News Archive 2002

December

[TOP]

PM KICKS-OFF COUNTER-TERRORISM PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN: The Prime Minister has confirmed the Government's commencement of a three month, $15m national security public education campaign, relating to terrorist threats facing the Australian populace. Howard says the barrage of television, radio and print advertisements, in 28 languages, have been designed to "inform, re-assure and enlist the public in looking out for Australia”. The Government’s national security web site has been significantly upgraded, while a dedicated national ‘terrorism hotline' - capable of handling up to 2000 calls per hour - has also been established. Brochures are to be distributed to every Australian household at the end of January. [27.12.02]

ADF NOW SPREAD ACROSS MANY INTERNATIONAL LOCATIONS: Defence says a record 1800 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have been deployed this Xmas/New Year in more than 12 countries undertaking a range of operations spanning border protection, peacekeeping duties, United Nations sanctions enforcement, and other third country/exchange deployments. Of this total, 60% were Australian Army soldiers serving in East Timor, including a large number of reservists sourced from Victorian units. [24.12.02]

NEW SAFETY MEASURES FOR BEECROFT WEAPONS RANGE: New safety measures have been implemented at the Navy’s weapons range on the heads at Jervis Bay (NSW), as a result of a comprehensive review of its use by the public. Access is now to be partially restricted via fencing, and additional clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) is to be undertaken to make areas safe. A community consultation program will also be put into place after Xmas. According to Defence, the Department "takes its safety responsibilities very seriously, and its first priority is to ensure that no member of the public is put at risk.” [24.12.02]

BOEING TESTS EXPAND X-45A OPERATING ENVELOPE: The sixth test flight of the initial X-45A Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) has been undertaken for the first time from a hard surface runway, whilst being executed with the UCAV’s landing gear retracted. The flight test program is next scheduled to progress from single to multi-vehicle operations, including coordinated taxiing and flight, inter-vehicle communications, dropping inert ordnance and performing missions against simulated threats. Boeing says the program is on-track to provide the USAF with initial operating capability by 2008. [24.12.02]

HYBRID ROLE FOR F/A-18s AS UAV AERIAL REFUELLER: Engineers at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Centre are evaluating the capability of F/A-18A aircraft to act as an in-flight refuelling tanker to serve as an automated aerial refuelling system for unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). The automated aerial refuelling project is said to build on autonomous formation flight tests undertaken over 2000/01, which demonstrated a 14% fuel saving could be achieved by UAVs maintaining a precision formation within the wingtip vortices of the lead tanker aircraft while undergoing refuelling. [24.12.02]

MORE HOMELAND SECURITY EXPANSION FOR RAYTHEON: Raytheon has further strengthened its portfolio of integrated communications businesses with the acquisition of Solipsys Corporation - a specialist in data fusion, data distribution and display, and modeling & simulation; and JPS Communications, an innovator in key communications interoperability technologies used in civilian government command and control networks, particularly for police, fire and hospitals with dissimilar communications equipment. Raytheon says the capabilities acquired through the acquisitions “also apply to our military customers by helping bridge the interoperability gap amongst the US services and coalition forces.” [23.12.02]

BOEING SLAM-ER ORDERS PASS THE 500 MARK FOR USN: US Navy orders for Boeing's Standoff Land Attack Missile - Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) missile are nearing the 500 mark following a recent US$60.3m contract confirmation for 120 units. SLAM-ER is used for strikes against high-value land targets, ships in port and at sea, and features a capability to attack both autonomously as well as using man-in-the-loop control to give warfighters flexibility in planning and executing strike missions. [23.12.02]

DIAR.COM WISHES READERS A MERRY XMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR: This issue of the DIAR.com e-Newsletter (Number 50 for 2002) is the last for the year. Your editor and research staff will now be taking a three week break, with the first issue for 2003 scheduled to be published on 13 January. The DIAR.com office will nevertheless be staffed from 2 January 2003 for subscribers wishing to request documentary retrieval services for any urgent press releases or other materials circulated from 24 December 2002 through to 12 January 2003. [23.12.02]

TASMANIA FIRST TO STAFF COUNTER-TERRORISM TEAMS: A Tasmanian police officer is to be the first State police officer to join Australian Federal Police (AFP) led 'Joint Counter-Terrorism Teams' due to start operating throughout Australia early next year. The officer was sworn-in as a special member of the AFP on 19 December, thus providing him with powers to act in support of both State and Commonwealth legislation relating to counter-terrorism activities. Further, a Joint Agency Agreement has been signed between the AFP and the Tasmanian Police to set in place formation of the National Joint Counter Terrorist Team to operate in that State. Similar Agreements are being signed by the AFP with other jurisdications. [22.12.02]

DEFENCE CONFIRMS FORMATION OF LITTORAL COMBAT SHIP TEAM: The Department of Defence and Australian Defence Industry have teamed together to form an Australian Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Team, with the aim of highlighting to the international LCS community: unique Australian industry solutions/technologies developed specifically for the littoral environment that are applicable to the United States' LCS program; and the competitive advantage that Australian industry (as apart from individual companies) can provide to LCS program participants in terms of reduced cost, low technological risk and schedule delivery within the nominated project timeframe. [20.12.02]

PANEL SOUGHT FOR CAPABILITY DEFINITION DOCUMENT DEVELOPMENT: Defence is seeking to advance its Systems Engineering Improvement Program via the issuance of an RFT from candidates to form a panel of suitably skilled and experienced Systems Engineering practitioners to assist with the development of Capability Definition Documents (CDDs). The DMO is seeking experienced/knowledgeable personnel with a demonstrated record of achievement in CDD development and an ability to gain an understanding of DMO’s processes. Selection will be based on the tendered response to an RFT and interview (and a work test), to be conducted in February 2003. [20.12.02]

'PREDATOR B' UAV SURVEILLANCE/ATTACK SYSTEM INTO CONTRACT: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc has received a US$15.7m contract from the USAF for two 'Predator B' unmanned aircraft, to be designated the MQ-9 'Hunter-Killer'. The aircraft will be configured with a 10,000lb gross takeoff weight, and capable of operations over 50,000 feet for over 30 hours while carrying over 800 lbs of internal payload and 3,000lbs of external carriage of various payloads. Delivery of the first aircraft is scheduled for November 2003. [20.12.02]

BAES STARTS DETAILED MANUFACTURE OF JSF COMPONENTS: BAE Systems (BAES) is now producing its first aluminium components for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) airframe, which are to be assembled in a 'Horizontal Tail' test article. The aluminium components have been engineered at BAES' Samlesbury (Lancashire) plant using the JSF engineering toolset, special processes and collaborative manufacturing environment using the plant's latest high-speed 5-axis machining technologies. Over the last year, the Empennage and Aft Fuselage Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) based at the plant have been maturing the F-35 airframe layout and design in support of the first full airframe delivery to Lockheed Martin at Fort Worth in October 2004. [20.12.02]

FINMECCANICA TAKES CONTROL OF MACCHI AEROSPACE BUSINESS: Finmeccanica is to buy the remaining 66.6% stake in Aeronautica Macchi SpA, previously held by the Foresio family, for Euros 160 million. The company had a value of production of E296m in 2001, with an EBITDA of E5m. Aeronautica Macchi is a strategic asset for Finmeccanica allowing it to leverage the military aircraft trainer market and access the 12-nation 'Eurotraining' program. Substantial synergies are also envisaged with Finmeccanica's aerostructures business (mostly grouped together in Alenia Aeronautica), and established partnerships with Airbus Industrie and Dassault. Finmeccanica also has a stake in MBDA missile systems, and recently completed acquisitions of Telespazio and Marconi Mobile. [20.12.02]

HOWARD TALKS ON EXPANSION OF ADF SPECIAL FORCES CAPABILITIES: The Government has endorsed a plan to expand Australia's Special Forces counter terrorist capability and establish a new Special Operations Command in the Australian Defence Force. Prime Minister Howard has instructed the CDF to begin work 'as a matter of urgency' to deliver on a new military framework which increases Australia's ability to use non-conventional warfighting means to respond to the threat of terrorism. Heading the list of initiatives is an additional 310 highly trained combat personnel along with associated support personnel to supplement Australia's existing Special Forces. Second is the raising of an additional commando company with its logistics, heavy weapons and communication support along with the raising of a Special Forces Combat Service Support Team. The purchase of additional Troop Lift Helicopters will also be accelerated to enable a squadron of helicopters to be based in Sydney to support East Coast-based special forces capabilities. [19.12.02]

MAJGEN DUNCAN LEWIS TO HEAD NEW SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND: Howard added the Government had decided to raise a new Special Operations Command, to be established as a Joint command with a command status equivalent to Maritime, Land and Air Commands. He saw the new Command as providing "better joint, inter agency and alliance co-operation to defeat terrorism in any form." Former Afghanistan veteran Duncan Lewis (promoted to Major General) is to head the new organisation. The Special Operations Command will comprise a joint Headquarters, the Special Air Service Regiment, 4th Battalion the Royal Australian Regiment (Commando), Tactical Assault Groups (West) and (East), 1 Commando Regiment and the Incident Response Regiment. The Prime Minister has also tasked the CDF with developing a separate proposal for the greater involvement of ADF Reserves in the response to domestic terrorist threats or incidents. As such, some elements of the Reserves would be given additional training to prepare them for short notice employment in domestic protective security roles. [19.12.02]

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCES CAPABLE OF COVERING TWO THEATRES: Speaking in response to elements of the ADF potentially being deployed to Iraq, the Prime Minister says, "anybody who thinks we're just going through the motions of the UN are wrong. The only thing I can tell the Australian public (is) that if there is some call on the ADF as part of a Coalition action, then they are ready and that is why contingency arrangements have been put in place. If we were to get involved at the end of this process in some kind of military action, and that is completely hypothetical at this stage, we would not commit such a level of forces as to in any way weaken our capacity to deal with challenges or eventualities nearer to home. Our first requirement, our first obligation, our first response obviously is the challenges at home." [19.12.02]

ELITE OF THE ADF CREAMED-OFF TO NEW COUNTER-TERRORISM UNITS: The Minister for Defence says about 300 personnel will be required to staff the Government's decision to boost Australia's special forces capabilities, and these staff will come from existing ADF members while "new recruits will come in to fill the gaps in other areas of the Force." Hill added the Government was "putting the funding in place over the next few months (while) the Army was "working on the finer points (but) there'll be a new capacity to deal with maritime counter-terrorism. The detail of the funding is to be determined over the next few months, to be confirmed with the first appropriations in next year's Budget." [19.12.02]

SUBMARINES AND ASW TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE FOR SINGAPORE: A 'first-ever' international conference on Submarines and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) is to be held in Singapore over 4-5th March 2003, and is aiming to look at the impact of technological advances on submarine operations and the conduct of anti-submarine warfare in the Asian environment, with special attention given to the ASEAN region. Telephone +65 6284 2292, email conference@defencedirectory.com or surf www.defencedirectory.com/conference for details. [19.12.02]

NEW SIKORSKY HELICOPTER ACHIEVES FAA CERTIFICATION: Sikorsky’s S-92 helicopter has achieved Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification after 1,570 test flight hours. The aircraft has been evolved from the S-70 'Black Hawk' and 'Seahawk', and is available in a variety of configurations including offshore oil, VIP transport, airline operations, and other missions. Sikorsky says the S-92 "provides unprecedented levels of safety and reliability. It is the only aircraft in its class certified to the latest specifications for flaw tolerance, bird strike capability and turbine burst protection. In addition to its civil helicopter capabilities, the rotor system and dynamic components are designed to meet the UH-60 'Black Hawk' ballistic tolerance requirements, with all gearboxes capable of running for 30 minutes after loss of oil." Corrosion protection is said to meet or exceed current maritime standards. [19.12.02]

GENERAL DYNAMICS PAYS US$1.1 BILLION FOR GRAB AT GM DEFENCE: In a further major restructuring of US defence industry, General Dynamics has announced it will buy General Motors Defence for US$1.1b in cash. GM Defence has 2,400 employees in four operating units: GM Defence, Delco Systems in Goleta (Calif); GM Defence, Australia (Adelaide); GM Defence, Canada (London, Ontario); and MOWAG Motorwagenfabrik AG in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland. The two companies have been working together for some time in a joint venture to supply the US Army's new 'Stryker' combat vehicle. GM Defence anticipates 2002 revenues of approximately $950m, and has a backlog of more than $1.5b. [19.12.02]

UNMANNED HELICOPTER COMPLETES COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW PROGRAM: Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector says it has completed a comprehensive program review of its UCAR unmanned combat armed rotorcraft. The UCAR program is being sponsored by DARPA and the US Army, and is intended to provide enhanced reconnaissance and attack capabilities. It combines autonomous operations and advanced command and control technologies with the advantages of vertical takeoff and landing. Integrated with the Army's manned aircraft, the UCAR system is proposed to carry out armed reconnaissance and attack missions, operating within the Army's Objective Force concept, effectively identifying and attacking targets that are camouflaged and concealed in close combat situations such as dense, mountainous and urban terrain. [19.12.02]

WAR PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY, BUT NO COMMITMENT YET: Addressing media speculation Australia is preparing to go to war with Iraq in March, Prime Minister Howard says, "no decision has been taken by the Australian Government to commit military forces to Iraq. Obviously, as I've indicated earlier, the defence force has to make contingency arrangements, but in terms of any political/government decision, none has been taken. We remain hopeful that Iraq will comply in full with the demands of the United Nations and that military force will not be necessary. In the end, if Iraq does not comply then a decision will have to be taken on the best assessment the Government will make of Australia's national interests. We can't pretend that the problem will just solve itself if we walk away from it. [18.12.02]

US LOOKS TO UK AND EUROPE TO SUPPORT NEW MISSILE SHIELD: The UK Ministry of Defence has received a request from US Defence Secretary Rumsfeld to upgrade early warning radar facilities at RAF 'Fylingdales' (and possibly, 'Menwith Hill') for missile defence purposes. The US has also contacted Denmark about the possibility of using a radar station in Greenland to support missile defence plans. UK Defence Minister Geoff Hoon has stated, "as well as improving US defence, an upgraded Fylingdales radar would be a key building block in the extension of missile defence to Europe, should we and other European Allies so desire." [18.12.02]

GOODRICH TOTALLY RESTRUCTURES AEROSPACE ORGANISATION: The Goodrich Corporation has reconfigured its organisation into three strategic business segments - Airframe Systems, Engine Systems and Electronic Systems. The restructure is designed to enhance the company's alignment and communications with its global customer base and streamline the organisation. It is also the next step in the formal integration of Aeronautical Systems (AS), the new segment structure which will go into effect on 1 January 2003. The existing AS business units: Actuation Systems, Cargo Systems, Engine Control Systems and Power Systems will also form part of the new segment. [18.12.02]

CAE TO UPGRADE 'BLACK HAWK' AND 'CHINOOK' SIMULATORS: CAE has received a contract from the US Army to provide its advanced 'Medallion-S' visual system for the MH-60 'Black Hawk' and MH-47 Chinook' helicopter combat mission simulators of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). The value of the contract is approximately C$5 million. The agreement represents the first combination of a high-end, full-featured visual system with Lockheed Martin's Tactical Operational Scene (or 'Topscene') mission rehearsal database system which uses overhead image data from satellites and other sources to rapidly convert two-dimensional imagery into simulated three-dimensional 'fly-through' battlefield visualisations. [18.12.02]

GOVERNMENT HOLDS FIRM ON BORDER PROTECTION MANTRA: The Minister for Immigration has confirmed Government action (via Regulations) to temporarily excise four islands off the West Australian coast as a result of concerns over a boat possibly carrying illegal immigrants. The effect of the regulations is that, even if the boat landed on Australian soil, any persons leaving the boat would be removed from the excised land for later processing at Christmas Island, Nauru or Manus Island. The Minister subsequently reported the vessel ended up being seized for breaching Australian fishing laws and was found to be carrying eight legitimate crew members. [17.12.02]

COMBATING MONEY LAUNDERING AND TERRORIST FINANCING: The Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison, says a significant step forward in the regional fight against terrorism has been taken in Bali with Australia and Indonesia co-hosting a regional conference on combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The regional conference was opened by Senator Ellison and the Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Hassan Wirajuda. Senior officials from 33 nations from the Asia-Pacific Rim along with representatives from the private sector and key international organisations are attending the two-day conference. These organisations include the Financial Action Task Force, the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee, the UN Office of Drugs and Crime and the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering. [17.12.02]

BUSH ORDERS CONSTRUCTION OF NATIONAL MISSILE SHIELD: The US President has directed the Pentagon to proceed with fielding an initial set of missile defence capabilities to be operable by 2004 and 2005. Bush said the initial capabilities would include ground-based interceptors, sea-based interceptors, additional Patriot (PAC-3) units, and sensors based on land, at sea, and in space. The President's landmark national missile defence fielding announcement was couched in terms of Homeland Security, with the events of 11 September 2001 characterised as underlining the 'unprecedented threats' now posed to American citizens. [17.12.02]

UNIFIED AUSTRALIAN AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PROPOSED: The Government has announced it will examine whether merging Australia's military and civil air traffic management systems could cut duplication and costs. As such, Airservices Australia, the national air traffic management organisation, and the Royal Australian Air Force will shortly jointly undertake a feasibility study. The two organisations are currently joint custodians of the nation's airspace and will report to the Ministers in the first half of next year. The study will focus initially on integrating civil and military air traffic management systems at the RAAF-controlled airports of Darwin and Townsville. [17.12.02]

BLICK INQUIRY DEFICIENCIES TO BE TAKEN UP IN THE SENATE: Confirming it's dissatisfaction with the narrow terms of reference said to have been given to the Inspector-General for Intelligence and Security for his inquiry into possible intelligence warnings available to Australia prior to the Bali bombings, the Shadow Minister for Defence, Kevin Rudd, says Labor will consult with the Democrats and Greens in the new year to determine the terms of reference for a new Senate inquiry into the Australian Government's intelligence assessments and travel advisories for the period 11 September 2001 to 12 October 2002. [17.12.02]

EVANS DIGS-IN WITH CRITICISMS OF DEFENCE ADMINISTRATION: The Shadow Minister for Defence, Chris Evans, says the Howard Government "has conceded that its bungled management of Defence is compromising Australia's Defence capabilities. The Minister for Defence, after denying the obvious for 12 months, has finally admitted that his Government's management of Defence has been a disaster and will leave Australian troops without the capability they need. Just two years into a ten-year Defence Capability Plan, the Government has admitted that its mismanagement of the portfolio will see key elements of that Plan abandoned. John Howard will not be delivering the Defence White Paper he promised. While the ADF is struggling to operate at very high tempo, the Government has failed to give them the equipment they need. The Prime Minister and Treasurer have stepped in to force Robert Hill to address the widespread problems in his Department." [16.12.02]

TWELVE CONFERENCES SET FOR AVALON AIRSHOW PROGRAM: A wide range of conferences and seminars are planned to be held in conjunction with the Australian International Airshow, to be held at Avalon from 11 February 2003. The principal envents include: a UAV Conference; the RAAF Airpower Conference; Flight Test Society of Australia Seminar; Civil Aviation Safety Authority Seminars; French-Australian Cooperation Conference; Health & Usage Monitoring Systems Seminar; Royal Aeronautical Society Seminar; Australian Institute of Purchasing and Material Management Ltd Conference; Aviation Medical Conference; AOPA Seminars; Aviation Safety Foundation of Australia Seminar; and the Airports Conference. [16.12.02]

METAL STORM MAKES IT INTO NEW US WEAPONS PROGRAM: The US Army Research Office (ARO) has made a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 1 award to Schappell Automation Corporation (SAC) to develop a capability to deliver special, non lethal, projectiles using Metal Storm's electronic ballistic technology. The system has several options including: the mounting of weapons on robotic vehicles or as a hand held weapon. SAC has extensive experience in robotics and automated weapon systems, and has been responsible for a series of remotely controlled and autonomous land vehicle programs including the design, building and testing of DARPA's Autonomous Land Vehicle. [16.12.02]

MOBILITY FUNDS ALLOCATED FOR DEFENCE FAMILIES ON THE MOVE: The Minister for Education, Science and Training (Dr Brendan Nelson) and the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence (Danna Vale) have confirmed joint funding of $300,000 will be applied to two projects to help minimise some of the negative impacts associated with defence families moving schools. The first project will identify the most useful data needed when students move to another school and establish a best practice approach to transferring it. The second project will identify practical ways to help children better adjust socially and emotionally to a new school environment. [15.12.02]

OPENING OF BUCKLAND MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING RANGE: Defence has confirmed it has re-opened the Buckland Marksmanship Training Range (MTR) in Tasmania after the installation of a $750,000 electronic range system, supplemented by state-of-the-art facilities. The Australian designed, manufactured and installed computer controlled target systems at Buckland are described as “the only system in the world that could meet the ADF's challenging requirements.” MTRs are used to practice, assess and validate basic shooting skills for military personnel and most of Defence small-arms weapons live firing is done on these ranges. Changing requirements-such as shooting with night-vision equipment, and old target equipment, highlighted the need for new systems. The Buckland MTR is located some 76km from Hobart, and covers 23,428 hectares. [14.12.02]

COUNTER-TERRORISM VACCINE STOCKS NOW BOOSTED: Australian authorities are said to have just received a new shipment of 50,000 doses of smallpox vaccine, however, the Commonwealth’s Chief Medical Officer, Richard Smallwood, says there are “no plans to vaccinate Australian’s at this stage.” Smallwood says the vaccines will instead be stockpiled in case there is an incident, thus allowing public health authorities a reasonable chance of containing an outbreak. He adds, “I think it’s always possible to imagine scenarios where any public health response is going to have trouble, but I think we’re now in a position to move to contain an outbreak efficiently.” [14.12.02]

SENIOR US ADMINISTRATION VISITOR TALKS TO ALL EXCEPT CREAN: The cream of Australia's political leadership has assembled over the weekend to talk with visiting US Deputy Secretary of State, Richard Armitage. Armitage is visiting Australia after calls on the Prime Minister of Japan, the President of South Korea, the Vice Premier of China, to drum-up support for possible military action. After meeting Prime Minister Howard and Ministers Hill and Downer he was quoted as saying Australia and the US 'should be prepared to stand side-by-side' on Iraq, but conceded Australia should act in its own interests given the threat posed by Al Qaeda and its associates in the Asia Pacific. Armitage was also to meet Acting Opposition Leader, Jenny Macklin, and Labor Shadow Ministers Evans and Rudd. According to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, Opposition Leader Crean’s decision to reject an offer to meet with Armitage, “defies belief." [14.12.02]

‘JAVELIN’ MISSILE SOLUTION FOR BUNKER-BUSTING REQUIREMENT: Defence has confirmed Australia’s front-line infantry, cavalry and special forces units are to be equipped with the Raytheon/Lockheed Martin-manufactured ‘Javelin’ anti-armour and bunker-busting missile under a $180m procurement program. The purchase is described as providing enough missile launchers, ammunition, logistics support, simulators and training ammunition to equip high readiness battalions and other units, with the weapons entering wider ADF service over the period 2005 to 2007. [13.12.02]

THALES T&S PICKS-UP ‘WEDGETAIL’ AEW&C FLIGHT SIMULATOR: Thales Training & Simulation (TT&S) has confirmed the signing a contract with Boeing Australia Limited (BAL) for the supply of a full-motion flight simulator for the new AEW&C aircraft being procured by the RAAF. Under subcontract to BAL, TT&S will design, develop and manufacture the Operational Flight Trainer (OFT), which will be based on a B737-NG Full Flight Simulator modified to provide the training environment required for the AEW&C platform. As with the B767, B737 and A330 simulators TT&S is providing to Qantas, the Level D AEW&C OFT will be built using TT&S’ C2000X PC/Windows NT architecture and will be fully qualified to ICAO Level II, to meet the highest level of approval under Australian regulations. The simulator will be installed at RAAF base Williamtown in a new support facility being provided by BAL as part of the AEW&C project. [13.12.02]

ASIO BRAWL SEES LABOR BLAMED FOR LACK OF HOMELAND SECURITY: According to the Attorney-General, Daryl Williams, the Opposition has “chosen politics over community safety in rejecting a Bill that has become a test of commitment to the security of the nation. Thanks to Labor, ASIO does not have the powers it needs to question people with information about potential terrorist attacks and to gather the details we need to prevent these attacks before Australians are hurt or killed. Thanks to Labor, these vital powers may never be available as an extra layer of protection for the community because the Opposition continues to insist on amendments to the legislation that make it unworkable.” [13.12.02]

RESERVE RECRUITING UP AFTER CHANGES TO MILITARY EMPLOYER SUPPORT: The ADF's operational tempo is said to be benefiting from increasing numbers of Reservists volunteering for full-time service following increased Federal Government support for employers. According to the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Danna Vale, “more than 1340 Reserve members are currently on voluntary full-time service, up from 1083 at this time last year. Almost 790 employers are said by Vale to have received Employer Support Payments between July and November this year, compared with 327 employers in the same time last year. More than $12 million in Employer Support Payments has been paid to employers nationally since the scheme was introduced. [13.12.02]

HOWARD FIRM ON PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO WMD ISSUES IN IRAQ: Speaking in advance of his meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State, Richard Armitage in Sydney, Prime Minister Howard has said “we do not want military conflict over Iraq. We want Iraq to completely rid herself of weapons of mass destruction. We support the United Nations process, indeed, we urged that upon the United States some months ago. We want the Security Council resolution to be adhered to by everybody. We've (now) had this declaration by Iraq. Everybody's got to be given time to look at it and if there's something wrong with it or there are some gaps then those gaps will need to be pointed out. I've (also) made it very plain all along that if there were any kind of military involvement, then any contribution that Australia might make - and we haven't taken any decision to do so - any contribution that we might make would not be such as to in any way diminish our capacity to deal with other threats." [13.12.02]

INTEGRATION OF INMARSAT TECHNOLOGY INTO BORDER PROTECTION: National Air Support (NAS, a subsidiary Surveillance Australia) says it has become the world's first civilian aerial surveillance operator to transmit real-time video, still images and data via satellite from an airborne aircraft (through a modification to its Dash 8 aircraft) on contract to Australia's ‘Coastwatch’ program. Integration of the high-capacity communications link to the five-aircraft fleet means patrolling Coastwatch aircraft will soon be able to communicate (via satellite) direct to the Customs National Surveillance Centre in Canberra or to a mobile ground station. NAS adds the Surveillance Australia aircraft are "the first civil maritime surveillance and border protection aircraft anywhere in the world to field such a system, (with) the only other known system operated by the US military, using their own military satellites." [13.12.02]

RULES UPDATED FOR FREEZING TERRORIST ASSETS IN AUSTRALIA: Revised arrangements for freezing terrorist assets in Australia under the auspices of UN Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001) have now come into force. Since 15 October 2001, the Government has used a mechanism contained in the Charter of the United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Regulations 2001 to implement this obligation. These Regulations have now been replaced by a new Part 4 of the Charter of the United Nations Act 1945, and the Charter of the United Nations (Terrorism and Dealings with Assets) Regulations 2002. Under the revised mechanism, anybody holding financial or other assets of persons or entities listed as terrorists by the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Commonwealth Gazette is prohibited from using or dealing with those assets. It is also a criminal offence to give assets of any kinds to such persons or entities. The penalty for these offences is five years imprisonment. [13.12.02]

CSC ON ACQUISITION TRAIL FOR HOMELAND SECURITY ASSETS: Computer Sciences Corporation is to acquire DynCorp under a US$950m deal that includes assumption of all of DynCorp's debt, estimated at $273m. According to CSC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Van Honeycutt, "with this transaction, we are seizing an opportunity to significantly strengthen our leadership position in the US federal marketplace, augment our capabilities to support the requirements of the new Homeland Security Department, and respond to the federal government's initiative to increase its reliance on service providers." [13.12.02]

SMITHS MOVES FURTHER INTO BOEING PLAN FOR AERIAL TANKERS: Boeing has selected Smiths Aerospace to effect a US$14m program to design and manufacture the air-refuelling boom control actuation system for its 767-based tanker transport. Smiths Aerospace is also providing the Mission Control System and the hose-and-drogue air-refuelling systems for the 767 aircraft. Commercially launched in March 2001, manufacturing development on the boom control actuation system will begin immediately with initial deliveries on aircraft scheduled for delivery to Italy and Japan in 2005 with the USAF to follow. [13.12.02]

HILL SETS-UP ACQUISITON COMMITTEE TO OVERSEE ROCHE: Defence Minister Hill has personally appointed a three-man team to work with the Under Secretary for Defence Materiel, Mick Roche, to assist with a range of issues associated with major Defence acquisitions. The Committee is to be Chaired by Malcolm Kinnaird, assisted by Len Early (the current chair of the Stevedoring Industry Finance Committee) and Member of the Commonwealth Grants Commission, and also a former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration, and Dr Bill Schofield, formerly chief of the DSTO Aeronautical and Maritime Research Laboratory. Hill claims "the management of major Defence acquisitions has improved significantly since the establishment of the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) two years ago.” [12.12.02]

DMO REVIEW TEAM TERMS OF REFERENCE ISSUED, BUT NOT PUBLICLY: Hill confirmed at a media conference that the new Committee has “got some terms of reference which were basically worked up by the bureaucrats. I don’t immediately see why they couldn’t be released, but I’ll have a think about it.” According to Hill, the review team “will identify the key challenges associated with the management of Defence projects, how these are currently being addressed and any potential improvements that can be made. It’s not a committee that comes in and just issues a report at the end of the business. The idea is for them to work hand-in-glove with the DMO.” The review team is to provide an initial report to the Government early next year. The Under Secretary, Defence Materiel, Mick Roche, has already met with the review team which has immediately started work. [12.12.02]

MILITARY RELATIONSHIP WITH KOPASSUS ‘STILL ON THE TABLE’: Referring to Australia’s on-going relationship with the Indonesian military (TNI), Senator Hill says “we have a program seeking to rebuild the defence relationship (as we) think that’s in Australia’s interests. We have been taking this step by step, principally through observing programs that can be of mutual benefit.” In terms of working with Kopassus’ counter-terrorism capability, Hill says “we have had a debate, and that is still unresolved. Some other countries have concentrated on trying to support the development of counter terrorism capability within the Indonesian police, but the facts are the principle counter-terrorism capability of Indonesia remains with Kopassus.” [12.12.02]

DSTO MOVES INTO ANALYSIS MODE ON NAVY ‘HEADMARK’ EXPERIMENTS: Defence scientists are expecting in early-2003 to have their first results on the Navy’s ‘Headmark 2002’ war-gaming experiments, undertaken in support of the RAN’s Innovation Strategy (NIS). System concepts explored during '‘Headmark 02’ were focused on lead Navy issues, such as: air warfare destroyer capability requirements; amphibious ship capability requirements; the utility of wide area underwater surveillance; potential uses for high-speed vessels; and the interplay between RAAF and RAN assets in the Maritime environment. The exercises are expected to inform the capability development process, and influence force structure and future war-fighting concepts. [12.12.02]

JOHN HOLLAND ACQUIRES TRANSFIELD CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS: John Holland is to acquire for $49.8m the business contracts, property, plant, equipment and goodwill of Transfield Construction, with completion of the deal expected by 31 January 2003. The deal boosts John Holland’s annual revenues to around $1.2b, and its workforce to over 2000 people. As part of the acquisition, John Holland is to form a 50:50 joint venture company with Transfield Holdings to pursue the development of major infrastructure projects in which John Holland would also be invited to invest. [12.12.02]

‘YARRA’ HANDED OVER TO COMPLETE ‘HUON’-CLASS MHC PROGRAM: ADI Limited says it has completed the $1 billion ‘Huon’-class coastal minehunter (MHC) project on schedule and within budget with hand-over of the final ship (of six) in the fleet, the ‘Yarra’. According to the company’s Managing Director, Lucio Di Bartolomeo, the original MHC contract (signed in 1994) provided for the ‘Yarra’ to be handed over in September this year. However, and due to the scope of work (to boost MHC capabilities) subsequently being increased by 4%, the handover has fallen back, but with only a 1% timetable extension. “The Australian ships have proved superior to the minehunters of other nations in their ability to locate, classify and destroy sea mines,” he added. [12.12.02]

BAE SYSTEMS TO WEAR COSTS ON OVERDUE DEFENCE PROGRAMS: Two multi-billion pound programs – the ‘Nimrod’ MRA4 aircraft and ‘Astute’ submarine being lead by BAE Systems for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) have been declared as behind schedule, with the MoD saying it is not prepared to pick up the financial slack for the delays – thus leaving the company looking at costs possibly amounting to as much as £1 billion. The two parties are to negotiate further over the Xmas period with BAE expecting to reveal the full financial implications by February 2002. This latest news is reported to have caused a further 20% drop in BAE's share price, which has now hit a nine-year low. [12.12.02]

ANTI-MISSILE INTERCEPTOR FAILS IN CRITICAL TEST PHASE: The US Missile Defence Agency (MDA) has confirmed that the latest test of its Ground Missile Test (GMD) system failed after the exoatmospheric kill vehicle (EKV) interceptor and the booster rocket failed to separate, preventing the EKV from engaging the target warhead in space. The failure was similar to one already experienced in a test on 8 July 2000, making the score three unsuccessful tests from eight intercept attempts since tests began on October 1999. The latest failure comes as a blow to US Defence chiefs who are working on a schedule aimed at having a basic missile defence system in place by the end of 2004. [12.12.02]

CRACKING PACE SET IN GROWTH OF WORLD CNBRE MARKETS: A new report from Frost & Sullivan has outlined the growth of scientific-based security technologies for chemical and biological detection in response to post-11 September 2001 instructions from the White House for scientists to redouble their efforts at developing technologies to help prevent or mitigate another terrorist attack. Technologies said by the report to now be in various states of development range from more sensitive and versatile detectors for biological, chemical, and radiological agents to new diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics against anthrax, smallpox, and other potential bio-terror agents. [12.12.02]

NO ADVANCE WARNING OF BALI BOMBINGS SAYS BLICK REPORT: An inquiry into what Australia's intelligence services knew about the threat environment before the Bali bombings is said to confirm the Government's line the 'no specific warning' was received. Tabling excerpts of a report by the Inspector-General of Security, Bill Blick, in Parliament 10 December, Blick's report is said to have found only one intelligence report 'obtained from foreign liaison sources' as mentioning places such as Bali as possible sites for a terrorist attack, but only in the aftermath of a high-profile counter-terrorist event such as the arrest of Jemmaah Islamiyah spritual leader, Abu Bakar Bashir. Blick is continuing his investigations and will make a further report to Howard once he has had time to examine foreign language intelligence files. [12.12.02]

FIRST TRANSNATIONAL CRIME CENTRE NOW OPEN IN CANBERRA: The Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison, has opened 11 December the Australian Federal Police's (AFP) new Transnational Crime Coordination Centre (TCCC), which is designed to provide national and international law enforcement agencies with a 24-hour focal point of contact within Australia national and international coordination of transnational crime investigations. Ellison says the new will be structured to bring together investigations on five key crime types: terrorism; illicit drug trafficking; people smuggling; hi-tech crime; and proceeds of crime/money laundering financial investigations. He added the centre would also incorporate an intelligence function spanning three areas: collection and liaison; intelligence product; and targeting teams - to assist in coordinating the AFP's response to transnational crimes. [12.12.02]

DIAR.COM PUBLISHING DATES OVER XMAS/NEW YEAR: This issue of the DIAR.com e-Newsletter is Number 49 (of 50) for 2002 covering 2/12/02 to 11/12/02. The final issue (#50) for the year will be published 23 December covering news releases up to that date. The e-Newsletter will then take a three week break, with the first issue for 2003 being published on 13 January, and covering news releases from 24 December 2002 through to 12 January 2003. Regular weekly e-Newsletters will re-commence after that date. [12.12.02]

DIAR.COM AT THE 2003 AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW: Staff from the DIAR.com e-Newsletter will be relocating to the Avalon Airshow trade exhibition site for the week of 11-14 February 2003 in order to publish a daily Newsletter (in paper format) reporting on all major trade exhibition events. Firms wishing to have copy included in the pre-Show e-Newsletter (emailed 10 February), should lodge their material with our Canberra office by mid-day on 7 February – Email busicom@ozemail.com.au or Fax (02) 6260-3977. Firms wishing to have copy included in any one of the four daily paper-based Newsletters to be distributed at the show should drop their copy into the DIAR.com stand at the trade exhibition (Hall C, Stand 3E31 - adjacent to the business centre) by 2.30pm each day. [12.12.02]

ADBR REPORTS ON NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE ACQUISITION PROGRAM: In a second annual feature edition on the implementation of New Zealand’s Long Term Defence Development Plan (LTDP), this week’s Australian Defence Business Review (ADBR) magazine reports on the implementation of Project ‘Protector’ – the plan to revamp the Royal NZ Navy – and how implementation of this project is being used by NZ military capability officials to underpin a new ‘functional specifications’-based philosophy for achieving procurement outcomes. Email busicom@ozemail.com.au to request and electronic copy. [12.12.02]

ADI SHORT-LISTED FOR ARMY BRIDGE ERECTION/PROPULSION BOATS: ADI Limited has been short-listed to supply 24 new bridge erection propulsion boats (BEPB) to Defence to satisfy an Army requirement to replace all of its existing craft used to assemble the pontoons that create bridges across strategic waterways. ADI says it has drawn upon the design, engineering and production skills used to produce the ‘Huon’-class minehunters to develop a world class design for the new BEPBs, which will also be able to be used as ferries to transport personnel, equipment and stores - as well as a diving support tender. The 24 boats with transportation cradles are said to offer “a highly manoeuvrable, stable and robust platform. The hull is a unique part asymmetric configuration which produces the excellent directional stability and safe operation required by the Army.” [11.12.02]

CUSTOMS LAUNCHES NEW SATCOM SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM: The Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison, has launched a new state-of-the-art satellite communications system at the Customs National Surveillance Centre in Canberra. The system allows live transmission of video, still images and data from Customs ‘Coastwatch’ aircraft direct to the National Surveillance Centre. Ellison says this current application “is the first time this technology has been applied to civil maritime surveillance anywhere in the world, and will therefore significantly boost Customs’ operational capability in the maritime surveillance environment.” [11.12.02]

FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES SPEEDS-UP ‘GLOBAL HAWK’ DEVELOPMENT: Intensive use of the ‘Global Hawk’ Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in Operation ‘Enduring Freedom’ (OEF) is said to have significantly speeded-up the acquisition of experience in operating UAV systems with a limited number of aircraft providing more than 15,000 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance images of potential enemy targets during 50 combat missions totalling over 1,000 flight hours. In less than 50 days after 11 September 2001, USAF officials say “hundreds of government and contractor team members totally re-focused this program. We took an immature system and fused it into a seamless, operational entity that could deliver time-critical targeting information to warfighters supporting OEF." Six Global Hawks have so far been delivered to the USAF, with the seventh and final advanced concept technology platform - slated for use as a test vehicle to support development and upgrade efforts - scheduled for delivery later this month. [11.12.02]

BOEING SIGNS ITALIAN AIR-TO-AIR REFUELLER CONTRACT: Officials from Boeing and the Italian Ministry of Defence have signed the final contract for four new 767-based Tanker Transport aircraft, including five years of contractor logistics support. Italy became the first customer for the 767 tankers last year when it selected the aircraft in a competition to replace aging 707 tankers in the Italian Air Force inventory. The Italian Air Force will receive its first 767 Tanker Transports in 2005, with deliveries continuing until early 2008. The first aircraft will be modified into tanker configuration at the Boeing facility in Wichita (Kansas), with the three subsequent aircraft to be modified by Aeronavali in Italy. [11.12.02]

TENIX REPLIES TO REITH ALLEGATIONS MADE IN PARLIAMENT: Responding to allegations made in Parliament in regard to the involvement of Peter Reith in first cancelling, and then putting up for re-tender the Defence Integrated Distribution Services (DIDS) contract, Tenix Group Managing Director, Paul Salteri, says the former Defence Minister “has not been involved with contracts or tenders. He has not been involved in the DIDS tender in any way with the joint venture company TenixToll Defence Logistics. He has not been requested nor has he provided any advice on any aspect of the company’s DIDS tender.” [10.12.02]

MILITARY COLLEGE GRADUATES COME FROM MANY PLACES: A ceremony for General Service Officer Cadets at the Royal Military College (Duntroon, ACT) has seen 123 Full Time Staff Cadets graduate as Lieutenants in the Australian Army, and three as Pilot Officers in the Royal Australian Air Force's Airfield Defence Guard. Of the total graduates, 116 were from all States of Australia, with overseas graduates including a Lieutenant in the New Zealand Defence Force, and a Second Lieutenant in each of the Royal Malaysian Army, the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, and the Royal Thai Army. [10.12.02]

HOWARD TOYS WITH SINGLE COUNTER-TERRORIST COMMAND: Responding to submissions to the FA,D&T Joint Standing Committee calling for the creation of a single integrated national security and counter-terrorist unit under a single commander, Prime Minister Howard says, “I’m looking at different ways that we might re-organise our intelligence and security responses, but (these suggestions) miss the point that we already have a very highly coordinated arrangement. Providing the agencies are working together, then you have an effective response. Now I'm not ruling out some reorganisation. Maybe there is some merit in that. But I think there is a real danger in the wake of things like we've been through recently for people to think that if you get a new title, a new office, a new description, then everything is solved. In the end, it (comes down to) the most effective use of the men and women available at a given time in response to a challenge that's important.” [10.12.02]

PRIME MINISTER SWINGS ONTO NEW STRATEGIC THREATS: Commenting on Australia’s strategic outlook, the Prime Minister added, “there is no likelihood of an attack on Australia in the conventional sense. Indeed the analysis we have had over recent weeks indicates that the likelihood of an attack on Australia in a conventional sense is even more remote now than it has been for some years. Now that's not to say that I'm complacent about it. It's not to say that I say it will never happen. I'm simply making the observation that the challenge Australia now faces and the more immediate real challenge is the unconventional threat of terrorism and we have to find ways and responses for that, that we haven't been required to do so in the past." [10.12.02]

SAS SUCCEEDS ON GOOD TRAINING, QUALITY OFFICERS AND LUCK: Briefing media on the challenge of coalition operations on the eve of the return of Australia’s Special Forces from Afghanistan, Brigadier Duncan Lewis, says they “are difficult at the best of times (but in) operating with US forces we don't have the same sort of challenges of language that others might have. We have, in the main, commonality of equipment or systems, where we can actually talk to one another in an electronic sense. There is also the great investment that we have made over many years of training and working with the US. The second lesson is that we must continue within the SAS Regiment to maintain a balance of capabilities. It's necessary that you be able to do a number of things, not just focus in on one particular skill set, and I think it is one of the great strengths of the SAS Regiment that they do have the range of military skills which have application in a broad spectrum of circumstances.” [10.12.02]

LINE-IN-THE-SAND NOW DRAWN ON AMENDMENTS TO ASIO BILL: Following-on from recommendations made by the Senate Legal and Constitutional References Committee, the Attorney-General, Daryl Williams, says the Government has accepted a number of amendments to its ASIO Bill in order to obtain passage of what it terms ‘this vital counter-terrorist legislation’. Williams adds, however, “we have repeatedly said that we will not entertain proposals that will render the Bill impotent or unworkable. The Government is of the view that the majority of the proposals made by the References Committee would do just that.” [10.12.02]

DUTCH TEAM WINS CRITICAL JSF SUPPORT SYSTEMS POSITION: The Dutch Prognostic Health Management Consortium (DPC) led by Perot Systems Corporation, has been awarded a six-year, US$8m contract to provide technology for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). DPC technologies are to be integrated into the F-35's Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) off-board prognostic health management architecture, which will support the resolution of difficult-to-isolate, complex aircraft-failure scenarios. The DPC was started in early 1998 in order to develop for the JSF a system of on-board and off-board capabilities that will enable the aircraft to diagnose its own health, predict failures before they happen, and prescribe a course of action to minimise aircraft down-time. [10.12.02]

NZ PUSHES ON WITH ITS LONG TERM DEFENCE DEVELOPMENT PLAN: The New Zealand Minister for Defence, Mark Burton, says a tender will be issued in early 2003 for both the P-3 ‘Orion’ Mission Systems upgrade, and the Communications and Navigation Systems upgrade for the long range maritime patrol fleet. The upgrades will mean that the P-3s will have enhanced capabilities for gathering and processing information, as well as meeting civil communications requirements and complying with new air traffic regulations due to come into force in 2005. The tender process for the P-3 project will begin in early 2003, and fully costed options should be returned to Cabinet by late in the year. It is expected that the first aircraft will be modified and back in service in 2006 with the remaining five aircraft complete by 2008. [10.12.02]

KIWIS MOVE TO UPGRADE 'IROQUOIS' AND 'SIOUX' HELICOPTER FLEETS: Burton further confirmed work has also begun on a project to replace the ‘Iroquois’ utility helicopter and the ‘Sioux’ training helicopter, beginning with a project to define the operational, policy and training requirements for the 'Iroquois' replacement. The Minister says he expects to bring a paper to the NZ Cabinet outlining Defence's recommendations later next year. Options for the ‘Sioux’ replacement, which include purchase or short-term lease, should be before the Cabinet early next year. Approval has also been given to procure the Automatic Grenade Launcher (to meet the Direct Fire Support Weapon requirement), and the ‘Javelin’ terminally-guided anti-armour weapon, to meet the Medium-range Anti-Armour weapon requirement. [10.12.02]

‘BLACK HAWK’ PILOT AWARDED THE US BRONZE STAR: An Australian Army ‘Black Hawk’ helicopter pilot has been awarded the US Bronze Star for meritorious service while serving on exchange with a US Army unit in Afghanistan. Major Steve Jobson received the medal at the completion of a two-year reciprocal exchange with the American 82nd Airborne Division, which also included six-months' service as a pilot in Bosnia-Herzegovina. He was presented the Bronze Star medal by Major General John R Vines, the Commanding General of the international coalition against terrorism effort in Afghanistan in a ceremony at Bagram Air Field, the main Coalition base in Afghanistan. [09.12.02]

NETWORK APPLIANCE INC IN CANBERRA TO SUPPORT DEFENCE: Open network storage solutions provider, Network Appliance Inc, has opened an office in Canberra in order to support the company's recently awarded Preferred Supplier status by the Department of Defence for open network information storage systems and related software and services. Network Appliance partnered with ASI Solutions for the contract, under which Network Appliance expects to install its ‘Filer’ storage systems at some 150 Defence sites across Australia, over a three-year period. Michael Burnie has been appointed Australia and New Zealand managing director for Network Appliance Inc. [09.12.02]

BAES COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF CONDOR PACIFIC INDUSTRIES: BAE Systems (BAES) North America has completed its US$58.5m acquisition of Condor Pacific Industries Inc following receipt of all regulatory approvals. The company supplies inertial products for navigation, guidance, and control, including STARS, a two-axis rate sensor for tactical missile seekers, and STAARS, a multi-function sensor for sub-miniature, low-cost inertial measurement units. BAES officials say the acquisition “closely complements our broad involvement in aircraft control electronics (and) enhances our ability to serve the growing precision munitions market segment." BAES Controls develops and produces integrated flight and engine control subsystems and produces hybrid electric drive systems for commercial and military vehicles. [09.12.02]

HECKLER & KOCH SOLD BACK TO GERMAN IN-HOUSE MANAGERS: As part of its strategy of divesting non-core businesses, BAE Systems has sold its Heckler & Koch small arms business to Heckler & Koch Beteiligungs GmbH, a German registered company established to effect a management buy-out, and led by two of its current directors, Ernst Mauch and Dirk Holzknecht. Heckler & Koch manufactures rifles, pistols, submachine guns, machine guns, grenade launchers and hunting and sports weapons. It has 700 employees, mostly based in Germany, with elements in USA, Switzerland and the UK. Its headquarters are at Oberndorf in Germany. Heckler & Koch was bought by BAES plc in 1991. [09.12.02]

TARGET SYSTEMS TO BE UPGRADED AT FOUR ADF RANGES: Defence has signed a $5.6m contract with Swiss-based prime contractor, Polytronic, for the provision of new, world class target systems on four Defence training ranges. The company is to work with Albury-based firms Milspec (who will manufacture the target mechanisms and associated equipment), and Australian Target Systems, who will provide the software, installation and scheduled maintenance. The new contract covers upgrades to the Shoalwater Bay, Darwin, Puckapunyal and Holsworthy ranges, which are expected to be completed by 18 April 2003. Options for a further $5.8m worth of target systems have been included in the initial contract. [06.12.02]

NEW HOME FOR ARMY RESERVES 21 CONSTRUCTION REGIMENT: Defence says its 21 Construction Regiment has moved into a refurbished section of Gallipoli Lines at Holsworthy, after 30 years based at Haberfield. The move is said to allow the unit's members better access to Holsworthy's field and firing ranges and sports facilities, and places them next door to the full time unit, 17 Construction Squadron. The 21 Construction Regiment has been a very active Reserve unit, making an important contribution to the ATSIC Army Community Assistance Program through building infrastructure in remote indigenous communities in the Northern Territory last year. Members also worked on this year's highly successful 'Tour De Force 4' concert tour through East Timor, assisting with staging and transport tasks. The regiment recently completed an annual field exercise at Holsworthy Range which included bridging and engineer trade training and road construction work. [06.12.02]

INQUIRY ON MANAGING TERRORIST ATTACK CONSEQUENCES: The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade is to commence hearings on ‘Australia’s preparations to respond to a terrorist attack’, as part of the Committee’s Watching Brief on Australia’s involvement in the War Against Terrorism. Initial evidence is to be given by: the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet; the Attorney-General’s Department; the Protective Security Coordination Centre; Emergency Management Australia; the Australian Federal Police; the Australian Defence Force; the Australian Strategic Policy Institute; and the ANU’s School of Terrorism Studies. [06.12.02]

DEFENCE LINKS-UP WITH EMA FOR NSW BUSHFIRES SUPPORT: The Attorney-General has approved the provision by Emergency Management Australia (EMA) of two helicopters, aircraft refuelling and accommodation facilities at HMAS ‘Albatross’ at Nowra, and a mobile fuel tanker, for the fighting of bushfires around Ulladulla. The two helicopters, one with winch capability to evacuate residents and the other for fire reconnaissance work, were placed on standby at HMAS 'Albatross' after an urgent request from the New South Wales Emergency Operations Centre. Formerly part of the Department of Defence, EMA, was recently moved to become a division of the Attorney-General’s Department. [05.12.02]

HOMELAND SECURITY MAKES NATIONAL RESEARCH PRIORITIES: The Commonwealth Government has decided, as a result of work undertaken by the Prime Minister’s Science Engineering and Innovation Council, to set four new national research priorities spanning: an environmentally sustainable Australia; promoting and maintaining good health; frontier technologies for building and transforming Australian industries; and technologies for safeguarding Australia. Under the ‘Safeguarding Australia’ category, Howard envisages contributions coming forward on how Australian science can contribute to the fight against terrorism, and cited the benefits of CrimTrac’s nationally coherent database, which had formerly received research assistance. Other areas canvassed for support include: crime, invasive diseases and pests, and threats to Australia’s critical infrastructure. [05.12.02]

SUPPORT FOR 'DEFENCE-INDUSTRY' IN RESEARCH PRIORITIES: New research support for ‘frontier technologies’ for building and transforming Australian industries is said by the Prime Minister to be about “fostering creativity and innovation by supporting leading edge research in areas such as information and communication technology (ICT), bio-and geo-informatics, nanotechnology and biotechnology. ICT has an important role to play as a platform for ensuring the use and application of new technology to many industry sectors. Support for these areas of research will help stimulate vibrant new industries and ensure our future competitiveness.” All Commonwealth research and research funding bodies will be asked to submit plans by May 2003 outlining how they propose to support the four priorities. [05.12.02]

NO APOLOGY COMING ON PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE PLANS: Prime Minister says he will not be apologising to the Malaysian Prime Minister in regard to his comments about pre-emption. According to Howard, “you only apologise when you have something to apologise for. I would invite those who criticise that statement to have a look at it and to have a look particularly at the observation I made that you would use a capacity if there were no alternative. I've re-read my remarks, and I would simply offer this observation to my critics - that if you look at all of it is a totally unexceptionable statement of the obvious and an annunciation of a basic responsibility of office that any Prime Minister of this country would have. It was not directed at any of our friends in the region and the suggestion that it was, is wrong, and I'm surprised that the Opposition Leader should invite an apology when clearly none is there.” [05.12.02]

GERMANY CUTS A400M ORDER BACK TO SIXTY AIRCRAFT: The German government is to cut E6b (£3.8b from its defence budget, with the biggest cut coming in the number of A400M transport aircraft to be ordered, from the original 73 aircraft to 60. Germany is also to effect a two-thirds cut in the number of ‘Meteor’ BVRAAM missiles it will buy. The A400M decision although unwelcome was not unexpected, since Germany had only committed enough funds to buy 40 of the transport aircraft, with a promise to find more after the general election in September. Parliament is expected to agree funding for the additional 20 aircraft in the New Year. Airbus/A400M executives were recently in Australian urging the RAAF to buy into the program with the offer of an attractive industrial offsets deal. [05.12.02]

‘GLOBAL HAWK’ DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM MOVES ON IN EUROPE: Officials from the USAF, the German Ministry of Defence, and European aerospace industry are working toward a 2003 demonstration of the interoperability of US-German unmanned aerial vehicle systems using the Global Hawk UAV. That demonstration is scheduled to take place next spring when a ‘Global Hawk’ deploys to Germany for a series of test flights focusing on: joint development and integration of a German electronic intelligence payload on ‘Global Hawk’; exchange of flight certification information between the United States and Germany; and deployment of the UAV to Germany to prove the conceptual feasibility of its signals intelligence payload. [05.12.02]

BAE SYSTEMS IN LINE FOR X-45B VEHICLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS: The BAE Systems ‘Controls’ business has been selected to develop the Integrated Vehicle Management System Computer for Boeing's X-45B Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV). BAES is to deliver five flight-worthy shipsets between mid-2003 and late-2004 in support of a first flight scheduled for fourth-quarter 2004. The X-45B, a joint effort of the US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency and the US Air Force, is evolved from Boeing's X-45A UCAV, which began flight testing in May. The stealthy, all-electric craft, weighing 14,000 pounds empty and capable of carrying a 3,600 pounds weapon load, will fly at medium and high altitudes at high subsonic speed. [05.12.02]

RAYTHEON DELIVERS 2000TH GPS ANTI-JAM ANTENNA SYSTEM: Raytheon Systems has just delivered the 2000th GPS Anti-Jam Antenna system (GAS-1) unit, which is now in operation with the armed forces of the United States, the UK, and eleven other nations. The GAS-1 is a revolutionary Global Positioning System (GPS) anti-jam antenna system which is able to recognise sources of electrical interference. By adjusting the way in which the system receives the GPS satellite signals it can reject interference, allowing the navigation equipment to function safely, accurately and efficiently. In military use this allows operations to be carried out with greater accuracy and less risk. [05.12.02]

RESERVES 'LEAVE' POLICY FOR COMMONWEALTH EMPLOYEES: The Defence Reserves Support Council has commenced its review of a discussion paper and draft policy on Defence leave for Commonwealth public sector employees who are members of the ADF Reserves. The two documents focus on developing uniform leave policies and employment practices to support the release of Reservists for training and deployment, and to ensure Reservists are treated consistently across all Commonwealth Government departments, agencies and authorities. Additional initiatives will be taken shortly to develop a separate policy for Reservists employed in the private sector, which takes into account the demands of industry. [04.12.02]

NEW TRAINING FACILITIES SET FOR NORFORCE SOLDIERS: Soldiers from NORFORCE in the Northern Territory are to benefit from a Government decision to construct a new training depot in Borroloola, to house a range equipment including state-of-the-art surveillance and communications kit, land rovers and boats for inshore patrolling. Based on a core of 60 full time soldiers, most of the NORFORCE unit's 600 members are part-time soldiers recruited from Aboriginal communities throughout the region. NORFORCE's area of operations cover roughly 1.8 million square kilometres, which equates to approximately one-quarter of the Australian land mass. [04.12.02]

ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM BENEFITING UK DEFENCE PROJECTS: Reporting on the UK Ministry of Defence's top 20 projects in the ‘demonstration and manufacturing’ phase, the National Audit Office (NAO) says the Ministry was showing “a continued improvement in overall performance, but maintaining this improvement would be the challenge.” The NAO says there were also ‘encouraging signs’ that Smart Acquisition was resulting in innovative program design and risk is being measured more regularly. However, performance on individual projects once underway is more varied and some projects are continuing to suffer from delays in both the Demonstration and Manufacture stage, as well as in the Assessment Phase. [04.12.02]

SGI TECHNOLOGY SELECTED TO FINE-TUNE THE F-35 JSF DESIGN: Lockheed Martin has bought a new package of SGI visualisation systems to power its Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) flight simulation laboratory at Fort Worth, in Texas. The order is said to include SGI 'Onyx' 3000 series and SGI 'Onyx' 300 visualisation systems, as well as Silicon Graphics Octane2 workstations. Engineers have now finalised the F-35s external design following achievement of an JSF 'lines freeze' milestone on 27 June, but will continue to tweak the internal design by leveraging the compute and graphics power of its SGI systems. The company will also use the new SGI technology to achieve the program's next milestone, Preliminary Design Review, which is scheduled for March 2003." [04.12.02]

PM SAYS BOUGAINVILLE TROOPS NOW EXPECTED HOME MID-2003: Speaking with Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare at Parliament House in Canberra, Prime Minister Howard says that while the peace monitoring group in Bougainville “will remain there while ever there is a need, we expect that need will probably have gone by the middle of next year. But that is a situation that we will continue to keep under very close surveillance and review.” Howard further confirmed the two leaders had also discussed “the continued cooperation between (the two countries) relating to the restructuring and redeployment of the PNG defence force.” [03.12.02]

BOOST GIVEN TO RESERVE COMPONENT IN TOTAL DEFENCE FORCE: The Government is to introduce new tri-service regulations dealing with the full range of personnel issues affecting serving Permanent and Reserve members in the ADF. The regulations draw together previous provisions from Navy, Army and Air Force regulations and some personnel provisions of the Defence Act and Naval Defence Act. As such, they introduce new categories of Reserve service, including: High Readiness Active Reserve; High Readiness Specialist Reserve; Specialist Reserve; Active Reserve; and Standby Reserve, which the Government says “will create a more effective Reserve capability to meet the changing demands posed by Australia's strategic environment.” [03.12.02]

‘HAWK’ LIF’s BEGIN AIR-TO-AIR REFUELLING CAPABILITY TRIALS: The RAAF's new ‘Hawk’ Lead-in Fighters have begun air to air refuelling (AAR) trials off the northern NSW Coast as part of a BAE Systems contract to upgrade the aircraft’s capability. The trials are being conducted in concert with a RAAF B707 tanker staged out of RAAF Amberley, and will involve Hawk’s coupling with the tanker to test the aircraft's newly developed AAR capabilities, prior to acceptance into service in early 2003. During the trials, the Hawk aircraft will be flown and operated by BAES aircrew, whilst the RAAF will operate the B707 and F/A-18 ‘Hornet’ chase aircraft. [03.12.02]

UK DEFENCE PRESENCE AT THE AVALON 2003 AIRSHOW: Britain is to have a major presence at next year's Australian International Airshow, and is expecting a nearly 20-strong group of defence and aviation-related companies. The Group will be led by the UK's Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire, and the Head of Defence Export Services, Alan Garwood. The British contingent is being sponsored by Trade Partners UK, the government network dedicated to building British business overseas. The Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) is to host the UK pavilion, which will be one of the largest national groups attending Avalon in 2003. [03.12.02]

CONTRACT TO FUND CONTINUING SEA-RAM DEVELOPMENT: Raytheon has been awarded a US$6.7m modification to an existing contract to continue development of the SEA-RAM Weapon System in co-operation with the US Navy. The project provides funding to continue development of the horizon emphasis radar, upgrade existing radar systems and improve the system's software to the ‘Phalanx’ gun system that is directly applicable to SEA-RAM development. SEA-RAM is a low-risk, low-cost evolution of the proven ‘Phalanx’ Block 1B Close-In Weapon System with the addition of the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Guided Missile Weapon System. [03.12.02]

WORLD UAV MARKET SET TO BOOM SAYS NEW REPORT: A new Frost & Sullivan report says the US war against terrorism’s focus on unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) is translating into a surge in demand for UAVs, with 2002 industry revenues of US$1408.3m projected to reach $1758.1m by 2007. The report predicts UAVs “have a promising future with their potential to revolutionise conventional military operations. The segment is currently entering a new phase of its development focusing on the design of operational vehicles planned for the end of the decade. UAVs are being adapted to maximise the exploitation of legacy and new sensors so that future conflicts can be taken to the enemy in ways never before contemplated." [03.12.02]

CREAN TALKS PEACE AS HOWARD SAID TO TALK ONLY OF WAR: Responding to weekend comments from the Prime Minister regarding the employment of ‘pre-emptive’ strikes to combat terrorists overseas, the Leader of the Opposition, Simon Crean, says “the last thing I would be doing at the moment is talking about pre-emptive strikes. The Prime Minister only ever wants to talk war. I want to talk peace (and) resolutions that can be achieved through the United Nations. I'm for saying we've got to engage our regional neighbours. We've got talk a collective responsibility, a common solution to fighting terror together, not starting to threaten them." [02.12.02]

BOEING PUSHES HARD WITH F/A-18E ‘GAP’ FILLER CAMPAIGN: Senior Boeing test pilots are planning to put the new F/A-18E ‘Super Hornet’ jet fighter through its paces at the 11-16 February 2003 Australian International Airshow at Avalon. Two of the aircraft will be featured at the flying display, and later – on the ground – will be available for airshow visitors to inspect the aircraft’s on-board canon and supplementary array of bombs, rockets, air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground guided munitions. The ‘Super Hornet’ is being pitched to fill any capability gaps that may arise in the RAAF’s flying armoury on the way into introduction of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) in the years after 2012. [02.12.02]

RUDD READS HOWARD’s MIND ON PRE-EMPTION STRATEGY: Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, Kevin Rudd, says “I suspect that what the Prime Minister is really doing is using arguments about pre-emption against terrorism on the one hand to justify a position for pre-emption or first strike against Iraq on the other. You see, what the Prime Minister is trying to do is to say there is a problem with terrorism which we must attack and therefore as an extension of that we must also consider supporting militarily a US first strike against Iraq. These are quite separate matters – Iraq and the campaign against regional terrorism – and the Prime Minister is trying to bring those two matters together." [02.12.02]

GULF WAR MARITIME VESSELS ROTATION NOW COMPLETE: The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Fran Bailey, has welcomed home the crew of HMAS ‘Arunta’ to Fleet Base West after a six month operational deployment to the Persian Gulf. During this time the ‘Arunta’, along with HMAS ‘Melbourne’ (which returned home last Friday), completed almost 700 boardings of vessels attempting to smuggle contraband in and out of Iraq through the Persian Gulf over the last six months. The ‘Arunta’ and ‘Melbourne’ were recently replaced in the Persian Gulf by HMAShips ‘Anzac’ and ‘Darwin’. [02.12.02]

US ‘SUPER HERCULES’ TRIALS ADDING TO RAAF CAPABILITIES: USAF trials of the extended fuselage version of the Lockheed Martin C-130J airlifter, recently re-designated the CC-130J, have confirmed the aircraft’s unique capability to take off and land on very short austere runways with the successful landing of an aircraft weighing 135,000 pounds in less than 2,000 feet. According to Air Force officials, “the ‘Super Hercules’, with its greatly increased range and speed, is going to revolutionise theatre transport operations both strategically and tactically (especially when) operating from rough fields, a mode of operation expected to become commonplace in the future.” [02.12.02]

HOWARD FIRM ON 'PRE-EMPTIVE' STRIKE FOR THE NATIONAL INTEREST: Commenting to media on evening television news bulletins regarding Australia's rising regional threat analysis, the Prime Minister has said he would not hesitate to authorize a 'pre-emptive' strike on targets within the region if he was absolutely convinced by the strength of intelligence information that such targets were being used to prepare for, and subsequently mount, terrorist strikes upon Australia, its critical facilities or its population centres. [01.12.02]

TERRORISM THREATS TO IMPEDE ON AUSSIE XMAS DINNERS: Despite criticisms this week that the Government has underestimated the level of threat to Australia caused by terrorism in setting its formal threat assessment at 'medium' (unchanged since 11 September 2001), the Howard Government has confirmed substantial electronic media space has been booked over the Xmas/New Year period to mount a public awareness campaign seeking the cooperation and vigilance of all Australians in keeping a look-out for suspicious circumstances, and reporting any such circumstances to local police. [01.12.02]

November

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