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AMENDMENTS TO DEFENCE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRE TENDER: The Department of Defence has advised that due to their being “a number of off-the-shelf systems that might meet the project Air 5405 (Replacement Mobile Regional Operations Centres) requirement,” and that there “are further systems under development that may be capable of meeting the requirement should the projects run to completion”, a new Request for Information has been issued to update options, costs and risks in support of documentation required for ‘first pass’ approval. The project Air 5405 preliminary operation concept document (POCD) and preliminary function and performance specification (PFPS) are classified ‘Restricted’, so parties interested in obtaining copies will need to make special arrangements to collect them from Russell Offices. Defence has not issued an RfT as yet. [29.10.10] (DIAR.com)
INDUSTRY CALLED ON TO GAUGE SYSTEMS INTEGRATION CAPABILITY: Market survey responses (closing 30 September) are intended to assist the Land Development Branch generate a ‘first pass’ business case (ie: capability, cost & delivery schedule) to be considered by Government in 2011. ‘Second pass’ consideration for the ACAT III, $150m (A-DNPC) acquisition is scheduled over 2013/14-2015/16 on the basis of a planned Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in 2015. Defence says the acquisition will be driven by Strategic Reform Program (SRP)-based ‘smart’ acquisition strategies, hence the effort to gauge the level of industry capability for extant systems integration and/or partnering arrangements. The RfI details an expectation that although a number of contracts will be utilised to effect the new capability, Defence “will seek to minimise the number.” A follow-on JP 2110 industry briefing is being planned for the Land Warfare Conference (Brisbane, 15-19 November). [01.09.10] (DIAR.com)
SUCCESSFUL DEFENCE ENGAGEMENT YIELDS $2.6M CONTRACT: In one of the year’s best defence engagement stories, Adelaide-based Sage Automation has reported that a pro-active defence business engagement plan has just yielded a four-year/$2.6m contract with Madrid-based Navantia, to build 500 control panels for Australia’s three new ‘Hobart’-class air warfare destroyers (project Sea 4000). As part of a five-year growth plan drawn up in 2006, company officials took the initiative to travel to Madrid to meet with Navantia representatives, which subsequently resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) appointing Sage as the Australian in-country support agent for the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) on both the AWDs and the Joint Project 2048 amphibious ships (LHDs). IPMS addresses the real-time monitoring and control of hull, mechanical, electrical, damage control machinery and vessel systems. The new $2.6m contract requires the first of the 500 control panels to be delivered in November, with the final panels due by June 2014. Sage plans to be generating $25m in annual defence business by 2018. [31.08.10] (DIAR.com)
TENDER PROCESS BEGINS FOR EIGHT ‘CAPE’-CLASS PATROL VESSELS: The Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O’Connor, has announced initial exposure documents relating to the proposed procurement of eight new patrol vessels to replace Customs’ existing ‘Bay’-class vessels from early-2013, can now be downloaded from the AusTender website. The BCRV document package includes the operational concept document & draft functional performance specification for the new ‘Cape’-class vessels, which will be named after geological feature locations in each state & territory of Australia, in the following manner: ‘St George’ (ACT), ‘Byron’ (NSW), ‘Nelson’ (Victoria), ‘Sorell’ (Tasmania), ‘Jervis’ (SA), ‘Leveque’ (WA), ‘Wessel’ (NT) and ‘York’ (Queensland). A request for tender is to be released on 29 July, and will be followed by an industry briefing for interested parties in mid-August. O’Connor says that compared to the existing ‘Bay’-class ships, the new patrol vessels “will be larger, more robust and have a greater patrolling range. They could also accommodate more crew members.” [19.06.10] (DIAR.com)
‘EAGLE’ PMV-L SET FOR GALA EUROSATORY 2010 LAUNCH EVENT: Michigan-based General Dynamics Land Systems’ subsidiary, General Dynamics Land Systems Australia (GDLSA), is also to debut the latest version of its ‘Eagle’ 4x4 at ‘Eurosatory’ 2010, on 14 June. The 5.4m (L) x 2.4m (H) x 2.16m (W) PMV-L accommodates up to five persons. It features a 245hp Cummins turbo charged diesel engine which, in connection with an Allison 5-speed automatic transmission, is said to be capable of 110kph on the road. Using its De Dion axle system (with patented anti-roll geometry), the ‘Eagle’ is said to be able to ascend and descend gradients up to 60%. To support local production of the vehicle, GDLSA will transfer-in skills, technology and facilities from the company’s global resources, whilst also looking to help Australian suppliers enter the General Dynamics global supply chain. [26.05.10] (DIAR.com)
DISPUTE BREAKS OUT OVER DEFENCE TENDER CENSORSHIP: Australian Defence media proprietors are proposing to write to Defence Minister Faulkner in relation to perceptions of extraordinary censorship being imposed by the Department of Defence in regard to material proffered into the public domain by tenderers competing new ADF material capability acquisitions. Defence practices requiring tenderers to have written material compulsorily vetted by Departmental spin doctors prior to its release (or non-release) to journalists, are being justified by reference to recent changes to DMO practices seeking an environment of ‘fair and equitable’ process within the DMO, which the Shadow Defence Minister, David Johnston, says has recently itself been investigated in relation to allegations of corruption and fraud. Defence Minister Faulkner, in opposition, campaigned actively for openness and transparency in Defence matters, especially materiel procurement and accountability for the expenditure of public funds. Such sentiments were carried over in his initial public statements upon being appointed Minister for Defence. [02.06.10] (DIAR.com)
NEW CAREER FOR KIM GILLIS IN REMEDIATING 'COLLINS' BOATS: Speaking to current controversy over the serviceability and availability of the 'Collins'-class submarine fleet, Combet said he was personally convening meetings between Dr Gumley, the Chief of Navy (Vice Admiral Russell Crane) and ASC Chairman, Chris Ritchie, to resolve the issue. As a first initiative, the pan industry/government-experienced Kim Gillis - DMO General Manager, Systems since July 2007 - had been given a full time job through to June 2010 of addressing maintenance problems with the extant submarine fleet, and bringing it back to full operating capacity as soon as possible. Combet added, "as important as remediating projects is, it is also important to learn lessons from projects that have got into trouble. It is self-evident that it is far better to develop and implement a smart acquisition strategy to prevent a project getting into trouble, than intensely remediating a project." Gillis will be replaced in the interim by Shireane McKinnie. [13.11.09] (DIAR.com)
SELEX 'FALCO' UAV CONFIRMS MULTIPLE PAYLOAD CAPABILITY: Finmeccanica owned Selex Galileo reports it has successfully completed an intensive flight campaign of its 'Falco' tactical unmanned aerial system (TUAS), to expand its ISR capabilities through the integration of multiple sensors and additional functionality. The flight campaign included flights at Parc Aberporth in South Wales (UK), and at the UAV Arctic Flight Test Centre in Finnish Lapland. Selex Galileo also reports the flight campaign validated the latest version of its High Mobility Ground Control Station (HM-GCS), which offers a full training simulation environment and mission rehearsal capability. Exploiting a new and more powerful datalink, the system is said to have performed ‘hand-over’ missions which combined a number of GCS’ to overcome ‘line of sight’ data link limits inherent with the use of a single ground station. The 'Falco' UAV flew with a combined payload including an electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensor, and a ‘PicoSAR’ synthetic aperture radar (SAR) which included a Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) capability. Selex micro-air systems relevant to phase 4 of Joint Project 129 – such as the ASIO, STRIX and CREX – are to be displayed to State Government officials and relevant Australian military representatives in Australia in March 2010. [09.09.09] (DIAR.com)
