Defence Magazine

Early Successes with JP2094

Prototype Multi-band Dual Feed-horn Satellite Terminal

Military and industry personnel have been given a hands-on demonstration of the capabilities of the Defence Multi-band Tactical Satellite Terminal. Developed under the JP2094 Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) project, the prototype terminal was on show at the CSIRO Information and Communications Technology Centre in Sydney in March.

With funding support through the CTD scheme, the Defence Science and Technology Organisation and CSIRO worked together to develop the prototype, with the same antenna reflector that is on the Parakeet Satellite Terminal Assemblage (STA) platforms currently in service throughout the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The feed-horn operates in X-band and Ka-band, and is capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving on both bands. The multi-band capability of the new satellite terminal offers significant benefits in terms of operational flexibility. For example, the ability to make simultaneous use of X and Ka bands would assist Defence satellite communications planners in better meeting numerous operational needs than with the limited number of Parakeet STA terminals in-service being able to achieve more efficient connectivity.

The prototype multi-band satellite terminal proved very successful as it met all required specifications, was completed on time and within the original budget for the program. More importantly, the benefits of this technology were exhibited at the demonstration which showcased typical satellite services used by the ADF by accessing X-band and Ka-band satellite transponders on OPTUS C1 simultaneously between CSIRO and DSTO's facilities in Adelaide. Very positive feedback was received from both Defence and Industry on the achievements of the CTD and the demonstration.

SQNLDR Patrick Del Guidice

Tanks on track

One Defence Capability Plan project in the spotlight is LAND 907 Phase 1, the Tank Replacement Project. Since its approval by Government in March 2004, the project is moving rapidly towards delivering an initial operational capability by the end of 2007. With the first tanks scheduled to enter the production phase very shortly, staff across the ADF and the USA are enthusiastic that the M1A1 will live up to expectations as a leading edge tank capability for Australia.

As an early adopter of revised capability procedures following the 2003 Defence Procurement Review, the M1A1 acquisition is setting a strong example for how future major Defence projects can be managed. Proven principles such as strong stakeholder involvement, clear requirements, and thorough planning combined with a hard working and focussed staff mean that the project is on schedule and within budget.

The project includes 59 M1A1 Abrams Integrated Management tanks, 7 M88A2 Hercules Improved Recovery Vehicles, advanced driver and gunnery simulation and a range of support vehicles. Current planning indicates that the first vehicles will arrive in Australia in late 2006. A key part of the success is the close Australian cooperation between Army, the Defence Materiel Organisation, Capability Development Group and industry, and at an international level between ADF staff and a range of very capable and responsive US organisations.

There are challenges ahead in fully utilising the superior survivability, firepower, mobility and communications offered by the M1A1. These include training the tank crews and maintainers, and establishing the integrated logistic support arrangements common to all projects. However, there is no doubt that the close supervision of the LAND 907 Project Office will continue to produce excellent results.

MAJ Bernie Richards

Enhancing survivability for the RAAF C-130J-30

C-130J-30 releasing flares

Delivering new capability doesn't necessarily take years to happen. Certainly, this was not the case when a need was identified to equip the C-130J-30 with self-protection capability for deployment to the Middle East.

As background, Project AIR 5216 procured 12 C-130J-30 aircraft for the RAAF. Self-protection equipment was not procured as part of this project but was to be incorporated under Project Echidna AIR 5416 Phase 4. This phase of Echidna was to provide Electronic Warfare Self- Protection (EWSP) for our C-130J-30 comprising radar warning, basic chaff-dispensing, missile warning and infra-red countermeasure systems (Public DCP). Project Air 5416 Phase 4 was not due for government approval until 2005-2006.

Air transport support for Australian involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq required deployment of C-130 aircraft that were equipped with self-protection equipment. At the time, only our C-130H aircraft satisfied the self-protection requirement. As our involvement in the Middle East continued, the need to provide some relief for the C-130H became apparent. Air Force determined the most appropriate way of doing this was to advance the fitment of self-protection equipment for the C-130-30 with the view of deploying these aircraft. This was achieved by splitting project AIR 5416 Phase 4 into two sub-phases, 4A and 4B.

AIR 5416 Phase 4A now aimed to accelerate the fitment of ballistic protection, missile warning and countermeasure dispensing capability - EWSP - for the C-130J-30. CDG staff - in close cooperation with AFHQ, DMO, Aerospace Operational Support Group, APP Project Management and DoFA - were able to rapidly progress the project to second pass approval by April 2004.

The first C-130J-30s were rotated into the Middle East later in 2004 equipped with ballistic protection (BP) and EWSP. A further enhancement to the survivability of the C-130 is being provided under a separate project (Explosion Suppressive Foam - ESF Project). This will provide explosion suppression for RAAF C-130 fuel tanks, with initial deliveries already made in early 2005. Aircraft now and in future deployments will have BP, EWSP and ESF as standard 'Survivability Equipment'.

Developed to address operational requirements that demanded aircraft survivability enhancement, the speed with which these projects were implemented is credit to all who contributed to the process.

Update provided by the Project AIR 5416 sponsor.

Move over, Fremantle!!

State of the art in design and technology, with formidable new capabilities. This is the description of the Armidale Class Patrol Boats that will replace Fremantle Class Patrol Boats from June 2005 under Project SEA 1444.

The Armidale Class Patrol Boat will deliver a formidable new patrol, surveillance and response capability for the RAN. Compared to the Fremantle Class Patrol Boat it replaces, the Armidale Class has superior seakeeping together with superior endurance and surveillance technology, which will enable it to effectively conduct its roles in the required areas of operation.

The performance-based contract for the Armidale Class Patrol Boats was signed 17 December 2003 with Defence Maritime Services (DMS) as the prime contractor, and AUSTAL Ships as the ship designer/builder. For the first time Defence has undertaken a contract to have a ship built with complete through-life support provided by a contractor.

Construction of the first of class HMAS ARMIDALE commenced in May 2004 and she was launched on 5 January 2005. The naming ceremony for ARMIDALE was held on Saturday 22 January 2005. The ceremony was attended by approximately 200 representatives from the Navy, other Groups in Defence, government and industry including Chief of Navy and the Premier of Western Australia.

At the naming ceremony, Adrian Kloeden, the Chairman of Defence Maritime Services, paid tribute to all involved in the project, "Credit must go to all the DMS and AUSTAL staff involved, and to the Defence and Navy personnel. An excellent working relationship has been established and there is no doubt that this is a major contributor to the outstanding progress our team has made".

HMAS ARMIDALE is currently conducting contractor sea trials and will be delivered to the Navy in May in her homeport of Darwin where she will be Commissioned. Construction of the second, third and fourth vessels is already well advanced in the AUSTAL Ships facility in WA. Project SEA 1444 is currently on time and budget, and subsequent vessels are scheduled to be delivered in batches of two, commencing four months after the ARMIDALE.

LEUT Libby Keefe, RAN