Armée Australienne/Australian Defence Force (ADF)

Citation :

RAAF EA-18G Growler Arrives in Australia


28 Februari 2017


RAAF EA-18G Growler (all photos : Paul Sadler)

RAAF enters electronic warfare era with Growler arrival

The Royal Australian Air Force’s new Boeing EA-18G Growler airborne electronic attack aircraft have arrived at the Avalon Airshow on their public debut.

The aircraft flew in for their appearance at the airshow having recently been ferried to Australia from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in the US.

“This is a beast; it was built to be a war aircraft and that is exactly what we plan to use it for,” said Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Leo Davies, welcoming the arrival of Australia’s first electronic warfare aircraft on Tuesday.

“This is a precision instrument; it is something we can use to fit into the rest of the Australian [order of battle]; it is something that we need to learn how to use.”

Meanwhile, Minister for Defence Senator Marise Payne announced that Australia is set to partner with the US in the development of a next-generation radar and radio jammer for the Growler with an investment of $250 million.



“Electronic warfare is a rapidly evolving area and we want to ensure that these aircraft remain at the technological forefront throughout their service life, so we will work in partnership with the United States Navy to develop that next-generation jamming capability,” Minister Payne said.

The Growler is capable of providing force-level electronic warfare support by disrupting, deceiving or denying access to an adversary’s electronic systems, including radars and communications systems.

“Integration is the key; it is not just about aeroplanes,” Air Marshal Davies said.

“I expect this aeroplane to spend more time flying with the Army and the Navy than it actually does with the Air Force.”

By the middle of this year, all 12 aircraft are expected to have arrived at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland to be operated by 6 Squadron.

Australia is the only country besides the US to fly the Growler.

http://defense-studies.blogspot.fr/2017/02/raaf-ea-18g-growler-arrives-in-australia.html

Citation :

First Air Warfare Destroyer for Royal Australian Navy Successfully Completes Sea Acceptance Trials

Today, the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance celebrated the successful completion of Sea Acceptance Trials by the first destroyer Hobart following 21 days at sea off the coast of South Australia. AWD Alliance General Manager Paul Evans remarked that sea trials were a significant achievement for the Air Warfare Destroyer project in proving the advanced platform and combat systems on-board the ship.






http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/

Citation :

Sunday, 5 March 2017
RAAF and Airbus to further develop KC-30A MRTT aircraft capabilities


The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Airbus today signed a research agreement to further develop the RAAF KC-30A’s capabilities, Airbus announced on March 2nd, 2017. The agreement strengthens the industrial partnership between Airbus and Australia’s defence force, and will help to define the evolution of the KC-30A fleet as it reaches operational maturity and expand its capabilities.





http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2017-03-05T09:25:00-08:00&max-results=10

Citation :

NASAMS selected for Australian Army GBAD system

Ian Bostock, Sydney - IHS Jane's Missiles & Rockets

11 April 2017


Raytheon Australia will act as prime system integrator in the development of an Australianised NASAMS to fulfil the army's short-range
ground-based air-defence requirement. Source: Raytheon


The Australian government has fast-tracked the acquisition of a short-range ground-based air defence (GBAD) capability for the Australian Army by granting First Pass Approval for the Land 19 Phase 7B project.

Announced on 10 April, the approval includes the release of a single supplier limited request for tender (RFT) to Raytheon Australia, with the company to act as the prime system integrator (PSI) for the new capability, which is earmarked to cost up to AUD2 billion (USD1.5 billion).

Defence minister Marise Payne said the project is the first step in the development of the army's contribution to the Australian Defence Force's (ADF's) Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) programme announced in the 2016 Defence White Paper. The ADF's IAMD capability comes under the umbrella of Air 6500, which seeks a new joint battle management system for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and a medium-range GBAD capability.

The army's new short-range GBAD system will replace the RBS-70 very short-range air defence system (VSHORAD) that has been in service since the late 1980s and provide the inner-most layer of air defence for deployed forces against fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and missiles. It will be operated by the army's 16th Air Land Regiment (16 ALR).

The sole source RFT will be released to Raytheon Australia in the first half of this year and cover the development of the Raytheon-Kongsberg National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) to fulfil the short-range GBAD requirement. NASAMS is fielded by seven nations, including the US, where it is used in a homeland air defence role.

Raytheon Australia told Jane's that the system would be an 'Australianised' version of the baseline NASAMS 2 that will make use of a common launch rail able to fire the Block II AIM-9X within visual range air-to-air missile and the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM).
 

Citation :

Six More HERCULES Armoured Recovery Vehicles Delivered

21 April 2017



Australian Army M88A2 Hercules Armoured Recovery Vehicle (photo : Army Recognition)

Defence has bought six new M88A2 HERCULES armoured recovery vehicles, marking an important milestone for Army.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said the delivery of the HERCULES (Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System) vehicles is critical to ensure the safe and effective operation of Australia’s Abrams Main Battle Tank capability.

“The HERCULES is a 64 tonne tracked vehicle used primarily for the repair and recovery of tanks and other vehicles whilst under fire and will complement the seven currently in operation,” Minister Pyne said.

“Valued at more than $58 million, the six new HERCULES will support armoured units based in Darwin and Townsville, and operator and maintenance training at Puckapunyal and Bandiana in Victoria.

“Pleasingly the maintenance, servicing and engineering support for this equipment will be delivered regionally by Broadspectrum, with four new jobs to be created in Darwin.”

Since their delivery to Defence, all six vehicles have been accepted into service, painted in Australian camouflage and sent to their units.

(Aus DoD)

http://defense-studies.blogspot.fr/2017/04/six-more-hercules-armoured-recovery.html

Citation :

Sous-marins australiens: DCNS pose les jalons du "contrat du siècle"


Paris, 25 avr 2017 (AFP) -

Un an après avoir remporté le "contrat du siècle" en Australie, DCNS a posé les premiers jalons pour la construction de douze sous-marins pour la marine australienne, un chantier qui scelle un partenariat stratégique avec Canberra.

"Voilà un an tout juste que nous avons été sélectionnés. 2016 a été très active, 2017 sera très dense également. Ce sont des années structurantes", déclare Marie-Pierre de Baillencourt, la directrice générale adjointe du constructeur naval DCNS.

"Nous mettons en place les jalons d'un programme qui va durer 50 ans", ajoute la responsable du développement international du groupe dans un entretien l'AFP.

DCNS a été sélectionné le 26 avril 2016 dans le cadre du plus important contrat de défense jamais signé par l'Australie, d'un montant total de 50 milliards de dollars (35 milliards d'euros).

Le groupe naval est chargé de la conception et de la construction des douze sous-marins et du chantier naval. Celle du premier bateau débutera avec la prochaine décennie pour une première livraison en 2030. Le contrat va créer 2.000 emplois en Australie et occuper 500 personnes en France.

Le système d'armes sera développé par l'américain Lockheed Martin, et le français Thales, actionnaire de DCNS, est en lice pour le système de sonar, un des éléments clés dans un sous-marin.

Pour l'heure, DCNS a signé plusieurs contrats clés avec les autorités australiennes, dont ceux fixant le cadre des échanges d'informations classifiées, ainsi que le premier contrat opérationnel de design et de conception des bateaux.

En décembre, un accord intergouvernemental posant le cadre du partenariat entre les marines française et australienne a également été scellé.

D'autres sont attendus en 2017, dont celui définissant le partenariat entre DCNS, Lockheed Martin et l'Australie.

Il faudra également fixer les questions de transferts de technologie, sécuriser la propriété intellectuelle française, préciser la responsabilité des parties, bref "toutes les grandes conditions qui vont nous permettre de travailler au cours des 50 prochaines années", souligne Marie-Pierre de Baillencourt.

En attendant, certains travaux ont déjà commencé. DCNS doit accueillir une cinquantaine d'ingénieurs australiens à Cherbourg, où un bâtiment dédié sort de terre.

"Nous sommes parfaitement dans les temps, à l'heure, assure-t-elle. C'est un gage de confiance et de rigueur."

Les futurs sous-marins australiens, de classe Barracuda de la Marine nationale, remplaceront les actuels Collins d'ancienne génération. De propulsion classique, ils doivent assurer une supériorité stratégique à l'Australie dans une région où la Chine affirme chaque jour ses prétentions de grande puissance.

"Le sous-marin sera le meilleur de sa génération et régionalement supérieur. Il sera de la classe et de la capacité de sous-marin nucléaire et doté d'une signature, d'une endurance et d'aptitudes au combat inégalées pour un sous-marin conventionnel", promet Marie-Pierre de Baillencourt.

"Le design est un processus conjoint qui va durer quatre ans. Avec les Australiens, nous allons faire les arbitrages pour faire le meilleur bateau. Cela débute maintenant, en 2017", indique-t-elle.

Interrogée sur la possibilité de voir le contrat remis en cause, Marie-Pierre de Baillencourt balaie l'hypothèse.

"Nous sommes partenaires, il ne s'agit pas d'un contrat purement commercial", rappelle-t-elle. "A partir du moment où l'on échange les spécifications d'un navire (des éléments classifiés, ndlr), je ne vois pas pourquoi nous n'irions pas jusqu'au bout".

"Si DCNS a gagné ce contrat, c'est que nous avons compris que nous fournissions une capacité souveraine à l'Australie. Nous n'aurions pas pu le faire sans le soutien actif de l'Etat français", ajoute-t-elle.

http://www.marine-oceans.com/actualites-afp/14541-sous-marins-australiens-dcns-pose-les-jalons-du-qcontrat-du-siecleq

Citation :

LHDs remain alongside as Defence investigates propulsion issues

April 26, 2017 by Australian Defence Business Review —Leave a Comment



File image of HMAS Canberra. (Defence)

The Navy’s two amphibious assault ships HMAS Canberra and HMAS Adelaide remain tied alongside at Fleet Base East, Sydney while Defence investigates issues with the LHDs’ ‘azipod’ azimuth propulsion systems.

The issue first came to public attention almost a month ago on March 29 when ABC defence reporter Andrew Green reported that both vessels were out of service after propulsion issues were discovered with HMAS Canberra while it was undertaking first of class flight trials with Army and Navy helicopters off the coast of Queensland in March.

“During these activities, a propulsion issue was identified aboard HMAS Canberra and she is currently alongside in Sydney being inspected,” Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett wrote on the Defence website on March 28.

“As a prudent measure, the same inspections were conducted on HMAS Adelaide and identified emergent issues.

“Having identified these emergent issues the ADF has put in place a very deliberate plan to investigate the issue and resolve it.”

However, the issues with the azipod systems remain unresolved, with an April 25 news story in the Daily Telegraph by Matthew Benns reporting that “an investigation found maintenance and oil changes were not being done properly”.

This assertion was disputed by Deputy Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Michael Noonan, who wrote a clarifying “On the Record” statement subsequently posted on the Navy Daily website.

“Defence has maintained and operated HMA Ships Canberra and Adelaide in accordance with the builder’s specifications, including the oils and lubricants used in their operation,” RADM Noonan, who is Acting Chief of Navy, wrote.

“Defence’s leadership is not “baffled” by these emergent issues, but it is still too early to determine the full extent of this emergent work. Defence has, and continues to work closely with industry and the original equipment manufacturers, Navantia, Siemens and BAE, to identify the root cause of the issues and develop the most appropriate repair strategy.”

HMAS Canberra was commissioned in November 2014 with HMAS Adelaide following in December 2015, but both ships are yet to be declared full operational.

“Defence has taken prudent measures to ensure the operational test and evaluation period of the vessels is sufficiently thorough to ensure they will serve the nation for decades to come,” wrote RADM Noonan.

He continued that “it remains too early to determine the extent of this emergent work and Defence is working to identify the causes and develop a repair strategy.”

The 27,500 tonnes displacement LHDs are powered by two 11-megawatt Siemens azipod thrusters with dual propellers mounted on 360-degree steerable pods driven by onboard electric motors – electricity for which is generated by the ships’ combined diesel and gas powerplant system. The LHDs’ azipods and plus their twin bow thrusters – similar configurations are fitted to large cruise ships – greatly improve ship manoeuvrability compared to conventional fixed-screw arrangements.

http://adbr.com.au/lhds-remain-alongside-as-defence-investigates-propulsion-issues/

Citation :

08/05/2017

Des AGM-88 pour les Growler australiens !




Le Département d'Etat américain a approuvé la vente de 110 missiles anti-radars pour équiper les avions de combat Boeing F/A-18 EG « Growler » australiens.

Le paquet comprend 70 missiles anti-rayonnement haute vitesse de type Raytheon AGM-88B (HARM) et 40 missiles guidés anti-rayonnement avancés AGM-88E (AARGM), a déclaré l'Agence de coopération pour la sécurité de défense des Etats-Unis. La valeur du contrat est estimé à près de

137,6 millions de dollars. Il comprend également des composants de missiles, du matériel de formation et d'autres services et systèmes.

L’Australie exploite une flotte de 12 EA-18G, soit la variante de guerre électronique du « Super Hornet ».

Raytheon AGM88 HARM :

L'AGM-88 HARM (High-speed, Anti-Radiation Missile )« Missile anti-radar à grande vitesse ») est un missile air-sol tactique supersonique spécialisé pour trouver et détruire les système de défense sol-air. Il ne nécessite que peu d'interventions de la part de l'équipage de l'avion lanceur. L’AGM-88B block II dispsoe d’une amélioration de l'autodirecteur, il est reprogrammable en vol. L’AGM-88E AARGM : est une version améliorée avec un nouvel autodirecteur WGU-48/B contenant un radar millimétrique pour augmenter la précision finale. Ce radar est capable d'identifier les matériels à leur forme, et ainsi se dévier, du radar vers le poste de contrôle afin de maximiser les dégâts.

Le EA-18G «Growler» :

L’EA-18G dispose du radar AN/APG-79 à antenne active (AESA) lui permettant non seulement d’être autonome en comparaison de son prédécesseur le EA-6B en mode air-air, mais intègre des possibilités de liaisons de données numériques et de brouillage dirigé indépendant du reste des systèmes embarqués.

Pour la lutte contre les défenses ennemies, l’EA-18G dispose de pod ALQ-99 de brouillage couplé à un système d’analyse à large spectre ALQ-218, lui permettant de différencier les types de radars (surveillances, poursuites, sol ou embarqué) et l’analyse des types de fréquences. Le système enregistre et répertorie l’ensemble des menaces pour permettre leur restitution sur un écran tactique, avec une plus grande précision que par le passé.

Les systèmes embarqués du « Growler » lui permettent d’agir sur trois modes tactiques :

- Reconnaissance électronique (analyse des diverses menaces, radar et missiles)

- Suppression des menaces connues et mémorisées selon un scénario prévu.

- Réaction immédiate à l’engagement d’une nouvelle menace non répertoriée.

Du point de vue des communications, l’avion dispose du système AlQ-227 qui lui permet d’épier et de brouiller les communications adverses, en contre partie le « Growler » dispose pour sa propre protection le nouveau concept INCANS qui améliore les communications et transferts de données à l’intérieur d’un groupe naval.




Photos : Boeing F/A-18G « Growler » de la RAAF @ Boeing

http://psk.blog.24heures.ch/archive/2017/05/08/des-agm-88-pour-les-growler-australiens-863600.html

Citation :

L'Australie dévoile un ambitieux plan de modernisation de sa flotte


Sydney, 16 mai 2017 (AFP) -

L'Australie a dévoilé mardi les détails d'un ambitieux plan de modernisation de sa marine prévoyant, outre l'achat de sous-marins français, la construction de dizaines de navires.

Ce plan, initialement annoncé en 2015 pour renouveler une flotte vieillissante, se chiffre à 89 milliards de dollars australiens (60 milliards d'euros).

Il prévoit, outre les 12 sous-marins d'attaque Shortfin Barracuda commandés au groupe français DCNS, la construction de neuf frégates, 12 patrouilleurs, ainsi que celle de 19 patrouilleurs pour des pays voisins.

La ministre australienne de la Défense, Marise Payne, a expliqué que le programme visait à doter l'Australie de la force "la plus capable et la plus puissante".

"Les futures frégates, les patrouilleurs et les sous-marins fourniront la capacité nécessaire pour protéger l'Australie et nos intérêts", a-t-elle dit lors de la présentation du plan.

Le Premier ministre Malcolm Turnbull a de son côté indiqué que ce plan de modernisation de la marine doperait l'emploi en Australie puisqu'il entraînerait 5.000 créations de postes dans les chantiers navals, et le double chez leurs fournisseurs.

L'Australie avait annoncé en février 2016 une importante rallonge de son budget de Défense pour faire face aux enjeux géopolitiques en Asie-Pacifique.

Canberra se montre notamment préoccupé par les visées territoriales de Pékin en mer de Chine méridionale.

La construction des patrouilleurs est censée débuter en 2018, celle des frégates en 2020 et celle des sous-marins en 2022.

DCNS avait été choisi en avril 2016 pour le contrat de sous-marins aux dépens de l'allemand ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) et d'un consortium japonais emmené par Mitsubishi Heavy Industries et soutenu par le gouvernement japonais.

Le processus d'appel d'offres avait été politiquement sensible en Australie, avec en toile de fond les craintes pour l'avenir de l'industrie navale locale.

Canberra cherchait à obtenir des assurances qu'une grande partie du processus de fabrication serait réalisée en Australie de façon à maximiser la participation et l'emploi de l'industrie australienne.

http://www.marine-oceans.com/actualites-afp/14638-laustralie-devoile-un-ambitieux-plan-de-modernisation-de-sa-flotte

Citation :

Army Receives Next-Generation Trucks and Trailers


18 Mei 2017


Mercedes-Benz G-Wagons (photo : Aus DoD)

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today welcomed the first deliveries of a new generation of trucks and trailers to Army’s 7th Brigade at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane.

“These trucks, trailers and modules will revolutionise Defence’s logistics capability for decades to come and hundreds of jobs have been created as part of the $3.5 billion LAND 121 Phase 3B project,” said Minister Pyne.

“They provide a generational leap forward from the current fleet of Unimog, Mack and S-Liner trucks, offering significantly increased protection for our soldiers and an improved combination of payload and off-road mobility.”

Minister Pyne said he was delighted a number of Australian companies are making a significant contribution to the development, delivery and support of this capability.


Medium Heavy Vehicle Capability (MHC) (photo : Aus DoD)

“The new trucks and interchangeable modules, used on the vehicles for a range of tasks including fuel and water transportation, are being supplied by Rheinmetall together with a range of local suppliers,” Minister Pyne said.

“These suppliers come from around Australia and include G.H. Varley (Newcastle, NSW), Sea Box International (Canberra, ACT), Holmwood Highgate (Brisbane, QLD) and RPC Technologies (Sydney, NSW).”

“Rheinmetall’s local workforce has grown from 15 to more than 125 staff over the last three years, with approximately 200 direct jobs created across its Australian subcontracted workforce.”

“The majority of the trailers are being built in Brisbane by local company Haulmark Trailers Australia, with approximately 110 jobs created across Haulmark, its subcontractors and supply chain.”



In addition to the new Rheinmetall trucks and Haulmark trailers, a general maintenance capability will be delivered, expected to comprise 122 Mercedes G-Wagons and 49 converted Bushmasters and trailers.

Once deliveries to the 7th Brigade and South East Queensland units have been completed, the focus will turn to the 1st Brigade in Darwin and Adelaide in late 2017, and then to the 3rd Brigade in Townsville in 2018.

Between now and 2022, a total of 2707 vehicles, 3858 modules and 1753 trailers will be rolled out to units across Australia.

(Aus DoD)

http://defense-studies.blogspot.fr/2017/05/army-receives-next-generation-trucks.html

Citation :

BAE Systems Australia Selects Victorian SMEs for $200 Million of Work on Land 400


07 Juni 2017


BAE Systems AMV35 (photo : BAE Systems)

BAE Systems Australia today announced agreements with Victorian defence industry worth more than $200 million as part of its bid for LAND 400, the Australian Army’s largest land vehicle acquisition program.

Should BAE Systems Australia be the successful tenderer for the Land 400 contract, the agreements for the build phase of the project will create more than 100 supply chain jobs in Victoria. This will have a multiplier effect creating downstream employment and economic benefits for the state.

Australian industry will also participate in the upgrade and maintenance of the vehicles during their decades of service in the Australian army. Companies included in today’s announcement include Marand, MOOG Australia, Motec, AME Systems, RUAG Australia, DVR Engineering, Milspec and APV .

LAND 400 teaming partner Marand will manufacture the hulls of the combat proven AMV35 while the other Victorian suppliers will contribute specialist manufacturing expertise including heavy fabrication, electronic systems and complex assemblies.

BAE Systems has committed to producing the AMV35 locally and will invest 20,000 hours to transfer the advanced manufacturing knowledge and capability to the Australian workforce, ensuring long lasting employment and enduring Sovereign capabilities.

BAE Systems Australia Chief Executive Glynn Phillips said:
“Victoria’s defence industry is recognised for its world class capabilities and the companies that we have selected as partners have proven experience and leading edge manufacturing capabilities. Australian production, future upgrades and support of these world class vehicles will create long-term jobs and deliver strong, sustainable economic benefits throughout the community.”

The Company has not yet made a decision regarding the location of the vehicle manufacturing facility. Further announcements about partnerships with leading SMEs in other states and territories will be made soon.

(BAE Systems)

http://defense-studies.blogspot.fr/2017/06/bae-systems-australia-selects-victorian.html

Citation :

7 juin 2017 | Par Emmanuel Huberdeau

Australie : Premier déploiement outre mer du P-8A


L'Australie a réceptionné 3 P-8A pour l'heure. © Australian Defence


Pour la première fois, l'Australie a déployé l'un de ses avions de patrouille maritime P-8A en opération à l'étranger.

L'armée de l'air australienne (Royal Australian Air Force : RAAF) a annoncé, le 7 juin 2017, la fin du premier déploiement outre mer de son avion de patrouille maritime P-8A Poseidon. L'appareil a été déployé sur la base de Butterworth en Malaise dans le cadre de l'opération Gateway. Il s'agit du premier déploiement des P-8A de la RAAF à l'étranger depuis la réception d'un premier appareil en novembre 2016.

Gateway est une opération bilatérale mise en place par la Malaisie et l'Australie pour effectuer des missions de surveillance maritime dans l'océan Indien et en mer de Chine méridionale. Les P-8A Poseidon australiens ont d'ailleurs principalement effectué des missions de surveillance maritime afin de contrôler le trafic très dense dans cette zone de navires civils. La RAAF ne mentionne pas d'opération de lutte anti sous marine.

Pour préparer ce déploiement, les P-8A de la RAAF ont été envoyés sur des "bases avancées" dans le nord est de l'Australie. La RAAF espère prononcer la capacité opérationnelle initiale de ses P-8A dans les douze prochains mois.

L'Australie a signé en 2009 un accord avec les Etats-Unis pour participer au programme P-8 Poseidon de Boeing. Huit appareils (Avec une option pour quatre unités supplémentaires) ont été commandés en 2014 pour remplacer les AP-3C Orion. Trois P-8A ont été livrés à l'Australie pour l'heure.

http://www.air-cosmos.com/australie-premier-deploiement-outre-mer-du-p-8a-95935

Citation :

7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment a ajouté 2 photos.

Today K64 conducted MK47 line drills as they prepare for Ex TALISMAN SABRE 2017.
The new equipment is an impressive addition to K64 capability and the team are really looking forward to the next opportunity to live fire it.


 

Citation :

Airbus Proposes Upgrade for Australian Attack Helicopters

16 Juni 2017

LONDON — In the lead up to the 2017 Paris Air Show, European giant Airbus has revealed details of its two-stage proposal to upgrade the Australian Army’s Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter.

The managing director of Airbus Group Australia Pacific, Tony Fraser, said Airbus Helicopters is proposing an interim upgrade based on the Tiger Mark 2 development being mulled by European operators, including France. Beyond that, Fraser says a Mark 3 variant now on the drawing board will form the basis of a future armed reconnaissance helicopter, or ARH, replacement program flagged by the Australian government for the middle of the next decade.

Australia has 22 Tigers and was to undertake an extensive capability assurance program, or CAP, to keep the fleet relevant in the coming years. However, the ARH program has been mired in controversy since the first helicopters were delivered at the end of 2004, suffering a lower-than-expected rate of effort and a higher-than-desired cost of ownership to the commonwealth.

Australia's 2016 Defence White Paper and the associated Integrated Investment Program singled the helicopter out from all Australian Defence Force platforms for criticism, describing the program as "troubled."

Most recently, a 2017 report by the Australian National Audit Office, or ANAO, into the ARH program was scathing of the helicopter, which only achieved final operational capability last year, despite being in operational service for more than a decade.

The program is now seven years late, and although it hasn’t reached planned levels of availability and reliability, recent remediation efforts by the Australian Army; the Defence Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group of Australia's Defence Department, or CASG; and industry continue to improve performance indicators to the point where the Tiger’s cost of ownership has dropped by almost a third since 2012.

See full article DefenseNews

http://defense-studies.blogspot.fr/

Citation :

Australia Officially Joined the 'AEGIS Club'


19 Juni 2017


Hobart Air Warfare Destroyer (photo : Aus DoD)

Lockheed Martin Team Congratulates Australia in joining the global Aegis Fleet

ADELAIDE, Australia – Lockheed Martin Australia congratulates the Commonwealth of Australia for receiving its first Aegis-equipped ship, HOBART at a ceremony marking the occasion today in Adelaide.

The handover of HOBART to the Department of Defence marks a significant milestone for Australia – officially joining the Lockheed Martin global Aegis fleet alongside Japan, Spain, Norway, the Republic of Korea and the United States.

HOBART marks the 107th ship to join the fleet and the sixth Allied nation to benefit from Aegis capabilities.

“Lockheed Martin Australia is continuing to invest in growing Australia’s maritime workforce. We are proud of the superior warfighting capability of Aegis and stand ready to support the Commonwealth with future programs – such as Australia’s Future Frigates, said Vince Di Pietro, Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin Australia.

“I am personally proud to see this next milestone achieved in capability, having had the privilege of ceremonially bringing the system to life in Moorestown while the Naval Attaché based in Washington DC,” continued Mr Di Pietro.

The Aegis Weapon System is a centralised, automated, command-and-control weapons control system that was designed as a total combat management system from detection to engagement. The Aegis Weapons System enables multi-mission capability, network centric warfare, cooperative engagement capability and growth to SM-6 and future capabilities.

The Hobart Class destroyers are being built under Australia’s SEA 4000 program, which will ultimately deliver three advanced multi-mission ships by the end of 2019. These destroyers will be Australia’s first ships to be equipped with Lockheed Martin’s Aegis Weapon System, which integrates commercial-off-the-shelf hardware technology and open architecture software into the combat system.

The next Aegis-enabled Ship scheduled for Australia, BRISBANE, continues to make good progress. A team of Lockheed Martin engineers and technicians have completed installation of the Aegis computer program aboard BRISBANE, Australia’s second Aegis-equipped Air Warfare Destroyer.

In support of the Commonwealth, Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Navy are committed to the successful delivery of Australia’s Hobart Class Aegis Destroyers.

(Lockheed Martin)

http://defense-studies.blogspot.fr/2017/06/australia-officially-joined-aegis-club.html

Citation :

Australia to invest in boosting satellite capability

Jon Grevatt - IHS Jane's Defence Industry

19 June 2017

The Australian government will invest AUD500 million (USD381 million) to enhance space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, it announced on 18 June.

Under the first phase of the programme – dubbed ‘Defence Project 799’ – the Department of Defence (DoD) will gain improved access to commercial satellites to provide information to government agencies.

The government statement said, “Phase 1 of the project will provide Australia with direct and more timely access to commercial imaging satellites to support a wide range of defence and national security activities.

“This information will be used to support Australia’s defence priorities including defence operations, border protection, and humanitarian missions.”

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