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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 )

04 Desember 2017 VBS3 simulator (photo : BISims) WILLIAMTOWN, NSW (Australia) — BAE Systems, a global defence, aerospace and security company, engaged Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim), a global developer of advanced military training and simulation software, to integrate BISim’s VBS3 and VBS IG products into the Advanced Air Defence Simulator (AADS) used by Australian Defense Force personnel to train in a simulated RBS-70 platform (Ground to Air Missile System). The Training facility for the RBS-70 ground-based missile defence system is located at the Australian Defence Force's Woodside Barracks in South Australia and is managed by BAE Systems. “The AADS provides a fully immersive collective training environment for Air Defence soldiers,” said Steve Baldock, Manager, Support Engineering, BAE Systems Australia. “It continues to deliver quality training outputs without the high logistic and ammunition costs. With the inclusion of VBS3/VBSIG, the immersive experience has increa...

01 Desember 2017 AS-350BA Squirrel helicopter (photo : RAN) Fleet Air Arm farewells magnificent machines The S-70B-2 Bravo Seahawk and AS350BA Squirrel helicopters were formally retired from active service in the Royal Australian Navy at a ceremony today at HMAS Albatross. The Seahawk has been in the Fleet Air Arm inventory for 29 years and was operationally deployed in the Middle East throughout its entire service history. The Squirrel has served for 33 years amassing an enviable record in both operations and training. Commander Fleet Air Arm, Commodore Chris Smallhorn said both aircraft had a proud record of service to the nation. “Today we farewelled two magnificent aircraft with pride in our heart and tears in our eyes,” he said. “The AS350BA Squirrel has proven to be one of the most successful airframes in naval aviation history. “During the 1990-91 Gulf War the Squirrel carried out shipping surveillance, mine searches and top cover for helicopter boarding operations. “It was also...

30 November 2017 Elbit Systems battlefield command system (image : Army Recognition) The way wars are fought on the modern battlefield will be revolutionised with a new Battlefield Command System for the Army. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP and Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne today announced the approval of the Land 200 Tranche 2 Project. Worth up to $1.4 billion, the project will enhance the Australian Defence Force’s digital command, control and communications systems and support hundreds of local jobs. Minister Pyne said Harris Communications Australia will deliver the tactical communications network, including encrypted radios, and Elbit Systems of Australia will enhance the Battle Management System software, which tracks our units, delivered under Land 200 Tranche 1. “Together they form the Battlefield Command System, which allows commanders to plan, monitor, direct and review operations in real time,” said Minister Pyne. Minister Pay...

27 November 2017 Australia’s third F-35A aircraft (photo : CASG) Australia's Attack Plane Fleet Grows Australia’s third F-35A aircraft has rolled off the assembly line at Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Fort Worth, Texas, marking another major milestone in Australia’s F-35A Project. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said No. 3 Squadron markings were applied to the aircraft in early November, the final stage in the production process before the aircraft undergoes several weeks of ground and flight testing at Fort Worth. “The completion of our third Joint Strike Fighter is a significant achievement for Australia’s F-35A Project,” Minister Pyne said. “It is particularly exciting that a key component – the tail piece – was manufactured in Australia, by Australian company, Marand Engineering.” “As the programme matures more and more parts on Joint Strike Fighters going to countries around the world will come from Australia. “More than 50 Australian com...

25 November 2017 Lurrsen OPV 80 (photo : Lurssen) Hundreds of Australian jobs created in Offshore Patrol Vessel project The Turnbull Government today announces Australia’s 12 Offshore Patrol Vessels will be designed and built under prime contractor Lürssen. The Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) project, which is worth up to $4 billion, will be delivered by Australian workers, in Australian shipyards using Australian steel. The OPVs will have an important role protecting our borders and will provide greater range and endurance than the existing patrol boat fleet. The investment in new naval capabilities such as the OPVs is a key part of the Turnbull Government's commitment to a safe and secure Australia. As detailed in the 2016 Defence White Paper, the Government is undergoing its largest regeneration of naval capability since the Second World War. The OPVs will allow the Navy to undertake more extensive operations and protect resources over greater distances and in more complex maritime...

24 November 2017 Type 26 frigate for SEA 5000 (image : BAE Systems) BAE Systems and the UK government have committed to what the company says would be an “unprecedented” transfer of intellectual property if the Global Combat Ship-Australia is selected for SEA 5000. More than 5,000 ‘work years’ of technical design worth $1.5 billion would be transferred to Australia, BAE Systems stated. “The transfer of data and the digital design of one of the world’s most sophisticated ships will support the development of a continuous naval shipbuilding capability in Australia, ensuring that local industry can build the fleet of nine Future Frigates,” the company stated. “It will also ensure they can be upgraded and supported during their decades of service. The unprecedented transfer of intellectual property will also include all ship parts, materials, systems and subsystems used to build the Type 26 frigate. “With this knowledge, Australian industry will gain the know-how needed to both build and o...

22 November 2017 Lays keel for Australian’s future replenishment oiler, HMAS Supply (photo : DefPost) Spanish shipbuilder, Navantia has laid the keel for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) future Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) vessel, HMAS Supply during a ceremony at its shipyard in Ferrol, Spain on Nov. 17. The keel laying ceremony was attended by the Chief of the RAN, Admiral Tim Barrett and the president of Navantia, Esteban García Vilasánchez. Supply, one of the two AOR contracted by RAN, will be delivered in two years, with full operational capability scheduled for 2022. The second vessel, HMAS Stalwart will be delivered nine months after the first one. The Navy had earlier named of its future support ships as HMAS Supply and HMAS Stalwart as was announced by the country’s Minister for Defence, Marise Payne. Supply will be the second vessel in the Royal Australian Navy to bear the name that has its origins with the armed tender ship that accompanied the First Fleet to Australi...

21 November 2017 HMAS Brisbane (photo : Aus DoD) The Australian Defence Force’s second Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD), NUSHIP Brisbane, has commenced its first phase of sea trials, which will test the ship’s hull, propulsion and navigation systems. The initial trial phase, which will occur over the coming months, will be followed by a more advanced phase of sea trials next year to test the ship’s combat and communications systems. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said this achievement is a further demonstration of industry’s role as a fundamental input into capability for Defence. “Over the past decade, more than 5000 people from across the Department of Defence, ASC, Raytheon Australia and Navantia have dedicated millions of hours of effort to the AWD program,” Minister Pyne said. “With more than 60 per cent Australian industry capability, the AWD program is a true example of a home-grown capability. “Through the AWD program, we have created a local workforce w...

20 November 2017 Air Affairs Learjet and DA Defence Alpha Jets in an air-to-air mission role as Red Air aggressors near RAAF Williamtown, New South Wales (photo : Air Affairs) Air Affairs Australia and Discovery Air Defence Services Inc (Discovery Air - Defence) have completed their first fast jet training missions in support of the Australian Defence Force’s Fast Jet Trial contract. Two of Discovery Air Defence’s upgraded Alpha Jets and four Air Affairs Learjets participated in air-to-air missions as Red Air aggressors near RAAF Williamtown, New South Wales. “Air Affairs Australia is pleased to be working closely with Discovery Air Defence for the Fast Jet Trial. Both companies are proud to be selected for this initial Fast Jet trial Discovery Air Defence’s proven track record in contracted air services brings a complimentary solution to our current Jet Air Services contract. Our common commitment to the highest levels of safety and airworthiness will ensure the best training for the ...

16 November 2017 RAAF C-27 Spartan (photo : Aus DoD) Northrop Grumman Australia has been awarded a performance-based contract to maintain the RAAF’s fleet of Leonardo/L-3 C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifters. The contract is for an initial five year period, and will renew annully for up to 22 years under a “rolling wave” arrangement, should Northrop Grumman continue to meet performance targets. Ten C-27Js are on order for the RAAF, with the type being introduced into service with 35 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond, west of Sydney. The award announcement comes some six months after the contract was awarded, and builds on Northrop Grumman’s growing transport aircraft maintenance work in Australia which also includes sustainment of the RAAF’s KC-30A MRTT at RAAF Amberley and Brisbane Airport, and the Canberra-based Boeing 737BBJ and Bombardier 604 SPA fleet. “This program represents the strategic foundation for Northrop Grumman upon which we can build sovereign Australian capabilities to s...

15 November 2017 Australia's future submarine (photo : Navy Recognition) Christopher Pyne reveals vision for export version of Australia’s Future Submarines AUSTRALIA could export a brand new submarine in 20 or 30 years, Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne says. Mr Pyne was asked at a major submarine conference in Adelaide on Tuesday morning whether it would be possible to sell submarines overseas now that Australia is embarking on the $50 billion Future Submarines project. He replied that we would never sell the French-designed Shortfin Barracuda — we want to keep the best submarine in the region for ourselves. However, he said, we could develop an “export version”, in the same way the French did, to both sustain the industry here and meet the needs of other nations. Mr Pyne has previously talked up the possibility of Australia as an arms exporter, but the focus has been on simpler warships. However, he said today the idea of exporting submarines was “something we can explo...

13 November 2017 CEA radar for warship (photo : MDC) The Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne today welcomed the announcement that the British Government will look at the feasibility of fitting cutting-edge Australian radar on future British warships. The announcement made by the Under Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, Harriett Baldwin during her visit to Adelaide today is for a capability study to fit CEA Technologies’ ‘CEAFAR’ radar to British ships and it will begin early next year. The radar is already in-service with the Australian Navy. The decision came after the Australia/UK Defence Industry Dialogue which took place in the United Kingdom last week.  The partnership is seen as a vehicle for accelerating co-operation between the two nations. Minister for Defence Industry the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said the announcement was an important follow up to last week’s dialogue and showed the continuing strengthening of defence industry ties between the two coun...

10 November 2017 F-35 JSF simulator (photo : Yokota AB) Australia is set to take delivery of its F-35 full mission simulator next year after the first simulator systems were delivered to the Israeli, Italian, Japanese and Norwegian air forces. These were the first ever deliveries of this equipment to international F-35 operators. Lockheed Martin says these simulators are critical components of the pilot training capability at F-35 operating bases in these four countries. They will facilitate pilot qualification training, continuation training and mission rehearsal training. “Lockheed Martin fully supports these customers and their F-35 training goals – we’re here to enable their success,” said Colleen Arthur, vice president of F-35 training at Lockheed Martin. “Lockheed Martin has unparalleled experience and expertise in leading day-to-day F-35 training operations and we look forward to our continued partnerships with these important allies as they build their respective training progr...

10 November 2017 NASAMS air defence (photo : Raytheon) Milestone for new Air Defence System Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced a major milestone in the Short Range Ground Based Air Defence project. Minister Pyne said a $12.1 million contract has been signed with Raytheon Australia for the first stage of the project, which is worth up to $2 billion. “This will include Risk Mitigation Activities to inform the final system configuration, which will create up to 10 new jobs,” said Minister Pyne. “The year-long Risk Mitigation Activity will examine the system’s use in an Australian context.” “It’s a significant project and the work will ensure we make the right decisions to protect our troops.” “The Government has committed to the highly successful National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS), which will be adapted to Australian requirements.” “Importantly, this work will investigate potential capability enhancements to inform the NASAMS’...

07 November 2017 Austal’s Guardian Class Pacific Patrol Boats (image : Austal) Commonwealth Announces Intent Purchase Two Additional Pacific Patrol Boats Austal (ASX:ASB) welcomes the announcement by the Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull and Timor-Leste Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri, that Timor Leste would take two of Austal’s Guardian Class Pacific Patrol Boats (PPBs). When contracted this will increase the total production quantity to 21 from the 19 already committed. The announcement was made at the Asia Pacific conference that was attended by both Prime Ministers. Following on from a visit to Austal’s dedicated patrol boat facility earlier that day, Prime Minister Alkatiri joined Prime Minister Turnbull to make the announcement, heralding a step forward in regional cooperation. “The PPB program is intended to aid regional security in the South Pacific by helping to secure the Timor Leste maritime border and represents an example of defence diplomacy fostering close relati...

04 November 2017 Nulka is a rocket propelled active missile decoy designed to entice hostile radio frequency guided anti-ship missiles away from a ship (photos : Lockheed Martin) The Turnbull Government will strengthen the Australian Defence Force’s anti-ship missile defence capability with a $207 million boost to the Nulka program. Nulka is a rocket propelled active missile decoy designed to entice hostile radio frequency guided anti-ship missiles away from a ship. Nulka has been protecting Australia’s major surface fleet units since its development and this upgrade will ensure the system remains at the cutting edge into the future. Nulka will continue to be upgraded over the coming decades to keep pace with anti-ship missile technologies and ensure our sailors have the best available protection at sea. The Nulka program is one of our nation’s largest and most successful defence exports generating approximately $50 million a year in export revenue. The upgrading of the launcher is exp...

03 November 2017 Adelaide class frigate HMAS Darwin sailed into Darwin Harbour for the final time on November 1, before decommissioning due in December. (photo : Aus DoD) Adelaide Class frigates’ future home could be in the Baltic Sea The future of Australia’s Adelaide Class FFG frigates has been discussed this week during Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne’s visit to Europe. Minister Pyne has confirmed he discussed Poland's expression of interest in purchasing the frigates while meeting with his Polish counterparts. Poland officially expressed its interest in the vessels in March this year when Michal Jach, the chairman of the Polish parliament's National Defence Committee, told the Safety Forum 2017 conference in Szczecin: "The acquisition of used Adelaide frigates from Australia would represent a major upgrade for Poland, it would raise the combat capability of our Navy." Like Australia, Poland is working to significantly modernise its defence capabilit...

27 Oktober 2017 The pump jet propulsion system (image : Naval Group) Naval Group has confirmed that it is committed to delivering “a regionally superior and sovereign” submarine capability for Australia. The company stated that Future Submarine design work continues to include the pump jet propulsion system that was proposed during the Competitive Evaluation Process and remains on offer to Australia, which had been in doubt. According to Naval Group, the use of pump jet propulsion would mean that the Future Submarine could move more quietly than submarines with “obsolete” propeller technology. The program is progressing through concept design on schedule, the company said, including work to establish the length, diameter and displacement of the submarine. “The design of Australia’s Future Submarines will draw on the best of French submarine design and technology to meet Australia’s submarine capability requirements, which include superior stealth,” Naval Group stated. “The Future Subma...

25 Oktober 2017 One of two Schiebel S-100 Camcopters that crashed while on trial with the Royal Australian Navy. (Photo: AusDoD) Two S-100 Camcopter VTOL UAVs being provided by their Austrian maker Schiebel to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) for trials have crashed. But the service still plans to buy two S-100s plus two ground stations. Separately, the RAN is upgrading its fleet of 24 manned Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters, the last of which was delivered just over a year ago. Speaking at a Naval Aviation Symposium on the sidelines of the Pacific 2017 Maritime Exhibition in Sydney, Commodore Chris Smallhorn, the commander of the RAN’s Fleet Air Arm, said both unmanned helicopters crashed for similar reasons and that investigations are ongoing. However trials with the S-100 are set to continue, with delivery of two more powered by a new heavy-fuel engine. According to documentation from Schiebel, the new engine will be able to use JP-5 fuel with its higher flash point for shipboard operatio...