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Third RAAF F-35 Makes First Flight

05 Desember 2017 A35-003 takes off from Fort Worth. (photo : AustralianAviationCarl Richards) The Royal Australian Air Force’s third F-35A Lightning II, A35-003, has completed its first flight. Photographer Carl Richards captured these images of A35-003 taking off on its first flight, from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, on December 1. The aircraft is due to be delivered to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona in early 2018 to be used for pilot and maintainer training, before being permanently relocated to Australia in 2020. A35-003, known to its manufacturer Lockheed Martin as AU-3, had its RAAF markings, including its 3 Squadron tail flashes, applied in early November, the final phase of the aircraft’s production process. 3 Squadron is due to become the first RAAF F-35 operational unit. ( AustralianAviation )

Rockwell Collins Wins Contract for Digital Terminal Control System Simulators for ADF

20 Oktober 2017


Battlefield controller simulator (photo : Aus DoD)

$40 million to modernise military training

The battlefield training of our soldiers has been given a major boost with eight new Digital Terminal Control System simulators coming online next year.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced a $40 million contract with Rockwell Collins Australia to supply the simulators.

Minister Pyne said the contract includes operator and maintenance support and built on the acquisition of three interim systems in March this year, with 80 per cent of the contract value to be spent in Australia.

“This contract will create seven new jobs in Perth, Sydney, Newcastle and Puckapunyal, on top of the four jobs created under the earlier contract,” Minister Pyne said. 

“The DTCS itself is a state of the art computer-based capability which uses specialised software and hardware equipment to identify enemy targets with greater speed and accuracy.”

“These simulators will equip our soldiers with the skills necessary to use the DTCS to coordinate battlefield fire from artillery, mortars, helicopters, naval ships and fighter aircraft.”

“It also provides our personnel with the ability to work with multiple Australian and coalition land, air, and sea platforms to engage the enemy.” 

“The simulators provide an environment which can be difficult to replicate in live training, they provide a realistic, cost effective and safe alternative.”

“The purchase of these systems demonstrates our commitment to using Australian defence industry to improve and modernise our training equipment.”

The new simulators will be installed at bases in Brisbane, Townsville, Darwin, Perth, Sydney, Williamtown and Puckapunyal.

Delivery of the simulators is planned to commence in May 2018 with the final simulator expected in December 2018.

(Aus DoD)

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