - contrary to recent views in other media - whichever submarines we choose, they will not be built overseas.

theaustralian

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Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

Le Prophéte (saw) a dit: Les Hommes Les meilleurs sont ceux qui sont les plus utiles aux autres Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

Citation :: Australian Defence Force to enhance security of resource-rich regions
23 January 2013
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is focusing on enhancing the security of the remote, resource-rich areas in the country's north and western regions.

A leaked defence white paper draft was cited by Australian Financial Review as saying that intensification of operational exercises in north and western part of the country was being planned by the military to help boost security of the region's oil, mining and gas assets.

"Work is already under way to enhance the ADF's preparedness for operations in the north-west," the document stated.
"A strategic level of war game focused on the security of Australia's energy resources and infrastructure was carried out in 2012 and more regular exercises and war games will follow."

Plans to enhance resource region's security follow a recent attack on a gas plant in Algeria.

Australia Defence Force chief David Hurley said the incident would help to focus on preventing similar attacks and safeguard the country's 5,000 mining, oil and gas workers, who are involved in various resource projects across Africa.

Valued at $380bn, the resource assets are increasingly considered vulnerable to terrorist attacks and other security threats due to poor-protection and isolation.

Commenting on the paper, Australian Liberal Party senator Simon Birmingham told Sky News that the move represented strategic interest in the country's north needed protection.

"We should be making sure we are well-equipped to protect those interests that are so critical to our export base and our economic future," Birmingham added.

Expected to be released by June 2013, the white paper has ruled out proposed establishment of a naval base in Brisbane to remove pressure at Woolloomooloo harbourside in Sydney, and a second training facility in northern Australia suggested by the opposition in 2012.

http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsaustralian-defence-force-enhance-security-resource-rich-regions

Citation :: Minister for Defence Materiel – First blocks for second AWD delivered to Adelaide

24 January 2013

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance has taken delivery of the first blocks from Melbourne for the second air warfare destroyer, Brisbane.

Mr Clare said the two blocks, manufactured by BAE Systems, arrived into Adelaide by tug and barge from Williamstown, Victoria.

“The blocks will be located in the front third of the ship and once consolidated will house the 48 cell MK 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS),” Mr Clare said.

“The VLS can store and then fire SM-2 or Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles in quick succession and is an important element of the combat system that will be installed into the Hobart Class destroyers.”

The three guided-missile destroyers are being constructed using a modular method where blocks are manufactured across four shipyards and consolidated at the South Australian Government’s Common User Facility at Techport Australia.

The first destroyer Hobart is expected to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy in early 2016. Consolidation of second ship Brisbane is due to start in early 2014. Fabrication has begun on the blocks for the third destroyer Sydney.

“BAE has significantly improved the quality of their manufacturing performance and delivered blocks that are virtually defect free,” Mr Clare said.

“This is testament to the hard work and skill of the team at BAE’s shipyard in Williamstown.”

The AWD is based on a proven Navantia design used by the Spanish Navy and when complete will be one of the most capable warships of its size in the world.

The ships will be equipped with the Aegis Weapon System, making them capable of assuming a leading command and control role within the Australian Defence Force as well as coalition forces.

The AWD project is being delivered by the AWD Alliance. The AWD Alliance is made up of the Defence Materiel Organisation, ASC and Raytheon Australia.

BAE are currently constructing 11 blocks for the AWD project, including seven blocks for the first destroyer and two for the second.

The AWD project directly employs more than 2500 people, with 200 employed by BAE in Melbourne.

Imagery is available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/12132458

minister.defence.gov.au

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Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

Le Prophéte (saw) a dit: Les Hommes Les meilleurs sont ceux qui sont les plus utiles aux autres Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

Citation :: Defence set to buy Super Hornets over cutting-edge fighter

By David Wroe

Jan. 28, 2013, 3 a.m.

AUSTRALIA will almost certainly be forced to buy 24 new Super Hornet fighter planes at a cost of about $2 billion to plug a looming gap in its air defences amid delays in the purchase of the cutting-edge Joint Strike Fighter.

According to a leaked draft of the 2013 defence white paper, just two Lockheed Martin JSFs will be delivered to Australia by 2020.

This strongly indicates that the government will need to buy rival Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets, which are cheaper but older and less stealthy than the JSF.

''By the end of this decade, the ADF will take delivery of three Air Warfare Destroyers, two Landing Helicopter Dock amphibious ships and the initial two F-35A Joint Strike Fighter aircraft,'' the white paper states.

While switching to the Super Hornets would not be a blow to the budget - each plane costs about $40 million less than each JSF - it may mean money is wasted because the government would lose economies of scale on training and maintenance by operating two different types of fighters. And experts say the Super Hornet would be challenged by the growing air combat capabilities of some of Australia's neighbours.

The white paper draft states that the government ''remains committed'' to acquiring the JSF but makes no mention of the next batch of 12 planes, expected about 2020. This appears to confirm what the Defence Minister, Stephen Smith, has hinted at and many experts have suspected: that Defence will replace some of the retiring Hornet aircraft with Super Hornets and end up with a mixed fighter fleet rather than the 100 Super Hornets originally proposed.

Mr Smith has already asked the US about the price and availability of more Super Hornets.

The opposition defence spokesman, David Johnston, said the government had broken its pledge in the 2009 white paper to buy 100 JSFs, which would have "provided regional domination out to 2030".

"The revelation in the 2013 defence white paper that this promise has been reduced to just two aircraft (by 2020) is a further testament to Minister Smith's incompetent handling of the defence portfolio," he said.

Analysts say the JSF is the best fighter on the market, although many say the Super Hornet will probably suffice. Andrew Davies, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the JSF was "far stealthier and has a much more powerful and integrated set of senses than the Super Hornet has".

He said Australia would benefit from "economies of scale on training and maintenance" by having a single type of airforce rather than a mixed fleet.

''Nonetheless, the Super Hornet is still frontline equipment with the US Navy and a powerful air combat capability,'' he said.

Sam Roggeveen, an analyst and editor of the Lowy Institute's Interpreter blog, said the Super Hornet would represent a compromise but added: "I would argue we don't need the JSF yet.

Former defence minister Brendan Nelson, who bought the existing 24 Super Hornets, said a mixed fleet should give Australia what it needed, given other governments were hit by budget constraints.

"If the government did choose to [buy Super Hornets], Australia would still have extraordinary air combat capability and would be well-placed in relation to our strategic competitors," he said.

But Peter Goon, a former RAAF engineer now with the independent think tank Air Power Australia, said Australia was "already outmatched in the region" on air combat. "If you send out Super Hornets against the Sukhoi Su-35s, few if any of them will come back," he said.

Mr Smith said last week the leaked draft was out of date. The final paper will be released by June.

www.thecourier.com

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Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

Le Prophéte (saw) a dit: Les Hommes Les meilleurs sont ceux qui sont les plus utiles aux autres Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

Citation :: Sale of Navy Sea King Helicopters

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued January 29, 2013)

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that the Navy’s remaining Sea King helicopters will be sold to Aerospace Logistics (ASL).

“Aerospace Logistics have over 30 years’ experience as an international specialist in the supply, refurbishment, exchange, maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft parts,” Mr Clare said.

ASL will use the Sea King inventory to sustain and support capability of international military and search and rescue fleets.

The ASL bid provided the greatest return to the Commonwealth.

“The Sea Kings were known as the workhorse of the Navy, large enough to pick up loads heavier than a Land Rover,” Mr Clare said.

“They have played a significant role in naval aviation over the last 36 years.”

The Sea Kings were withdrawn from service in December 2011 and are being replaced by MRH-90 helicopters under Project Air 9000 Phase 6.

“In September 2011 I also announced that Sea King Shark 07 would be preserved at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Nowra,” Mr Clare said.

Shark 07 was chosen because it has the most operational history of all the Sea King helicopters, having served in the Middle East and East Timor.

“Displaying this aircraft for public viewing ensures as many Australians as possible have access to this piece of Australia’s aviation history.”

The Sea Kings have flown in excess of 60,000 hours in a range of operations both at home and abroad and come to the assistance of many Australians.

In 1994, the Sea Kings were involved in one of the largest fire fighting efforts in Australia’s history. The aircraft used water buckets to fight fires raging near Grafton, Gosford, Bulahdelah and Sydney’s western suburbs.

The Sea Kings have also been used for rescue operations at sea.

In 1998, two of the helicopters were involved in rescuing yacht crews in disastrous weather conditions during the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

One of the Sea Kings’ last operations was to south-west Queensland to provide response and recovery efforts during the Queensland floods.

The contract is subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) approval.
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/142094/australia-sells-ran-sea-king-inventory.html

Citation :: Australian Defence Forces receives last Giraffe radar
30 January 2013
The Australian Defence Forces (ADF) has taken delivery of the third and final Giraffe agile multi-beam (AMB) radar under contract from Saab, the country's Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare has announced.

The delivery follows a five-year $86.2m contract awarded to Saab for the supply of three radars, along with field sustainment support services as part of the final stage of ADF's LAND 19 phase 7A acquisition project in 2010.

Clare said the radar would be used as an Australia-based training support system to prepare soldiers prior to their actual deployment in Afghanistan.
"The addition of a third Giraffe radar to train our soldiers before they deploy means they will be trained to use the full range of the radar's capabilities from the time they hit the ground," Clare added.

Two previously delivered Giraffe radars are currently used by the ADF to safeguard International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) troops against enemy counter rocket artillery and mortar (C-RAM) threats at the multinational base Tarin Kot in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.

"This early warning system has proven to be an important force protection capability for our troops, giving them vital seconds of advanced warning so they can take shelter," Clare added:

Australia has been operating leased Swedish Giraffe 740 radars at Tarin Kot from 28 December 2010.

The Giraffe AMB is a two or three-dimensional G/H-band multi-role surveillance system, designed to enhance the protection of the Australian and other ISAF troops by providing early warnings for incoming C-RAM threats.

Integrated on a single ground all-terrain vehicle, the radar facilitates rapid deployment and high-mobility and is also capable of conducting operations even in intense clutter and jamming environments.
http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsaustralian-defence-forces-receives-last-giraffe-radar

Citation :: Australian Defence Force to sell off thousands of vehicles and other war equipment

For sale: 3300 Land Rovers, 2500 trailers, 70 Hornet fighters (yep, Hornet fighters)

Vehicles alone worth $100 million

Wide range of colours: Khaki or camouflage

Seventy F/A-18 Hornet jet fighters are for sale, but probably not to private buyers. Pity. Picture: Defence Source: Supplied

AUSTRALIANS will soon be able to own, and use, a slice of military history, as a huge sale of second-hand vehicles kicks off the largest disposal of defence equipment since World War II.

A vast range of war fighting kit from machine guns to jet fighters and torpedos to warships will eventually be sold.

Starting in March, up to 12,000 vehicles, including Land Rovers, trucks, semi-trailers, tankers, Unimogs, motorcycles and trailers valued at more than $100 million will be sold by Sydney-based firm Australian National Disposals, trading as Australian Frontline Machinery (AFM).

Most are about 25 years old with 125,000km on the clock and not a bullet hole in sight, in either khaki or a fetching camouflage paint scheme.

But you can get an all-terrain Unimog.

They range in quality from rolled-over write-offs to near-pristine vehicles fitted with premium accessories.

Defence is buying a new vehicle fleet for $7 billion with phase three of the project to deliver about 4600 light to heavy vehicles worth $3.1 billion.

Over the 15 years, the Commonwealth will also sell hundreds of warplanes, warships, helicopters, armoured vehicles, explosives and weapons as it moves to replace 85 per cent of military equipment.

Four-wheel-drive not enough for you? The army has six-wheel-drive variants.

The sale of combat equipment is subject to strict rules to prevent it falling in to the hands of potential enemies or dodgy dictators. Countries such as Fiji, Syria, Yemen and Iran, and companies dealing with such regimes, are on the banned list.

The overall sale of used gear will yield hundreds of millions of dollars that will offset the cost of weapons systems such as new generation submarines and frigates and stealth fighter jets.

The vehicle offering will eventually include 3300 Land Rovers and light vehicles, 2500 light trailers, 2430 medium trucks, 1100 medium-heavy trucks, 110 semi-trailers and 80 low loaders.

Smaller pieces of equipment will also be for sale, as will trailers to cart it all home in.

The first sale will be held in March using on-line auction house Graysonline when 70 vehicles will go under the virtual hammer.

AFM has a 12,000 square metre undercover facility at Minto in southwest Sydney where the vehicles will be sanitised, upgraded and stored for inspection by potential buyers.

Company spokesman Luke Parker said the vehicles would be thoroughly checked for hazardous materials before being sold under open auction conditions.

Or maybe you'll buy too much to fit in a trailer.

About 1000 will go each year and many of them will be sold with a blue slip for registration and be ready for work.

"They will be sold unreserved so we expect some absolute bargains will be there for those with the cash on the day," Mr Parker said.

Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare said the vehicles would be sold to Australian and overseas buyers to maximise the financial return to the Commonwealth.

And of course, you're going to need fuel...

"A number of vehicles will be reserved and offered exclusively to community and heritage organisations, including the Australian War Memorial, RSLs and other historical organisations," he said.

Interested parties can register their interest with the Defence Disposals Agency at www.defence.gov.au/dda or e-mail [email=disposals@defence.gov.au?subject=Defence%20Equipment%20Sales]disposals@defence.gov.au[/email]

THE DEFENCE GARAGE SALE

12,000 vehicles (3300 Land Rovers variants, 2500 light trailers, 2430 medium trucks)

Up to 24 ships; (Landing ships HMAS Manoora and Kanimbla, supply ship, frigates, barges)

70 combat aircraft; (F/A-18 Hornet fighters)

110 other aircraft; (C-130 Hercules, King Air)

* 120 helicopters; (Sea King, Seahawk, Blackhawk)

* 600 armoured vehicles; (Armoured personnel carriers)

* A range of communications systems, weapons and explosive ordnance (M2A2 Howitzers, 30 calibre machine guns, Hamel guns, M60D Machine guns, SLRs, torpedos).

heraldsun.com

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Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

Le Prophéte (saw) a dit: Les Hommes Les meilleurs sont ceux qui sont les plus utiles aux autres Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

quelle liste,toute une armée a vendre presque Shocked

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Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 A10-na10

C-130, ça peut nous intéresser

modernisation Erciyes.

(Les C-130 achetés aux Sauds ont été intégré dans la modernisation).

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Site perso : http://defense-turque-infos.com/

Invité

Les Hornet peuvent aussi nous intéressé pour remplacer tous les F-4.. Et les hélicos..

moi je verrais bien les Seahawk pour nous...

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Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Sign_v10

Pour les hélico et navires, il faudra voir leur état ! Mais la liste reste impressionnante Shocked

Je verrai bien aussi les Seahawk ainsi que des M113 dont pas mal ont été modernisé drunken

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Sois généreux avec nous, Ô toi Dieu et donne nous la Victoire

Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Signat10

Citation :: Australia Day in Canberra is celebrated on January 26th to mark the anniversary of the arrival of the first fleet into Sydney Cove in 1788. Each year, the Australian Defence Force participates in a range of celebratory activates to demonstrate its support for Australia's largest civic event.

Credit ABIS James McDougall
Copyright String Commonwealth of Australia - Department of Defence

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Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

Le Prophéte (saw) a dit: Les Hommes Les meilleurs sont ceux qui sont les plus utiles aux autres Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

Citation :: HMAS Sheean departs Fleet Base East for the Eastern Australian Exercise Area (EAXA)

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Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

Le Prophéte (saw) a dit: Les Hommes Les meilleurs sont ceux qui sont les plus utiles aux autres Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

Invité

M1A1 :

Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Camouf13

Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Camouf10

Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Camouf11

Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Camouf12

Magnifique Merci Alloudi Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 874160

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Sois généreux avec nous, Ô toi Dieu et donne nous la Victoire

Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Signat10

Citation :: Return to Hawk Training

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued February 11, 2013)

The Royal Australian Air Force has resumed Hawk 127 aircraft flying operations today, after a short suspension as a safety precaution.

All Air Force aircraft are serviced and flown under a robust, strict and controlled airworthiness and safety system, to ensure that they are operated to the highest standards for safety.

On Monday, 4 February 2013 a Hawk 127 was undertaking a routine training flight from RAAF Base Pearce, WA, when the pilot observed an engine warning light.

In accordance with standard procedures, the pilot carried out the required emergency checklist actions and landed the aircraft safely at a nearby airfield.

As a safety precaution, Air Force immediately placed a temporary suspension on all Hawk 127 aircraft flying operations while an investigation occurred. The suspension was lifted today and the Hawk 127 will return to normal flying operations.

The temporary suspension did not affect fast jet training.

The Hawk 127 is primarily used for initial or ‘lead-in’ fighter training to prepare aircrew for operational conversion to the F/A-18A Hornet and the F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft. The Hawk is operated at RAAF Base Williamtown NSW and RAAF Base Pearce WA.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/142516/australian-hawks-return-to-flight.html

Citation :: Australia's
JSF aircraft can't fly in lightning storms

Look out for those clouds. The JSF can
be shot down by lightning. Source:
AFP

AUSTRALIA'S
proposed new Joint Strike Fighter combat aircraft can't fly near lightning
storms, or easily turn to evade enemy fighters or missiles.

US Air Force Lieutenant General Chris Bogdan, who heads the US military's $16
billion JSF program, admits the F-35 Lightning II jet can't fly within 40km of a
lightning storm because its fuel tanks could ignite.

"Will this problem occur in the future? No, because we have the known fixes
for it and we will fix it," Lt-Gen told ABC TV.

The Lockheed Martin JSF is a fifth-generation combat aircraft featuring
stealth capability - low visibility to radar - and advanced sensors to detect
enemy aircraft.

But the program has experienced technical problems, rising costs and
delays.

Australia is looking to acquire up to 100 JSFs to form the backbone of the
RAAF air combat fleet.

So far, the federal government has firmly committed to just two.

But in last year's budget the government deferred signing a deal for the next
12 aircraft for two years.

A JSF critic, US defence analyst Pierre Sprey, told the ABC the JSF was
inferior to the widely used F-16 - an aircraft dating from the early 1970s which
remains in production.

"We have an airplane that can't turn to escape fighters, can't turn to escape
missiles, sluggish in acceleration because it's so big and fat and draggy and
doesn't have enough motor for the weight," he said.

"My prediction is the airplane will become such an embarrassment that it will
be cancelled before 500 airplanes are built."

General Bogdan maintains the JSF is a formidable aeroplane.

"I have no doubt if you went head-to-head with this airplane with any other
airplane in the world with the capabilities that I know it has, it will do very,
very well," he said.

General Bogdan also said the costs of JSF aircraft were decreasing.

"I expect and will demand that the future lots will continue on that trend to
cost less and less," he said.

Responding to the television program, a spokeswoman for Defence Minister
Stephen Smith said earlier reviews of Australia's air combat needs concluded the
JSF was the preferred aircraft.

"Deferring our project by two years reduces our exposure to increasing costs
and provides increased time for resolution of the remaining technical
challenges," the spokeswoman said.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/technology/sci-tech/australias-jsf-aircraft-cant-fly-in-lightning-storms/story-fn5fsgyc-1226580674219#ixzz2LFiq0oZG

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Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

Le Prophéte (saw) a dit: Les Hommes Les meilleurs sont ceux qui sont les plus utiles aux autres Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

le lightning ferait tomber le lightning Laughing

Sprey a raison a mon avis

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Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 A10-na10

Citation :: Submarine aircraft carrier ~

The Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk, being an all-purpose aircraft, was the subject of a 1970s experimental sea trial of an A-4 on board a Royal Australian Navy submarine. There was no objection from the aviators to operating the Skyhawk from the somewhat limited deck space of the submarine. A problem with the Skyhawk's turbine cavitating while underway submerged was overcome. The diesel catapult worked just fine. However, the experiment was abandoned when the submarine's XO objected to the jet blast burning the paintwork off the sail.

Photograph courtesy of the Australian Naval Aircraft Museum: Mark Clayton, Director;, Windy Geale, Curator.

Citation :: $2bn Triton drone plan to track asylum boats off Australia

The Triton drone is designed for military use, but can track small, wooden boats. Source: Supplied

AUSTRALIA is set to sign up for $2 billion worth of unmanned spy planes able to detect small, wooden people-smuggling boats.
The Federal Government will send a letter of request for possible access to the United States Navy's development program for a high-flying, long-range pilotless aircraft called the Triton.
Once it detects a timber vessel it will be able to photograph the intruder or pass the information through secure military links to other aircraft or ships in the area.
Australia has a serious gap in its defence against timber refugee boats because over-the-horizon radar can't pick them up and current ship and aircraft radars have limited range.
It is understood that the Triton can detect every type of suspected illegal entry vessel that has made it to Australia so far.
The letter requesting a possible foreign military sale will be signed at the Australian International Air show at Avalon next week by Defence Minister Stephen Smith.

The USN is about to test its first Triton and it has 68 on order, the first due in service in 2015.
Australia will spend between $2 billion and $3 billion on the unmanned planes, which carry a powerful 360-degree radar and numerous other sensors, including infra-red and optical cameras and advanced target tracking systems.
Each jet-powered aircraft costs about $100 million, weighs 14.6 tonnes, has a 40m wingspan and can cruise up to 20,000m high for 28 hours or more.
The Australian version would compliment the new Boeing P-8 (737) manned maritime patrol jets that will replace the RAAF's ageing P-3 Orion aircraft.
Australian design elements are already included in the plane, including bigger and stronger wings, a more robust airframe and de-icing equipment so it can operate at lower altitudes in cloud.
Northrop's business development manager for the Triton program, Walt Kreitler, told News Limited that advanced communications technologies would also be fitted so that the Triton could "talk" to manned P-8 aircraft.
The Triton will be operated by a four-person ground crew and will be fully integrated with overall forces.
Mr Kreitler would not discuss potential targets, but he said he was confident it would cover the RAAF's "spectrum of targets".
The government is also expected to soon announce that it will spend at least $4 billion on another 24 Boeing Super Hornet jet fighters from the US Navy to prevent any air power capability gaps.

/www.news.com.au

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Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

Le Prophéte (saw) a dit: Les Hommes Les meilleurs sont ceux qui sont les plus utiles aux autres Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

Citation :: Lockheed Martin Completes 400th MH-60 Digital Cockpit for Installation on First Australian Romeo Helicopter

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued February 25, 2013)

AVALON, Australia --- Lockheed Martin has completed the 400th Common Cockpit avionics suite for the U.S. Navy's MH-60 Seahawk helicopter program. The digital cockpit will be installed aboard the first of 24 MH-60R (Romeo) anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare helicopters to be acquired by the Royal Australian Navy via the U.S. Government's Foreign Military Sales program.

"The Common Cockpit avionics suite has proved to be a highly effective flight and mission systems hub during more than 600,000 flight hours aboard the U.S. Navy's fleet of 360 MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters built and delivered to date," said Capt. James Glass, program manager for H-60 Multi-Mission Helicopters. "A digital, all glass cockpit that's common to both platforms and operationally proven will enable critical interoperability between MH-60 aircraft operated by both the Australian and U.S. navies."

Australia is the first international customer to buy the U.S. Navy's MH-60R multi-mission helicopter, which became operational in January 2006. The U.S. Navy is expected to take delivery of the first mission-ready MH-60R helicopter in December 2013 for transfer to the Royal Australian Navy in early 2014. All 24 Australian aircraft are to be delivered by mid-2016.

"The MH-60R is a proven capability with the Common Cockpit at its core," said Capt Scott Lockey, who is the Project Director for the Australian MH-60R program. "The Australian acquisition of 24 multi-mission Romeo helicopters means that we will have the capacity to provide at least eight warships with a combat helicopter at the same time, and we can rely on the Common Cockpit to successfully network and communicate with our fleet."

The Common Cockpit avionics suite features four large, flat-panel, multi-function, night-vision-compatible, color displays. The suite processes and manages communications and sensor data streaming into MH-60 multi-mission helicopters, presenting to the crew of three actionable information that significantly reduces workload while increasing situational awareness.

Stratford, Connecticut-based Sikorsky builds the MH-60R and MH-60S aircraft. Lockheed Martin Mission Systems & Training in Owego, N.Y. delivered the first MH-60 Common Cockpit avionics suite in 2002 when U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopters became operational.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 120,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services. The Corporation's net sales for 2012 were $47.2 billion.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/142970/400th-digital-cockpit-for-1st-australian-mh_60r.html

Citation :: AVALON: A330 MRTT enters RAAF operational service

Australia's Airbus Military A330 multirole tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft have achieved
initial operational capability (IOC), with the type demonstrating an air-to-air
refuelling mission on the sidelines of the Avalon show.

The aircraft, designated the KC-30A in Royal Australian Air Force service,
refuelled a pair of Boeing F/A-18A Hornets from its wing-mounted hose and drogue
refuelling pods. The event was witnessed by journalists travelling in the
tanker's cabin.

Australia's air force has taken delivery of all five of its A330 MRTTs. The IOC milestone includes the ability to refuel
F/A-18s through the hose and drogue method during daytime and night, as well as
carrying a full load of passengers. The type's passenger cabin is identical to
that found in Qantas Airways' commercial A330s, although the military aircraft lack an in-flight
entertainment system.

One of Australia's MRTTs remains with Airbus Military in Getafe, Spain, where remedial work is being
undertaken to resolve issues with the aircraft's aerial boom refuelling system.
The service is likely to begin working with the boom at the end of 2013.

The boom will be required for the air-to-air refuelling of types such as the
Boeing 737-based Wedgetail airborne early warning and control
system aircraft, and Australia's Boeing C-17 strategic transports. In addition, the boom will be
required for the air force's future fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighters.

www.flightglobal.com

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Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

Le Prophéte (saw) a dit: Les Hommes Les meilleurs sont ceux qui sont les plus utiles aux autres Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF) - Page 19 Star3

Citation :: ADF's Shadow TUAS to achieve full operational capability in late-2013
28 February 2013
The Australian Defence Forces' (ADF) RQ-7 Shadow 200 tactical unmanned aerial system (TUAS) is scheduled to achieve its full operating capability by the end of 2013.

Speaking during the recently concluded Annual Unmanned Vehicle Systems Conference, Australian Army 20 STA Regiment commanding officer lieutenant colonel Bede Galvin was quoted by Shephard as saying that the service has completed 90% modification work on the UAS.

Remaining upgrade work includes software and some component modernisation, according to Galvin, who noted that the aircraft engine is the most regularly required replaceable item as it operates at higher altitudes and strenuous conditions in Afghanistan.

Around ten High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) are used by the US Army to control four aircraft and one launcher, but the Australian service will use nine Unimog vehicles to support its five aircraft system with two launchers.

The high tray of Unimog vehicle ensures the modular and palletised system's air vehicles are unloaded with a hoist and sling system.

Other significant changes include replacement of the DVD mission recording and storage system with a new system capable of integrating voice overlays, enabling the distribution of recordings and information, and enhancing search capabilities.

Manufactured by AAI, the RQ-7 Shadow 200 is the smallest of the Shadow UAS line, and is used for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR), as well as damage assessment in the battlefield.

Initially used by the US Army and Marine Corps in Iraq, the system is also capable of recognising targets on the ground and operates at an altitude of up to 8,000ft and at a range of 3.5km.

The army has taken delivery of two Shadow 200 TUAS out of the total 18 systems ordered as part of a $175m US foreign military sales (FMS) contract in August 2010.

The first system has been operational since August 2011, while the second was deployed in Afghanistan in the first half of 2012.

http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsadf-shadow-tuas-achieve-full-operational-capability-late-2013

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