Briefs

CDF announcement
Air Force chief advances

Air Marshal Allan (Angus) Grant Houston, AO, AFC will be appointed as the new Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) for a three-year term from July 4, 2005.

Air Marshal Houston will replace the current CDF, General Peter Cosgrove, who is retiring after more than 40 years service with the Australian Defence Force.

Air Marshal Houston will be the first Chief of the Air Force to serve as the Chief of the Defence Force.

He will be promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal.

The appointment will mark the culmination of a career with the Royal Australian Air Force which started as a cadet pilot in 1970. He has served Australia with distinction in postings both here and overseas.

Since his appointment as Chief of the Air Force in 2001, Air Marshal Houston has provided valuable advice to the Australian Government and the CDF. He will replace General Cosgrove, who has served as CDF for the past three years.

Destroyer advances
Preferred bidder Raytheon

Australia has been selected as the preferred bidder for a major electronic engineering contract in support of the combat system design and maintenance for the Air Warfare Destroyer.

Subject to final contract negotiations, Raytheon Australia will be awarded the role of Air Warfare Destroyer Project Combat System-System Engineer.

As part of the contract, Raytheon will undertake studies for the Commonwealth on Combat System Integration and Risk Reduction.

The contract is valued at approximately $15 million. The work under this contract will help develop a combat system configuration based on the already agreed AEGIS core system.

Defence recommended the Aegis as the best system for its air warfare combat needs based on cost, capability, risk and schedule.

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