Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF)

Citation :

Lockheed Martin Harnesses Australian R&D for Next-Gen Radar
Nigel Pittaway, Defense News 7:25 a.m. EDT June 17, 2016


MELBOURNE, Australia — Lockheed Martin, in partnership with Australia’s Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group, is developing enhancements for the next generation of Over-the-Horizon Radar (OTHR) to detect and track small, fast-moving targets at extremely long ranges and at night.

The US defense giant has invested in the Australian Research and Development (R&D) Programme with a view to selling the capability in the international market place, including the United States. The defense-industry team announced the successful completion of Phase 1 of validation work on what is known as Project Coorong on June 8.

“From a Lockheed Martin perspective, a lot of the problems that DST Group had identified in that area is really about a problem space that one of our international customers would potentially want resolved in the next-generation Over-the-Horizon Radar,” said Jack Mahoney, Lockheed Martin Australia’s general manager.

Mahoney pointed to Brazil’s Sistema de Gerenciamento do Amazonia Azul maritime awareness program of 2014 as an example of the applications the company sees for Project Coorong in the export market.

“This technology could have been applicable to that space as well, but at the same time the US was also clearly interested in trying to understand how OTHR fits into their layer of systems-of-systems, from a detection perspective,” Mahoney said.

“We’ve been chasing some international markets for around ten years. Modeling has suggested that this solution is the way the problem could be solved, and we’ve now fielded the technology that is helping us to prove that modeling. If the experiment proves true over the next year, potentially this type of system would have a direct appeal to the US.

“It’s about now being able to sit with potential customers and ask them about their problem space, and then tell them we might have the capability to allow them to solve those problems.”

OTHRs typically operate at lower frequencies during night hours, due to a diminished ionosphere, and this significantly reduces the radar cross section of small targets, such as cruise missiles.

The work was initiated by a Royal Australian Air Force requirement to detect and track targets such as the next generation of hypersonic cruise missiles.

The R&D work is now validating years of modeling conducted by DST Group, but Gordon Frazer, acting chief of DST Group's Cyber and Electronic Warfare Division, said the project had to be placed in mothballs in order to concentrate on work to support the upgrade of Australia’s operational Jindalee Operational Radar Network.

However the project was revived following a strategic partnering alliance between DST Group and Lockheed Martin in 2014.

“We were in the situation where we’d done a lot of work. We were pleased with what we’d done [but] we would have liked to have validated it to get that closure,” Frazer said. “We exposed it to Lockheed Martin and they indicated that they could help us. DST Group is delighted that something we’ve done has gone so smoothly into industry and we’ve also been delighted with the relationship we have.”



http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/international/asia-pacific/2016/06/17/lockheed-martin-australia-radar/86026690/

Citation :

7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment

Alpha Company (Callsign ‪#‎K1‬ ) in action with 1st Armoured Regiment - Australian Army and 1st Combat Engineer Regiment on Cultana.

PHOTOS:

Citation :

C295 : Bientôt des contacts secs pour le système de ravitaillement en vol



Airbus Defence & Space (DS) continue de développer un système modulaire qui permettra de convertir l'avion de transport tactique C-295 en ravitailleur en vol. Le système est destiné principalement au ravitaillement des hélicoptères mais permettra aussi au C-295 de ravitailler d'autres aéronefs à voilure fixe dotés de turbopropulseurs.

Le système est composé d'une manche de ravitaillement rétractable et d'un réservoir supplémentaire pouvant être embarqué dans la soute du C-295. La manche est déployée depuis la rampe arrière de l'appareil. L'ensemble du système pèse environ 7 tonnes et permet au C-295 de ravitailler d'autres aéronefs grâce au carburant de ce réservoir supplémentaire mais aussi depuis ses propres soutes internes.

Les essais du systèmes sont déjà bien avancés. Airbus a testé entre autre le déploiement et la récupération de la manche en vol. Des essais de proximité avec un autre C-295 et un H225M ont également été effectués, avec et sans la manche. Ces essais ont permis de mesurer la stabilité de la manche et le niveau des perturbations aérodynamiques derrière le C-295.

Des essais de contact secs, c'est à dire sans transmission de carburant sont prévus pour juillet 2016 avec un C-295 puis pour novembre avec un hélicoptère H225M.

Selon Airbus DS, cette solution intéresse déjà plusieurs clients potentiels dont l'Australie.




http://www.air-cosmos.com/c295-bientot-des-contacts-secs-pour-le-systeme-de-ravitaillement-en-vol-76523

Citation :

Australian PC-21s to Get TERPROM


21 Juni 2016


PC-21 training aircraft (photo : Benedek Levente)


Pilatus has selected UTC Aerospace Systems' TERPROM terrain referenced navigation (TRN) system for the Australian Defense Force's (ADF) Pilatus PC-21 training aircraft. UTC Aerospace announced the selection on 13 June.

The system will be fitted on all 49 ADF PC-21 aircraft, providing trainee crews with obstruction warning and cueing, predictive ground collision avoidance and drift-free terrain referenced navigation.

TERPROM offers TRN capabilities for navigation, including in GPS-denied and low-level environments. It uses a loaded digital map and on-board sensors for ground collision avoidance and obstruction warning, while maintaining zero forward electronic emissions.

UTC Aerospace Systems will also provide simulator software for the ADF's ground-based training equipment.

Kevin Pindard, managing director, UTC Aerospace Systems Sensors and Integrated Systems, said: ‘This combination of ground-based and airborne TERPROM software allows us to support our customer, Pilatus, in delivering world-class pilot training to the ADF. With this innovative technology already in use on the Australian jet trainers, there is commonality for crew across training systems.’

http://defense-studies.blogspot.fr/2016/06/australian-pc-21s-to-get-terprom.html

Citation :

Australian army gets three new CH-47F Chinook helicopters
Jun 25, 2016194

In a major boost to Army’s medium lift helicopter capability, CASG has delivered three additional CH-47Fs Chinooks two and half months ahead of schedule. That reported by defense-studies.blogspot.com.

The addition of three CH-47Fs to the existing fleet of seven significantly expands Army’s battlefield capability in the areas of air mobile, air assault, aero medical evacuation and amphibious operations, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

The three new Chinooks are straight off the Boeing production line and are fitted with the latest US Army technologies, including updated avionics and next generation self-protection systems.

Executive Officer Cargo Helicopter Management Unit Major Michael Hansen, said the success of the project represents a significant amount of negotiation, contract work and governmental liaison.

“Achieving delivery of three new aircraft inside four months demonstrates highly effective and coordinated project acquisition between the US Army, Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group, the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group and Army Aviation,” he said.

“By employing the foreign military sales strategy the ADF also leverages the benefits of being part of a much larger fleet, which is growing to almost 500 CH-47Fs flying with the US Army.

“Not only does the ADF see the benefits of scale in the initial purchase price but the ongoing cost of consumable and repairable items is greatly reduced.”

http://defence-blog.com/news/australian-army-gets-three-new-ch-47f-chinook-helicopters.html

Citation :

Australia's Woomera test range to be upgraded to 'world's best'

Julian Kerr, Sydney - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
27 June 2016



Raytheon Australia has been awarded a AUD297 million (USD219 million) contract to remediate and upgrade the Woomera military test range in south Australia to make it the most advanced facility of its type anywhere, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced on 27 June.

The Woomera test range is located within the Woomera Range Complex, which covers 122,000 km 2 , roughly the size of England.

Speaking at the opening of a Raytheon naval and integration headquarters in Adelaide, Turnbull said the decision to remediate the facility and upgrade its measuring, monitoring and sensor systems would make Woomera "the world's most advanced test range".

Citation :

Aussies et Kiwis défileront le 14 juillet

Actualités Nathan Gain 29 juin, 2016


C’est désormais confirmé : pour la première fois depuis 1880, des soldats australiens et néo-zélandais descendront les Champs-Elysées lors du traditionnel défilé militaire du 14 juillet. Une présence symbolique, alors que la France s’apprête à fêter le centenaire des batailles de la Somme (1er juillet), de Fromelles (19 juillet) et de Pozières (23 juillet). Autant de batailles durant lesquelles l’ANZAC (Australian and New-Zealand Army Corps) a joué un rôle majeur.


Les troupes néo-zélandaises au garde-à-vous lors de l’ANZAC Day 2016 (Crédit photo: David Unwin)


Si peu d’informations ont filtré jusqu’à présent concernant la présence de l’Australie, confirmée hier par l’ambassade de France à Canberra, les journaux néo-zélandais ont quant à eux dévoilé les détails du contingent appelé à défiler sur « la plus belle avenue du monde ».

Selon un article publié le 28 juin par le New-Zealand Herald, l’ensemble des couleurs des régiments ayant combattu sur le sol français seront hissées par 86 hommes et femmes pour la première fois en dehors du sol néo-zélandais. Hormis les trois composantes traditionnelles, la délégation néo-zélandaise amènera dans ses valises les couleurs d’unités certes plus « discrètes » mais tout aussi valeureuses, à l’image du corps dentaire royal néo-zélandais, ou encore de l’aumônerie.


Le fameux manteau de plumes « Nga Tapuwae » de la
force de défense Néo-Zélandaise
(Crédit photo: RNZ / Kate Pereyra Garcia)

L’ensemble du contingent sera précédé d’une section de guerriers Maoris issus des trois branches de l’armée. Il sera lui-même dirigé par le lieutenant-colonel Eugène Whakahoehoe, qui pour l’occasion portera le célèbre « kau huruhuru Nga Tapuwae », un manteau de plumes maori décerné par l’armée néo-zélandaise en reconnaissance d’une conduite exemplaire.

http://forcesoperations.com/aussies-et-kiwis-defileront-le-14-juillet/

Citation :

Elphinstone Group unveils prototype of armoured vehicle for Australian tender Land 400 phase 3.


The Tasmanian Company Elphinstone Group unveils the prototype of its new armoured vehicle for the Australian tender Land 400 Phase 3. The group has joined forces with the Australian branch of Israeli-based company Elbit Systems for the tender to build 225 of the Sentinel II vehicles for the Australian Defence Force over five years.





http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2016-06-30T00:51:00-07:00&max-results=10

Citation :

Saab to Sustain Combat Systems Aboard Royal Australian Navy ANZAC-class Frigates

Defence and security company Saab has received an order from the Australian Government regarding sustainment of the combat system on Australia's ANZAC class frigates. The order value amounts to AUD 37 million (approximately SEK 248 million) and covers services from July 2016 until December 2017.





http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/

Citation :

Australia extends security mission in Afghanistan

Julian Kerr, Sydney - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
08 July 2016



About 270 Australian troops training and advising the Afghan security forces will remain in Afghanistan into 2017, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced on 8 July. Sources said the current commitment was to the middle of next year but could be further extended.

Australia will also extend its AUD100 million annual financial contribution to Afghan security forces until 2020, Turnbull said in a joint statement with defence minister Marise Payne and foreign minister Julie Bishop.

The statement followed US President Barack Obama's 7 July announcement that 8,400 US troops would remain in Afghanistan into 2017: beyond the planned withdrawal date.

Citation :

10/07/2016

Australie, les trois derniers CH-47F livrés !




Philadelphia, Boeing a livré trois derniers CH-47F « Chinook » à l'armée australienne en seulement 85 jours. L’augmentation de la production et l'excellente coopération avec l'Australie ont permis de livrer les derniers exemplaires en un temps record.

Rappel :

L'Australie avait exprimé son intérêt pour l'achat de 3 hélicoptères lourds supplémentaires Boeing CH-47F "Chinook" en décembre 2015. Au total, l’inventaire atteindrait alors le chiffre de dix appareils de ca type. Le montant de la transaction est estimé à près de 180 millions de dollars.

Les CH-47F "Chinook" australiens sont dotés de radios cryptées et d’un système complet de guerre-électronique avec détecteurs de radar et d’alerte d’approche missiles.

Le Boeing CH-47F :

Les nouveaux CH-47F disposent de caractéristiques améliorées en vue de la survie avec notamment un système directionnel de contre-mesures électronique à infrarouges, une meilleure protection balistique et un carénage résistant à l'écrasement. L’équipage dispose de sièges blindés. Le CH-47F possède une cellule et une avionique modernisée, ainsi qu'un poste de pilotage automatique numérique.


Photos : CH-47F « Chinook » australiens @ Boeing

http://psk.blog.24heures.ch/archive/2016/07/10/australie-les-trois-derniers-ch-47f-livres-861735.html

Citation :

Australia's 5th Aviation Regiment practicing heliborne artillery raids (pics).

PHOTOS:

Citation :

Australia appoints minister to oversee defence industry development
Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
19 July 2016
Australia's newly elected coalition government has appointed a minister dedicated to developing the country's defence industry. The new position for Minister for Defence Industry will be filled by former Industry, Innovation, and Science minister Christopher Pyne, the government announced on 18 July.

Pyne, who joins defence minister Marise Payne in the government's defence portfolio, will be responsible for the coalition's defence industry programme to support the military modernisation outlined in the country's Defence White Paper. This policy document was published in February and outlines investment of about AUD195 billion (USD147 billion) over the next decade, including a programme to build 12 new submarines locally.

Citation :

19/07/2016

Le premier PC-21 australien !




Pilatus Aircraft a débuté ces jours les essais de moteur et de roulage au sol du premier exemplaire du PC-21 destiné à Royal Australian Air Force. L’avionneur suisse démontre une nouvelle fois, sa capacité à monter en puissance en vue de répondre rapidement à la demande de ses clients. En effet, ce premier PC-21 destiné à l’Australie, débute ses tests sept mois seulement après la signature du contrat.

Rappel :

Le contrat de services d'une valeur de 1,2 milliard de dollars verra Pilatus Aircraft livrer en partenariat avec Lockheed-Martin Australia 49 avions écoles de nouvelle génération PC-21. Le contrat comprend également sept simulateurs de vol, ainsi que l’ensemble des systèmes d’apprentissage au sol et pièces détachées. Ce nouveau système de formation va assurer aux pilotes les connaissances et les compétences nécessaires pour leurs permettre de passer directement sur des avions militaires de pointes, comme le Super Hornet et le futur F-35.

6ème client :

L’Australie devient ainsi le 6ème client pour le système d’entrainement PC-21, les autres pays sont : la Suisse avec 8 appareils (2 en options), Singapour 19 aéronefs, les Emirats Arabes Unis 25 appareils, l’Arabie Saoudite 55 appareils en commandes et le Qatar avec 24 appareils en commandes.

La génération PC-21:

Le PC-21 permet une formation complète des élèves pilotes et ceci avec des possibilités offrant une nouvelle dimension. En effet, il s’agit là, d’un système d’écolage en vol performant, qui remplace totalement la transition sur avion école à réaction de type Hawk ou Alpha jet. En effet, le PC-21 offre la possibilité unique au monde d’assurer une transition directe vers des chasseurs modernes, tels que les F/A-18, Rafale, Gripen, Eurofighter, F-35 pour ne citer que ceux-là. Il est également possible d’opter pour une combinaison en binôme avec un jet école, dans ce cas la formation sur jet peut être réduite en nombre d’heures. Les coûts de formation, de maintenance sont très largement diminués, sans oublier la réduction significative des nuisances sonores et de l’optimisation de la consommation de kérosène. L'avion permet une simulation complète et ceci sans armement, car ceux-ci sont simulés grâce à une interface spécialement développée pour l’avion.



Photos : 1 Le premier PC-21 aux couleurs de la RAAF@ Stephan Widmer 2 PC-21 suisse dans les alpes@ Pilatus Aircraft

http://psk.blog.24heures.ch/archive/2016/07/19/le-premier-pc-21-australien-861793.html

Citation :

Pentagon Contract Announcement
(Source: US Department of Defense; issued July 19, 2016)
The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, is being awarded a $100,423,110 modification to a previously awarded firm-price-incentive-firm-target contract (N00019-14-C-0067).

This modification provides for long-lead parts and efforts associated with the manufacture of four full-rate production Lot 8 P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft for the government of Australia under a cooperative engagement agreement.

Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington (82.6 percent); Baltimore, Maryland (6.2 percent); Greenlawn, New York (4.2 percent); North Amityville, New York (3.5 percent); and Cambridge, United Kingdom (3.5 percent), and is expected to be complete by June 2017.

Cooperative engagement agreement funds in the amount of $100,423,110 are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Citation :

Australian Defence Force PC-21 Completes First Flight
(Source: Pilatus; issued July 21, 2016)
Seven months after contract signature, the first of 49 Pilatus PC-21 turboprop trainers ordered by Australia made its first flight today in Stans, Switzerland. It will be delivered to Australia in June 2017 after completing testing and verification work. (Pilatus photo)
STANS, Switzerland --- Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is pleased to announce that the first of 49 PC-21 aircraft destined for the Australian Defence Force has successfully completed its initial production test flight at the factory in Stans, Switzerland. The flight took place only seven months after contract signature.

Under a contract signed in December 2015 aimed at harmonising Australian Defence Force flight training across all three services – Army, Navy and Air Force – Pilatus will deliver a total of 49 PC-21 which will operate from four Royal Australian Air Force bases. Pilatus will also supply significant elements of ground based training equipment and the in-service support capability.

This first PC-21, registered as A54-001, will be handed over to the Royal Australian Air Force at East Sale in June 2017 after completion of testing and verification work in both Switzerland and Australia.

Oscar J. Schwenk, Chairman of Pilatus, commented:

"This initial flight of the first Australian PC-21, only seven months after contract signature, is a remarkable achievement and illustrates both the commitment of Pilatus and the hard work of all those involved in the project".

Under the AIR 5428 project the PC-21 aircraft will replace both the aging PC-9 fleet, which has been in service since 1988, and also the CT-4 aircraft currently used for basic training. The PC-9 is due to be withdrawn in 2019 after thirty years of service and more than 500,000 flying hours. Originally intended to be withdrawn after 20 years of operation, the extended service life of the PC-9 is testament to Pilatus quality and customer support.

Markus Bucher, CEO of Pilatus, said:

"Having worked directly with the Australian Defence Force for many years, I am delighted to see Pilatus continuing to deliver outstanding service. The first flight of this aircraft, the very first Australian PC-21, marks a very significant chapter in the continuing relationship between the Commonwealth and Pilatus. We look forward to many more."

The PC-21s for Australia will form the backbone of future pilot training for the Australian Defence Force for the next 25 years.

Pilatus will continue to provide the Australian Defence Force with premium Swiss quality and work with our partners to provide a proven world class training system – the Pilatus PC-21.

-ends-

Citation :

Australian government body criticises domestic submarine build plan

Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
26 July 2016

Australia's Productivity Commission - the government's independent research and advisory body - has questioned the industrial efficiency of building the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) next-generation submarines in Australia.

In its annual Trade and Assistance Review , published on 25 July, the commission said the decision to build the 12 Collins-class replacement submarines in Australia confers significant premiums for local construction and industrial assistance.

Estimating that this local-build premium will increase the cost of the programme by 30% compared to overseas construction, the commission also pointed to the government's Defence Industry Policy Statement , which was published earlier this year and outlined investment of AUD1.6 billion (USD1.2 billion) over the next decade for in industry support programmes to promote skills, exports, and research and development.

Citation :

Australia shortlists AMV35, Boxer for future combat reconnaissance vehicle

Julian Kerr, Sydney - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
28 July 2016

The four contenders vying to supply 225 wheeled Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV) to the Australian Army as part of its largest-ever acquisition programme have been cut to two, the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) announced on 28 July.

Kim Gillis, Deputy Secretary of the DoD's Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), said in a statement that Rheinmetall Defence's Boxer multirole armoured vehicle and the Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV35) proposed by BAE Systems teaming with Patria had been selected to take part in the 12-month Risk Mitigation Activity for the Australian Army's Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability, also known as the Land 400 Phase 2 programme.

Citation :

Patria AMV35 selected for Australian Army’s Land 400 Program evaluation

The Australian Department of Defence announced on Thursday July 28 that BAE Systems Australia and Land 400 bid partner Patria have been confirmed as one of 2 tenders selected to take part in the 12-month Risk Mitigation Activity for the Australian Army’s Land 400 Phase 2 combat reconnaissance vehicle program.



http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2016-07-28T02:44:00-07:00&max-results=10

Citation :

Friday, 29 July 2016
Lockheed Martin Delivers Final MH-60R Seahawk Helicopter for Royal Australian Navy
Lockheed Martin has delivered the 24th, and final, MH-60R SEAHAWK® helicopter to the U.S. Navy in support of the Navy’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The milestone delivery took place during a July 27 ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s Owego, New York facility.


http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/2016/07/lockheed-martin-delivers-final-mh-60r.html?m=1

[quote


RAN receives final MH-60R Seahawk Romeo
Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
02 August 2016
Australia's first MH-60R Seahawk Romeo aircraft. The service accepted its final airframe from Lockheed Martin in July 2016. Source: Commonwealth of Australia
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has taken delivery of its 24th and final MH-60R Seahawk Romeo maritime helicopter from Lockheed Martin, the company announced on 28 July.

The aircraft was handed over a day prior to the announcement at Lockheed Martin's facility in Owego, New York. The RAN is the first international customer of the 'Romeo' version of the aircraft.

Australia acquired the helicopters in June 2011 under the country's Project AIR 9000 Phase 8 to replace the RAN's 16 S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters in the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) roles. The first and second airframes were accepted by the RAN in January 2014.

"The Royal Australian Navy has formed the first three embarked flights, conducted the first Hellfire missile shoot, and conducted a highly successful 'DIPEX' [an ASW exercise] against a Collins Class submarine," said Commodore Scott Lockey, director general Navy Aviation Systems at the RAN, in a statement on the delivery.

To prosecute submarines, the MH-60R is equipped with the AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar system and can carry the Mk 54 lightweight torpedo.

Besides ASW and ASuW operations, the RAN also deploys its MH-60R helicopters in the secondary roles of search-and-rescue, personnel transport, and logistics support.


[/quote]

Citation :

RIMPAC 2016: USN hones interoperability with partner countries in 'most complex' MCM drill

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Navy International
04 August 2016



Key Points
The US Navy has completed complex mine countermeasures drills with partner services at 'RIMPAC' 2016
The exercise aims to boost interoperability between the navies in handling mine warfare threats
The US Navy (USN) has concluded a multilateral exercise that aims to improve its mine countermeasures (MCM) interoperability with partner navies.

The exercise, which took place in and around waters off Southern California over four weeks, was conducted as part of the US Pacific Fleet-hosted Rim of the Pacific ('RIMPAC') 2016 maritime exercise.

Partner services in the drill included the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), the German Armed Forces, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the Mexican Navy (Armada de México), and the Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile).

In its statement, the USN described the MCM drill as the service's "most complex mine warfare exercise" given the number of participating services, and the inaugural deployment of a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship, USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), as a forward staging base for the multinational forces.

In addition to that MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters - airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) derivatives of the CH-53E Super Stallion - conducted deck landing qualifications on Pearl Harbor 's flight deck as part of the exercises.

"These firsts during 'RIMPAC' [Southern California] 2016 provided a distinct and unique environment and experience for participants", said the USN.

"What was great about this exercise is that the forces of multiple nations came together to execute a series of very complicated evolutions and did so in a seamless and timely manner", said Commander David Burke of the USN's Task Force 177.

In total the participating services detected and disposed a total of 77 mines over the course of 78 operational dives, 300 flight hours, and 77 autonomous underwater vehicle operations.

"RIMPAC' 2016 ran from 30 June to 4 August and involved 45 ships, five submarines, more than 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel from 27 countries.

Citation :

Japan's new defence minister, Tomomi Inada, vowed on 4 August to "fully prepare" the country's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) for expanded missions overseas under the new security laws.

"[The ministry] will take all appropriate measures so that the [SDF] can adequately conduct missions given to them," Inada was quoted by Kyodo news agency as saying a day after the lawmaker, known for her nationalist views on history, assumed the post.

Since the new security legislation took effect in March, the focus has been on when Tokyo will expand the role of the SDF engaged in UN peacekeeping operations in South Sudan.


Key Points
HMAS Ballarat has successfully launched two Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles simultaneously
Launch proves out the platform's recently completed anti-ship missile defence upgrades
The Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) ANZAC (MEKO 200)-class guided-missile frigate HMAS Ballarat (155) has successfully demonstrated its latest anti-ship missile defence capabilities during a live-fire exercise in the waters off Hawaii, the service disclosed on 4 August.

The exercise, which included the firing of three RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (ESSMs), was conducted as part of the US Pacific Fleet-hosted Rim of the Pacific ('RIMPAC') 2016 international maritime drills. Two of the missiles were fired simultaneously, said the RAN.

Also conducted during the tests, were a launch of Ballarat 's Harpoon anti-ship missile, and two Hellfire missiles from the platform's embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter.

Ballarat received a number of upgrades to improve its anti-ship missile defence capabilities in 2015. These included the installation of the CEAFAR S-band active phased-array radar, the CEAMOUNT X-band multichannel active phased-array missile fire-control illuminator, the Saab Systems 9LV 453 combat management system, and the Sagem Vampir NG infrared search-and-track system.

These upgrades enable the frigate to identify, track and guide its ESSMs simultaneously, as per what was demonstrated at 'RIMPAC' 2016. According to the RAN, the missiles successfully terminated their designated targets during the exercise that was conducted on 14 July.

Australia has been participating in the 'RIMPAC' series of exercises since 1971. Besides Ballarat , other participating assets from Australia include three AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, the RAN's lead Canberra-class amphibious assault ship (L02) and another ANZAC-class frigate, HMAS Warramunga (152).

"RIMPAC' 2016 was held in and around waters of Hawaii from 30 June to 4 August and involved 45 ships, five submarines, more than 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel from 27 countries.

Citation :

Exercise PB16: US Air Force F-16s Receive RAAF Tanker Support
(Source: US Air Force via Australian Defence Force; issued Aug 09, 2016)
RAAF DARWIN, Australia --- For the first time, U.S. Air Force F-16C aircraft have deployed to Exercise PITCH BLACK 16 (PB16) in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport.

On July 19, a RAAF KC-30A flew non-stop with six F-16Cs from Kadena Air Base, Japan to RAAF Base Darwin in just over six hours.

RAAF Group Captain (GPCAPT) Adam Williams, Officer Commanding of No. 86 Wing, said it was the first time that a RAAF air-to-air refuelling tanker deployed in support of U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft to Australia.

“The KC-30A conducted 35 contacts with the six F-16Cs, transferring a total of 55.8 tonnes of fuel to the F-16Cs, or nearly 70,000 litres,” GPCAPT Williams said. “The air-to-air refuelling boom on the KC-30A performed well, with no significant issues.”

“Despite some periods of moderate turbulence en route, they completed the 5,400-kilometre journey safely,” Williams said.

Return trips saw the KC-30A deploy a total of 12 F-16Cs with the 14th Fighter Squadron in the week prior to PB16.

Commander of the 14th FS, Lt. Col. Mark Heusinkveld, said the support provided by the KC-30A was a testament to the interoperability between partner nations at PB16.

“The refueling not only provides mutually beneficial training between U.S. and Australian air forces, but also demonstrates the close military ties between our nations,” Lt. Col. Mark Heusinkveld said.

“It's always advantageous when training opportunities like these present themselves,” Heusinkveld added.

“This strengthening of our multilateral relationship will only continue as we train and improve our alliance capabilities in the upcoming weeks.”

The deployment builds on successful refuelling trials between the RAAF KC-30A and U.S. Air Force F-16s assigned to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., conducted in late 2015 and early 2016.

To refuel the F-16Cs, the RAAF KC-30A used its 18-metre-long Advanced Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), controlled by an Air Refuelling Operator in the KC-30A’s cockpit through the use of fly-by-wire controls and 3D Glasses.

As each F-16C flew in close formation behind the KC-30A, the ARBS would ‘plug’ into a fuel receptacle on the F-16C and commence refuelling.

GPCAPT Williams said the KC-30A would refuel U.S. Air Force F-16Cs during PB16, as well as the E-7A Wedgetail and F/A-18s participating in the exercise.

“This deployment is a significant milestone for the RAAF’s KC-30A, as it demonstrates our ability to refuel international F-16s within the Asia Pacific region as well as during operations further abroad,” said Williams. “This will further reinforce the close bonds between our Air Forces in the field of air-to-air refuelling.”

PB16 is scheduled from July 29-19 Aug, 2016, and is the RAAF Chief of Air Force’s biennial capstone international engagement activity with forces drawn from a wide range of regional, coalition and allied nations. PB16 allows participant nations to exercise deployed units in the tasking, planning and execution of Offensive Counter Air (OCA) and Offensive Air Support (OAS) while utilizing one of the largest training airspace areas in the world.