Australian Navy HMAS Hobart First of Class Trials

HMAS Hobart has achieved a number of firsts for her class and the Royal Australian Navy over the past several weeks off the east coast of Australia.

Hobart successfully tested her 20mm Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) against an inflatable surface target, marking the first ever time an Australian warship has fired a CIWS capable of striking air and surface targets.

The ship’s five-inch main gun was tested against a towed target from varying distances and directions in an early morning naval gunfire exercise.

Two practice delivery torpedoes were also fired from the port and starboard tubes with both torpedoes recovered for analysis by Navy’s Surface Forces branch.

Test Director Lieutenant Commander David Small of Surface Forces oversaw the program of firing serials and said they would help prove the true capabilities of Australia’s newest warships.

“First-of-class trials set a baseline for the performance of a new class of ship”, he said.

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

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

Amphibious assault at Talisman Saber 2017

Sights, sounds of Talisman Saber 2017

Australia Requests Sale of Anti Radiation Missiles for EA-18G Growler

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia for Anti-Radiation Missiles. The estimated cost is $137.6 million.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on April 27, 2017.

Australia has requested a possible sale of up to seventy (70) AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM) Tactical Missiles; up to forty (40) AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles (AARGM) Tactical Missiles; up to sixteen (16) CATM-88B HARM Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); up to sixteen (16) CATM-88E AARGM CATM; up to twenty-five (25) AGM-88B Control Sections; up to twenty-five (25) AGM-88B Guidance Sections; up to twenty (20) AGM-88E Control Sections; up to twenty (20) AGM-88E Guidance Sections; up to forty eight (48) Telemetry/Flight Termination Systems; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other associated support equipment and services. The total estimated cost is $137.6 million.

This sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major contributor to political stability, security, and economic development in the Western Pacific. Australia is an important Major non-NATO Ally and partner that contributes significantly to peacekeeping and humanitarian operations around the world. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.

Australia is requesting these missiles for its Electronic Attack EA-18G Growler aircraft. The proposed sale will improve Australia’s capability in current and future coalition efforts. Australia will use this capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. Australia will have no difficultly absorbing these additional missiles into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support does not alter the basic military balance in the region. The prime contractors will be Orbital ATK (OA), Ridgecrest, CA, and Raytheon Missile Systems Company, Tucson, AZ. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to travel to Australia.

Ultra Electronics to Design Early Warning System Techniques for Australian Navy

The Australian government last Thursday announced that it had awarded A$1.7 million to Ultra Electronics Pty Ltd to build early warning system techniques for the Australian Navy.

Ultra Electronics will develop the techniques to provide naval ships with early warning of low flying air threats, such as anti-ship missiles.

Defence minister Christopher Pyne said that the grant would improve the technology available to the Navy.

“This project will complement existing ship-borne radar systems,” Pyne said.

“I am pleased to announce Ultra Electronics Avalon Systems Pty Ltd will receive funding to take this innovative technology to the next level. We are determined to use the defence dollar to drive a higher technology, advanced manufacturing future.

“We need to ensure that we maximise opportunities for Australian Industry to contribute to meeting our capability needs.”

In February this year, the Defence Department tendered for its IT procurement panel. Last year, the Government launched the Defence Innovation Hub, which brings together existing Defence innovation programs to try to streamline investment in innovation.

Key Equipment for Australia's Future Submarine Programme to be Agreed by Early 2018

Contracts for the five main sub-components of Australia's future submarines are expected to be placed by early 2018, according to the head of the project in the Royal Australian Navy. (photo : DCNS)

Suppliers for the five main sub-components for Australia's Future Submarine requirement are expected to be under contract by early 2018, programme head Rear Admiral Greg Sammut disclosed on 16 February.

Speaking at an industry day in Sydney, Rear Adm Sammut listed the top five items as being the main motor, diesel generators, DC switchboard, batteries, and weapon discharge system.

With construction in South Australia expected to start in 2023 with the aim of having the first of the 12 Future Submarines in service "in the early 2030s", work on the infrastructure necessary to ensure a fully qualified workforce was in place would begin in 2018, he said.

Meanwhile, concept design work and sensor selection studies were under way, detailed planning was proceeding on land-based build, test, and integration facilities, and an integrated master schedule was in development, Rear Adm Sammut.

The government announced in April 2016 that French shipbuilder DCNS, with its proposal for the Shortfin Barracuda 1A, a 4,700-tonne diesel-electric derivative of the company's 5,300-tonne Barracuda nuclear attack submarine, had defeated Japanese and German bids to replace the six-strong Collins-class fleet at an anticipated cost of AUD50 billion (USD37.5 billion).

A three-year AUD500 million design and mobilisation contract signed with DCNS in September 2016 covered early design work, moving into the preliminary design area towards the end of that period.

Rear Adm Sammut said that between 30 to 50 Australian personnel would be posted this year to the Future Submarine project office in Cherbourg, where the bulk of early design would be undertaken.

The combat system specification should be completed by the second half of 2018, at which time critical element design contracts for the combat system would be put out to tender, Rear Adm Sammut said.

Emphasising the importance of sovereign capability in both operations and life-of-type sustainment, Rear Adm Sammut said identification of the technology and training necessary to achieve this was already being pursued "as we go into a rhythm of what needs to delivered throughout design and construction".

Austal Launches Second Cape-Class Patrol Boat for Australian Navy

Australian shipbuilder Austal launched the tenth Cape-class patrol boat for the Royal Australian Navy at its Henderson, Western Australia, shipyard on February 14.

Future Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Inscription is the the second of two follow-on Cape-class boats that will be operated by the Royal Australian Navy.

The first boat, ‘Cape Fourcroy’, was rolled out in December last year and is scheduled for delivery to the navy in April 2017.

The first eight vessels were ordered in 2011 and entered service with the Australian Border Force from 2013 onwards. In December 2015, Austal announced a AU$63 million contract for the construction of another two boats.

Austal’s Cape-class patrol boat is a 58 metre all aluminium monohull vessel, designed to perform border protection and maritime security tasks, with a top speed of 26 knots and a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles.

According to the company, the vessel is capable of undertaking 28 day patrols in (up to) sea state 4 and the ability to launch two boats simultaneously.

The company also revealed enhanced maritime security and anti-mine warfare variants of the Cape at Euronaval 2016, which offer greater capability and feature mission packages that include unmanned aerial vehicle’s (UAV’s), unmanned surface vessel (USV’s) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV’s).

Boeing to Provide Malaysia, Thailand, Australia and Other Countries with Harpoon Missile Spares

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is being awarded a $12,399,305 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of spares in support of Harpoon and Stand-Off Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) for the Navy (83); and the governments of Saudi Arabia (143), Australia (5,734), Canada (50), Japan (96), Malaysia (17), Turkey (11), India (24), Taiwan (3), and Thailand (1).

Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas (29.56 percent); St. Charles, Missouri (21.51 percent); Black Mountain, North Carolina (15.04 percent); Joplin, Missouri (14.72 percent); Beverly, Massachusetts (4.24 percent); Burnely, United Kingdom (3.30 percent); Galena, Kansas (3.26 percent); Hayward, California (2.83 percent); Lititz, Pennsylvania (1.40 percent); Landsdale, Pennsylvania (1.01 percent); St. Louis, Missouri (0.94 percent); Middletown, Connecticut (0.70 percent); Chandler, Arizona (0.41 percent); Toledo, Ohio (0.29 percent); Skokie, Illinois (0.25 percent); Staten Island, New York (0.16 percent); Roswell, Georgia (0.10 percent); Huntington Beach, California (0.09 percent); Chatsworth, California (0.08 percent); St. Petersburg, Florida (0.07 percent); Irvine, California (0.03 percent); and Carson, New York (0.01 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2018.

Fiscal 2016 weapons procurement (Navy); and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $12,399,305 are being obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) XX.  This contract combines purchases for the Navy ($1,977,154; 15.95 percent); and the governments of Saudi Arabia ($4,913,562; 39.63 percent); Australia ($2,189,643; 17.66 percent); Canada ($1,371,188; 11.06 percent); Japan ($1,101,488; 8.88 percent); Malaysia ($309,852; 2.50 percent); Turkey ($293,895; 2.37 percent); India ($116,138; 0.94 percent); Taiwan ($105,991; 0.85 percent); and Thailand ($20,394; 0.16 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-17-C-0012).

Australian Army M777A2 lightweight towed howitzer at Townsville training area

Milestone for Australian Air Warfare destroyer

AWD Alliance celebrates the opening of the RAN’s Navy Training Systems Centre whilst the first destroyer, Hobart, progresses towards sea trials for the combat system

This week marks further progress for the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) project, as the Royal Australian Navy officially opened its Navy Training Systems Centre at Randwick Barracks in New South Wales on 8 April.

The purpose-built facility will provide the location for the RAN to deliver training for both the AWD and Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) capabilities, demonstrating one of the many facility requirements that the AWD Alliance has delivered as part of the project to date.

This milestone comes as the first Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Hobart advances further towards sea trials with the activation of a number of significant combat systems.

The AWD Alliance team, comprised of Raytheon Australia, ASC and the Department of Defence, has invested over the last decade in developing the people, processes, tools and supplier relationships required to integrate and activate such highly technical and complex systems.

In its role as the Combat Systems Integrator, Raytheon Australia is responsible for the design, integration, testing and activation of the Hobart Class Combat System for all three destroyers, as well as delivery of the associated land-based support facilities. This involves the integration of 10 major subsystems, including the Aegis Weapon System, which is provided through Foreign Military Sales, and associated delivery of more than 3,500 major pieces of combat system equipment required to establish the warfighting capability of the AWD for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

AWD Program Manager Commodore Craig Bourke, CSC, RAN, said that the collegiate approach for developing the Hobart Class Combat System Solution, led by Raytheon Australia has achieved the expected ‘best-for-program outcomes’ working with the US Navy and a range of Original Equipment Manufacturers, such as Ultra and Lockheed Martin.

“The Combat System architectural principles applied by Raytheon Australia have given the Commonwealth an overall system of systems solution with effective balance between a system with a strong parent Navy pedigree and the Australian indigenous capability to select, manage and tailor sub-systems, weapons and effectors to best meet the capability needs of the Royal Australian Navy along with inherent through life support benefits,” Commodore Bourke said.

AWD Alliance General Manager Lloyd Beckett also reinforced the importance of this activity as a demonstration of the complex work being undertaken by the Alliance. “The activation of the combat system is an exciting time for a first-of-class ship such as Hobart. It is a further demonstration of the demanding work that we are executing on this project, and proof of our ability to manage the risks associated with highly complex integration activities. I am immensely proud of what the AWD Alliance is achieving together as one team,” said Lloyd.

The three destroyers will represent one of the world’s most advanced multi-purpose warships, providing the RAN with a cross-spectrum capability, from joint maritime operations and area air defence to escort duties and diplomatic missions.

Project Update

-Hobart is 92% complete and on track to commence sea trials later this year, with a number of key combat systems activated including the Vertical Launch System, the Australian Tactical Interface, the Aegis Software Operating Environment and the  SPY1D-V phased array radar, along with various navigation and platform systems. In the coming weeks, Hobart will complete the activation of its main engines, in preparation for sea trials later this year.

-Brisbane is 75% complete as it prepares for launch in the coming year.
-Sydney is 49% complete, with the final block delivery to occur in May 2016.
-Both Brisbane and Sydney have benefitted from the lessons being applied from Hobart, with significant efficiency gains being measured from the first ship to the third ship. ASC and Navantia have worked closely together with the broader Alliance team over the last few months to realise these gains.
-Overall, more than 85% of the project’s combat system scope of work has been completed.
-The AWD Alliance successfully completed its final Training Readiness Review with the RAN, signifying agreement from the Navy that the program is ready to commence crew training for the AWD capability.

Ex Balikatan 2016

The Australian Defence Force is participating in Exercise Balikatan 2016, a multinational exercise run by the United States Pacific Command the Armed Forces of the Philippines​ conducted in various locations across the Republic of the Philippines from 31 Mar – 18 Apr 16.

Australia gives shelter to Afghan refugee, refugee kid stabs Australian police officers

Australia - Exercise Jericho Dawn

HMAS Parramatta Anti Ship Missile Defence Upgrade more than Skin Deep

http://news.navy.gov.au/en/Mar2016/Fleet/2755#.VuOtEfl97IV

HMA Ships Parramatta (left) and Toowoomba (right) at the BAE Systems shipyard at Henderson, WA. HMAS Parramatta is receiving a coat of Haze Grey following installation of new mast structures, while HMAS Toowoomba has been blasted back to bare metal and preserved with primer awaiting structural and combat system modifications to be installed. (photo : RAN)

HMAS Parramatta, the fifth Anzac class frigate built for Australia and the sixth to enter the Anti-Ship Missile Defence Upgrade programme has commenced preparations to undock in mid April.

While the most obvious and striking changes are the addition of a ‘cupola' mast to house the CEA Phased Array Radar, and a coat of the new Royal Australian Navy 'haze grey' paint, these are just two of a complex web of engineering changes and maintenance tasks delivered by BAE Systems, Saab Australia and Naval Ship Management, at the BAE Systems shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia over the past 12 months.

While significant elements of the combat system were replaced or upgraded, and large sections of the propulsion and electrical generation system were removed for overhaul prior to replacement, a significant body of work was also undertaken with assistance from uniform staff to maintain and overhaul equipment that remained.

Anzac Systems Program Office Commonwealth representative Mr Justin Bentink has been involved with the upgrade since it started and said that he has been impressed with the results that the diverse team of uniform and contract staff have produced.

“As a civilian I am honoured to work with such an inspiring group of naval professionals, supporting the Navy to achieve its capability aims," Mr Bentink said.

“Witnessing the dedication of naval personnel on a daily basis has personally altered my life's perspective on discipline, dedication and self-sacrifice.

“To me HMAS Parramatta is truly the embodiment of what can be achieved if Navy and industry come together altruistically for the good of the nation."

Following a period operating from Fleet Base East, Parramatta arrived at Fleet Base West in February 2015 and undertook a comprehensive safety and preparation phase before docking in late April. During this time, the vessel was completely emptied of all stores and supplies, de-fuelled, and cleaned in an extensive operation undertaken by the crew and contractors. Removal of some major radar and other antennae and upper deck fixtures also commenced, allowing more efficient use of time on the dock to achieve the major upgrade work.

Once docked, material control of the vessel was handed to Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, Anzac System Program Office, and the crew moved to sister ship HMAS Warramunga for return to Navy service following completion of the upgrade.

'Rip out' began in the operations room to make way for the upgraded Combat System, the Guided Missile Vertical Launch system was removed to allow access for engine removal (which then allows them to be overhauled offsite and replaced in the vessel prior to undocking), and disconnection of systems and removal of upper deck mast structures began, with the ‘classic’ Anzac class masts being lifted off in May 2015. The new masts, built on the base of the original masts with new upper structures, cables, services, and paint scheme, were lifted into place on in November; the highest mast being a full seven decks above the main upper deck.

By October 2015, the entire outer hull had been blasted back and coated in a red preservation undercoat, making Parramatta nearly unrecognisable from her former glory of only months before. Application of the more traditional grey top coat commenced in September, and the ship will be fully painted and ready to be returned to the water by mid April 2016.
 
In total, Parramatta will have received the services of over 600,000 hours of individual labour from an array of Australian industry and uniform personnel, resulting in a significant capability increase in addition to the impressive new visual profile.

Australian Teenager Suicide Bomber Jake Bilardi Images Found On Seized Militant Mobile In Ramadi 5 Kilo Area

#IRAQ Australian Teenager Suicide Bomber Jake Bilardi Images Found On Seized Militant Mobile In #Ramadi 5 Kilo Area. pic.twitter.com/g6FtDvz7DR

— Terrormonitor.org (@Terror_Monitor) December 1, 2015

Royal Australian Navy - Exercise Dugong mine warfare and clearance training activity concludes in Hobart

AUSINDEX 2015 Ceremonial Sunset in Visakhapatnam, India on HMAS Arunta

No sledging incidents have been reported so far

A flight in AUSINDEX15

Lieutenant Michael Mulquiney is one of the aircrew currently embarked in HMAS Arunta for AUSINDEX15, in the waters off Visakhapatnam, India.

Now a pilot within the Royal Australian Navy, he previously worked as a commercial pilot and flying instructor as well as working in heavy industry - in a whole other life - as he calls it.

“Life circumstances provided me with an opportunity to join the Navy at age 35 and this in turn enabled me to fulfil a life ambition to become a pilot within the military,” Lieutenant Mulquiney said.

Lieutenant Mulquiney who grew up in Maitland, New South Wales, has now served eight years within Navy and is currently residing in Perth being attached to the west-coast based ship, Arunta, however he normally lives in Nowra where the Navy’s Fleet Air Arm is based.

As part of squadron detachments, Lieutenant Mulquiney has operated both AS350B Squirrel and S70B-2 helicopters out of Townsville and Darwin and has flown the eastern seaboard from as far north as Townsville, and south to Melbourne and Adelaide on many occasions. He also completed several crossings of Bass Strait to Tasmania where he was able to explore the whole island.

“As a part of ship’s company I have toured both islands of New Zealand, but with this North East Asian deployment and AUSINDEX15, it is just the beginning of many great international adventures for me,” he said.

“Over the last three years I have been heavily engaged in promoting Navy and Australian Defence Force careers through flying our helicopters to partake in school visits, base open days, support appearances at public sporting events and a variety of tasking during the International Fleet Review on Sydney Harbour.

“Now, in Arunta, I am fulfilling the operational role as part of a ship’s flight at sea, and I am excited to put my skills into practice during the exercise,” said Lieutenant Mulquiney.

Australian Defence Force personnel regularly interact with a variety of other military forces. AUSINDEX15 is the first bilateral maritime exercise to take place between India and Australia.

The exercise commenced with a harbour phase involving briefings and practical demonstrations ashore, before progressing to sea. Sea-phase serials will include a coordinated anti-submarine exercise, surface firing exercises, air defence exercises, seamanship evolutions (including replenishment at sea serials) and aviation operations with embarked helicopter flights.

Australian P-3, Indian P-8 to participate in anti-submarine warfare exercise in Indian Ocean

India and Australia will focus on anti-submarine warfare in their first ever joint naval exercises, signaling a growing strategic relationship to counter China's increased activity in the Indian Ocean.
The war games starting Sept. 11 off India's Visakhapatnam port in the Bay of Bengal will include exercises to protect a tanker from a hostile attack submarine. The area is near waters where China deployed a nuclear-powered submarine for the first time last year, as well as the Sri Lankan port where another unit surfaced twice. That caused a diplomatic uproar.

There's the "potential for increased security tensions in the Indian Ocean," said Captain Sheldon Williams, defense adviser at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi. "We sit right in the confluence of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. We have a significant responsibility for its security. That's how we're looking at it now."

The drills -- first discussed a decade ago -- come as global powers vie for greater influence. The Indian Ocean's sea lanes account for nearly half of the world's container trade, including 80 percent of China's oil imports."We're seeing a genuine power play in the Indian Ocean," said Rory Medcalf, head of the National Security College at the Australian National University in Canberra. "Indian security cooperation with the U.S. and its allies is increasing, which rattles the Chinese."

Australia is dispatching Lockheed Martin's P-3 anti- submarine reconnaissance aircraft, a Collins submarine, tanker and frigates, Williams said. Among assets India will deploy are Boeing's P-8 long-range anti-submarine aircraft and a locally manufactured Corvette, said navy spokesman Captain DK Sharma.A month later in the same waters, India and the United States will conduct drills that U.S. Ambassador Richard Verma described as the most complex yet between the two nations. Japan has been invited to join.

China made strides into a region India considers its traditional sphere of influence, building ports in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and an oil pipeline to Myanmar's coast. President Xi Jinping has also lobbied the Maldives, Seychelles and Sri Lanka to join a maritime version of his Silk Road trade rejuvenation project.Most alarming for India, though, has been China's deployment of submarines near its shores. A nuclear-powered submarine patrolled the Gulf of Aden on a two-month anti-piracy mission last year, according to Indian media reports citing an advisory from China's Foreign Ministry to India's embassy in Beijing.

A Chinese submarine also popped up in Sri Lanka's Colombo port for "replenishment purposes" in September and November. India says another Chinese submarine docked in May and July in Pakistan.Those moves are prodding Prime Minister Narendra Modi to align India more closely with the U.S. and a "rules-based" approach for maritime security. That order's threatened by China's attempts to assert territorial claims in the South China Sea with the construction of artificial islands and runways.While Australia doesn't take sides in the South China Sea dispute, it's concerned about China's land-reclamation activities, Williams said. "Certainly, the tension that that causes is not good for anyone, particularly the potential militarization of those areas," he said.

China doesn't appear to be backing off. Beijing's leaders want to complete a free-trade deal with Sri Lanka by year's end and announced more than $350 million in aid money last month.
"India alone cannot assure the security of the Indian Ocean, even if it regards the Indian Ocean as its backyard," the China Daily said in an editorial. "If the Pacific Ocean is big enough to accommodate China and the U.S., so is the Indian Ocean to accommodate India and China."