First Australian LHD Launched in Spain

18 Februari 2011

The hull of the first of the Royal Australian Navy’s two new amphibious ships has been launched in Spain, heralding a new era for Australia’s amphibious capability (all photos : Australian DoD)

LHD launch paves the way for amphibious transformation

The hull of the first of the Royal Australian Navy’s two new amphibious ships has been launched in Spain, heralding a new era for Australia’s amphibious capability.

Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane, led the launch and said the event was enormously significant.

“These ships are officially known as Landing Helicopter Docks or LHDs and are the largest the Australian Navy has ever owned,” Vice Admiral Crane said.

LHD01's hull launch was held at the Navantia dockyards at Ferrol in northern Spain; the event having a distinct Australian feel as children of Australian diplomats joined the official delegation waving Australian flags.

A Canberra regional sparkling wine was broken over the Canberra Class ship’s hull.

Vicki Coates, wife of the late Rear Admiral Nigel Coates who commanded the previous HMAS Canberra, was the ‘launch lady’.

Vice Admiral Crane said with a new generation in technology would come a new way of thinking in terms of how Navy would operate and crew this new capability.
“We are well progressed in our planning for the LHD arrival,” he said.

“I am confident we will have the people and the knowhow by the time the first LHD comes on line.

“Most importantly, for now, this project is on time and on budget.” Both ships will be based at Garden Island in Sydney. Crewed by all three services, the LHD will mark a significant strengthening of the ADF’s amphibious capability and tri-service culture.

First of class, HMAS Canberra (LHD01) will arrive in Victoria next year where it will be fitted out before being accepted into service in 2014 with sister ship HMAS Adelaide (LHD02) to follow the year after.

(Australian DoD)

F-35 for RAAF Will Be Arrived On Time on 2014

18 Februari 2011

F35 Joint Strike Fighter (photo : Australian Aviation)

Air force jets will be on time

THE Royal Australian Air Force will gets its first two Joint Strike Fighters on time in 2014, despite production delays in the US, their manufacturer Lockheed Martin says.

Company officials said in Canberra yesterday the RAAF should have a squadron of 14 of the fighter bombers by 2018, as planned.

The government says it wants to buy up to 100 multi-role JSFs to replace the retired F-111 bombers and the RAAF's F/A-18 Hornet fighter-bombers.

The first two JSFs, now designated the F-35 Lightning ll, will be used to train Australian pilots and ground crew in the US.

The Lockheed Martin officials said yesterday they had won the $3.5 billion contract to supply the navy's new helicopter that will replace its ageing Seahawks.

The company has teamed up with US helicopter firm Sikorsky to offer the new MH-60R Seahawk, or Romeo, and is competing with Eurocopter's NH90 NFH, or NATO Frigate Helicopter.

The officials said they could offer the Australian government a deal whereby the American companies would take back the older helicopters to be refurbished and sold to customers who needed helicopters for less demanding roles.

Lockheed Martin also announced yesterday it has appointed retired naval officer Raydon Gates as chief executive for Lockheed Martin Australia.

(The Australian)

Thai Rung Launch MUV4 Hardtop

18 Februari 2011

Thai Rung MUV4 Haerd Top (photo : ThaiDriver)

Thai Rung Launch Reconnaissance Patrol Vehicle MUV4

Thai Rung leader in the design and manufacture multi-purpose vehicle in Thailand, launched a new prototype car MUV4 (Military Utility Vehicle), a reconnaissance patrol car specially designed for customers who want to use the Hummer vehicle or Landrover (Defender) in the budget. Launch immortalized in the Bangkok International Motor Show 32th since 23 March - 5 April 2011.

You Sompong Phaoenchoke, President of Thai Rung Union Star Company Limited (Thailand) said the company look at specific military vehicle market would be a good future. It is expected that the Thai Army needs to be a car that looks similar to the car Hummer, Landrover or Jeep vehicle patrol. More cars to use in the army in order to assist countries to save cost and reduce losses from importing foreign cars. More expensive car from overseas company has developed ideas reconnaissance patrol car MUV4 version created by the need to develop the use of the military by bringing the structure of the Pick Up 4-wheel drive 3000 cc diesel engine with manufacturer available in the country. To develop an entirely new body design, production, the car is perfect with international standards : ease of maintenance and treatment, low expenditure on the maintenance because the main components as well as compliance. The current production is not the standard in the country. The company will develop 2 types MUV4 reconnaissance patrol car : metal roof version (Hard Top) and versions of the canvas roof (Soft Top).

Features of the car

MUV4 able to use a variety of needs : the removable roof and change forms with respect to use as a canvas roof. Computer system designed by CAD, CAE, CAM-date international standards and analysis of the strength of the structure (simulates) by computer. Production molded parts with metal. The car body through the cars rust colored coating. The charge (EDP) and the standard painting process with car manufacturers. The actual field test of the regulations to improve the design quality in real use. Has a unique design and modern cosmopolitan with creativity.

MUV4 used Toyota Hi Lux Vigo 4-wheel drive 3.0 liter diesel engine (photo : ThaiDriver)

You Sompong Phaoenchoke stated that specialized patrol car market would have a bright future. It forecast that the Thai Police Force for government agencies should be required this type of vehicle not less than 3000-4000 cars.

Because the company capabilities in the design of automotive components with an integrated, making company an opportunity to broaden this market has more to do. If the domestic market successfully, it can also expand to other countries with which the target is still a developing country in Africa, Asian and Middle East.

Toyota Hi-Lux Vigo 4x4 (photo : markmotorsthailand)

In addition, patrol cars MUV4 also developed to use to a commercial car as way as with the Humvee vehicle developed into a Hummer vehicle for the selling price is expected to be approximately 1.3 to 1.4 million. Vehicles will be available at Bangkok International Motor Show, Booth No. 32 from the Thai Rung. 23 March - 5 April 2011.

(Thai Driver)

CAE Completes Major Upgrade to Australian Army Black Hawk Mission Simulator

17 Februari 2011

The Australian Army's S-70A Blackhawk full-flight and mission simulator (photo : CAE)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA- CAE Australia today announced that a major upgrade to the Australian Army's S-70A Black Hawk full-flight and mission simulator (FFMS) has been completed on-schedule and recently entered service for the Australian Army.

CAE Australia, prime contractor under the Management and Support of the Australian Defence Force's Aerospace Simulators (MSAAS) contract, upgraded the S-70A Black Hawk FFMS with electronic warfare capabilities. The S-70A Black Hawk electronic warfare upgrade included the addition of a new missile warning systems, countermeasures dispensing system, and missile warning sensors. CAE also recently completed a visual upgrade of the simulator by adding the CAE Medallion(TM)-6000 image generator.

"These upgrades provide the Australian Army with enhanced training capabilities and help ensure concurrency with the Army's fleet of Black Hawk helicopters," said Peter Redman, Operations Director, CAE Australia Pty Ltd. "We are pleased we have been able to deliver this upgrade on-time and with no simulator downtime during the upgrade program."

CAE Australia was able to perform the upgrade under CAE's Authorised Engineering Organisation (AEO) Letter of Authority. As a certified AEO, CAE is delegated design authority for performing engineering upgrades on in-service simulators for the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force.

(CAE)

CAE to Provide National Modelling and Simulation Centre to Brunei

17 Februari 2011

CAE Presagis for modelling and simulation (photo : CAE)

Montreal, Canada, – CAE today announced it has been awarded a contract from the Ministry of Defence of Brunei to develop a state-of-the-art National Modelling and Simulation Centre (NMSC).

The NMSC will be located in the Knowledge Hub at Anggerek Desa, which is part of a technology park being developed by the Brunei Economic Development Board. The NMSC will be used by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Ministry to Defence to analyze force structure options, evaluate and validate capabilities, develop doctrine and tactics, and support training and mission rehearsal exercises.

As part of the project, CAE will design, develop and deliver a turnkey and fully integrated National Modelling and Simulation Centre. This will include the facility, simulation software, computer and networking infrastructure, tactical control centre, database development, systems integration services, synthetic environment and scenario development and ongoing support services.

The NMSC will also be used by other government agencies in Brunei to conduct research and development, experimentation, and training in their respective areas.

“The benefits of simulation for training are well-known, but modelling and simulation is also ideal for supporting analysis and operational decision-making,” said Martin Gagné, CAE’s Group President, Military Products, Training and Services. “We are excited to be working with the Ministry of Defence in Brunei to create a world-class modelling and simulation centre that will facilitate joint, multi-agency planning, analysis, and training as well as improved decision-making.”

(CAE)

Fast Ferry Solution Urged for Navy to Plug Hole in Amphibious Fleet

17 Februari 2011

In the period of 1997-2001, RAN leased high speed ferry catamaran as HMAS Jervis Bay AKR-45 (photo : Idris Welch)

THE federal government should move quickly to plug a hole in the navy's amphibious ship-lift capability by leasing or buying a locally-built high-speed catamaran, a respected defence think tank says.

The acquisition of a catamaran like the Tasmanian-built Jervis Bay, leased during the 1999 East Timor crisis, would be a useful addition to the Royal Australian Navy fleet, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute's Andrew Davies said.

Yesterday, Defence Minister Stephen Smith lashed his own department over its failure to keep its ships seaworthy and maintain a deployable heavy-lift amphibious capability.

Dr Davies, director of ASPI's operations and capability program, said experience gained during the five-year lease of the Jervis Bay was proof of the military viability of commercial high-speed catamarans.

“This seems to be a situation where considerable national capability can be acquired for a relatively small outlay,” he said.

It would take more than 12 months for the lease or purchase of a surplus Royal Navy bay class amphibious support vessel from Britain, Dr Davies warned.
He said the Jervis Bay example showed the capability could be achieved more easily through the lease of a high-speed commercial vessel.

“The RAN could acquire a capability that is not just useful for the smaller jobs that do not require the capabilities of a large vessel, but would gain considerable flexibility in terms of the speed and concurrency of deployments, including the wherewithal to augment the LHDs (new Canberra class) with what is essentially a fast ferry service.”

(The Australian)

Babcock AWD Torpedo Launcher Contract Moves Into Next Phase

16 Februari 2011

Mk32 Mod torpedo launcher (photo : Naval History)

Assembly of the Mk32 Mod 9 torpedo launchers for the Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers is now underway at Babcock's Techport Australia premises, marking an important milestone in the contract. Babcock Pty Ltd, part of Babcock International Group, was awarded the contract in December 2008 by Raytheon Australia Pty Ltd, on behalf of the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance.

Two Mk32 Mod 9 torpedo launcher assemblies will be mounted in magazine compartments, port and starboard, on each of the three Hobart class AWDs. Originally designed for the US Navy, the Mod 9 launcher is a twin barrelled variant of the Mk32 launchers currently in operation on Anzac and FFG frigates in Australia and will be modified to discharge Eurotorp MU90 torpedoes.

Babcock engineers and technicians are now commencing assembly of the launchers, which will take around seven months for all six launchers (three ship sets), and will be followed by Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) of each set at Babcock's newly developed facility at Techport, South Australia. FAT will involve safety and interlock checks and the measurement of additional system parameters during the discharge of a dummy weapon from the launchers into a specially designed rig.

The Anti Submarine Torpedo MU-90 M/04 in its transport cannister (Photo : EuroTorp)

Under the contract to date, the first phase has seen Babcock working closely with the US Naval Underwater Weapons Centre at Rhode Island, and transfer of a technical data pack to Australia under a license granted by the US Department of State, in accordance with appropriate US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). The data pack provides the basis for the procurement, manufacture, assembly and test of the equipment in Australia. Babcock now has the system and processes in place to handle ITAR controlled design information and procure ITAR controlled hardware through its US network.

Manufacture of component parts, including barrels, quadrants, breech locking rings, and air charging panels, as well as a number of major sub-assemblies, has also been on-going during the first phase of the contract. While some equipment has been sourced from specialist international suppliers, all other work is being carried out in Australia, representing around 60% of the contract value.

"Having the component parts and sub-assemblies arrive at our Techport Australia site, and starting the assembly process, marks an exciting and important milestone in this contract," Babcock director Pat Donovan comments. "Delivery of the completed launchers is on track against our project schedule, and ahead of the customer's required delivery date of September 2011 for the first ship-set."

(Babcock International)