News Archive 2005

December

[TOP]

CANADIANS TAKE DELIVERY OF M777 155MM TOWED HOWITZERS: The 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery has conducted 2 December an inaugural firing of the first four (of six) 155mm M777 towed howitzers supplied by the USMC under an FMS contract between Canada and the United States. The howitzers are to be deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ‘Archer’ following training and integration with a digitised gun management system in Canada. The M777 is the first ground combat system to make extensive use of titanium and titanium castings – meaning it is almost half the weight of comparable systems whilst offering improved transportability and mobility for rapid deployment. The M777 was designed and developed by BAE Systems (BAES), and is a joint program with the US Army and Marine Corps to replace the M198 towed howitzer. [30.12.05]

THYSSENKRUPP/EADS ACQUIRE ATLAS ELEKTRONIC: ThyssenKrupp Technologies (60%) and EADS (40%) have signed an agreement with BAE Systems under which they will jointly acquire the 1,750 employee-strong and Bremen-based Atlas Elektronik. The company specialises in electronic equipment and systems for naval forces, and is regarded as market leader in the development of integrated sonar systems for submarines, as well as being an important supplier to ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. EADS has complementary activities in the field of naval electronics and systems integration that will strengthen, broaden and significantly improve the competitiveness of this business. [30.12.05]

BODY ARMOUR MAKER SNATCHES PLASTICS FABRICATOR: Defense Industries International (DII), a leading supplier of personal military and civilian protective equipment, has acquired 23 December the operations of Israel-based Chemoplast Industries (and its Achidatex subsidiary) – which currently specialises in the production of dry storage systems for tanks, armoured personnel carriers and other military vehicles which require battlefield readiness and quick deployment. DII executives explained the company, which mainly produces body armour, bomb disposal suits and bullet-resistant vests & jackets, was acquiring Chemoplast to enhance its offerings in target markets and increase its market share. [30.12.05]

GOVERNOR-GENERAL VISITS AUSTRALIAN TROOPS IN IRAQ: The Governor-General, Mike Jeffery, has spent four days visiting ADF personnel deployed in the Middle East area of operations. Jeffery joined troops of the Al Muthanna Task Group for Christmas lunch in southern Iraq, and went on to visit: the Special Forces Task Group in Afghanistan; AP-3C ‘Orion’ crews; men and women serving aboard HMAS ‘Parramatta’ in the northern Persian Gulf; and military personnel providing logistic support to deployed forces. On arrival in the region, the Governor-General also made State visits to both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. [26.12.05]

MILITARY TO MANAGE ‘FEDSAT’ SATELLITE FROM JANUARY: The management of Australia's only fully owned and operational domestic satellite - FedSat – is to be assumed by the Department of Defence from January 2006. Defence management of the satellite is expected to run through until December 2008, effectively extending FedSat's useful life to the scientific community by three years, and possibly more. Defence will use the 2002-launched satellite for a range of research and experimental activities, including radio propagation studies and magnetospheric observations supporting space weather science. [23.12.05]

DEFENCE PREPARING FOR ITS OWN DEDICATED SATELLITE?: Military management of ‘FedSat’ will cost approximately $1m over the next two years. Defence Minister Hill says space systems have an ever-increasing benefit for Australia, including precision navigation, global communications and weather information. As such, Hill adds access to ‘FedSat’ “provides Defence with an opportunity to broaden its knowledge of spacecraft control and space experimentation.” The 2006-2016 Defence Capability Plan is expected to seek funding approval for a dedicated Defence satellite in the years after 2009. [23.12.05]

RAYTHEON SECURES ‘SEASPARROW’ COOPERATIVE LOGISTICS DEAL: Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) has been awarded a US$7.1m US Navy contract to provide NATO ‘Seasparrow’ missile depot support. The sole-source PBL contract give IDS direct responsibility for receiving, warehousing and tracking Government furnished property while meeting delivery and performance metrics. In addition, the PBL contract gives Raytheon IDS direct responsibility for administering and supplying all NATO ‘Seasparrow’ technical support for both the US Navy and Foreign Military Sales Cooperative Logistics Agreements. [23.12.05]

RELEASE OF EXTRADITION DISCUSSION PAPER: The Minister for Justice & Customs, Senator Ellison, has released a discussion paper outlining models for a more responsive, streamlined extradition system to more effectively combat domestic and transnational crime, including terrorism. The discussion paper is part of the Government’s review of Australia’s extradition and mutual assistance in criminal matters arrangements, and has been developed by the Attorney-General's Department in consultation with key Australian Government agencies. Submission should be emailed to reviews@ag.gov.au by 31 March 2006. A further discussion paper on mutual assistance in criminal matters will be released for public comment in 2006. [22.12.05]

A400M ENGINE TESTS COMPLETED IN-LINE WITH DESIGN PREDICTIONS: EPI Europrop International GmbH - a joint venture between ITP, MTU, Rolls-Royce and Snecma – reports it has successfully completed the first series of tests of the TP400-D6 turboprop engine destined to power the Airbus Military A400M cargo aircraft. The first run took place at MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg in Ludwigsfelde (Germany) on 28 October. The engine is said to have reached full power during the tests, and in all completed more than 35 hours of testing. EPI says that based on Rolls-Royce performance test analysis, the engine has shown satisfactory behaviour, in line with the design predictions. [22.12.05]

NORWEGIANS TEST C-130 WING REPLACEMENT OPTION: L-3 Communications’ SPAR Aerospace Limited subsidiary has been awarded a contract by the Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation to replace the outer wings on one of its C-130 ‘Hercules’ transport aircraft. Design and production work on the subject ‘Hercules’ will be done at L-3 SPAR’s Edmonton (Alberta) facilities starting in May 2006, whereupon the company will replace the existing set of outer wings with a set of wings refurbished by the company. ‘Hercules’ manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, recommends that in the absence of wing replacements, C-130s should be grounded after flying 30,000 equivalent baseline hours. L-3 SPAR says it is the only company in the world who is under contract to completely refurbish a C-130 centre wing, thus enabling ‘high-time’ C-130E and H models to safely reach a planned withdrawal date of 2020 and beyond. [22.12.05]

APPLE ISLE PRESENCE AT PACIFIC 2006 MARITIME SHOW: As Australia’s island State, Tasmania claims a long history of maritime development, elements of which are relevant to the defence of Australia. Manufacturing, training and service companies attending the Pacific 2006 International Maritime Exhibition include: the Australian Maritime College and AMC Search; Briar Maritime Services; Colbeck and Gunton; Fiomarine Industries; Incat Australia; Liferaft systems Australia; Marcom Watson Group; Moonraker Australia; Pivot Maritime International; and Taylor Bros (Slipway and Engineering). [21.12.05]

‘HERCULES’ DUO BEING WORN TO THE BONE IN IRAQ: The RAAF’s C-130 ‘Hercules’ transport unit supporting Operation ‘Catalyst’ in Iraq reports it has flown its 1100th mission since the Operation first began in July 2003. The same flight also marked the delivery of 2.1 million kilos of cargo shifted by the RAAF to various coalition bases in Iraq. All of this is said to have been completed using two Hercules and an efficient maintenance and flying schedule. C-130 aircrew have also been enlisted to help evacuate some of America's military casualties in Iraq. Defence says RAAF C-130 crews are favoured by US medics due to their continued flying efficiency, professional attitude and compassionate nature. [21.12.05]

THREE PLUS THREE YEAR ‘NULKA’ SUPPORT CONTRACT AWARDED: Defence Minister Hill has confirmed the award to BAE Systems (BAES) Australia of an in-service support contract to maintain and support the Navy's ‘Nulka’ anti-ship missile defence system and launch sub-systems. The company will provide three years of support with an option to extend for a further three years. The ‘Nulka’ decoy system provides defence against anti-ship missiles, and is fitted to all Australian Navy frigates. The system will also be installed on the three new project Sea 4000 air warfare destroyers. BAES Australia and ADI Limited manufacture most components for the flight vehicle in Australia, while Lockheed Martin Sippican (US) manufactures the non-explosive electronic payload. The sub-systems are assembled into decoy rounds in Australia by BAE Systems. [21.12.05]

SIX NEW LPA WATERCRAFT DELIVERY TO AUSTRALIAN ARMY: ADI Limited reports it has received final systems acceptance for six new amphibious watercraft to be used with HMA Ships ‘Manoora’ and ‘Kanimbla’. ADI was first awarded the $32m phase 3 of Joint Project 2048 contract in July 2002, to design and construct six amphibious watercraft to operate from the Navy's landing platform amphibious (LPA) ships. All six watercraft have now been delivered to the Australian Army in Townsville (Qld) where they have undergone a rigorous trials and evaluation program before being accepted into service. Built in Newcastle (NSW), the lightweight aluminium watercraft are set to deliver a substantial capability improvement over the ageing LCM8 vessels they replace. ADI will continue to provide through-life support to the vessels in a separate 15-year and $11m contract. [21.12.05]

HAWKER PACIFIC DELIVERS EIGHTH RAAF NAVIGATOR TRAINER: Hawker Pacific reports it has delivered the eighth, and final Beech 350 aircraft to the RAAF for use as a navigator training platform. Delivery of this aircraft represents provides additional capability to the RAAF, given the original contract only called for the provision of seven Beech 350s. Successful delivery and capability experience by the RAAF is said to have convinced military officials to take advantage of an offer to secure the last remaining new aircraft of an identical configuration. Hawker Pacific secured the RAAF navigation training contract in 2002, and began first aircraft delivery in 2003. Under a minimum 10-year contract, Hawker Pacific is providing a total fleet management support package including maintenance, design engineering, project management, logistic supply and management, quality assurance as well as training support where required. [21.12.05]

HARVEST ROAD ‘HIVE’ SALE TO US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE: Perth-based eLearning software developer, HarvestRoad, has announced its Learning Object Repository - HarvestRoad ‘Hive’ - been selected by the US Department of Defense’s Joint Knowledge Development and Distribution Capability (JKDDC) unit. JKDDC develops progressive combatant commander-sanctioned educational and training content. This capability also leverages state-of-the-art distribution processes and advanced technologies to provide DoD personnel with the education and training resources needed anytime, anywhere. JKDDC joins a growing list of HarvestRoad defence clients including: Canadian Defence, the US Navy Post Graduate School, Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems. [21.12.05]

FIRST JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER NEARS COMPLETION: With installation of horizontal tails on the first (A-1) Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), the Ft Worth (Texas)-based team has completed assembly of the aircraft's major structural components. Pratt & Whitney will deliver the aircraft's F135 engine before the end of December for installation in early-2006. The F-35s horizontal tails were installed on 8 December and the vertical tails installed on 28 November. Assemblers installed the aircraft's weapons-bay doors on 7 December. Technicians switched on electrical power to the aircraft for the first time on 7 September. [21.12.05]

PATRIA TO DESIGN A400M VERTICAL TAIL PLANE COMPONENTS: In a contract worth €60m, Patria's Aerostructures business unit has been selected to design and deliver the A400M vertical tail plane tip fairing to Airbus Deutschland GmbH. Peak production rate will be some 30 aircraft per year, with deliveries scheduled between 2006-2021. The Airbus A400M is the first large European military transport aircraft to be built as a multi-national project, with launch nations having ordered 180 aircraft, while Airbus expects to sell at least another 200 to other export customers. Patria's Aerostructures Business Unit designs and delivers advanced composite structures for aircraft and satellites and is actively involved in composite technology development programs. [21.12.05]

PERSONAL GENERATION SYSTEM ACHIEVES FINAL DESIGN: The Managing Director of Tectonica Australia, Miles Partridge, reports the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has reviewed an important milestone for the Personal Generation System (Generette) Capability Technology Demonstrator project following delivery of the final design. During the review, the Director - Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Intelligence and Information Warfare Systems, Phillip Waldron, is said to have examined a model of the final design of the Personal Generation System. This means “an initial prototype unit will now be manufactured and tested,” says Partridge. The ‘Generette’ is being designed to replace chemical batteries with an alternator driven by a combustion engine running on diesel or JP8 logistic fuel. [20.12.05]

MICK KEELTY APPOINTED AS AFP CHIEF FOR ANOTHER FIVE YEARS: Justice & Customs Minister Ellison has announced that Mick Keelty APM, has been reappointed as the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for a second five year term, commencing March 2006. Keelty has led the AFP since March 2001 during what is considered to have been a period of significant change for the organisation. Since the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, the AFP has become a vital part of the Australian Government’s national security framework. As well as being AFP Commissioner, Keelty is also Chairman of the Board of the Australian Crime Commission and Co-chair of the Asia-Pacific Money Laundering Group. [20.12.05]

FOXTEL DIRECTOR TO HELP DRIVE DEFENCE RECRUITING: Former FOXTEL marketing manager, Richard Howarth, has taken up the position of national marketing manager to the Defence Force Recruiting (DFR) group, currently headed by Brigadier Simon Gould. Howarth had an extensive background in marketing and media, and joined FOXTEL from Austereo, where he was group marketing manager, and had worked with Coca-Cola Amatil as communications manager and national advertising manager. He also has experience in the advertising industry, working for DDB Australia as group account director. [20.12.05]

JEZZINE BARRACKS DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS FIRMING: As part of Townsville’s Jessine Barracks redevelopment, the Department of Defence is to recommend under all options that the heritage areas of the Kissing Point headland, the World War 2 P1 huts and the parade ground will be protected by a Conservation Management Strategy and listing on the Queensland Heritage Register. Further, land will be provided for a public walkway linking the Strand to Rowes Bay. Under Option 1, nearly 60% of the site has been identified for community use, with Defence keeping ownership of the land around Jezzine House and the Drill Hall/31 RQR building. The Museum will be relocated from the Fort to the existing Drill Hall/31 RQR building, and the Fort restored to its original purpose. [20.12.05]

DEFENCE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PLAN REMAINS ON THE TABLE: As part of the above proposals, the Department of Defence and the Defence Housing Australia are to develop sector A1 of the Jezzine site for Defence housing – in a mixture of low rise and medium (up to 3 storeys) high quality housing for Defence personnel. There is to be no high rise development, with the DHA to develop a Master Plan for the area, whilst similarly undertaking the development within planning controls that will ensure any future development complies with the original Master Plan. Defence will also recommend that the headland in sector A2 not be developed. [20.12.05]

CONGRESS STILL SECURING AGREEMENT TO 2006 DEFENCE BUDGET: With nearly one-quarter of Fiscal Year 2006 (FY06) already elapsed, the FY06 Defense Appropriations Conference bill passed by the House 308-106 (and still remaining before the Senate), has provided $452.2b in spending authority, including $50b for contingency operations related to the Global War on Terror and $3.8b in emergency funding for avian flu protection. Appropriations of interest to Australia include: the addition of $400m for two additional Littoral Combat Ships (LCS); a reduction in Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) funding by $200m due to instability in the aircraft's design; and adding $50m for advance procurement of the second ship in the DD(X)-class at a second shipyard, whilst prohibiting a winner-take-all acquisition strategy for the next generation destroyer. [20.12.05]

REVAMPED GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM UP AND RUNNING: The modernised Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite system has been declared fully operational for GPS users around the globe following extensive on-orbit testing of the spacecraft’s new military and civilian signals. Launched in September, the joint USAF/Lockheed Martin GPS IIR-14(M) satellite has a modernised antenna panel that provides increased signal power to receivers on the ground, two new military signals for improved accuracy, enhanced encryption and anti-jamming capabilities for the military, and a second civil signal that will provide users with an open access signal on a different frequency. A second GPS IIR satellite is currently being prepared for launching in early 2006. [20.12.05]

SWEDEN JOINS EUROPEAN UCAV DEMONSTRATOR PROGRAM: Saab CEO, Åke Svensson, has welcomed the Swedish Government’s decision to participate in the European ‘Neuron’ UCAV-demonstrator program. According to Svensson, “this was a crucial decision for both Saab and Sweden, which (now) secures our participation in one of the most advanced high technology development programs in Europe today.” The decision means that Saab, through FMV (the Swedish Defence Material Administration) finances the Swedish participation with SEK 600m of a total of SEK 750m. At the same time, Swedish Government participation in the ‘Neuron’ programs secures SEK 600m will be reinvested in the long-term development of the ‘Gripen’ fighter program. [20.12.05]

BAE SYSTEMS CONTRACTED FOR ESSM MISSILE COMPONENTS: BAE Systems Australia has been awarded a $37m contract by Raytheon Missile Systems of Tucson (Arizona) for the continued production of Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) components. This contract takes the value of the ESSM business awarded to BAE Systems Australia to over $230m. Developed under a collaborative program between Australia, the United States, Canada and other NATO Nations, the ESSM missile protects warships against anti-ship missiles. The program is said to have created 200 jobs in Victoria, South Australia and NSW, and is expected to grow, having recently received forward production commitments until at least 2012. [19.12.05]

INFLUENZA PANDEMIC TO BRING THE ADF BACK FROM IRAQ?: A new national security practice note from the Australian Homeland Security Research Centre (AHSRC) has looked into the implications for Australian troops in Iraq of an influenza pandemic outbreak in that country, saying if troops remained in Iraq during the six months (earliest) it would take for a vaccine to become available, they would invariably be confined to bases. Even though far from ideal, the AHSRC says such measures would be safer than patrolling and working amongst the Iraqi population, where insurgents would quickly come to understand the potentially lethal and stressful effect that spitting on soldiers could have. Keeping soldiers in relative isolation within bases, however, would reduce their military effectiveness to almost zero. Surf www.homelandsecurity.org.au for details. [19.12.05]

PENTAGON MILITARY CAPABILITY ACQUISITION SYSTEM TO CHANGE: Seeking to address growing Pentagon and Congressional concerns over mushrooming defence acquisition costs, seemingly endless weapon development cycles, and recent procurement scandals, acting Deputy Secretary of Defense, Gordon England, has released the conclusions of a Defense Acquisition Performance Assessment Project first begun in June. Chaired by retired USAF LtGen and former Missile Defense Agency Director, Ronald Kadish (now a Partner and Vice President at Booz Allen Hamilton), the project review report has called for a "radical approach" to reforming the US defence acquisition process, including scrapping the Pentagon's current ‘cost-plus type’ contract arrangements in favor of a system where the DoD and defence-industry agree on a realistic cost for a system, and then contractors compete based on technical approach, merit, and risk. [19.12.05]

WARFIGHTERS TO HAVE MORE SAY IN DEFENCE PROCUREMENTS: In addition to the move away from cost-plus contracting, the Kadish report includes policy recommendations to increase competition and improve efficiencies including: having combatant commanders - rather than the Military Services - drive weapons systems requirements; establishing a DoD-wide discretionary funding pool (or Acquisition Stabilisation Account - separate from current R&D and procurement accounts) to mitigate against ‘budget raids’ on new weapon systems development programs; focusing on on-schedule delivery of systems rather than strictly on perfect performance; developing a standard way to track costs in weapons systems development; and ensuring competition at the subsystem/subcontractor level in the face of a dwindling number of lead systems integrators/prime contractors by increasing the dialogue with industry regarding Pentagon priorities. Surf dapaproject.org for further details. [19.12.05]

ROLLS-ROYCE REDEVELOPING BRISTOL AEROSPACE CAPABILITY: Rolls-Royce plc has confirmed it will go ahead in the New Year with Phase 2 of the £75m redevelopment of its Defence Aerospace facilities in Bristol. Work will begin in January on new buildings for the assembly of engines for the ‘Typhoon’, ‘Hawk’ and Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), and for the Group’s helicopter programs. Phase Two will also see the construction of a new services building that will include training and occupational health facilities as well as a new restaurant. Once completed, the redevelopment will allow the Group to concentrate all of its activities in the local ‘Patchway’ area into a modernised single site, leaving the current East Works vacated and available for separate commercial development. Phase 1 work involves the construction of a new Turbines and Component Services plant, and is well underway. [19.12.05]

MID-YEAR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING OF HOMELAND SECURITY BUDGET: A new edition of the Australian Homeland Security Market ‘Insight’ has identified an additional $324m in expenditure on security and counter-terrorism over the next four years upon publication of the Australian Government’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO). According to the e-Newsletter, much of the increases in expenditure are associated with implementing recommendations of the Coalition of Australian Governments (COAG), and the ‘Wheeler’ Review into aviation security. Also driving expenditures are progressively larger and more complex counter-terrorism exercises, which are now increasingly involving participation from private sector organisations. Surf www.homelandsecurity.org.au/insight.html for further details. [16.12.05]

DMO SIGNS UP TO JOINT PROJECT 2072 CONTRACT: The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) and General Dynamics Canada (in the role of prime systems integrator) have signed a $26m contract to move ahead with core aspects of the ADF’s new battlefield command system under phase 1 of JP 2072. GD Canada is teamed with ADI Limited and Tenix Defence to provide a deployable, scalable, secure and integrated battlespace communications system, which has a potential value of $800m if all currently identifiable options are exercised. All three firms are to be effectively contracted to the JP 2072 objective prior to the effective project date of 2 February 2006. [16.12.05]

AUSTRALIA TO STRENGTHEN PAPUA NEW GUINEA DEFENCE FORCE: Speaking at the annual Australia and PNG Ministerial Forum (held on the Gold Coast), Defence Minister Hill has said the Australian military will next year appoint two more ADF officers to key positions within the PNG Defence Force to provide advice on logistics and personnel matters. These two new positions are in addition to 16 ADF staff who already work with the PNG Defence Force in training, logistics, governance, operational planning, maritime security and operations, assistance and advisory roles. Future ADF expertise provision is to be focused on counter-terrorism training, maritime patrols and Defence organization structures and procedures. [16.12.05]

DSTO TO SUPPORTS PHASED ARRAY & MICROWAVE RADAR CENTRE: A new Centre of Expertise established by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and the University of Adelaide’s University’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering is expected to boost the nation’s capability in phased array and microwave radar systems, a niche technology with strategic importance to Australia’s defence. Research outputs from the Centre of Expertise in Phased Array and Microwave Radar Systems (CEPAMR) are expected to have significant long term benefits for defence applications such as: capability development of phased array radar on airborne platforms as well as radars proposed for future naval platforms; emerging Ballistic Missile Defence surveillance and tracking requirements; and a potential indigenous air defence radar system for Army applications. The University also currently supports a Photonics expertise center. [16.12.05]

COUNTER-TERRORIST FINANCING BILL RELEASED FOR COMMENT: The Minister for Justice & Customs, Senator Ellison, has released the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) Bill and sample AML/CTF Rules for public comment. The new bill is said to address key issues raised in the recent Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) evaluation report on Australia, and represents the first tranche of reforms covering a range of services provided by the financial services sector, gambling service providers and bullion dealers. It also covers lawyers and accountants to the extent that the services provided are in direct competition with the financial sector. Ellison says that broadly, businesses providing these designated services under the new Bill would be required to: verify the identity of customers; report suspicious matters; keep appropriate records, and maintain rigorous internal AML/CTF Programs. [16.12.05]

UK LAUNCHES NEW DEFENCE INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY: The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has launched a new Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) 15 December which seeks in a more determined way to engage contractors in improving the way in which Britain procures and supports the key equipment required by the Armed Forces. According to Defence Secretary, John Reid, “we need the high value, technological and systems engineering skills required to enable us to ensure that our current in-service fleets can be maintained, supported and upgraded, and that we have in the UK the ability to build and design the sorts of equipment that we require now, and in the future." [16.12.05]

ITALIAN NAVY UNDERTAKES FIRST NH90 FLIGHT: AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, has confirmed the first Italian Navy serial NH90 naval mission helicopter has taken to the air at the company’s Vergiate facility. The naval mission (NFH) variant is primarily designed for autonomous anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare missions. Additional applications include vertical replenishment, maritime patrol, SAR and troop transport. The Italian Navy has ordered a total of 56 NH90s, ten of which will be configured for tactical transport, and 46 for naval operations. Some 150 NFH variants will be assembled at Vergiate, including helicopters for the Netherlands and Norway. [15.12.05]

ADBR 'PACIFIC 2006' SPECIAL EDITION EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING DATES: Australian Defence Business Review (ADBR) magazine is now producing a special edition for release at the Pacific 2006 International Maritime Exposition on 31 January 2006. The special edition will feature lead stories on: 'Engineering the AWDs for Australia'; 'Underwater Warfare and Project Sea 4000'; 'Stalking Joint Project 2048 and the Offshore Build Option'; 'Naval Surveillance & the Unmanned/Manned Aerial Vehicle Debate (Air 7000); Updating the 'Collins' Submarine Combat System Upgrade' (Sea 1439); and 'Empowering the RAN with the SM-2 and ESSM Missile Systems'. All materials relating to this edition need to be delivered into ADBR’s Canberra office no later than 13 January 2006. Inquiries to Lissa Fabbo [+61 (0)2 6260-5944] or email busicom@ozemail.com.au. [15.12.05]

DEADLINES FOR PACIFIC 2006 PRINTED DIAR.com DAILY NEWSLETTER: Following endorsement from the organisers, Defence Industry & Aerospace Report (DIAR.com) will again be providing a daily printed newsletter bringing together all relevant news items generated at the Pacific 2006 International Maritime Exposition being held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre (Darling Harbour) from 31 January 2006 to 3 February 2006. DIAR.com will produce a printed newsletter each business day (Tuesday to Friday) of the exposition, which will be distributed to all stand holders at mid-day on the four substantive trade show days. Inquiries in regard to news item inclusions into the daily DIAR.com newsletters for distribution at Pacific 2006 should be directed to busicom@ozemail.com.au. [15.12.05]

DEFENCE UPDATE 2005 SETS TO STATING THE OBVIOUS: Prime Minister Howard and Defence Minister Hill have presented in Sydney an unclassified version of the Defence Update 2005 (DU'05), reviewing Australia's national security environment and policy responses. The document concentrates on three major themes: defeating the threat of terrorism; countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; and supporting regional states in difficulty. Hill adds the risk of 'convergence' between these threats "remains one of the most significant challenges to international security." Accordingly, DU'05 has been designed to build on the 2000 Defence White Paper and Defence Update 2003 and, says Hill, "highlights the longer-term trends associated with the impacts of globalisation and changing relationships between the major powers of our region." [15.12.05]

KEY CONCLUSION TO FOCUS ON CONTEMPORARY THREATS: The Defence Update 2005's other key conclusions are: the ADF needs to confront current international security issues such as terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan, whilst helping build capabilities in South East Asia; the ADF will continue to be called on to provide humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, civil emergency response, offshore evacuation and peacekeeping capabilities on an ongoing and often short-notice basis; continuing strategic complexity and uncertainty means that we need to build a balanced Defence Force that is versatile, robust, joint and integrated; defence-industry is critical to meeting the ADF's capability needs; and the Government is committed to policies that will build an internationally competitive defence-industry to support, sustain and upgrade Defence assets. [15.12.05]

MILITARY CAPABILITY ACQUISITION IMPLICATIONS FROM DU'05: New military acquisition initiatives emerging from the Government's consideration of DU'05 include: considering options for heavy airlift capabilities to supplement extant medium lift C-130J 'Hercules' aircraft; increasing the size and capability of the Australian Army through a 10-year Hardened and Networked Army (HNA) plan; reinforcing Australia's counter-terrorism efforts with changes to the Defence Act which strengthen the ADF's powers to help civil authorities during periods of national emergency; further tightening export controls to ensure that Australian materials and technologies do not contribute to WMD proliferation; and engaging private sector partners for Defence to increase efficiencies in logistic support to operations. [15.12.05]

TEN YEAR PLAN FOR HARDENING AND NETWORKING THE ARMY: In a separate document to the DU'05, the Government has also outlined a $1.5b ten-year plan to harden and network the Army (HNA), as part of overall efforts to provide the Army with greater mobility, combat weight and network capabilities to be able to conduct a wide range of tasks. As such, proposals are afoot to increase the size of the force, increase fire support and flexibility and provide a new force structure based on combined arms battle groups. Defence Minister Hill says the Army will acquire "an impressive array of equipment over the next ten years, including new helicopters, tanks, trucks, weapons systems and combat equipment. The HNA plan will optimise the use of the new equipment by updating Army structures, training and procedures." [15.12.05]

DECISION TO RE-LOCATE HOLSWORTHY'S 3RD BATTALION TO ADELAIDE: Hill added the Army would also become more capable of sustaining its deployed forces with plans for about 1500 additional new personnel, as well as re-focusing the Reserves to provide high readiness forces which will support operations. The Government has agreed in principle to Army requests to re-role the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, from a light parachute battalion based at Holsworthy (in Sydney) to form the basis of a second mechanised battalion (with M113s and 'Bushmaster' IMVs), and based at the Edinburgh Defence precinct in Adelaide from 2011. The Army Reserve will also be re-focused to provide a smaller number of high readiness forces - at the individual and small team level - to add depth to the front line force. [15.12.05]

KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY LISTED AS TERRORIST ORGANISATION: The Government has listed the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) as a terrorist organisation under Australia's counter-terrorism laws. According to the Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, a regulation has been made to list the PKK as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code Act 1995, as per advice from competent authorities. Ruddock said the new provisions "make a criminal offence of involvement in recruitment, training, funding and other forms of association or support for proscribed terrorist organisations." The PKK is already listed as a proscribed terrorist organisation by the governments of the UK, Canada, the US and the European Union. [15.12.05]

THALES AND DCN SET TO COMBINE THEIR NAVAL BUSINESSES: The French Minister of Defence and fellow Minister for the Economy, Finance & Industry, along with Jean-Marie Poimboeuf, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DCN and Denis Ranque, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Thales, have signed a joint declaration of intent with a view to combining the French naval businesses of Thales and DCN within DCN, and the acquisition by Thales of a 25% interest in DCN. The combination project is viewed as a continuation of a process that has included the formation of Armaris in 2002, and successful cooperation between Thales and DCN on numerous French and export programs, including the 'Mistral'-class amphibious ship for Australia's Joint Project 2048 requirement. [15.12.05]

MERGER PLANS A NATURAL FOLLOW-ON FROM ARMARIS DEAL: The combination project, which is expected to be finalised by the northern summer of 2006, involves transferring to DCN the non-equipment businesses of Thales Naval France, the activities of the partners’ joint venture Armaris and its subsidiaries, and those of MOPA2, the joint company set up for France’s second aircraft carrier. The scope of the agreement also includes Thales’ interest in Eurotorp, the European lightweight torpedo consortium. At the same time, Thales will become DCN’s industry shareholder, owning 25% of the company alongside the French State, which will retain 75%. Thales will have the voting rights needed to play an active role on the Board of Directors. After two years, under the terms of a new shareholders’ agreement, Thales will have an option to increase its interest to 35%, in particular, by contributing additional industrial assets to the company. [15.12.05]

GENERAL DYNAMICS SNAPS-UP ANTEON & FC BUSINESS SYSTEMS: General Dynamics has signed agreements to acquire two information technology companies, the first being Anteon International Corporation, which it will buy for US$2.2b including the assumption of $100m of net debt. Anteon is a leading systems integration company that provides mission, operational and IT enterprise support to the US government. It designs, integrates, maintains and upgrades systems for national defence, intelligence, emergency response, infrastructure and other high-priority government missions. Employing 9,500 persons in more than 100 offices world-wide, Anteon's current business backlog is $6.6b with anticipated 2006 sales of $1.72b. The second acquisition is the much smaller engineering and IT services company, FC Business Systems Inc, said to have anticipated 2005 sales of $150m and 1,000 employees, more than 50% of whom hold national security clearances. FC Business Systems will become part of the General Dynamics Network Systems business unit. [15.12.05]

BATTLEFIELD COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM SET FOR 'GLOBAL HAWK': Northrop Grumman and the US Air Force report they have completed flight testing of the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN), a significant milestone towards providing an advanced way to share critical information by communicating over airborne networks at high altitudes. BACN is an Internet protocol-based airborne communications relay and information server that links radios and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems for US Department of Defense networks. Flying at extremely high altitude, BACN extends the range of line-of-sight radios, relaying information to airborne and surface units, and - via satellite - to distant command centres. After a Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment to be conducted in 2006, Northrop Grumman will start work with the US Services to transition the capability to joint platforms, including the 'Global Hawk' UAV. [15.12.05]

OFFSHORE SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL ACQUIRES CHI SYSTEMS: Offshore Systems International Ltd (OSI) reports it has completed its US$9m acquisition of CHI Systems Inc, a privately owned research, development, and engineering company that provides interactive computer applications and technology to the defence and aerospace industry. Founded in 1985, CHI has approximately 70 employees, and reported unaudited revenue of approximately $12m in 2004. With the addition of CHI, OSI has secured a significant corporate presence in the US market, gained a complementary product and customer base within the broad US defence community, and expanded its critical mass to pursue much larger-scale contracts. [15.12.05]

NAVY CRAFTS-UP RETENTION PACKAGE TO KEEP SKILLED SAILORS: The Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, De-Anne Kelly, has announced a major package to enhance the retention of skilled sailors. Kelly admitted the Navy was experiencing difficulties retaining Seaman officers and sailors of the Combat System Operators and Communication Information Systems Operators Categories, and was thus responding with a comprehensive package of short, medium and longer-term initiatives with the immediate focus on offering a financial incentive centred on completion bonuses of up to $10,000 per year. Payments will be based on a sliding scale according to rank, competency and qualifications. Defence has allocated $22m over the next seven years for completion bonuses for sailors and officers of Navy's Warfare Community. [14.12.05]

TRAINING REGIME TO ADDRESS HAZARDOUS MAIL HANDLING: Canberra-based Catalyst Interactive (CI) reports it has produced a computer-based training program to help educate and protect against the prospect of hazardous mail. The Hazardous Mail Handling Course, designed in partnership with Australian homeland security company XTEK Limited, instructs employees on how to safely and effectively respond to potentially hazardous mail. CI’s Senior Business Development Manager, Peter Engel, says "biological hazards and letter bombs are examples of threats in the workplace. E-learning is the most effective way to guarantee that all staff get a consistent message and have the same level of awareness on such an important occupational health and safety matter.” [14.12.05]

INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS FOR NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE 757s: NZ's Ministry of Defence has awarded Boeing a US$11.2m contract to develop and integrate upgrades to the communications systems of the country's two Boeing 757 multi-mission military aircraft. The upgrades are part of a program that will equip the two aircraft for multi-mission capabilities including: troop transport, aero-medical evacuation, VIP transportation and international humanitarian aid missions. Boeing will design, develop and produce communications system upgrade kits in Wichita (Kansas), and these will subsequently be installed in the B-757s by Mobile Aerospace Engineering, in Alabama, and in conjunction with other aircraft upgrade work being done at that facility. Boeing will provide support for installation, test and certification of the upgrade kits. [14.12.05]

HORNETS & LITENING SET TO ADVANCED INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE: Northrop Grumman reports it is currently demonstrating an Advanced Information Architecture (AIA) network for the US Marine Corps in Yuma (Arizona) involving the provision of air, ground and command elements with real-time data and communications over a collaborative network to supply forces with digital access to a catalogue of tactical information including real-time targeting video. The AIA is to be integrated into a variety of Marine Corps tactical platforms, including: AV-8Bs and F/A-18D aircraft equipped with 'Litening' targeting pods; a 'Cobra' attack helicopter; a C-130J air refuelling tanker; ground vehicles and even individual Marines, so as to allow them all to share tactical information in real time. [14.12.05]

RAYTHEON OPENS MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS FUSION CENTRE: Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) has opened its 'Athena' maritime domain awareness fusion centre, providing it with a new capability to fuse a large number of existing sensor data sources to provide decision-makers with the real-time maritime situational awareness needed to enable quick, responsive actions to protect the US shoreline and its ports. 'Athena' is a multi-domain awareness system that uses live feeds from existing surveillance assets, fused with data from multiple databases and intelligence sources, to provide situational awareness for global, regional, and local level decision makers. The capability has already been deployed and has applicability to other homeland security missions. [14.12.05]

LAND 121 VEHICLES SOLICITATION RUNNING TO SCHEDULE: Three separate Requests for Tender (RFT) have been released under phase 3A of project Land 121, and seeking to replace Army trucks, four-wheel drives, trailers and modules for high readiness ADF units. This current phase of project 'Overlander' is worth up to $600m, and includes replacing about 1400 heavy and light vehicles, 1300 trailers and 1200 specialist modules. The next phase (3B) will replace the rest of Army's vehicles, trailers and modules across Australia under a total program budgeted at $3 billion. The tender for the medium and heavy vehicles and modules has been released to a shortlist of nine companies announced by the Government in March, whilst an open tender has been released for the light range of vehicles and modules. The request for tender for the trailer segment will be restricted to Australian-based manufacturers, plus those vehicle suppliers capable of supplying a proprietary trailer. [13.12.05]

'TRIDENT WARRIOR' EXERCISE TESTS MARITIME 'GLOBAL HAWK' UAV: The US Navy has tested its maritime surveillance 'Global Hawk' UAV and support system in its first wargame exercise, 'Trident Warrior 05', with four UAV flights totalling 31.8 hours. During the missions, the RQ-4A-based UAV searched for maritime contacts using its maritime radar and passive electronic sensors, then classified targets with both an inverse synthetic aperture radar and its electro-optical/infrared camera. Contact tracks and images were transmitted in real time via satellite to the UAV's ground station, located at Northrop Grumman's System Integration Lab at Rancho Bernardo (California). 'Trident Warrior' is described as the US Navy's major annual 'FORCEnet' sea trial event, and is focused on accelerating net-centric warfighting capabilities into the Fleet. Operating at an altitude of approximately 60,000 feet, the 'Global Hawk' boast endurance well in excess of 24 hours. [13.12.05]

JOINT PROJECT 129 GOES TO BOEING/ISRAELI UAV COMBO: Boeing Australia has been selected as the preferred tenderer to provide the Israel Aircraft Industries (Malat division) I-View 250 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system (UAVs and ground controllers) for JP 129. The $145m contract selection is said by Defence Minister Hill to have been won by Boeing because it offered the 'best value for money', beating out offerings from BAE Systems/AAI Corp and Thales/ADI Limited. A new Army regiment is to be formed to operate the tactical UAVs at Gallipoli Barracks in Enoggera (Qld), whilst Boeing Australia will provide the through-life-support for the total UAV system. The first tactical UAVs are to be in operational service in 2008, complementing a layered ADF UAV capability of 'Raven' UAVs (procured for the Special Forces), short-range/miniature 'Skylark' UAVs being deployed to Iraq, and a high altitude long endurance maritime UAV proposed to be purchased under project Air 7000. [12.12.05]

SINCGARS RADIOS ORDERED FOR 'ABRAMS' TANK FLEET: US-based ITT Industries Inc has received a $4.6m order for several hundred of its newest SINCGARS systems from the Australian Department of Defence. Australian SINCGARS radios are to be used in project Land 907 'Abrams' tanks currently in the process of delivery, and configured for long-range operations vide 50 watt power amplifiers and routers for network operations. ITT says SINCGARS technology was purchased as part of on-going modernisation and interoperability plans for the Australian armed forces. Work will be performed by ITT’s Aerospace/Communications division, headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The newest generation SINCGARS combines data, voice and geo-location information into a seven and one-half pound package that can be placed in a rucksack or mounted in vehicles like tanks and personnel carriers. [12.12.05]

BALL SOLUTIONS GROUP LINKS-UP WITH UK-BASED QINETIQ: Canberra based Ball Solutions Group (BSG) - a subsidiary of Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp and part of the Fortune 500 Ball Corporation - has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UK-based QinetiQ, a global leader in delivering technology-based solutions to the defence, security and public infrastructure sectors. The MoU will enable both companies to share information and cooperate in the development and delivery of professional services and solutions in the defence and other respective core markets. It will initially focus on technology areas such as modelling, simulation and training, network enabled capabilities, interoperability, capability cost modelling and estimation, obsolescence management and biometrics. BSG is a leading professional services and solutions provider (PSP) and employs over 160 staff. [12.12.05]

COBHAM SUBSIDAIRY BREAKS INTO A400M TRANSPORTER PROGRAM: Via an order worth in excess of €85m, UK-based Flight Refuelling Limited, part of the Cobham Air Refuelling & Auxiliary Mission Equipment Division, has been selected by Airbus to supply its fourth generation refuelling systems for the A400M tanker version set for Germany, Spain and France. Cobham will provide its 908E wing pod dispensing equipment (already qualified for KC-130J, MC-130H, C-130E, A310 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) use and selected for the A330 MRTT), tailored to meet the A400M's requirements. A second order, to supply Satcom antennas for the A400M, has been secured by two Cobham Antennas Division companies, Chelton (Electrostatics) Limited in England and Omnipless in South Africa. The initial order is worth €5m, and will see supply of the Chelton Satcom HGA-7001, the latest in a range of advanced phased array antennas, designed to comply with the ARINC 781 specification, harsh military environmental conditions and life cycle cost expectations. [12.12.05]

AUSTRALIAN AND INDONESIAN SPECIAL FORCES EXERCISES: Defence Minister Hill has confirmed that counter-terrorism exercises between Australian and Indonesian Special Forces will resume early next year with Exercise 'Dawn Kookaburra', which will be conducted in Perth as a combined counter-hijack and hostage recovery exercise. The two-week exercise will involve Australia's Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) and Indonesia's Armed Forces (TNI) specialist counter-terrorism unit, Kopassus Unit 81 - considered as possessing the most effective capability to respond to a counter-hijack or hostage recovery threat in Indonesia. Other cooperative counter-terrorism activities will include senior and working level visits, subject matter exchanges, sharing information and attendance at conferences. [11.12.05]

'AEGIS' COMBAT SYSTEM ORDER TO SUSTAIN US PRODUCTION LINE: Defence Minister Hill has confirmed the Government's approval for $1 billion of expenditure to purchase three 'Aegis' weapon systems from the US Navy, to ultimately form part of the 'Aegis' combat system to be installed on the RAN's three new Sea 4000 air warfare destroyers (AWDs). Hill said placing of the order now for the systems "allows the US to continue manufacturing the systems for Australia without halting its production line, (thus) bringing about greater efficiency and achieving considerable savings. The purchase will also maximise opportunity for Australian industry to provide sub-systems such as communications, electronic warfare, sonar, electro-optical sensors and other equipment." [09.12.05]

INTERIM DESIGN CENTRE TO ADVANCE AWD DESIGN OPTIONS: Following the 10 November decision to construct a greenfields AWD Systems Centre adjacent to the ASC 'Collins' submarine construction/support facility - with supporting nodes in Sydney and Melbourne - Senator Hill also confirmed that good progress was being made by the DMO Program Office and alliance industry participants "to commence work in the new AWD Systems Centre, in Adelaide, early next year." Given the South Australian government is currently still finalising plans for infrastructure upgrades at the site and no such Systems Centre building has yet been constructed, the said work is likely to commence in interim facilities to established within the ASC. [09.12.05]

NEW AUTHORITY FOR ADF TO USE 'REASONABLE FORCE' ON CITIZENS: Legislation giving new powers to the ADF to respond quickly and effectively using reasonable force when called-out to a domestic terrorist incident has been introduced to Federal Parliament. The new Bill seeks to amend the Defence Act to give appropriate powers and protections to Defence personnel if called out for an incident which is beyond the capacity of the civil authorities to resolve. The Bill is to be debated in the Senate Committee stage next year before being voted on. Defence Minister Hill argues current call-out provisions for domestic security operations are complex, and are not flexible enough to allow the ADF to respond quickly to a range of possible terrorist incidents, such as those that might be anticipated at next year's Commonwealth Games. The legislation also extends domestic security operations powers to aviation and maritime security, and the protection of critical infrastructure. [09.12.05]

NO COMMITMENT TO BRING IRAQ TROOPS HOME BY XMAS 2006: Responding to news the Japanese Government had renewed deployment authority for its engineering force in Iraq for another year, Prime Minister Howard says "that does not mean automatically the Japanese unit will stay there the entire 12 months … but it is unlikely that (Australia) will be out by May - that will depend a great deal on how things unfold. If after the (elections) a new and stronger Iraqi Government can emerge, then that’s a very hopeful development, although terrorism will go on. But over time, if democracy can be further introduced and begin to be consolidated and the local security forces continue to be enhanced, then you can then start looking at some kind of wind down of foreign forces. I don’t want our forces to stay any longer than necessary." [09.12.05]

COMMONWEALTH GAMES SECURITY TO COST OVER $600 MILLION?: Further responding to media suggestions the security cost of the Commonwealth Games could be as high as $600 million, Howard said, "that sounds a bit high to me. Depends a bit on what you include in any such calculation – (but still) sounds rather high to me. We’re providing a lot of the resources and we’ve reached a very amicable agreement with the Victorian Government, and we’ve put a lot of money into the Games and obviously a lot of our own assets and resources that we bring, we (also) provide financial coverage. So the answer, in short, is yes – we’re providing a lot of things but clearly the provision of police by Victoria is a matter for the Victorian Government." [09.12.05]

REPORT RECORDS CUSTOMS' SUPPORT FOR HOMELAND SECURITY: Confirming the tabling of the Australian Customs Services' 2004/05 annual report, Customs Minister Ellison has pointed out a record year of effort in maritime surveillance. According to Ellison, in 2004/05: Coastwatch alone (not including Defence's Operation 'Relex') increased its flying hours to 20,520 amounting to over 139 million square nautical miles; an additional 4.86 million sq nm's was covered by a Coastwatch contracted satellite, and 1.5 million sq nm's was covered by High Frequency Surface Wave Radar'; there was a 67% increase in the number of actions taken by Customs and Navy vessels against illegal foreign fishing vessels; the ADF contributed in excess of the 1800 'Fremantle'-class patrol boat days and 250 P-3C 'Orion' surveillance hours; and a program of regular armed patrols was also set up in the Southern Oceans, with five armed joint Customs and Fisheries patrols conducted to protect Australia’s sovereign interests surrounding the Heard Island and McDonald Islands. [09.12.05]

QANTAS DEFENCE SERVICES SETS UP IN CANBERRA: Qantas Defence Services (QDS) has inducted into its new aircraft support centre at Canberra airport, the first RAAF C-130 to undertake heavy maintenance. QDS notified its intention to start-up a Canberra facility (at the ex-Impulse hangar) in July, and this hangar has now received its first C-130 for heavy maintenance. The induction ceremony entailed a welcoming speech by Mike Caldwell, Head of QDS, followed by Ted Quinlan, the ACT's Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Economic Development, Business and Tourism. Senior representatives of the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) and Canberra Airport Authority were also in attendance. [09.12.05]

B-CLASS 'SEAHAWK' REPLACED IN US NAVY HELICOPTER FLEET: Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron - Light (HSL) 41 has been the first squadron to receive 5 December the US Navy's new MH-60R 'Seahawk' helicopters at NAS 'North Island' in California. The MH-60R replaces the ageing SH-60B and SH-60F 'Seahawk' helicopters, providing significant capabilities and improvements to naval aviation. The MH-60R features sonobouy and ‘Hellfire’ missile launching, forward-looking infrared, radar and electronic support measures capabilities from the SH-60B and adds to it the dipping sonar and torpedo launching capabilities from the SH-60F, along with a 'glass cockpit.' The squadron's name will now change to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41 to reflect the aircraft's multi-mission capabilities. [09.12.05]

BELGIUM JOINS THE NH90 MULTIROLE HELICOPTER CLUB: European-based NHIndustries has welcomed a decision by Belgium to become 14th Country to select the NH90 helicopter. Belgium is to acquire ten maritime search & rescue/transport NH90s and relative support through the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA), which represents the Governments that launched the design and development of the NH90 Helicopters in 1991, namely France, Germany, Italy, and The Netherlands, joined by Portugal in 2001. The current NH90 back-log totals 357 firm orders (including 12 for Australia), 120 options and more than 73 announced selections by 18 Armed Forces of 14 countries overseas. [09.12.05]

AWD ALLIANCE 'PRINCIPALS' COUNCIL FORMED FOR SEA 4000: Defence Minister Hill has confirmed that an Alliance Principals' Council - independently chaired by former Navy chief, Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie - has been established to build strong team partnerships between the key partners of the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Program. Hill said the Principals' Council had a very important role to play over the next two years in shaping the course of the AWD program, leading up to second pass consideration by the Government in mid-2007. Members of the Principals' Council include: John Prescott, Chairman of ASC; Dan Smith, Executive Vice President of Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems; LtGen David Hurley, Chief of Capability Development Group; and Dr Stephen Gumley, CEO of the Defence Materiel Organisation. Hill said the new Council will sit above the Alliance Project Board, and "is designed to build strong team relationships between the project's alliance partners." [08.12.05]

JSF COLLABORATION WITH TURKEY NOT ON DISCUSSION AGENDA: During the course of a visit to Canberra by the Turkish Prime Minister, HE Recep Erdogan, Prime Minister Howard has confirmed discussions touched "many economic issues (and) how we can further strengthen relations between Turkey and Australia." In a press conference dominated by questions as to Australian plans to legislate that the Gallipoli peninsular would be declared as a site having special historical significance, Howard confirmed discussion regarding the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) project "was not on our agenda in meetings," despite Australia and Turkey being joint (SDD) partners in the F-35 project along with nine other countries. [08.12.05]

AIR 87 'TIGER' ARH COMPLETES 'HELLFIRE' MISSILE FIRING TESTS: EADS Australian Aerospace reports the last test 'Hellfire' missile has been fired (via its M299 launcher) from an Australian Army 'Tiger' armed reconnaissance helicopter (ARH) in Woomera, South Australia. The firing completes the 'Hellfire' test program, thus demonstrating full integration of the Lockheed Martin missile system onto the ARH version of the 'Tiger'. The seven missile test program is said to have demonstrated performance and capability of the missile system by day and night, from 6 to 8 km, with self and remote designation and included live military loads. [08.12.05]

RECOILLESS GUN TECHNOLOGY FOR PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Melbourne-based Recoilless Technologies International Corp (RTI) says a breakthrough Australian invention - for which it holds exclusive rights - is now set to eliminate recoil in both ballistic weapons and a range of commercial tools. Early applications of the new technology are expected to include pistols, rifles and several types of field artillery and naval guns, however, it also has direct applicability to high-powered industrial tools. Substantial efficiencies and occupational health and safety advantages are accordingly anticipated in numerous manufacturing, construction and engineering applications. RTI says the performance of the new technology has been verified via independent testing of a prototype system in Melbourne. [08.12.05]

ERICSSON TECHNOLGY BROADENING DEFENCE COMMUNICATIONS SCOPE: A decision by Telstra to choose Ericsson to provide a national 3G/WCDMA network based on WCDMA 850 MHz has implications for communications upgrades being pursued by Defence under Joint Project 2072 and project Land 125. The rollout of a new national 3G network is designed to provide broadband internet and video-conferencing capabilities to users across the Australian continent. In the future, software upgrades using High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) will give users access at speed up to 14 Mbps when combined with a new generation of terminals. [08.12.05]

LOCAL AGENCIES BEING FUNDED TO COUNTER TERRORISM: The Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, has confirmed that more than 400 projects across Australia will receive $14m in grants designed to develop self-reliance at both the community and local government levels to boost emergency management and response capability. Administered by Emergency Management Australia (EMA), Ruddock said the grants would boost capabilities "in the event of emergencies and disasters, including a terrorist attack." Some 500,000 people in Australia volunteer their services in some emergency management capacity, and 350,000 of those are directly involved in emergency first response. [08.12.05]

VOLUNTEER RESPONSE GROUPS GET $46m CASH POOL: Under the 'Working Together to Manage Emergencies' initiative, the Government will fund $16m over four years to the National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund (NEVSF), and $30m over four years under local grants schemes (LGS) to assist local councils to develop/implement community emergency risk management initiatives, fund security upgrades around critical infrastructure and provide training for staff. Applications for the 2006/07 'Working Together' funding round have now been opened, with responses due in by 3 March 2006. Surf www.ema.gov.au/communitydevelopment for details. [08.12.05]

OPPOSITION CALLS FOR SWITCH IN MILITARY EFFORT FOCUS: Speaking to media the Shadow Defence Minister, Robert McClelland, has drawn on comments by Defence Minister Hill that Australians are 'living in a dangerous neighbourhood' to call for a re-direction of counter-terrorism effort from Iraq to Southeast Asia. According to McClelland, "the $1.2b that we are spending in Iraq is more than what we are spending per year on the entire Australian Federal Police budget. There is a lot we can and should be doing in our region with the US as part of our alliance obligations. In our region, the US is actually spending far more than we are spending on security right here in South East Asia. So when the Government says we need to be in Iraq to satisfy our alliance obligation that is rubbish. There is plenty we can do and should be doing to satisfy our alliance obligations but more importantly to protect our security in our region." [08.12.05]

DCP CHANGES NEEDED TO SATIFSY ALLIANCE OBLIGATIONS: McClelland also cited the contents of a report to the Congress on support for the US-Australia alliance which purportedly classifies Australia as putting in a very low effort in supporting the military capacity of the alliance. According to McClelland, "in terms of ground combat capacity, there is a rating of less than 50% of what is an acceptable. Naval supplies, support aircraft, refuellers - in fact across all military categories - (Australia is) assessed as rating below a satisfactory capacity. The alliance is vitally important to Australia, and we should be saying to the US: look we can add greatest value in the fight against international terrorism by focusing on our region." [08.12.05]

FERRA ENGINEERING WITH VIPAC ENGINEERS FOR JSF WORK: Vipac Engineers & Scientists has won a $2.2m contract with Ferra Engineering to provide specialist component testing for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) project. Vipac will test an armament adaptor manufactured by Brisbane-based Ferra via fatigue, vibration and shock tests and certify it to stringent US Air Force and Lockheed Martin standards. Vipac says it beat out the California-based Wyle Labs for the contract by offering a superior service in both price and delivery time. The acquisition of the contract marks the first time that the US Government has allowed independent certification outside of the normal US Government approved laboratories. Phase 1 of the project will commence in 2006 at Vipac’s Sydney Environmental Test Lab. [08.12.05]

MAINTENANCE FLAW SUSPENDS 'SEA KING' FLYING PROGRAM: The Department of Defence has formally advised that during routine maintenance of a Navy 'Sea King' helicopter conducted on 24 November 2005, an unserviceability was detected. As a result of a series of subsequent technical investigations concluded 6 December, the root cause of the unserviceability was determined to be an incident of inappropriate maintenance at 817 Squadron. As a precautionary safety measure, the Maritime Commander has now suspended 'Sea King' flying until the matter has been fully investigated. Recommendations from this investigation will then be incorporated into the ongoing Maintenance Reinvigoration Program, and will also be reviewed by the Maritime Commander to provide the basis for a decision to lift the suspension on 'Sea King' flying. [08.12.05]

FOUR FIRMS TO CONTEST LEAP IN DEFENCE ACCOMMODATION: Four organisations - Synersec, Lend Lease/DHA, Pinnacle Housing and Plenary Living - have been shortlisted as potential strategic partners (through a Public Private Partnership arrangement) with Defence on the Single LEAP (Living Environment and Accommodation Precinct) project. A total of 1300 new rooms will be built as part of Phase 1 of the Single LEAP. Nine organisations responded to the Defence's EOI to upgrade single ADF members' accommodation at Holsworthy (NSW), Gallipoli Barracks (Enoggera) and RAAF Base 'Amberley' (SE Qld). An EOI for Phase 2 of Single LEAP is to be released in mid-2006 for accommodation services at other Defence sites around Australia. [08.12.05]

MALAYSIA CONTRACTS FOR FOUR A400M MILITARY AIRLIFTERS: The Malaysian government has confirmed at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA ’05) that it has signed a contract to purchase four A400M military airlifters. Contract signature has been negotiated on the back of an agreement that Malaysian industry will receive high-technology work packages worth initially 1 billion Ringgits, (about €200m) relating to the design and manufacture of A400M airframe components to be delivered worldwide. Malaysia follows South Africa (April 2005) into the A400M program. [08.12.05]

SURVEILLANCE AUSTRALIA SECURES CMS04 'SERVICE A' COMPONENT: National Air Support (NAS) subsidiary and Adelaide-based 'Surveillance Australia' has been selected as preferred tenderer for the $1 billion 'Service A' component of the Customs Coastwatch Civil Maritime Surveillance (CMS04) contract. The new 12-year contract will commence in January 2008, and is to be resourced by an all-Bombardier 'Dash 8' all-weather, day/night electronic surveillance-enabled aircraft fleet, which will be doubled from the current five, to ten, aircraft. The new contract will also allow Coastwatch to increase its use in the future of sophisticated surveillance technology, including satellite imagery and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). [07.12.05]

SURVEILLANCE DATA TO DRIVE JOINT OFFSHORE PROTECTION COMMAND: National civil maritime surveillance outputs supplied by Surveillance Australia will be supported by the Coastwatch Torres Strait helicopter service (vide the CMS04 'Service B' contract won by Australian Helicopters), regular patrols by Customs and Navy patrol boats and the trial of a High Frequency Surface Wave Radar system. Data from these patrols will be fed into the new Joint Offshore Protection Command (JOP-C), which under previous Government initiatives is progressively combining the resources and expertise of Customs and Defence to create a single joint maritime surveillance, response and interdiction system in order to deliver an over-arching military capability for offshore maritime protection. [07.12.05]

ANTI-TERRORISM POWERS UPGRADE PASSES PARLIAMENT: Despite criticisms and alleged scaremongering, the Attorney-General says the Opposition joined 6 December with the Government to pass the entire Anti-Terrorism (No.2) Bill. The Bill reflects the counter-terrorism package foreshadowed by the Prime Minister on 8 September, and subsequent agreement reached with State/Territory leaders at COAG on 27 September. Key features include: a regime that will enable courts to place controls on persons who pose a terrorist risk to the community; arrangements to provide for the detention of a person for up to 48 hours to prevent an imminent terrorist attack or preserve evidence of a recent attack; an extension of the stop, question and search powers of the Australian Federal Police (AFP); powers to obtain information and documents designed to enhance the AFP's ability to prevent and respond effectively to a terrorist attack. [07.12.05]

COUNTER-TERRORISM 'HOTLINE' FLOODED WITH CALLS: On the back of so-called counter-terrorist 'raids' in Sydney and Melbourne, the Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, has revealed that calls to the Government's terrorism 'hotline' went up 70% and are now averaging 3000 calls per week. According to Ruddock, "normally about 50% of people are seeking reassurance in asking questions, so those providing information went up to over 70%. What we have found is that people are providing information which, when you put it together with other bits and pieces of information, helps very significantly with some of the inquiries." One of the most recent areas of observation is that relating to unusual purchases of products that might be used to aid terrorist activities. [07.12.05]

AUSSIE ETHERNET ENCRYPTOR LAUNCHED IN CANBERRA: Defence Minister Hill has launched in Canberra a new product from Melbourne-based Senetas, a 'CypherNET Ethernet Encryptor', which works with Ethernet systems commonly found in most large organisations to encrypt all the information travelling between different locations. Senetas has been providing military grade encryption to Australian and US military forces for some time, and has now extended product distribution to regulated private industries such as banks, insurance firms, health providers, utilities and critical infrastructure to protect them from terrorist-related cyber-threats. [07.12.05]

THALES BREAKS INTO A400M ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION: As part of its Aerolec joint venture with Goodrich, Thales has been selected to supply the electrical power generation system for the new Airbus A400M military transport aircraft. This contract follows recently gained business to supply the electrical power generation system for the Airbus A380 and the electrical power conversion system for the Boeing 787 'Dreamliner'. A400M electrical power generators are being designed to meet a total power supply requirement of 400 kVA - relatively high for a military aircraft. Thales is also supplying the aircraft's integrated modular avionics, cockpit display system and head-up display with enhanced vision system. [07.12.05]

'ORION' FLEET BEING PRIMED FOR REGIONAL COUNTER-TERRORISM: A RAAF AP-3C 'Orion' long-range maritime patrol aircraft from 92 Wing at 'Edinburgh' is visiting the Philippines to highlight the value of having an air-based maritime surveillance capability to prevent the movement of terrorists and criminal groups in the region. The deployment follows Defence Minister Hill's visit to the Philippines in October to discuss joint counter terrorism initiatives to prevent the growth of terrorist networks within the Philippines. In addition to maritime patrol capabilities, the ADF is looking at opportunities to provide further assistance in intelligence and Special Forces training, strengthening maritime security and helping the Philippines develop a small watercraft capability to better patrol the southern riverine and marshland areas of Mindanao. [06.12.05]

NEW GROUP TO UNDERTAKE AVIATION SECURITY CHECKS: A new division is to be established within the Attorney‑General’s Department from 1 July 2007 to coordinate background checks on people working in the secure areas of air and sea ports. The initiative follows a recommendation of the Wheeler Review of Airport Security and Policing, which sought to centralise background checks within a single government department. People who work in air and sea port secure areas are already required to have Aviation Security Identification Cards (ASICs), and respectively, Maritime Security Identification Cards (MSICs). [06.12.05]

HEALTH SECURITY REPORT CHARTS PANDEMICS TO BIOTERRORISM: A new report from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) titled 'Plague Anatomy: Health Security from Pandemics to Bioterrorism' examines the spectrum of biological threats, both natural and deliberate, and looks at how prepared Australia is to meet these challenges. The report argues that the potential impact of infectious diseases on Australia's national interest demands that such threats should be considered within the broader national security agenda. In the case of a major influenza pandemic, ASPI says it could devastate trade and commerce in the region and around the globe. [06.12.05]

BOEING PLOTS INTEGRATED URBAN WARFARE SIMULATION: A joint urban warfare scenario demonstrating command and control on the move has provided the blueprint for this year’s Boeing joint network-centric operations experiment. The one-hour demonstration, conducted by Boeing Phantom Works and Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, linked nine Boeing sites and featured a mix of live and simulated platforms and systems from 17 programs. During the scenario, US and coalition forces used network-enabled technologies to eliminate a surface-to-air missile site and a hostile convoy, conduct a multi-lingual interrogation and translation at a security check point, conduct surveillance of an escaping high-value target and eventually take out the high-value moving target. [06.12.05]

MINIMUM RENTAL GUARANTEE INTRODUCED FOR DHA PROPERTIES: Defence Housing Australia (DHA) is offering for the next 12 months a minimum rental guarantee on properties taken up by external investors under their 'Sale and Leaseback' program. Lease periods vary from three to 12 years and can include generous 'make good' provisions where the house is painted inside and out and the carpet replaced at the end of the lease. All DHA properties are of a high standard, with quality inclusions throughout, and are tenanted by members of the Australian Defence Force and their families for the entire lease period. [06.12.05]

FIRST JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER ENGINE COMPLETED: Pratt & Whitney's F135 team has completed the engine that will power the first Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) flight. The F135 is an evolution of the F119 engine used in the F/A-22 'Raptor'. The first flight test F135 engine will be delivered to Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth (Texas) plant later this month, and the F135 program will achieve Initial Flight Release in the northern spring of 2006. The engine will be installed in the first flight test JSF aircraft early next year, and the F135 will be the exclusive power for the F-35's first flights, which will begin in the third quarter of 2006. [06.12.05]

RAYTHEON SUPPORTING 'AEGIS' EQUIPMENT FOR THE US NAVY: US-based Raytheon Integrated Defense System's (IDS) has been awarded two contracts by the US Navy totalling US$15.7m for 'Aegis' equipment support. A $10.2m performance based logistics contract renews IDS' Surveillance & Sensor Systems business direct responsibility for administering 'Aegis' technical support for spares and repairs requirements of US Navy and Foreign Military Sales customers. A second $5.5m transmitter upgrade contract calls for the manufacture, test and delivery of solid state amplifiers for use in RF (radio frequency) monitor cabinets in SPY-1 radar transmitters. [06.12.05]

APPLIED SIGNAL & IMAGE TECHNOLOGY FALLS TO L-3: US-based L-3 Communications has acquired Linthicum Heights (Maryland)-based Applied Signal and Image Technology Inc (ASIT) for an undisclosed sum. ASIT designs, develops and integrates tactical communications intelligence (COMINT), measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) and electronic attack (EA) systems for both ground and airborne installations, including fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). L-3 expects ASIT to add approximately US$20m to its sales in 2006. [06.12.05]

EXPLOSIVES DETECTOR LAUNCHED IN CANBERRA: Perth-based QRSciences has shown revolutionary new explosive detection system for airports at a security technology demonstration at Parliament House in Canberra. Developed under a $2.8m Australian Government innovation grant, the new technology identifies unique chemical signatures of high threat explosives, which until now could easily go undetected by current X-ray and scanning devices. Two of the new units have already been installed in Australia, with substantial interest being generated through trials in Singapore, the United States of America and Italy. [05.12.05]

FORWARD DIAR.com PUBLISHING SCHEDULE OVER XMAS BREAK: To align resources for the forthcoming Pacific 2006 International Maritime Exposition in January 2006, and to ensure editorial staff a reasonable holiday break, weekly DIAR.com e-Newsletter production is being extended for the remainder of the year. The next edition (#1 of 2006) will be published as at 3 January 2006, with the usual weekly e-Newsletter publication cycle commencing thereafter. [05.12.05]

FURTHER US FUNDING FOR REMOTE WEAPON SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT: Brisbane-based Metal Storm Limited has announced that its US subsidiary, Metal Storm Inc, had been awarded a two year contract worth approximately A$1.32m from the US Department of Defense for further research and development of a remotely operated weapon system. Under a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract, Metal Storm will develop, produce and evaluate an anti-personnel, unattended, weapon pod and controller using the company’s proprietary electronically initiated munitions delivery systems. The weapon pod and controller is to be integrated into a command and control system developed under the Network-integrated Remotely Operated Weapons system project, which is sponsored by the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency. [02.12.05]

MAN MILITARY VEHICLE SYSTEMS CHANGES OFFICE LOCATION: The General Manager of MAN Military Vehicle Systems, Mike Riley, advises that with effect from Monday, 12 December 2005, MAN Military Vehicle Systems Australia (MMV-A) Pty Ltd will move to a new physical address and change its postal address. New office premises are at Level 1, 25 Napier Close, Deakin ACT 2600, with new postal address being: PO Box 9595, Deakin ACT 2600. MAN are providing the prime movers and trailers for the Army's new M1A1 'Abrams' tanks (project Land 907), are bidding their military vehicles product line into project Land 121. Email mriley@manmilitary.com.au or surf www.manmilitary.com.au for further details. [02.12.05]

KONGSBERG ACQUIRES GALLIUM SOFTWARE COMPANY: Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has signed an agreement to buy the Canadian company, Gallium Software Inc, for approximately NOK 174 million on a debt-free basis. The agreement is conditional on Board approval from Kongsberg Gruppen ASA. Gallium's main product is 'InterMAPhics', a well-known map graphics tool for military command and control systems. This software is able to identify large numbers of movements at high speed on a map in real time. Gallium also has a long history supporting the Air Traffic Management area with 'InterMAPhics' and is prominent in Great Britain and Canada. The company a turnover of NOK 69.6m and earnings before tax of NOK 19.7m in fiscal 2004. [02.12.05]

WHOLE-OF-LIFE COSTING FOR ASSET MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE: IQPC is to present in Sydney over 22-23 February 2006, its third annual conference on Whole-of-Life Costing for Asset Management. To be held at the Swissotel, the new conference follows a successful event in 2005 and will feature a keynote international case study led by Jennifer Bowles, Lead Operations & Sustainment Cost Analyst for Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Affordability, from the US Department of Defense's NAVAIR division. David Kirkpatrick, Emeritus Professor of Defence Analysis at the Defence Engineering Group of the University College London (and a former UK Ministry of Defence official), will speak on the second day of the conference. Surf www.iqpc.com.au/MaintenanceIQ for details. [02.12.05]

AIRBUS CUTS RESEARCH AGREEMENT WITH VICTORIAN CRC: Airbus has established a Research and Technology Framework Agreement with Australia's Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Composite Structures Limited (CRC-ACS) based in Melbourne, Victoria. Airbus has been working in conjunction with the CRC-ACS for the past ten years, and the new agreement is seen as a further opportunity to cement that relationship with a more substantial strategic partnership. Airbus and CRC-ACS will establish a joint Steering Group that will involve research partnership managers from Airbus' Engineering Department which will work directly with the CRC-ACS management team headed by Professor Murray Scott, the Chief Executive Officer of the CRC-ACS and a major international figure in the world of composite structures technology. The agreement will also facilitate the establishment of further joint technology projects with CRC-ACS in the future. [02.12.05]

GOVERNMENT AGREES TO ENHANCE ANTI-TERRORISM BILL: The Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, says the Government has settled on its final amendments to improve and strengthen the Anti-Terrorism Bill currently before Parliament. Ruddock said the amendments "respond both to recommendations made by the Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee, and also to suggestions raised by other government members. The Government has confirmed it will proceed with the sedition provisions, which will outlaw the urging of force or violence, while removing any doubt about the ability of people to make political comment and criticisms. [01.12.05]

PACIFIC 2006 MARITIME EXHIBITION AND CONGRESSES PROGRAM: The Pacific 2006 Maritime Congress and Exposition will take place at the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, from Tuesday 31 January to Friday, 3 February 2006. The Congress programs have been designed to permit all delegates to visit the many industry displaying the Exposition itself, and to conduct informal professional discussions with exhibitors and fellow delegates. The Congress and Exposition involves three inter-related events: The Pacific 2006 International Maritime Exposition (email expo@maritime.net.au); The Pacific 2006 International Maritime Conference (email pacific2006imc@tourhosts.com.au); and the RAN Sea Power Conference 2006 (email seapower2006@tourhosts.com.au). [01.12.05]

DCN TO TAKE ON LEADERSHIP IN APPLICATION OF UAVs to NAVIES: France’s DCN group has won an important R&D contract to study the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and naval platforms. The aim of the contract is to study the physical and functional constraints affecting the integration of UAVs with operational warships. This topic is of strategic importance to DCN as it will have a direct impact on major current programmes such as the FREMM frigates and on DCN products for client navies in general. DCN will draw not only on group-wide expertise in the physical and functional integration of airborne systems and warships, but also on the proven know-how of UAV manufacturer Sagem and French aerospace and defence R&D agency Onera. [01.12.05]

JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER VERTICAL TAILS INSTALLED: BAE Systems (BAES) and Lockheed Martin (LM) Aeronautics Company have completed the installation of the Joint Strike Fighter's (JSF) vertical tails. The subject vertical tails were designed, manufactured and assembled by BAES in Samlesbury (England), and their successful installation onto the F-35 signals the final stages of the new aircraft's structural component assembly, thus moving the program towards first flight in the fall of 2006. The right and left-hand vertical tails were joined to the BAES-produced aft fuselage at LM's facility in Fort Worth, Texas. With the latest addition of the vertical tails, the first F-35 continues to take shape with the front, centre and aft fuselages and the wing now in place and joined together. [01.12.05]

PRATT & WHITNEY F-35 ENGINE LOGS 4,000 SDD TEST HOURS: Pratt & Whitney F135 ground test engines are said to have logged more than 4,000 (SDD) ground test hours as the company nears completion of the engine that will initially power the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), as well as its first flight next year. The 4,000 SDD hours comes on top of more than 3,500 hours accumulated during the JSF's developmental Concept Demonstration Aircraft (CDA) phase, and covering both Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL)/Carrier Variant (CV) and Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) configuration engines. The Pratt & Whitney F135 propulsion team has delivered five CTOL/CV configuration and four STOVL configuration F135 engines to test for a total of nine engines for the SDD program. [01.12.05]

'GLOBAL HAWK' GROUND SEGMENTS CONTRACT AWARDED: Raytheon has been awarded a new Lot 4 (but value unspecified) contract to produce ground segments for Northrop Grumman's 'Global Hawk' program, which will be used to support LRIP of the US Air Force's RQ-4A/B 'Global Hawk' unmanned aerial system (UAS). Raytheon will build additional 'Global Hawk' ground segments consisting of the launch and recovery element, the mission control element (MCE), and associated ground communication equipment. The sensor data obtained from each 'Global Hawk' is transmitted to the MCE via wideband RF line-of-sight or satellite data link. Data is then disseminated to existing command and control systems or directly to properly equipped tactical field users or exploitation centres. [01.12.05]

SMITHS VIDEO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR A400M TRANSPORT: Airbus has selected Smiths Aerospace to supply the Video Distribution and Processing (ViDP) system on the A400M transporter, generating more than US$55m in revenue through to 2023. The main portion of the system will be basic equipment on the launch base of 180 aircraft, plus exports forecast throughout the lifetime of the program. The A400M aircraft will complete initial certification and enter service in 2009. The ViDP system performs switching and video processing to permit display of various video functions and format on the primary cockpit displays and loadmaster work station. Inputs include refuelling and cargo video cameras and several computer-generated video images. Smiths Aerospace is currently supplying similar type systems for the C-130 AMP and A380. [01.12.05]

November

[TOP]

'CHOOKS' TO BE UPGRADED FOR HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS: The Army's fleet of six 'Chinook' heavy lift helicopters are to undergo a $25m 'rapid acquisition' upgrade to fit them with electronic warfare self protection equipment (EWSP), additional ballistics protection for crew and passengers and advanced communications to boost situational awareness to ensure they are combat ready for future operations. They will also be fitted out for aero-medical evacuation and have improved gun mounts. Defence Minister Hill says the new equipment "will improve the safety and survivability of the aircraft, as well as its ability to work closely with Coalition forces, if needed." 'Chinook' upgrades for EWSP were originally approved under phase 2 of project Air 5416, whilst a much larger helicopter upgrade ($350-450m) was envisaged under phase 5B of project Air 9000. Hill now says the new equipment "will soon be acquired by Defence through a rapid acquisition tender process with Australian industry and foreign equipment suppliers. The 'Chinook' acquisition program will continue to examine technology upgrades to ensure the best possible capabilities and protection are provided to our troops who are deployed on operations." [30.11.05]

CANADA SELECTS M777 FOR MOBILE FORCES ARTILLERY: The Canadian Department of Defence is to spend C$234m on equipment specifically required to carry out Canada's new peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan. As part of the acquisition package, BAE Systems' 155mm M777 lightweight towed howitzer has been selected as the most suitable and capable system available to meet the Army's operational requirement, and is available for deployment to Afghanistan in early-2006. The M777 is the lightest 155mm howitzer available, weighing in at 4,175kg and will fire the new 'Excalibur' munition which it to be procured by the Canadian Army through the US military. 'Excalibur' extends artillery ranges to 40km, whilst significantly increasing accuracy. The M777 is also in contention for Australian project Land 17. [30.11.05]

ELECTRONIC SUPPORT MEASURES FOR FLIGHT 0 LCS SHIPS: EDO Corporation has been selected by General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems to provide up to two of its ES 3601 tactical radar Electronic Support Measures (ESM) and surveillance systems for use on General Dynamics' Flight 0 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). The ES 3601 is a modern precision system that enhances ship survivability by detecting, identifying, and locating hostile ship and missile radar signals early and efficiently. With this information, the ship's commander is able to react to the threat. [30.11.05]

DEFENCE PROGESSING LAND 146 WITH INDUSTRY SURVEY: Defence has issued an initial survey round Request for Information (RoI) in relation to the future acquisition of Combat Identification (CID) for Land Forces - specifically 'an assured, positive identification system for Land forces, using electronic systems to prevent fratricide - under phase 2 of project Land 146. The Phase 2 project scope is confined to acquisition of mature products with developmental technologies to be considered in a later, currently unapproved, Phase 3. Defence nevertheless remains interested in obtaining information on both mature and developmental technologies as an aid to planning the evolution of Australia's CID capability, and its introduction into service from 2009 onwards. [29.11.05]

KOKODA FOUNDATION TURNS ITS GUNS ON INTELLIGENCE BASE: Writing in the first edition of the Kokoda Foundation's new refereed journal, 'Security Challenges', a former Head of Intelligence for the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and a former senior analyst in the Office of National Assessments (ONA), Dr Sandy Gordon, argues that Australia’s intelligence system is still structured primarily to meet the needs of the Cold War. While the 9/11 Commission has driven a substantial refocusing and integration of the United States intelligence community, Australia’s processes of change are said to have been far more modest and, overall, are inadequate. Surf www.kokodafoundation.org for journal and membership details. [29.11.05]

STOVEPIPE ORGANISATION LEADS TO SUCCESSIVE DISASTERS: Dr Gordon goes on to argue Australia’s primary intelligence gathering and assessment organisations remain ‘stove-piped’, and have only modest and relatively slow links to many of the agencies and departments that play front-line operational roles. This means that key operating agencies, including the AFP, the Australian Crime Commission, Customs, Coastwatch, the Department of Multicultural and Regional Affairs and the Department of Transport and Regional Services do not have timely access to the intelligence they need to operate with high efficiency. The paper points to numerous cases where these inefficiencies caused Australian intelligence reporting to be less than adequate, from the 'Sandline' affair in PNG, to the crisis in the Solomon Islands and the 'Children Overboard' debacle. [29.11.05]

PRIVACY ACT AMENDMENTS TO DEAL WITH CHAOS OF NATURAL DISASTERS: The Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, has flagged the Government will amend the Privacy Act 1988 next year to enhance information exchange between Australian Government agencies, state and territory governments, non-government organisations and the private sector in an emergency or disaster situation. According to Ruddock, "in an emergency or disaster situation, there may not always be time to resolve any potential privacy issues and apply the Privacy Act on a case-by-case basis, (so) the amendments will provide the required clarity and certainty, and result in quicker and more streamlined access to assistance, support and services for victims and their families." State and territory governments and other stakeholders will be consulted about the scope of the changes to the Privacy Act before legislation is introduced into Parliament next year. [29.11.05]

RADIO BASED COMBAT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM DEMONSTRATED: AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, has successfully completed an intense development effort with the UK Ministry of Defence to support the US Department of Defense's Advanced Concepts Technology Demonstration of options for a battlefield radio based combat identification system (RBCI). The RBCI requirement was born out of a desire to reduce fratricide - the killing or wounding of friendly forces, on the battlefield by air attack. A generic radio based option was developed and then integrated with the AgustaWestland Collective Training System. It was then fitted to a British Army AgustaWestland Apache AH Mk1 helicopter for an exercise on Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) last month. [29.11.05]

REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION: Australia and Indonesia are to co-host a second Regional Workshop on the Biological Weapons Convention in Indonesia early next year. The event will build on the first workshop held in Melbourne in February 2005, and is part of an ongoing process to reduce the possibility of terrorists acquiring and using biological weapons and prevent countries in the region from inadvertently assisting the development of biological weapons programs elsewhere. Participants from regional countries are to be invited to attend the meeting, which will specifically discuss further practical ways that regional nations can cooperate in countering bio-terrorism in the lead up to the 2006 Biological Weapons Convention Review Conference. [28.11.05]

DUAL LEAD-SHIP DD(X) BUILD STRATEGY APPROVED: The Defense Acquisition Board (DAB) has given the US Navy's DD(X) destroyer program 'Milestone B' authority, thus meaning it can move forward with an initial build. On the basis of the approval, DD(X) contractors Northrop Grumman/Ingalls (Pascagoula, Mississippi) and General Dynamics/Bath Iron Works (Bath, Maine) will each enter into an SDD Phase which includes detailed design and construction as well as the Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of at least two ships. While each of the shipyards will adopt during LRIP a novel dual-lead ship build strategy, the DAB approval also appears to give the Navy requested authority to move ahead with a down-select to a single contractor in the 2009 timeframe. Funds to begin building DD(X) will be requested in Fiscal Year 2007 (FY07), when the Defense budget is submitted to Congress in February. The Navy hopes to build between five and eight vessels, and has estimated the cost of the lead ships at US$3.3b each. [28.11.05]

THALES AIRBORNE SYSTEMS TO ADVANCE A RESTRUCTURE: Thales Airborne Systems' senior management has presented an industrial and economic restructuring plan to the company's central works council, which is designed to ensure the company stays competitive against what the company sees as an increasingly harsh business environment as the 'Mirage' export program ends and 'Rafale' and 'Mirage 2000' development comes to a close in the absence of any follow-on projects on the same scale. Thales accordingly expects a decline in workload of around 20% between the end of this year and the end of 2007 as activities currently conducted at Elancourt are moved to the Brest and Pessac plants, whilst 560 redundancies will be advanced across the three sites. [28.11.05]

OUTCOMES FROM PROPERTY INDUSTRY SECURITY SUMMIT: Speaking after a meeting with senior property industry representatives at a special summit to discuss the industry's role in helping to protect Australians from terrorism, the Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, has said the issue of uniform standards for property security and property security staff is "not a new issue. It's been on the agenda of the Standing Committee of Attorneys General (SCAG) for some time, and also on the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agenda. It's one of the areas where you do need to have very close harmonisation of entry requirements and supervision. And, those matters are very much the subject of ongoing consideration by governments and there will be further announcements in relation to it in due course." [25.11.05]

NO SARBANES-OXLEY ACT REQUIREMENTS FOR AUSTRALIA: Addressing the annual seminar of the Information Security Interest Group (ISIG) in Sydney, the Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, has commented "the Internet, and our reliance upon it, poses the most challenging information security risk, due to the changing nature of the threat and the increasingly sophisticated methods used by attackers." In promulgating a response to such threat, Ruddock added "there is a role for governments in facilitating the adoption of standards which are consensus based, nationally consistent and trusted." Whilst not claiming to speak for future governments