Australian Industry Proves World Beater, Smashing $1BN Milestone for Superjet

The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced that Australian industry has been collectively awarded over $1 billion in production for the F-35 program.

The strength of Australia’s defence industry has made it a significant and crucial contributor to the program which will support up to 5000 Australian jobs by 2023.

“More than 50 Australian companies directly shared in the production contracts to date, with many more indirectly benefiting through supply chain work,” Minister Pyne said.

“Australian industry continues to prove its global competitiveness by performing better than initial forecasts, with Australian industry involvement expected to exceed $2 billion by 2023.”

“The journey of Australian industry’s involvement in the global F-35 Program has been one of great success and long-term economic opportunity for Australia.

In 2016 the Joint Strike Fighter program supported more than 2400 jobs across Australia, which is set to grow to 5000 by 2023.

“Further opportunities are expected for Australian companies to increase production contract values over the next four years as F-35 production rates more than double.

“Australian industry is manufacturing parts that will be fitted to every F-35 aircraft in production across the globe.

“Australian success in the Joint Strike Fighter program isn’t limited to manufacturing parts. Australian industry has also been chosen as the maintenance hub for the engines, airframes and 64 of 65 components which have been assigned by the Joint Project Office.

“When I travel to the U.S. in April I will be arguing for more work for Australia, we have the capability and we deserve the work,” Minister Pyne said.

In a major milestone for the Australian F-35A Project, the first Australian-made Vertical Tail – produced by Victorian-based company Marand – was fitted to Australia’s third F-35A aircraft as it neared completion at Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Fort Worth, Texas, in August 2017.

The stealthy, advanced F-35A represents a significant change in capabilities and will give Australia an edge against the emergence regionally of advanced capabilities.

The first two Australian F-35A aircraft are scheduled to arrive for permanent basing at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales, in December.

By the time of Final Operating Capability, expected in December 2023, Australia will have a training squadron and three operational squadrons comprising 72 aircraft.

Royal Australian Air Force Second flight of life-saving equipment arrives in Tonga

Australian fighter pilots have been reunited with loved ones after carrying out air strikes against Islamic State in the Middle East

Australian fighter pilots have been reunited with loved ones after carrying out air strikes against Islamic State in the Middle East. https://t.co/3s0lBajiVO @DeptDefence @Aus_AirForce #auspol #7News pic.twitter.com/FkvxiVCQJX

— 7 News Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) January 24, 2018

RAAF Base Darwin was on “increased readiness” when Russian bombers were in Indonesia

Personnel at RAAF Base Darwin were operating at “increased readiness” earlier this month when a pair of Russian Tu-95MS bombers were in neighboring Indonesia.

Boeing Delivers Initial Next-Generation Battlespace Communications System to ADF

Ahead of schedule, Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered the initial equipment of an Australian-designed and manufactured battlespace communications solution for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), a major milestone for a system that will transform how the Australian military communicates in the field.

Under the AUD$650 million contract for the ADF’s Project Currawong, Boeing Defence Australia (BDA), a subsidiary of The Boeing Company, achieved Initial Material Release for the transit case version of its networked communications solution. The system transfers secure wideband voice, data and video services over wireless and wired infrastructure between Australia’s land-based deployed forces and headquarters.

BDA Vice President and Managing Director Darren Edwards said the initial delivery ahead of schedule to the Commonwealth of Australia proved Boeing’s ability and agility in supporting the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

“Boeing’s success in creating the hardware and software that meets Australia’s battlespace communications needs within a complex fixed price development program is testament to our partnership with our customer as well as our growing Australian supply chain supporting this important capability,” said Edwards.

“Together, we’ve designed, built, tested and manufactured an Australian-made, highly scalable and agile networking solution to ensure Australia gets exactly what it needs: a communications solution matched to operate in an ever-evolving threat environment.”

Boeing has provided defence personnel from 7th Combat Signal Regiment and 1 Signal Regiment based at Enoggera Barracks and 1 Combat Communications Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley with training and equipment deliveries to use the system ahead of Exercise Hamel in 2018.

This first tranche of the equipment delivered includes 18 deployable communication nodes and an Australian fixed strategic communications anchor site. This incorporates Boeing’s core communication system components, the network access module (NAM) and mission system management (MSM), which connect and manage the communication bearers and services Boeing and its partners are bringing to the program.

Boeing will also design a vehicle mounted version of the solution in parallel with the ongoing rollout of the transit case version to additional Army and Air Force units.

Great footage of the 7th Brigade - Australian Army in action

"Taking care of business (every day)…" 🎵🎵 🕶️
Great footage of the 7th Brigade - Australian Army in action. pic.twitter.com/d7oY0spNiR

— DefenceAustralia (@DeptDefence) November 13, 2017

Australian sniper training competition, held 11-22 November 2013

How good are your reflexes and eyesight? 👓

All the way back in 2013, #YourADF snipers travelled to Perth for the inaugural sniper concentration training competition, held 11-22 November 2013, at Campbell Barracks, Bindoon and Lancelin Training Area. pic.twitter.com/2bDawoRjFu

— DefenceAustralia (@DeptDefence) November 8, 2017

Australia and Indonesia Conduct Trilateral Maritime Patrol

Australia’s cooperation with Indonesia on maritime security has been further strengthened through a trilateral maritime security patrol in the Timor Sea north-west of Darwin, targeting illegal exploitation of natural resources.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) and Indonesian Coast Guard (BAKAMLA), as part of Operation Shearwater V, concluded the patrol together with the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs & Fisheries (MMAF) on 11 October 2017.

Operation Shearwater and the MMAF Coordinated Patrols are usually standalone patrols but, in a first for all of the involved agencies, were combined into a single operation.

These patrols target the illegal exploitation of natural resources and help to stop illegal fishing and environmental threats, while simultaneously improving operational communication between Australia and Indonesia.

The Australian Border Force Cutter (ABFC) Cape St George worked alongside BAKAMLA vessel KN Gaja Laut 4804 and MMAF vessels KP Orca 01 and Hui Macan Tutul 01 with an ABF Dash-8 aerial aircraft complementing the surface assets.

In support of this operation, an AFMA officer was on board ABFC Cape St George for the duration of the patrol.

Commander Maritime Border Command (MBC), Rear Admiral (RADM) Peter Laver, said these activities demonstrate the inter-operability of MBC, BAKAMLA and MMAF assets and enhance Australia’s collaboration between agencies involved.

“The combined Operation demonstrates the close relationship between MBC, AFMA, BAKAMLA and MMAF to combat the ongoing threats of illegal civil maritime activity, including foreign fishing either side of Australia and Indonesia’s maritime boundaries.

“These maritime operations are a result of ongoing close cooperation among the ABF and our international law enforcement and intelligence partners,” RADM Laver said.

This was the fifth Operation Shearwater conducted between the ABF and BAKAMLA, with the inaugural patrol occurring in October 2013.

Three Miniature Satellites for ADF will be Provided by UNSW Canberra

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced a three-year space research and development program between the University of New South Wales Canberra (UNSW Canberra) at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Announcing this significant investment at the Astronautical Conference on Thursday night, Minister Pyne said the Government was investing the $9.96 million to support the growth of Australian space technologies, as well as to investigate and demonstrate ways to enhance Defence space capability.

“The program is designed to enhance the ability of UNSW Canberra to deliver world-class space education to Defence personnel, as well as inform the future direction of Defence space capability.

“Through the program’s delivery, UNSW Canberra will partner with Australian industry to develop elements of a space flight mission.

“Research outputs are anticipated to provide UNSW Canberra with commercialisation opportunities, which in turn could provide opportunities to stimulate Australian space industry.”

A total of three miniature-satellites will be launched over the duration of the program, providing the opportunity to demonstrate innovative communications and remote-sensing payloads, and test spaceflight modelling techniques.

Minister Pyne said the program would also help to achieve a secure, resilient Australia by supporting the protection of our space systems from debris and anti-satellite weapons.

“Partnerships such as this are an integral element of our Defence Force,” Minister Pyne said.

“The expansion of space research and development into a regional academic institution provides Defence with an opportunity to build, sustain and create momentum to develop our space professionals.”

Austrian Army have revealed their new camouflage pattern

STOP!
The Austrian Army have revealed their new camouflage pattern!! #CamoGeek 🤓 pic.twitter.com/2udXiKNJpQ

— Ric Cole 🇸🇴 (@ric_cole) September 30, 2017

Australian C-130J flare dispense over RAAF Base Richmond

.@Aus_AirForce C-130J flare dispense over RAAF Base Richmond.

9 June 2016.#YourADF pic.twitter.com/TzC0QpIJhc

— DefenceAustralia (@DeptDefence) September 6, 2017

Royal Australian Air Force's New KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport Refuels USAF C-17

Great shots of Aus Navy’s first Guided Missile Destroyer Hobart

Great shots of #AusNavy’s first Guided Missile Destroyer #Hobart39 sailing into #Sydney for the first time pic.twitter.com/MByKApatSA

— VADM Ray Griggs (@VCDF_Australia) August 9, 2017

Marine Rotational Force Darwin coordinates fires with Australian forces at Exercise Koolendong in the Northern Territory

Marine Rotational Force Darwin coordinates fires with Australian forces at Exercise Koolendong in the Northern Territory pic.twitter.com/ow5IKrfLCj

— U.S. Pacific Command (@PacificCommand) July 26, 2017

Australia DOD - HIFiRE 4 Hypersonic Scramjet Missile Test Launch

Sights, sounds of Talisman Saber 2017

Talisman Sabre‏ - Largest amphib. assault for Aussies since WWII

It was the largest amphib. assault for Aussies since WWII. @USAembassyinOZ @Australian_Navy @AustralianArmy @NZDefenceForce @USArmy pic.twitter.com/osmP2iFYIY

— TalismanSabre (@TalismanSabre) July 14, 2017

Australian Troops Conduct Beach Landing During Talisman Saber Joint Military Exercises

Australia Poised to Join US on Next Generation Jammer

Australia is nearing an agreement to join the US Navy's (USN's) AN/ALQ-249 Next Generation Jammer-Medium Band (NGJ-MB) programme as it seeks to 'future proof' its new EA-18G Growler airborne electronic attack capability.

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) confirmed on 5 July that representatives from the Australian Department of Defence are negotiating with NAVAIR's Airborne Electronic Attack Systems and EA-6B Program Office (PMA-234) and the Navy International Programs Office (Navy IPO) to come on board with the NGC-MB development, previously known as NGJ Increment 1.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is acquiring 12 EA-18G Growler aircraft under Project Air 5349 Phase 3, with initial operating capability planned for mid-2018. The aircraft will enter service with the same AN/ALQ-99 tactical jamming system currently equipping the USN's EA-18G Growlers.

Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems was awarded a USD1 billion contract by PMA-234 in April 2016 for engineering and manufacturing development of the NGJ-MB electronic attack pod as a replacement for ALQ-99 from 2021. Intended to provide the EA-18G with enhanced airborne electronic attack (EA) capabilities to disrupt and degrade enemy air defence and ground communication systems, the system represents a step change from ALQ-99 in terms of its software-based digital architecture, and use of high power active electronically scanned arrays based on gallium nitride technology.

PMA-234 completed a Critical Design Review (CDR) for the NGJ-MB in late April 2017. The CDR confirmed the maturity of the design and approved the fabrication and assembly of test articles.

Growler Full Fleet Arrive in Australia

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, together with Air Vice Marshal Steven Roberton, Air Commander Australia; today welcomed the full fleet of EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft to RAAF Base Amberley.

Since the first two Growlers arrived in Australia in February 2017, the fleet has grown to the full twelve aircraft.

Minister Payne said the arrival of the Growler provides a potent and technologically advanced new capability for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

“We are the only country outside the United States operating the EA-18G Growler and the full fleet arrival represents a significant leap forward in joint electronic warfare capability,” Minister Payne said.

“This is an amazing achievement for the ADF. These aircraft are able to support the full spectrum of Defence missions, including operations with coalition partners.

“The EA-18G Growlers will work with Army and Navy to deliver a networked joint force able to manoeuvre and fight in the electromagnetic spectrum.“The arrival affirms the Government’s commitment to maintain our capability edge and prepare for the more complex and high-tech conflicts of the future.”

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Leo Davies said he was extremely proud of all the personnel who have worked on this project both in Australia and overseas.

“The delivery of this capability shows what our Defence Force members are capable of alongside our US counterparts,” Air Marshal Davies said.

“The US Navy has been very generous in their training of our aircrew and maintenance teams, and we have cemented our reputation as credible coalition partners.

“Australian Growlers have already conducted successful weapon firings and integration flights with RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornets and US Navy EA-18G Growlers as part of Operational Test and Evaluation. We have also had the graduation of the first Operational Transition course.

“Through our partnership with the US Navy we are already planning to keep Growler at the forefront of electronic attack capability throughout the life of the aircraft.

“I wish to acknowledge the commitment of RAAF Base Amberley, the Estate & Industry Group and the 6 Squadron families who have generated the home of this exciting new aircraft.”

The Growler is based on the F/A-18F Super Hornet airframe and fitted with additional avionics, enhanced radio frequency receivers, an improved communications suite and radio-frequency jamming pods that enable it to jam enemy systems. It will provide a complementary capability to the F/A-18F Super Hornet and the F-35A Lightning II aircraft.