Army personnel attended the inaugural Product Specific Focus Group

The first Product Specific Focus Group has been held, with defence industry given the opportunity to gain invaluable insights direct from their end users.

Held on 20 November at the Thales production facility in Bendigo, the Focus Group brought together Army personnel from three Units who have had operational experience with the Bushmaster, Wheeled Manoeuvre Systems Program Office (SPO) staff, Defence Materiel Organisation Industry Division, and Thales.

All attendees agreed the Focus Group was extremely rewarding and productive. Industry Division’s Industry Policy Management team intends to hold many more in 2008 and are on the hunt for products that may be suitable.

Army participants made more than 20 suggestions during the discussions on how to improve the vehicle’s comfort and useability. Importantly, the majority of these suggestions were new to both Thales and the SPO.

The Focus Groups are an initiative of the Defence and Industry Policy Statement 2007 and aim to provide a direct avenue between the Defence end user and industry, so as to facilitate the feedback necessary to improve goods supplied to the ADF.

Along with the Focus Group discussions, the day included a tour of the Thales fabrication and assembly areas for the Bushmaster. A highlight of the day was the sharing of Bushmaster experiences, including survival stories, with the Thales’ production crew, which were extremely well received.

One of the soldiers’ favourite features of the Bushmaster was the integrated vee-shaped armoured hull which protects its occupants by deflecting mine blasts. The soldiers spoke first hand of their experiences with this technology doing exactly as it should and saving lives in difficult situations.

If you have any suggestions for future Focus Groups or have any queries, please contact Assistant Director Industry Policy Management, Sam Peel on 02 6265 6765 or email samantha.peel@defence.gov.au