RAN News [Archive] - Page 2 - The Fifth Column

buglerbilly

26-05-11, 03:56 PM

Spain Gets its Share of Australian AWD

By tamir_eshel on May 26, 2011 8:55 am

The Australian Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) is based on the F100 design from Navantia, operational with the Spanish Navy.

Facing growing delays in the parallel construction of three Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD) and two Landing Helicopter Dock Ships (LHD), the Australian Ministry of defense and program manager AWD Alliance decided to redistribute the construction work among three Australian shipyards currently involved in the program, and transfer part of the work to the Navantia shipyard in Spain. This move will relieve the pressure from the BAE Systems Shipyard in Melbourne. The new plan will enable the consortium to minimize delay of the completion of the first ship by up to 12 months, and of all three AWDs by up to 12 months.

The recent decision follows the relocation of nine steel blocks constructions, from BAE Systems’ Melbourne to the Forgacs Shipyard in Newcastle, Australia. According to Australian Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and the Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announcing the plan today, the construction of 18 steel blocks related to the first two ships will reduce the schedule risk to both this project and to the two LHD ships project currently underway in Australia. Up to 13 steel blocks will be reallocated among the three Australian shipyards in Adelaide, Melbourne and Newcastle. Seven blocks will be for advanced fit out and six for construction. Up to five steel blocks will be reallocated to Navantia in Ferrol, Spain. A decision on the reallocation of blocks on the third AWD will be made later in the project.

The AWD program encountered engineering and construction delays, related to some of the hull blocks. It seems that the delays resulted in the Melbourne BAE Systems shipyard, stretched over two major projects at the same time – constructing steel blocks for the Air Warfare Destroyers and 14 steel blocks for the superstructure of the two 27,500 ton LHD Ships, due to delivery in 2014 and 2015. According to the AWD Alliance, the industry consortium managing the program, these obstacles could push back the delivery of the first AWD ship by two years. Under the new plan, BAE will complete the structural steel and initial outfitting work on the seven steel blocks for the AWD, it is currently working on, as well as all its work on the 14 blocks for the superstructure of the Landing Helicopter Dock Ships and the integration work. The LHD ships were due to be delivered from December 2014.

The AWD Project is an important element of Force 2030. The AWD is based on Navantia’s F-100 design, similar to the AEGIS equipped vessels operated by the Spanish Navy. According to the Australian Defense, when complete, the AWD will be one of the more capable types of warship of its size in the world. Overall, the AWD program involves the construction of 90 separate steel blocks, being built at three Australian shipyards – in Adelaide (ASC), Melbourne (BAE Systems) and Newcastle (Forgacs). Three additional sonar block assemblies are being built in Spain and the United Kingdom. The total cost of the program is estimated at A$8 billion. The AWD Alliance consists of ASC, the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) and Raytheon.

The AWD Project is an important element of Force 2030. The AWD is based on Navantia’s F-100 design, similar to the AEGIS equipped vessels operated by the Spanish Navy.

buglerbilly

27-05-11, 01:03 PM

The formal notice.............

Changes to Air Warfare Destroyer Construction Program

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued May 27, 2011)

The Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and the Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced the reallocation of construction work for the $8 billion Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Project.

Australia is constructing three AWDs based on a proven design from the Spanish Navy. The ships are due to be delivered from December 2014. When complete, the AWD will be one of the more capable types of warship of its size in the world.

The AWD Project is an important element of Force 2030. The Government and Defence have been actively working with Defence Industry and the AWD Alliance, which is managing the AWD project, to deliver the project. The AWD Alliance consists of ASC, the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) and Raytheon.

Construction of the AWDs involves 90 separate steel blocks being built at three shipyards in Adelaide (ASC), Melbourne (BAE Systems) and Newcastle (Forgacs). Three additional sonar block assemblies are being built in Spain and the United Kingdom.

The Melbourne BAE Systems shipyard is also building 14 steel blocks for the superstructure of two new 27,500 tonne Landing Helicopter Dock ships (LHDs) due for delivery in 2014 and 2015.

Last year the project encountered difficulties in relation to engineering and construction of some of the first AWD hull blocks. To assist the AWD project schedule, earlier this year the AWD Alliance reallocated construction of nine steel blocks from BAE Systems in Melbourne to the Forgacs shipyard in Newcastle.

The Melbourne BAE Systems shipyard remains stretched, working on two major projects at the same time – steel blocks for the Air Warfare Destroyers and the superstructure and integration of the Landing Helicopter Dock Ships.

The Government, the AWD Alliance and BAE Systems take the schedule for both these important projects extremely seriously.

In February 2011, BAE Systems advised the AWD Alliance of potential schedule delays.

Over the last few months, the AWD Alliance and BAE Systems have been working closely to develop options to improve the production program.

In March, the Minister for Defence met with Guy Griffiths, the Group Managing Director - International of BAE Systems UK, in London to discuss this project.

The Minister for Defence Materiel has also met with the CEO of BAE Australia, Jim McDowell, on a number of occasions about this project.

Earlier this month BAE Systems presented the AWD Alliance with a plan to adjust its workload on the AWD Project.

The advice of the AWD Alliance is that if no action is taken to relieve the pressure on the Melbourne BAE Systems shipyard the first ship would be two years late, approximately 25 per cent over schedule.

The AWD Alliance (with the support of BAE Systems) therefore proposes to take the following action:

-- Up to 13 steel blocks will be reallocated among the three Australian shipyards in Adelaide, Melbourne and Newcastle – seven for advanced fit out and six for construction; and

-- Up to five steel blocks will be reallocated to Navantia in Ferrol, Spain.

These changes involve the reallocation of blocks for the first two ships only and are subject in the usual way to satisfactory commercial arrangements with the shipyards.

BAE will complete the structural steel and initial outfitting work on the seven steel blocks it is currently working on, as well as all its work on the 14 blocks for the superstructure of the Landing Helicopter Dock Ships and the integration work.

A decision on the reallocation of blocks, if any, on the third AWD will be made later in the project.

This action will reduce the schedule risk to both this project and to the LHD ships project.

The AWD Alliance has advised that this action will reduce the delay of the completion of Ship 1 by up to 12 months, and of all three AWDs by up to 12 months.

It will also reduce the pressure on BAE Systems to complete the construction of the superstructure and the integration of Australia’s two new LHD ships.

Defence will plan its comprehensive options to manage the transition from the current Adelaide Class frigates to the AWDs taking into account the agreed reallocation of blocks.

-ends-

buglerbilly

27-05-11, 01:05 PM

Launch of the Kokoda Foundation’s “Under the Sea Air Gap: Australia’s Anti-Submarine Warfare Challenge”

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued May 25, 2011)

I warmly welcome all of you here today to launch the latest Kokoda Foundation Report, Under the Sea Air Gap, Australia’s Anti-Submarine Warfare Challenge.

This report authored by Brice Pacey, is a welcome and thought-provoking addition to the discourse on Anti-Submarine Warfare.

All too often, the “defence” debate in Australia is populated by all too few participants.

However, this morning I am pleased to see representation from both sides of politics, industry, educational institutions and the Defence and national security community, brought together by the Kokoda Foundation.

I hope that this interest will encourage robust and wider debate not only on Anti-Submarine Warfare but on broader Defence and national security issues.

This debate needs to be informed, considered and focussed on Australian national interests. It should not be divisive or partisan.

The author of the report, Brice Pacey is to be congratulated not only on the production of this latest report, but on his courage and leadership in raising issues of national importance in a thought provoking manner.

Brice Pacey has extensive experience in defence and national security matters, developed as a result of a variety of appointments in the intelligence community, the Australian Defence Organisation and in a number of teaching and executive positions.

This extensive experience and knowledge, coupled with thorough research and critical judgment, provides Brice with an enviable degree of foresight that is evident in his work.

That foresight is also reflected in the pivotal role Brice played as one of the founding Directors of Kokoda.

Brice and his fellow founding Directors saw the importance of establishing a “forum” through which security and industry professionals at all stages of their career could engage in a robust, transparent exchange of information, analysis and ideas.

The results of these discussions are reflected in Kokoda Papers and the Security Challenges journal.

The Kokoda Foundation fills an important space, fostering and developing detailed discussion on defence and security matters.

The importance of defence and security matters for Australia is growing, not declining.

Australia is in a dynamic region, facing threats and opportunities that in many respects echo past events.

While Australia has historically considered its geographical situation to be a strategic benefit, strategic planners have rightly been wary of relying solely on our geography as a natural defence.

The authors of the 1946 “white paper”– “An appreciation of the strategical position of Australia” – stated that the basic strategy was for Australia “to throw her maximum effort into the area in which her forces are most required, and the maintenance of Empire sea and air lines of communication is vital”.

As much as things change they stay the same.

Our most recent white paper affirms that the primary role of the ADF is to deter and defeat attacks on Australia.

The White Paper states that ”this entails a fundamentally maritime strategy, for which Australia requires forces that can operate with decisive effect throughout the northern maritime and littoral approaches to Australia, and the ADF’s primary operational environment more generally”.

The nature of the threat has become more complex, yet the fundamental concept has remained.

This focus on a maritime strategy makes sense.

It is an approach supported by both Australia’s military history, our geography, and our contemporary security environment.

In the Asia Pacific century, a maritime concept of strategy means an emphasis on joint, integrated and complex military operations for the ADF in our ‘inner arc’ – our archipelagic and inner arc.

It should not become a binary debate between naval and continental strategic thinkers.

Nor should it become a debate between economic nationalists and economic rationalists.

It is a discussion about what is in Australia’s national interest.

It deserves our attention, and should and must involve our entire community.

As we move forward into considerations for the 2014 White Paper, Australians should be given the opportunity to understand the complex nature of an effective and comprehensive maritime strategy, including Anti-Submarine Warfare.

In Australia we quite properly pride ourselves on conducting a transparent defence and security debate.

The 2009 Defence White Paper is an open source document.

Australian strategic thinking, the Defence Capability Plan and indeed defence expenditure is transparent to both our citizenry and the world-at-large.

Australia conducts itself in this way because we believe transparency begets trust, avoids fostering unwarranted and undesirable anxieties with our friends and neighbours.

Unfortunately, others in the international community do not share this approach.

This government is committed to ongoing discussion and formal periodic reviews of our strategic outlook.

We have demonstrated this commitment by establishing the quinquennial White Paper process and within that process supporting open and informed discussion.

Let me congratulate the Kokoda Foundation and Brice Pacey on their efforts to identify issues for consideration with respect to Australia’s ASW capabilities in the lead up to the 2014 Defence White Paper.

As nations in our region grow their submarine fleets in both size and capability, Australian Anti-Submarine Warfare will and must become ever more important.

ASW is a high-end, long lead time capability that requires focus, investment and close co-ordination using complex equipment and a large number of players and platforms.

I congratulate the Kokoda Foundation on adding its expertise, its passion and its considerable prestige to the crucial task that I believe faces all of us; the need to summon a reluctant nation to understanding the strategic implication of our geography and the importance of sea power in the Asia-Pacific century.

-ends-

Unicorn

30-05-11, 03:43 AM

Costs on subs to rise 36pc, Libs say

Mark Dodd From: The Australian May 30, 2011 12:00AM

THE federal opposition is set to grill the government and Defence today over their plans for through-life maintenance of the troubled Collins-class submarine fleet, claiming the boats' costs will rise 36 per cent over the next decade.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith had failed to advance a maintenance support contract recommended more than two years ago by the Auditor-General, the opposition's defence spokesman, David Johnston, said yesterday ahead of Senate estimates hearings.

"The Gillard government is reluctant to face any real scrutiny and no portfolio illustrates this more starkly than the Defence Minister and his department," Mr Johnston told The Australian.

He queried the reason for delays from Mr Smith in replying to questions on notice related to outstanding defence concerns -- many of the questions asked more than two months ago.

A reply received last week to queries about ongoing costs for the Collins-class submarines included a reference indicating an answer had been prepared earlier this month.

That begged the question of whether the minister or his department delayed the reply to minimise the level of scrutiny they would face before Senate estimates, Mr Johnston said.

Defence estimates hearings begin today and the opposition is expected to focus on delays to implement a through-life support plan for the submarine fleet.

In 2009 the Auditor-General reported on the management of the Collins-class sustainment but two years later no contract had been negotiated despite the two principal parties being wholly government-owned, Mr Johnston said, referring to the Australian Submarine Corporation and Defence Materiel Corporation, responsible for military acquisitions and maintenance.

In reply to Mr Johnston's questions, the government said it was expecting to finalise the submarine maintenance contract "by the middle of 2011".

He said Mr Smith's office was notorious for failing to answer either questions on notice from the opposition or questions arising out of Senate estimates.

"There are currently 53 outstanding questions asked more than two months ago relating to submarines and the Strategic Reform Program, and 75 questions asked following the last round of Senate estimates in February," Mr Johnston said.

"These questions relate to a number of acquisition programs that have -- in defence terms -- been realigned, rescheduled or re-phased by defence bureaucrats, and are important to show the direction in which defence is heading."

A promised improvement for a more prompt response to questions from the opposition had not occurred, he added.

As of last night, Mr Smith's office had not responded to The Australian's request for comment.

Chunder

30-05-11, 10:27 AM

I had a new take on the supposed aquisition of 12 subs (I still find it a mouthful, what with the AWD's, our existing sub fleet and supply situation) - Would it be reasonable to assume that Canberra knows something the average pleb does not about their utility?

Double the number....

buglerbilly

30-05-11, 02:53 PM

ASC's Sub-Building Capability Queried

(Source: Australian Strategic Policy Institute; issued May 28, 2011)

A policy group has questioned ASC building the nation's multi-billion-dollar replacement submarines.

In its annual Defence report, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute says the Osborne-based ASC has not featured in Defence's consideration for designing the new fleet.

But in a coup for the Adelaide-based shipbuilder - which last week picked up more work on the $8 billion Air Warfare Destroyer project - the report reveals the ASC is close to winning a new $1 billion contract to continue maintaining the Collins Class submarines.

The ASPI report says if the Government chooses to design the submarines, rather than buy an off-the-shelf model, it may struggle to find the capability at the ASC.

"Arguably, it (ASC) lacks the sheer weight of resources to design a bespoke submarine from scratch," the report says.

But it does acknowledge that the ASC is the only Australian organisation currently positioning itself for the work, "and has set itself the mission of becoming the designer for the entire life cycle of Australia's future submarines." The ASPI report comes after Defence SA chief executive Andrew Fletcher last week flagged delays to the submarine program, due to begin in 2016.

Written by defence expert Gregor Ferguson, the report also suggests the Commonwealth may not use ASC to build the submarines, despite the Federal Government previously committing to assembling the project at Osborne.

"It may choose to engineer some other commercial arrangement - possibly involving ASC, or not, as the government determines," it says.

The Government on Thursday announced Adelaide would receive a greater share of Air Warfare Destroyer work from BAE's Melbourne operation following construction problems there.

Mr Ferguson says the AWD Alliance had "put its best possible face on the problem, (but) the reality was ugly".

The report says the ASC has been "grappling" with some technical problems experienced by BAE, but AWD Alliance chief Rod Equid has said the ASC had the capability to take on more work.

Opposition defence spokesman Martin Hamilton-Smith said the AWD delay would result in a cost blow-out.

"Companies in SA will have their timelines, costs and employee commitments extended in difficult times," Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

-ends-

ADMk2

31-05-11, 03:05 AM

Spain Gets its Share of Australian AWD's

It's "share" should have been the whole bloody boats. They'd probably be in-service by now if supporting under-performing local companies wasn't one of Defence's apparent main roles...

Unicorn

31-05-11, 03:17 AM

BAE shipyard to blame for destroyer delays: Defence

Cameron Stewart From: The Australian May 31, 2011 12:00AM

BAE System's Melbourne shipyard should bear the brunt of the blame for the delays that have hit the $8 billion air warfare destroyer project, Defence officials said last night.

DMO program manager Warren King criticised BAE's management of the project and admitted he was wrong to have initially recommended that the shipyard be given such a large workload.

"(This is) an issue created by industry capacity," he told a Senate estimates hearing. "Our industry is not always ready to take on every project immediately."

However DMO head Stephen Gumley refused to completely reject BAE's claim that its bungled construction of several keel blocks of the first destroyer was partly the result of sub-standard design data provided by the Spanish ship designer Navantia.

"I don't rule it out entirely," Mr Gumley said last night.

Defence will investigate BAE's claims, revealed in The Australian yesterday, that it had identified more than 2400 flaws in the design data provided to the company for the construction of the AWDs.

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Defence does not believe that the design data, largely compiled by Navantia and then given to BAE by the project's main shipbuilder ASC, is to blame for bungled welding on the central keel block of the first ship, HMAS Hobart.

Mr King said the relevant question was whether the design data was good enough for a competent shipyard to handle.

"They (BAE) have said they are concerned about some of the drawing qualities," Mr King said. "But we do not concede (the drawings) are a significant contributor (to the problems)."

Mr King pointed out that two other shipyards, in Adelaide and Newcastle, had used the Navantia data without incident.

The project to build three AWDs for the navy is the nation's largest defence project but it is running two years behind schedule and is over budget. The three AWDs being constructed in Melbourne, Adelaide and Newcastle are based on Spanish F100 boats.

Liberal senator Gary Humphries chastised Defence for trying to keep the problems affecting the AWD project from public scrutiny.

"If it wasn't for the report in The Australian last week we wouldn't have heard about this from the (Defence) minister," he said.

DMO's Mr King criticised BAE for not alerting Defence to the setbacks earlier. "BAE management could have identified these issues and responded to them quicker than they did," he said.

Mr King conceded that before the project began he believed BAE had the skills, capacity and history to take on the project.

"(But obviously) they don't have the capacity," he told the hearing. "So my advice to government was wrong."

When asked about the design flaws BAE says it has identified in the boats, Mr Gumley said it was normal to expect "tens of thousands of clarifications" in a complex warship.

BAE has apparently told DMO its queries do not relate to clarifications, but rather they relate to serious flaws in the design data which make it difficult to translate the drawings into production.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith has reallocated block work between the three shipyards.

buglerbilly

31-05-11, 03:30 PM

ANZAC Frigate Modernisation Reaches Final Milestones

(Source: Saab AB; issued May 31, 2011)

The Defence and Security company Saab is one of the prime contractors for the ANZAC frigate ASMD project which has reached its most important milestone with the successful firing of an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile from HMAS PERTH off Jervis Bay, Australia.

The Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) program was commenced in 2004 to redesign and modernise the ship’s critical combat capability. Its prime role was to prepare the ship’s defences for the potential missile threats of the 21st century.

”The ANZAC ship now has a very sophisticated combat system which is clearly a world leader. The ship’s weapons, sensors and command and control capabilities are now highly prioritised towards defence in a hostile anti-ship missile defence scenario”, said Managing Director of Saab Systems in Australia, Mr Richard Price.

A major part of this project has been to upgrade weapons capability through introduction of the CEA Technologies CEAFAR active phased array radar and CEAMOUNT missile illuminator. Detection of small, fast missiles by Sagem Vampir infrared search and track sensor has also been added and the ship’s data links will be extended by the addition of Link 16, VMF (Virtual Message Format) and satellite capability.

Another vital part of the upgrade has been to enhance the fully integrated combat management system performed by Saab’s 9LV 453 Mk 3E. These enhancements include:
-- New 30-inch widescreen operator consoles, with large touch input displays operating commercial Microsoft operating systems,
-- a completely redesigned operations room layout with 10 consoles to improve management and coordination of operations,
-- large screen displays on the bulkheads showing intelligence, CCTV and status information,
-- redundant Gigabit LANs for greater data capacity,
-- new operator modes for fighter control, and
--ulitisation of advanced control modes for the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles.

“Saab will continue to support all variant’s of the 9LV system in the Royal Australian Navy until the rest of the ships are brought up to the ASMD standard,” adds Mr Richard Price.

-ends-

buglerbilly

07-06-11, 02:23 PM

Step Forward for Navy’s Anti-Ship Missile Defence

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued June 7, 2011)

A major milestone in the delivery of an upgraded Anti-Ship Missile Defence for the Royal Australian Navy's Anzac Class frigates has been achieved with the completion of a successful trial of the system.

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare said the project involved a comprehensive upgrade of the HMAS Perth's anti-ship missile defence systems including a new phased array radar.

"This technology was developed and designed here in Australia by CEA Technologies," Mr Clare said.

"It's cutting edge technology which will improve the ability of our frigates to detect and track targets.”

"It also means the Ship is now capable of engaging multiple targets at the same time.”

Test firing was conducted at sea last month and involved the successful firing of an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile using the phased array radar system.

The Ship leaves today for the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii to conduct operational testing.

HMAS Perth is the lead Ship in this project. Defence will now prepare a business case for Government to upgrade the other seven ANZAC Class frigates.

-ends-

buglerbilly

09-06-11, 02:21 PM

UDT 2011: Australia encourages increased autonomy for submarine operations

June 09, 2011

The Royal Australian Navy is examining extended autonomous capabilities on board submarines in a bid to 'keep up' with neighbours in South-East Asia, according to the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO).

Speaking at the Undersea Defence Technology (UDT) exhibition in London, Dr Christopher Norwood of the DSTO Undersea Warfare Research Programme's Maritime Platform Division, said such improvements were required to keep pace with China's 70-strong submarine fleet which has SSBN capability as well as boats in Japan, North and South Korea, India and Pakistan.

'Submarines are an extremely capable and effective platform performing a wide variety of operations and the most effective anti-submarine platform is another submarine. If your neighbours are in the game, you really need one to keep up,' he said.

Concentrating on areas in which DSTO could 'make a difference', Norwood described off-board sensors as 'key' in the future of underwater operations: 'Submarines can stand-off and send out small autonomous vehicles but this has extremely interesting challenges including launch and recovery and hydrodynamic interactions. Can they be recovered at speed or must the submarine slow right down [for recapture]?' he asked.

Norwood stopped short of suggesting there would be a fully-automomous submarine in the future, admitting: 'Would we send out a driver-less submarine? We are not quite at that stage.' However, he stated that there could be improvements in the C2 areas of a submarine with increased automation.

'There is continuing pressure to reduce crew size but which bit of the process can we automate and how much faith can we put on it? How much thinking do we want the platform and crew to do? There is plenty of room in research and development for that,' he said.

A 'single tactical picture', Norwood continued, is also desired in order for submarine crews to be able to deal with the 'information overload' they receive during maritime missions. If crews were able to 'fuse together' more efficiently, the information being fed to crews would make more sense, he stressed.

In addition, Norwood admitted that there were energy challenges relating to both submarine and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) as well as navigation issues. 'UAVs can fly around with GPS but this has not been mastered for underwater yet. If you send an autonomous vehicle out, you need it to arrive back to you in the right spot'.

He also stated that the DSTO was considering the deployment of additional off-board systems from UUVs although he would not go into further detail. 'This is something we are looking at and one of the challenges we face.'

Furthermore, he questioned how many UUVs should be operated from a surrogate submarine and asked whether they should be expendable or recoverable. 'What is the cost if it is captured or lost and how much information do I want to try and transmit back to a submarine during an operation?' he asked.

[I] Andrew White and Beth Stevenson, London

Exsandgroper

09-06-11, 11:51 PM

EXCLUSIVE Cameron Stewart
From:The Australian
June 10, 201112:00AM

FOR the first time in a generation, Australia does not have a single submarine available to defend the nation today.

The Australian understands the entire fleet of six Collins-class submarines cannot be put to sea despite the navy's claim that two of them remain officially "operational".

The situation is so dire the navy is believed to have deferred major scheduled maintenance work on its most seaworthy submarine, HMAS Waller, in the hope that at least one submarine will be available in the coming weeks.

Not having a single task-ready submarine is an embarrassment for the navy, whose attempts to improve the performance of the $10 billion fleet have been stymied by breakdowns, accidents and the growing unreliability of the ageing vessels.

The navy claims two of its submarines, HMAS Waller and HMAS Dechaineux, are available, but insiders say the reality is that neither vessel could be put to sea today if required because each is undergoing detailed inspections for mechanical problems.

HMAS Dechaineux is in dock at HMAS Stirling in Perth for an intrusive inspection of its main motor after limping home from Singapore, where defects were found in its propulsion system.

It is understood Dechaineux will be unable to sail for at least several weeks.

HMAS Waller is also in dock at HMAS Stirling after engineers found signs of the same propulsion system problems that last month forced Dechaineux to withdraw from a five-nation defence exercise in the South China Sea.

It is understood that HMAS Waller will be unable to leave port until next week.

The other four subs are unavailable. HMAS Farncomb is out of the water at the submarine repair facility at Henderson near Perth as workers seek to replace a broken emergency propulsion unit.

HMAS Collins is undergoing scheduled maintenance at Henderson and is due out later this month, while HMAS Sheean and HMAS Rankin are both in long-term maintenance at the Australian Submarine Corporation in Adelaide.

The navy's plans to improve the reliability of the fleet are being undermined by the discovery of unexpected defects, especially with the propulsion system, as the submarines begin to age.

There is also a shortage of spare parts.

The navy has become increasingly evasive about the state of its submarine fleet and is restricting its public comments on the issue, citing national security.

However, critics say the navy has in the past been open about the availability of its submarines and that it is hiding behind claims of national security to avoid public scrutiny.

Defence declined to answer detailed questions from The Australian about submarine availability, saying only that two boats were in deep maintenance, two were in mid-level maintenance and two "are in the water in Western Australia".

The Australian understands HMAS Waller was originally scheduled to begin a mid-cycle docking maintenance for 12 months today, but that the navy has now deferred this plan for several months because so many other boats are out of action.

Opposition defence spokesman David Johnston criticised navy chiefs for being evasive about submarine availability during Senate estimates hearings in Canberra last week.

Cheers

Unicorn

10-06-11, 12:54 PM

Seems to have struck a nerve...

Availability of submarines

The article in The Australian, 10 June 2011, by Cameron Stewart – ‘Not a single submarine seaworthy’ – appears to misunderstand how Navy and Defence maintain and operate the submarine fleet to meet operational requirements.

As part of the regular ongoing management of the submarine fleet, all submarines are in various stages of their docking, maintenance and operational cycles.

Two submarines are currently in their operational cycle, and it is incorrect that there are no seaworthy submarines.

Navy is presently able to meet the Government’s standing requirement for submarine availability to respond to operational needs.

Maintaining the Collins Class is one of the most challenging tasks Defence has. It is one of the most complex and important capabilities operated by the Australian Defence Force.

Navy, the Defence Materiel Organisation and industry continue to work closely on a program to improve reliability across the entire submarine fleet.

Navy remains committed to maintaining a submarine capability that is operated effectively and safely to protect Australia’s national interests.

ENDS

buglerbilly

13-06-11, 01:53 PM

Avatars Train On Navy’s Future Ship

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued June 10, 2011)

Sailors will be able to use 3-D avatars to train on ships that are currently under construction thanks to cutting edge simulation technology being used in Australia.

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare visited KBR in Canberra to see first-hand a demonstration of the virtual Landing Helicopter Dock Ship (LHD), created using CryEngine 3 -- software developed for computer games.

KBR have been contracted by Defence to create the interactive, three-dimensional replica of the first LHD scheduled to be delivered in the middle of the decade – HMAS Canberra.

Up to 100 personnel at any one time can use this virtual ship to participate in simulated exercises and emergency response scenarios from all over the country without having to be in the same location.

“This is like Play Station with a purpose,” Mr Clare said.

“KBR have combined gaming technology and the plans of the LHDs to create a state-of-the-art 3-D model of the Navy ship currently under construction.”

Mr Clare said innovations like this virtual ship represented the future of military training.

“These LHDs are different to any ship the Navy has ever sailed and this simulation gives sailors a head-start on training to operate the ship.

“It means our sailors can start learning how to operate these new ships years before they begin operations.

“Helicopter pilots can land a virtual helicopter and Navy engineers can train on the ship’s virtual engines.

“The level of detail is incredible -- sailors can even find the bunk they’ll sleep in on board.

“This can save time and money in the training and operation of these ships.”

The hull of the first LHD was launched in February in Spain where it is being constructed by Navantia.

The hull of the first ship will arrive in Melbourne next year for further work to be completed at the Williamstown Shipyard before it becomes operational in late 2014. Australia’s second LHD will become operational the following year.

The LHDs will be the largest ships the Navy has ever operated, eclipsing Australia’s last aircraft carrier, HMAS Melbourne.

Each ship is 230 metres long and can carry a combined armed battlegroup of more than 1000 personnel, 100 armoured vehicles and 12 helicopters. They also include a 40-bed hospital.

-ends-

ADMk2

13-06-11, 02:19 PM

Seems to have struck

Wouldn't be ticked off because they got caught out telling porkie pies about Dechaineux's involvement (or lack there of in reality) in Bersama Lima recently? So now they are going the other way and making sure every single fact is 100% accurate...

Unicorn

14-06-11, 05:35 AM

The Australian didn't like being called a liar, so they are wheeling out more stories.

'Urgent' sub defects shame navy

Cameron Stewart From: The Australian June 11, 2011 12:00AM

MORE than 40 serious defects have been discovered on one of the navy's Collins-class submarines during the past six months, highlighting the growing challenge of keeping the fleet seaworthy.

The defects, described as "urgent", have been found aboard HMAS Dechaineux, which limped back to Perth 10 days ago from Singapore after problems were discovered in the boat's propulsion system. The problems forced Dechaineux to cancel its involvement in a five-power defence exercise in the South China Sea last month.

The navy then suffered further embarrassment when its newspaper, Navy News, printed a fictional pre-written report that gave a glowing account of Dechaineux's performance during the exercise when in fact the submarine was stranded in port in Singapore.

The Australian revealed yesterday that none of the six Collins-class submarines was able to be put to sea, with four submarines in long- or medium-term maintenance and its two remaining "operational" submarines, Dechaineux and Waller, currently undergoing inspections for mechanical problems at HMAS Stirling in Perth.

Navy chief Ray Griggs said yesterday the two submarines "were currently in their operating cycles" but declined to say whether they were immediately deployable. "The Collins-class submarine is a complex capability," he said.

"As with any piece of complex machinery operating in a harsh environment, unscheduled mechanical failures will occur."

The $10 billion Collins-class fleet has been undermined by breakdowns, accidents and the vessels' growing unreliability.

Opposition defence spokesman David Johnston said yesterday: "Our broken submarine fleet is of enormous concern. At a total cost of operating, sustaining and upgrading our submarines fast approaching $800 million per year, we are not getting much in return. The minister needs to sit up and take notice that our broken submarine fleet is no longer a maintenance issue but an issue of national security."

Australian Defence Force chief Angus Houston has warned that the Collins-class fleet was ageing and this would have an impact on the availability of the boats.

"The fleet of submarines is going to take a lot more maintenance than it did back in (former defence minister) Robert Ray's time when it was brand new, or back five or 10 years when it was travelling really well," Air Chief Marshal Houston said in a Senate estimates hearing in February last year. A Senate estimates hearing heard last week the fleet now costs more than $1m a day to maintain.

When they were built in the 1990s, it was envisaged that four submarines would be available at any one time, with two in maintenance. Recent reality has seen an average of one or two submarines available at any one time.

The government plans to build 12 new submarines to replace the Collins fleet in the 2020s, but critics say this project is behind schedule and the life of the Collins fleet may need to be extended.

buglerbilly

16-06-11, 02:30 AM

Live from announcement by Steven Smith in Canberra....................9.25AM Perth time.............

Naval helo's are the SEAHAWK S-60R (x 24).............no big surprise here, as forecast........

Also greater Civilian use of Military facilities (?).............Alan Hawk to lead a study on increased use of Sydney's Garden island naval base due to increase in very large Cruise Liners visiting...............report by the end of the year.

Also report released on increased use of RAAF bases, a dozen or so of them..............

BAY is signed up and paid for...........

Another 101 Bushmasters signed for in formal contract.........

TOBRUK is now not to be available until end of August...........

C-RAM eextended to other bases in Afghanistan.

Exsandgroper

16-06-11, 03:50 AM

Further to Bugs last post re Seahawks.

16 Jun 2011

Stephen Smith MP
Minister for Defence

MIN169/11

New Naval Combat Helicopters

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that the Australian Government had approved the acquisition of 24 MH-60R Seahawk ‘Romeo’ naval combat helicopters at a cost of over $3 billion.

The 2009 Defence White Paper committed the Government to equipping naval warships with a new combat helicopter capable of conducting a range of maritime missions with advanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities and the ability to fire air-to-surface missiles.

This announcement delivers on that commitment.

The new helicopters will replace the Navy’s current combat helicopter capability provided by 16 Seahawk S-70B-2 helicopters and will also provide the air to surface strike capability which was to have been provided by the cancelled Seasprite program.

This decision follows a 15-month competitive acquisition process involving the Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin built MH-60R and the NATO Helicopter Industries NH90 NFH assembled by Australian Aerospace.

This competitive process has ensured value for money for the tax payer.

The Australian Government has chosen the ‘Romeo’ helicopter because it represents the best value for money for taxpayers and was the lowest risk option.

The ‘Romeo’ is a proven capability currently operated by the United States Navy. The United States Navy has accepted around 100 ‘Romeos’ which have accumulated 90,000 flying hours, including on operational deployments.

Interoperability with Australia’s Alliance partner, the United States, is also a significant advantage of this helicopter.

The helicopters are largely military off-the-shelf built by Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin and will be purchased through the Foreign Military Sales process from the US Navy.

Defence has signed a Letter of Agreement for the acquisition with the United States Government.

The first two helicopters will arrive in mid-2014 for testing and evaluation with operations expected to commence in mid-2015.

Acquisition of 24 ‘Romeos’ means that Navy will have the capacity to provide at least eight warships with a combat helicopter at the same time, including ANZAC Class frigates and the new Air Warfare Destroyers. The remainder will be based at HMAS Albatross in Nowra, New South Wales, and will be in various stages of the regular maintenance and training cycle.

They will be equipped with a highly sophisticated combat systems designed to employ Hellfire air-to-surface missile and the Mark 54 anti-submarine torpedo.

The Government will work with Australian Small-to-Medium Enterprises to identify opportunities to form part of the ‘Romeo’ global supply chain.

The Government has established a joint working group between Defence and the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research to progress Australian industry involvement in the project.

Imagery is available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003&search=20113077

Related vision will be fed to Parliament House in Canberra.

Cheers

Exsandgroper

16-06-11, 03:56 AM

16 Jun 2011

Stephen Smith MP
Minister for Defence

MIN170/11

Defence Capability Updates

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today provided an update on a number of Defence capability projects and activities.

Largs Bay Sales Agreement Signed

Mr Smith and Mr Clare announced finalisation of the acquisition process for the United Kingdom Bay Class amphibious ship Largs Bay.

The Government announced on 6 April that Australia had been successful in its bid to acquire the United Kingdom’s Bay Class amphibious ship Largs Bay at a cost of £65 million (approximately $100 million).

The negotiations for the RFA Largs Bay have now been completed with the signing of the Sales Agreement by the Australian and the United Kingdom Governments on 8 June. The third and final payment of $35 million (£22 million) will now be made.

The purchase follows successful sea-trials undertaken in April and inspection by international Shipping firm Teekay confirming that the Ship is in a good material state.

The Ship will now undergo essential re-fit and maintenance work in the United Kingdom as part of the Ship’s normal five–year recertification cycle to allow the Ship to join the Royal Australian Navy in Australia at the end of this year.

The Largs Bay is a 16,000 tonne landing ship launched in 2003 and commissioned in 2006. It was purchased to ensure Australia’s amphibious capability following the decommissioning of HMAS Manoora.

Additional Bushmasters to support our Troops

Mr Smith and Mr Clare also announced that Defence has signed a contract with Thales Australia for an additional 101 Bushmaster vehicles.

Mr Smith and Mr Clare announced on May 12 the Government had approved the purchase of the additional Bushmasters.

The vehicles, together with associated support, are being purchased at a total cost of $133 million.

This is for the vehicles and fitting Middle East Area of Operations protection kits including protected weapons stations.

It also includes funding to evaluate a range of enhancements to the Bushmaster vehicle to increase the level of protection it provides to ADF personnel. If these enhancements are viable they may be applied to the 101 vehicles.

The Bushmaster is an outstanding combat vehicle that has unquestionably saved Australian lives in Afghanistan.

The addition of these vehicles will take the total number of Bushmasters ordered by Defence to 838.

The vehicles will be manufactured at Thales Australia’s Bendigo facility and will be delivered over the next 18 months.

These vehicles are being procured to address operational requirements.

31 Bushmasters have been damaged beyond repair in recent years and their replacement plus a further 70 vehicles will support current and future operations.

Counter-rocket radar system rolls out to Forward Operating Bases in Afghanistan

Mr Smith and Mr Clare also announced that Australia’s Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) radar had now been rolled out to a number of patrol bases and Forward Operating Bases (FOB) across Uruzgan Province.

The C-RAM system provides vital warning of impending rocket attacks and mortar attacks against bases, providing precious seconds for our people to take cover, rather than being exposed in the open.

On 1 February, Mr Smith and Mr Clare announced that the C-RAM system was in operation at the multi-national base Tarin Kot, achieving its initial operating capability five months ahead of schedule.

The system will roll-out to more forward operating bases over the remainder of this year.

Defence Minister Smith said that during his visit to Afghanistan in April, Australian Defence Force (ADF) Commanders in Uruzgan reported that the C-RAM system was working well.

The provision of the C-RAM capability follows on from the Force Protection Review effected by former Minister for Defence Faulkner in 2009 and underlines the Government’s commitment to provide our troops with the best available equipment.

The Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare said the Government was continuing its investment in enhanced force protection capabilities for our troops in Afghanistan.

Since it began operation in December last year the C-RAM system has provided ten warnings against rocket and mortar attacks resulting in no ADF casualties.

Most recently, the C-RAM system successfully detected and provided warning against indirect fire attacks on the Tarin Kot base early on 12 June and again on 14 June.

Update on HMAS Tobruk

Mr Smith and Mr Clare also provided an update on the status of the HMAS Tobruk.

HMAS Tobruk has been docked in Sydney since 11 May while Defence undertakes scheduled maintenance to further assure the safety and reliability of the ship and to return it to 48 hours readiness notice.

During this maintenance process, survey work has been undertaken to ensure the ongoing serviceability of the ship’s equipment.

This survey work confirms that HMAS Tobruk is in a satisfactory material condition for a ship of its age.

However, the survey work has also identified that additional maintenance is necessary now to keep the ship in service. This includes work on the hull, the vehicle ramps, the propeller shaft and the overboard discharge piping system for stormwater.

Completing this work will extend the time necessary for HMAS Tobruk to remain in dock and to return it to 48 hours readiness notice.

It is
expected that this additional work will be completed by the end of August.
In order to ensure Australia has an amphibious capability while further work on HMAS Tobruk is undertaken, the Government has previously announced it would charter the long range support ship Aurora Australis from P&O Maritime Services from 8 May 2011 to 30 June 2011, with options for an extension up to a month.

To provide an amphibious transport capability until the end of July 2011, the Government has exercised the option to extend the lease of the Aurora Australis for an additional month until the end of July.

Defence has also agreed with the operator, P & O to further extend the Aurora Australis lease until the Tobruk re-enters service at the end of August.

Imagery is available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003&search=20113077

Related vision will be fed to Parliament House in Canberra.

Cheers

ADMk2

16-06-11, 05:17 AM

Congrats to defence for making a series of correct capability acquisition decisions for a change!!!

I knew they could come up with a sensible decision if they actually tried...

Unicorn

16-06-11, 05:37 AM

Congrats to defence for making a series of correct capability acquisition decisions for a change!!!

I knew they could come up with a sensible decision if they actually tried...

Let's not speak too soon.

We haven't seen how DMO tries to 'Australianise' the Romeo's yet.

.

Mercator

16-06-11, 06:23 AM

I think the Romeo was the safest choice. Two things left to tidy up though: the torpedo we intend to use on the aircraft (acknowledging that old stocks of Mark 46s will be available for a little while) and the data link between the aircraft and the ship. Off the top of my head, I seem to recall some sort of unique setup with USN Seahawks re: datalinks and I can't recall whether that will work with our frigates. Do we have any Birdies here who can help us out on that one?

ADMk2

16-06-11, 07:42 AM

ADMk2

16-06-11, 07:48 AM

Here's the original DSCA announcement for our Romeo request for memory refreshment purposes...

http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2010/Australia_10-37.pdf

As Abe pointed out, will be interesting to see which version of Hellfire we acquire for them and whether we work up a JAGM project in future years for them, Tigers and perhaps Rhinos and JSF?

Gubler, A.

16-06-11, 08:02 AM

According to the US FMS notifications the MH-60R package includes:

24 MH-60R SEAHAWK Multi-Mission Helicopters
60 T-700 GE 401C Engines (48 installed and 12 spares)
200 MK 54 All-Up-Round Torpedoes
179 MK 54 Flight in Air Material Kits
10 MK 54 Exercise Sections
10 MK 54 Exercise Fuel Tanks
10 MK 54 Dummy Torpedoes
6 MK 54 Ground Handling Torpedoes
support and test equipment to upgrade Intermediate Maintenance Activity to MK 54 capability
Ten year Through-Life-Support (TLS) for (24) MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters. The sustainment effort will include spare and repair parts provisioning.

Which all comes to around AUD 3.7 billion.

There is no apparent provision for Hellfires but the 500 AGM-114K Hellfires for the Tiger ARH only cost USD 25 million. Be interesting to see what the package is for air to surface missiles as I would assume the Navy would want the AGM-114M with HE warhead or the AGM-114N with MAC warhead.

Mercator

16-06-11, 08:30 AM

We're going to acquire new Mk54 Torpedos for the Romeo's.

http://www.dsca.mil/pressreleases/36-b/2010/Australia_10-55.pdf

thanks everyone. Clearly I've got to catch up on my reading...

ADMk2

16-06-11, 12:51 PM

According to the US FMS notifications the MH-60R package includes:

There is no apparent provision for Hellfires but the 500 AGM-114K Hellfires for the Tiger ARH only cost USD 25 million. Be interesting to see what the package is for air to surface missiles as I would assume the Navy would want the AGM-114M with HE warhead or the AGM-114N with MAC warhead.

I bet we don't see an announcement about the weapons themselves, just as we didn't for the Tigers. Must be direct commercial sales with L-M eh?

buglerbilly

16-06-11, 02:01 PM

More Women At Sea In Submarines

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued June 14, 2011)

Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Warren Snowdon has cleared the way for more women to serve in Navy submarines by formally approving shared female and male accommodation on board every boat.

Mr Snowdon said the move, which was a recommendation of the previous Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Russ Crane, is a major step forward for women in the Australian Defence Force and has the full support of new Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs and his leadership team.

“This move will ensure that our female submariners access the same training and career-progression opportunities as their male crewmates.

“The Australian Government believes it is important that the nation’s defence forces be representative of the community it serves and it’s committed to ensuring that female military personnel have opportunities for career progression and development.”

Mr Snowdon said women had been serving onboard Australian Navy submarines since 1998 but, until now, females had to sleep in female-only six-berth cabins.

“A lack of dedicated bunk space on board has occasionally led to female submariners missing out on postings because of bunk limitations, which has, in turn, denied the submarine force qualified specialists.

“These limitations have also meant that only two of our three operational submarines have been able to accommodate females,” Mr Snowdon said.

Successful trials have already been conducted over several years across the submarine force with officers and senior sailors.

Strict rules apply to maintain the dignity and privacy of all people involved.

Currently 44 of the Navy’s 560 submariners are female, which equates to 7.8 per cent.

A submarine community forum will be held on 23 June in Rockingham, Western Australia, to inform the broad submarine family of the implementation plan for the initiative and gather feedback on its implementation. This will provide opportunity for families and spouses to gain more information and to have their questions answered.

The first fully integrated junior sailor messes will begin in July 2011 on board all commissioned submarines.

Of the three services, Navy has the largest percentage of women serving in its ranks at 18 per cent.

"It should be pointed out that 97 percent of Navy positions, including combat-related positions, are already open to females, but this latest measure is a significant step in the right direction,” Mr Snowdon said.

“At this stage, only clearance diving remains a restricted employment category.”

-ends-

ADMk2

16-06-11, 02:33 PM

I guess this belongs in here...

Some good pics here showing the launch of HMAS Canberra.

http://www.fotosdebarcos.com/viewtopic.php?t=23631&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30

(With photos dated as late as May 21 down the bottom of the page).

buglerbilly

17-06-11, 02:37 PM

Australia Selects U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawk Helicopter

(Source: US Naval Air Systems Command; issued June 16, 2011)

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. --- The Commonwealth of Australia has selected the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R Seahawk helicopter as their preferred choice to fulfill the Australian Defence Force’s AIR 9000 Phase 8 requirement for a fleet of 24 new-generation multi-role naval combat aircraft.

The selection of the MH-60R, which will be acquired via the U.S. Government’s Foreign Military Sales program, marks the first-ever procurement of the U.S. Navy’s most advanced anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare helicopter outside the United States.

“The MH-60R Romeo helicopter will fill a critical maritime warfare capability for the Royal Australian Navy,” said Rear Adm. Steven R. Eastburg, Program Executive Officer, Air, ASW, Assault and Special Mission programs. “U.S. naval forces have found the Romeo platform to be an operationally effective and reliable first responder for all missions and contingencies encountered at sea around the world.”

Besides performing its primary mission roles of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, the multi-role aircraft also can perform search and rescue, troop transport, medical evacuation, ship-to-ship replenishment and humanitarian relief operations.

The U.S. Navy was supported in its winning proposal by Team Romeo, consisting of MH-60R airframe manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft, mission systems integrator Lockheed Martin, engine manufacturer GE, sensor supplier Raytheon Corp., and training supplier CAE.

Australia’s Phase 8 requirement seeks a replacement capability for the Royal Australian Navy’s 16 existing S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters, which entered service in the late 1980s. Team Romeo is expected to complete and deliver the first two MH-60R helicopters for the Royal Australian Navy in 2014.

Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin have delivered 100 mission-ready MH-60R helicopters to the U.S. Navy since 2006. To date, six operational MH-60R squadrons have accumulated almost 100,000 flight hours.

The U.S. Navy is expected to procure a total of 300 MH-60R aircraft by 2017.

Team Romeo is currently delivering MH-60R aircraft to the U.S. Navy at the rate of 25-30 a year. The team has capacity to deliver 18 to 23 additional aircraft annually to Foreign Military Sales customers. (ends)

Australia Selects U.S. Navy’s MH-60R SEAHAWK Helicopter for Air 9000 Phase 8 Program

(Source: joint Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky Aircraft; issued June 16, 2011)

WASHINGTON --- The U.S. Navy today announced the Commonwealth of Australia has selected the MH-60R SEAHAWK helicopter to fulfill the Australian Defence Force’s AIR 9000 Phase 8 requirement for a fleet of 24 new-generation, multi-role naval combat aircraft. The Commonwealth will acquire the helicopters with associated training and logistical support via the U.S. Government’s Foreign Military Sales program.

“The companies that comprise Team Romeo are honored by the Commonwealth’s choice of the MH-60R Romeo helicopter to protect Australia’s maritime interests,” said Mick Maurer, president of Sikorsky Military Systems. “We look forward to collaborating with the Royal Australian Navy and local industry across Australia as we build and integrate these proven SEAHAWK aircraft.”

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. and Lockheed Martin have co-developed and delivered maritime helicopters for the U.S. Navy for more than 35 years. They are teamed with engine manufacturer GE Aviation, sonar and sensor provider Raytheon Company, and training and simulator provider CAE for the Phase 8 competition. In addition to delivering Romeo helicopters, the team plans to bring long-term jobs and work opportunities to Australian industry valued at $1.5 billion over 10 years.

“The MH-60R helicopter is a sophisticated sensor platform that has proven its ability to protect the U.S. fleet from submarines, ships and fast attack boats,” said Dan Spoor, Lockheed Martin Aviation Systems vice president. “We are committed to providing the Australian fleet with the same advanced capabilities, as the U.S. Navy continues its investment in the aircraft.”

The Commonwealth of Australia this week signed the Letter of Acceptance, a formal agreement with the U.S. Navy. The Letter of Acceptance marks the first-ever purchase of the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R helicopter outside the United States. The Royal Australian Navy is expected to take delivery of the first two MH-60R helicopters in 2014.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. Its parent company, United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

-ends-

tiddles

17-06-11, 11:17 PM

I wonder how many will be weeping for the NFH90,not many is my guess. At last a sensible helo selection & while I think the numbers been discussed before on T5C can anybody enlighten me on why the number 24 was selected as there have been a number of ideas on this on this forum & also in various magazines.
Tiddles

JimWH

18-06-11, 04:24 AM

I think the NFH-90 was a better helicopter, but I think that timing was against it. I also think that DMO/DoD/RAN were keen to show government that they're happy to be conservative in procurement decisions in light of recent history. Which is a pity for a few reasons, but I'm not going to shed and tears over the selection of MH-60R.

Regarding numbers the key driver (AFAIK) is availability through the full lifespan of the type. Basically, every day for 30 years the 24 aircraft fleet will be able to provide 8 operational ship flights. A fraction of the remaining fleet will be on training duties (either at Nowra or at sea), some will be in squadron level maintenance, some will be in deep maintenance or upgrade, and some will be in storage/attrition reserve. In practice the reality is that most of the time more than 8 ship flights will be available, but 8 represents the lower limit.
This is as compared to the current fleet which can usually provide 8 ship flights, but has been under great strain to do so over the past decade. In particular the now dropped plans to upgrade the Seahawks was causing real grief as it was proving bloody difficult to juggle the competing needs of pulling aircraft away for long periods without compromising either the training pipeline or operational tasks. Similarly the distinction between 'at sea training' and 'operational ships flight' was/is a bit blurry, where as from 2014 there'll be a clear demarcation between the two (though obviously this distinction could be blurred to make a further 2-4 ship's flights available for contingencies with a minimum of disruption to training programs).

Like I say, I'd have preferred NFH-90, but this isn't the worst outcome in the world. And hopefully doing this fractionally increases the chances of a couple of other projects seeing the light of the day (I'm specifically thinking about AWD4, though I'm not going to hold my breath).

Unicorn

18-06-11, 06:31 AM

Personally I thought the NH90 was a better choice, however I can understand why DMO, given its latest run of procurement fiascoes, went for the safest option possible.

I know of several modelers who will be disappointed, as they were already building or had completed NH09s for their AWD or Anzac frigates.

.

JimWH

18-06-11, 08:05 AM

I think the deciding factor, more than anything else, was time frame. The existing Seahawk fleet is pretty much on it's last legs, and it will start falling out of the sky in 2014. As such, the solution for A9000P8 had to able to deliver combat capable helicopters in 2014 or else. I think NFH-90 is a better helicopter, and I've absolutely no doubt that it will eventually work exactly as advertised on the box. But the key word there is eventually, and no matter how low the risk was for DMO in selecting NFH-90 for a 2014 IOC that was still substantially greater than represented by the MH-60R, and as such I can kind of see why they went the way they did. And at the end of the day, MH-60R meets the program requirements, and there is a lot to be said for DMO getting into the habit of accepting 'good enough' rather than always pushing for 'the best'. And the side befits of MH-60R are non-negligible: some pull through from S-70B-2 for the operators, the possibility of getting the capability into service ahead of the planned IOC, substantially lower cost than NFH-90. All of which are great results for Navy and DMO.

Meanwhile, those are incredible models Unicorn, have you got links to any more of those pictures? Need to be a little careful that they don't get caught in Uncle Kevin's Porn Filter mind you :afro

buglerbilly

18-06-11, 09:01 AM

None of the NH-90's in ANY nation are in full service yet. They are 3-4 years late at least, if not more.

The Dutch and the French have some going thru initial Service intro and training but even they are not fully ASW/ASuW compliant by a long stretch.............2013 seems to be the best guess for when this is actually going to be achieved?

The risks comparisons between the SeaHawk and the NH-90 leads to only one conclusion.......SeaHawk!

Unicorn

18-06-11, 10:08 AM

Hi Jim,

We had a big run at Wagga over the Saturday and Sunday of the long weekend.

Models from four states were there.

Check out these image galleries

https://picasaweb.google.com/TF72au/20110612MickTF72CarrierAndEscortWeekend

https://picasaweb.google.com/TF72au/20110611MickTF72CarrierAndEscortWeekend

https://picasaweb.google.com/TF72au/20110612CraigTF72CarrierAndEscortWeekend

Some of my favourites?

.

buglerbilly

20-06-11, 01:07 PM

New Ship Maintenance Contracts Mean More Certainty for Industry

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued June 20, 2011)

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that the tender had been released for a five-year contract for the repair and maintenance of the Navy’s eight Anzac Class frigates.

The contract is worth approximately $300 million.

Four companies or joint ventures have been short-listed to compete for the work -- BAE Systems, Babcock/UGL Infrastructure, Thales Australia, and DMS Maritime/Transfield Services.

They were short-listed following an open tender process.

This is the first of the new group maintenance contracts to be released for tender.

Currently, each maintenance activity is contracted individually to a panel of companies who compete for the work.

This reform will end that system and create five-year performance-based contracts for the maintenance and repair of Navy ships.

Mr Clare said reforming the way this work is contracted will provide the Navy and local industry with more certainty.

“This reform provides more security for Australian businesses and more job security for their workforce,” Mr Clare said.

“It’s a significant change -- ending the burden for industry of bidding for every job.”

-ends-

buglerbilly

28-06-11, 01:57 PM

Acceptance into Service of Navy Capability

(Source: Australian National Audit Office; issued June 28, 2011)

The objective of the audit was to report on the effectiveness of Defence’s approach to the acceptance into service of Navy capability, and to identify where better practice may be used by CDG, DMO and Navy.

Overall conclusion

Analysis of project documentation by the ANAO shows overall project management improvements have occurred since around 2003, when Defence increased the application of systems engineering concepts to the requirements definition phase of its projects, resulting in better developed operational concepts, function and performance specifications and test concepts.

Those improvements are reflected in Defence’s contracting template, which clarifies the accountability for design, and underscores the vital importance of progressive verification and validation that ADF capability requirements have been met.

Of the 20 projects considered in the course of this audit, these improvements apply to the five post-2003 projects, and to a lesser extent to the remaining 15 pre-2003 projects, as most often the improvements could not be fully retrospectively applied to these older projects.

Audit recommendations

The ANAO has made eight recommendations designed to improve Defence’s management of the acquisition and transition into service of Navy capability, including reducing delays in achieving operational release of such capability.

Click here for the full report (268 pages in PDF format) on the ANAO website.

http://www.anao.gov.au/~/media/Uploads/Audit%20Reports/2010%2011/201011%20Audit%20Report%20No%2057.pdf

-ends-

McFriday

18-07-11, 04:52 PM

"Maintenance failures highlight confusion over fleet
Dan Oakes
July 19, 2011
Unseaworthy ... HMAS Tobruk.

Unseaworthy ... HMAS Tobruk. Photo: Anita Jones

AN INQUIRY into the parlous state of the navy's amphibious fleet has uncovered a litany of structural weaknesses in maintenance practices and warned that the federal government's cost-cutting drive could hinder fixing the problems.

The inquiry, commissioned by the Defence Minister, Stephen Smith, earlier this year after revelations that the entire fleet was unfit for deployment, also found an ''us and them'' relationship between the navy and the organisation responsible for buying defence equipment, the Defence Materiel Organisation.

''There has been longstanding, wholesale institutional failures,'' said the head of the inquiry, Paul Rizzo.
Advertisement: Story continues below

The state of the amphibious fleet came to light in February, when Mr Smith asked the navy if HMAS Tobruk could be deployed to Queensland to help in the aftermath of Cyclone Yasi.

He was furious when told that not only was Tobruk unseaworthy, but that HMAS Manoora and its sister ship Kanimbla were riddled with rust. Manoora was in such as bad state that it was later decommissioned.

The subsequent inquiry has also found that sustainment - which includes maintenance, engineering, training and spare parts - is often cancelled or postponed, leading directly to the kinds of problems that have dogged the amphibious fleet.

The inquiry report, which was released yesterday, says: ''The inadequate maintenance and sustainment practices have many causal factors. They include poor whole-of-life asset management, organisational complexity and blurred accountabilities, inadequate risk management, poor compliance and assurance, a 'hollowed out' navy engineering function … and a culture that places short-term operational mission above the need for technical integrity.''

The report also draws attention to cultural problems, including a ''can do, make do'' attitude, the assumption that a ship is safe to sail unless proven otherwise and an emphasis on the ''management of bad news''.

''There is a cultural norm that allows navy and [the Defence Materiel Organisation] to believe that technical compliance is not essential and accepts massaging of information as it moves up the chain of command,'' it says.

There is also a lack of accountability caused by confusion over who is responsible for the maintenance of the ships, with the navy's head of maintenance lacking the resources to fully monitor performance.

Although the inquiry was given scope to investigate only the navy's sustainment process, the report says the dislocation between the DMO and the navy over maintenance is a cautionary lesson for all arms of the Defence Force.

The report warns the government's demand that Defence cut spending by $20 billion over the next decade could conflict with the need to put resources into improving navy engineering."

From the SMH.com.au site

I don't know how to get the pretty pic in and don't have any insightful commentary to add like Bug.

Cheers,
Mac

ADMk2

19-07-11, 02:48 AM

Can you give the link to the website where that article is?

buglerbilly

19-07-11, 03:24 AM

http://www.smh.com.au/national/maintenance-failures-highlight-confusion-over-fleet-20110718-1hlny.html

AND this is the pic that goes with it..................

McFriday

19-07-11, 04:57 PM

Can you give the link to the website where that article is?

"From the SMH.com.au site"

Sorry AD, typed a quick reference instead of copying the link...old habits etc.

Thanks for posting the pic B B, I couldn't pick it up using my primitive know how. LOL

Mac

McFriday

19-07-11, 05:06 PM

Minister for Defence and Minister for Defence Materiel – Release of Plan to Reform Support Ship Repair and Management Practices
18 July 2011

The Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and the Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today released the Plan to Reform Support Ship Repair and Management Practices developed by Mr Paul Rizzo.

The release of Mr Rizzo’s Report is the next phase in a series of reforms announced by Mr Smith and Mr Clare to improve Defence’s accountability, procurement and sustainment practices.

Mr Rizzo led an expert team that was appointed in February to develop a plan to address significant problems in the repair, maintenance and sustainment of the Royal Australian Navy’s amphibious fleet.

These problems included the extended operational pause adversely affecting HMAS Manoora and HMAS Kanimbla, the early decommissioning of HMAS Manoora and the extended maintenance of HMAS Tobruk.

The appointment of the independent team followed advice about the amphibious fleet provided by the Secretary of the Department of Defence and the Chief of the Defence Force, which made it clear that problems with the amphibious fleet had built up over a decade or more.

Many of the seeds of the problems we now face were sown long ago. Insufficient resources have been allocated to address materiel and personnel shortfalls since the ships were brought into service 20 years ago.

Mr Rizzo’s Report confirms these conclusions.

Mr Rizzo’s Team was also asked to consider the impact of those findings on the sustainment of other naval vessels in particular supply ships, and the maintenance concepts for the Air Warfare Destroyer and Landing Helicopter Dock.

The report highlights a number of critical issues that Navy, the Defence Materiel Organisation and Defence as a whole must address.

The Report found poor risk management practices, a failure to manage assets on a ‘whole of life’ basis, negative aspects of a ‘can do, make do’ culture, the failure of Navy and the Defence Materiel Organisation to work together seamlessly, and perhaps most importantly, an overall ineffectiveness of the Naval engineering function in Navy and the maritime elements of the Defence Materiel Organisation.

Collectively, these issues have compromised the availability of Navy assets and potentially the sustainability of Navy ships in the longer term.

The Rizzo Report makes twenty-four recommendations to improve operational availability and outcomes and ensure the ongoing technical integrity of Navy ships.

Defence fully accepts Mr Rizzo’s recommendations and the Government and Defence will implement them.

Today we announce a series of measures to improve the way the Navy repairs and manages its ships.

One of the key recommendations of the Rizzo Report is that Navy engineering needs to be rebuilt and reorganised, led by a two star Navy Admiral to give the necessary weight to this critical function.

Commodore Michael Uzzell will be promoted to this position and will lead the rebuilding of the Navy engineering function.

In parallel, the Defence Materiel Organisation is undertaking a fundamental restructure of its Amphibious and Afloat Support Systems Program Office. To strengthen this office, which is responsible for maintaining Navy’s amphibious ships, the Defence Materiel Organisation will increase the Systems Program Office by over 20 new positions, with the first tranche to be advertised in the coming weeks.

The Government has asked Mr Rizzo to chair an Implementation Committee so that he can personally ensure that the agreed recommendations are being effectively implemented in a timely way.

Mr Rizzo’s Report found that accountability is lacking across the Defence organisation in areas such as decision-making and performance management.

The Government is currently finalising its response to the Review of the Defence Accountability Framework conducted by Rufus Black (the Black Review).

The Government’s response to the Black Review, together with the response today to Mr Rizzo’s Report, will provide a framework for greater accountability and an improved Defence performance.

The Rizzo Report has identified a clear need for change. The priority now is to build a new culture to reshape the way Defence manages our maritime security capability.

The Rizzo Report is available online at http://www.defence.gov.au/rizzo-review/

At least the Minister's press release on the Rizzo Report [http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2011/07/18/minister-for-defence-and-minister-for-defence-materiel-release-of-plan-to-reform-support-ship-repair-and-management-practices/] didn't include pictures. :)

Cheers,

Mac

Unicorn

25-07-11, 04:11 AM

Defence Minister Stephen Smith orders review of Collins-class subs
Brendan Nicholson From: The Australian July 20, 2011 12:00AM

DEFENCE Minister Stephen Smith has ordered a review of the maintenance regime of the navy's troubled Collins-class submarines and why so few of them are available for operations.

Mr Smith said last night the submarines were a vital part of the country's maritime national security capability.

"But problems with the availability of the Collins-class are longstanding, deeply entrenched and well known to the public," he told the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

He said the problems were significant and technically complex, and they had to be sorted out before work could begin on plans for 12 replacement "future submarines" promised in the Rudd government's 2007 defence white paper.

ASPI estimates those submarines will cost about $36 billion to design and build in Australia.

"So for what will be the largest defence capability project that the commonwealth of Australia has seen, very careful attention in its early stages is demanded, and that's what we're doing, including sustainment," Mr Smith said.

He said that at times only one Collins-class submarine had been available for operations.

"This situation is unacceptable but will not be addressed simply by continuation of the status quo."

Mr Smith said getting more submarines operational for more of the time was a significant challenge for the government, Defence, the navy and the Australian Submarine Corporation.

A review would be conducted by John Coles, a British-based private sector expert in major defence programs. Mr Coles would provide an interim report by December and a final version by March, Mr Smith said.

Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence-minister-stephen-smith-orders-review-of-collins-class-subs/story-fn59niix-1226097868430

Unicorn

25-07-11, 04:12 AM

Smith seeking US help to build 12 subs
Brendan Nicholson From: The Australian July 25, 2011 12:00AM

DEFENCE Minister Stephen Smith will seek US help with Australia's plan to build 12 big conventional submarines to replace the navy's six troubled Collins-class boats.

Mr Smith arrives in Washington today with Defence Department secretary Ian Watt, and the new chief of the Australian Defence Force, General David Hurley, for their first face-to-face talks with new US Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta and other senior officials.

While the US Navy operates only nuclear-powered submarines and some defence analysts have suggested that Australia should buy or lease a nuclear fleet from the Americans, Mr Smith told The Australian before he left on Friday that nuclear submarines were not an option for Australia.

The answer for Australia was a conventional fleet to be built in South Australia, he said.

After initial problems with the Collins fleet a decade ago, the US provided a state-of-the-art combat system and the latest technology to improve the subs' propulsion systems and make them less noisy.

The building of the so-called Future Submarine will be Australia's biggest-ever defence project. The 12 big, long-range boats are expected to cost about $36 billion.

Talks will include progress in Afghanistan, the transition to Afghan-led security responsibility and prospects for reconciliation and political settlement.

Mr Smith will also seek an up-to-date report on the Joint Strike Fighter, which is being developed in the US and which is intended to replace the RAAF's F/A-18 Hornet fighter bombers and the recently retired F-111 bomber fleet.

Concerns about the growing military power of China will be a key focus of discussions on closer bilateral co-operation on security matters in the Asia-Pacific region.

The two delegations will discuss the US global force posture review, which will help the Obama administration decide where US forces should be based, and how Australia's recently announced defence force posture review fits in with it.

Those issues will be discussed in detail at the next round of annual Australian-US defence and foreign affairs talks in the US in September.

Mr Smith said he would also meet United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and other senior UN officials to discuss Australia's involvement in UN missions, including those in South Sudan, Afghanistan and East Timor.

More than 500 ADF personnel are deployed on Security Council-mandated peacekeeping operations around the world.

Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/smith-seeking-us-help-to-build-12-subs/story-fn59niix-1226100939528

Milne Bay

25-07-11, 05:13 AM

So - I wonder - are we after a design, or technical assistance in choosing a design, or technical assistance after a design is chosen.
Or - another possibility - are we after possible joint production?
Interesting.
MB

tiddles

26-07-11, 07:45 AM

Australian frigate takes part in multi-national exercise Australian Navy Frigate Exercise Posted On: Jul 25, 2011 HMAS Toowoomba conducting Exercise Scimitar Exocet with Turkish warships TCG Barbaros and TCG Yarbay Kudret Gungor. An Australian MoD BAB EL MANDEB STRAIT (BNS): A multi-national maritime exercise involving the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac class frigate, two Turkish naval vessels and French Mirage fighters has concluded in the Gulf of Aden.

Commanded by the RAN’s seventh Anzac class frigate, HMAS Toowoomba, exercise ‘Scimitar Exocet’ held between July 22 and 23, was aimed at contributing to maritime security in the Bab El Mandeb Strait in the Middle East.

The Turkish Navy’s TCG Barbaros and TCG Yarbay Kudret Gungor warships took part in the naval drill.

During the wargame, the RAN warship proved its interoperability with the Turkish Navy against air-borne attacks.

HMAS Toowoomba was also engaged in advanced air warfare exercises with French Mirage fighter aircraft, the Australian Defence Ministry said.

Toowoomba is a long–range frigate capable of air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction with an ability to counter simultaneous threats from aircraft, surface vessels and submarines.

The frigate is presently deployed in support of Operation SLIPPER in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO), operating as part of the Combined Maritime Force (CMF).

The CMF mission includes maritime security operations in the Gulf region, the maritime environment

McFriday

26-07-11, 07:28 PM

I wonder if there was an element of 'My Meko can CEA FARther than your Meko' in their minds? LOL

Mac

Milne Bay

26-07-11, 10:11 PM

I wonder if there was an element of 'My Meko can CEA FARther than your Meko' in their minds? LOL

Mac

I'm sure there must have been a sense of competition between the two.
I think that only HMAS Perth has CEAFAR sofar.
I was interested to look at the armament fitout of the Turkish Meko 200.
If Wiki is correct it reads like this:

Armament:

1 - 5 inch /54 gun
3x Oerlikon Contraves Sea Zenith 25mm CIWS gun systems
2x3 12.75" Mk32 torpedo tubes in triple mountings
2 Mk 141 quad-pack Launcher for a maximum of 8 RGM-84 Harpoon
Mk-41 VLS Mod 8[1]
16× RIM-162 ESSM
Sea Sparrow PDMS (SAM)

Biggest difference is that Toowoomba carries no CIWS - otherwise very similar

Gubler, A.

26-07-11, 11:51 PM

I wonder if there was an element of 'My Meko can CEA FARther than your Meko' in their minds? LOL

Toowoomba has no CEAFAR radar system. It does however have the L band SPS-49 radar which should see a lot further than the Dutch S band DA-08 radar on the Turkish MEKO.

Apart from CIWS the big difference between the ships is the Turkish MEKO has a height finding radar (AWS-9), two fire control channels for ESSM, 16 VLS cells and a second LM2500 engine providing more speed and top weight margin. The advantage of being ‘fitted with’ not ‘fitted for’ when built. Its a much better ship.

McFriday

27-07-11, 04:33 AM

My bad, looking at the photo I thought the CEAFAR masts had been fitted, upon enlarging, clearly I was wrong.

Thanks for the correction, I should have known better than try to clever at 4:30 am BC [Before Caffeine].

[Note to self...cease trying to be clever, loved the line though]

Cheers,
Mac

Unicorn

27-07-11, 08:07 AM

Toowoomba has no CEAFAR radar system. It does however have the L band SPS-49 radar which should see a lot further than the Dutch S band DA-08 radar on the Turkish MEKO.

Apart from CIWS the big difference between the ships is the Turkish MEKO has a height finding radar (AWS-9), two fire control channels for ESSM, 16 VLS cells and a second LM2500 engine providing more speed and top weight margin. The advantage of being ‘fitted with’ not ‘fitted for’ when built. Its a much better ship.

Not completely correct there.

Yes the Barbaros has a second LM2500 gas turbine, which results in a slightly higher top speed, on the order of 32 knots vs the Anzacs 27 knots, however that was a deliberate design choice by the RAN / RNZN, as the Anzacs unrefuelled range at 18 knots is almost 11,000 km / 6900 nm vs 7600 km / 4700 nm at the same speed for the Barbaros.

The trade off was due to the different operating conditions the RAN operates in. The Anzacs need to do West Coast of Australia to the Guilf unrefuelled with a 25-30% safety margin, whereas the Barbaros spends 90% of its time less than 24 hours steaming from a major Mediterranean port.

.

tiddles

28-07-11, 12:31 AM

I am not over worried about this story at this stage , considering our recent troubles with the ManKans it was inevitable that a story like this was always in the wings. I hope that the problems mentioned are overcome before the Largs gets to Australia.
Tiddles

THE navy's newest $100 million amphibious ship has been tagged "HMAS Lemon Scented" after a major inspection earlier this year uncovered a raft of serious technical faults in the second-hand British vessel.
The problems include overheating of the propulsion motors and transformers and faulty air handling units that "could cause respiratory problems among passengers and crew - in particular legionnaires disease", the chief engineer officer's report says.

Overheating means that the ship cannot maintain full speed and the lack of natural ventilation means she can't operate at higher speeds "especially in higher sea temperature conditions".

The ship, RFA Largs Bay, was designed to operate in cooler climates and many of the faults identified in the report are deep-seated "design issues".

The Gillard Government purchased the mothballed Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship from the British government, claiming it was a major coup, but the official chief engineer's report In the mid-1990s the Howard government issued a blunt warning about buying second-hand navy ships overseas after the amphibious ships HMAS Manoora and Kanimbla were found to be riddled with rust soon after they were purchased from the US Navy.

In his Largs Bay report, chief engineer officer Captain DA Wardell highlights numerous flaws ranging from faulty doors to inadequate cooling systems.

He listed six as critical: failure of the main engine room shut-down vents; fragility of the chilled water plants; suspect cargo lift systems; fragility of the vacuum toilet system; steering pump fragility; and lack of chemical treatment in the chilled and boiler water systems.

"There are no significant issues with the materiel state of the Largs Bay," Defence said.

Defence also hired the international shipping firm Teekay Shipping Australia to inspect and test the ship before the Australian bid.

"The ship presents very well, and from a technical point of view, there are no major defects," Teekay said.

A senior official said that "most" of the defects would be fixed, at Australian expense, before the ship was delivered to the navy by mid-October.

"There are no 'oh my God' type problems, the hull is in good shape and the ship will be recertified by Lloyds before we take delivery," the official said.

Gubler, A.

28-07-11, 01:39 AM

Not completely correct there.

Yes the Barbaros has a second LM2500 gas turbine, which results in a slightly higher top speed, on the order of 32 knots vs the Anzacs 27 knots, however that was a deliberate design choice by the RAN / RNZN, as the Anzacs unrefuelled range at 18 knots is almost 11,000 km / 6900 nm vs 7600 km / 4700 nm at 1the same speed for the Barbaros.

The trade off was due to the different operating conditions the RAN operates in. The Anzacs need to do West Coast of Australia to the Guilf unrefuelled with a 25-30% safety margin, whereas the Barbaros spends 90% of its time less than 24 hours steaming from a major Mediterranean port.

Which shows what a bad choice the MEKO 200 ANZ was for the RAN as the only way they can meet the range requirement was to pull out an engine which meant you couldn't carry the top weight to be a proper warship. We could have brought the excellent Dutch M class and then purchased Dutch second hand ships half way through their life when their navy downsized...

Unicorn

28-07-11, 02:18 AM

The M class were so impressive that not one navy anywhere bought them new, they were sold out of Dutch service early and they were picked up for a song by Belgium, Portugal and Chile.

.

Gubler, A.

28-07-11, 02:40 AM

The M class were so impressive that not one navy anywhere bought them new, they were sold out of Dutch service early and they were picked up for a song by Belgium, Portugal and Chile.

.

Are you trying to imply that they are crap boats? There is a reason other than quality that there are more Holdens on the road than Benzes... As the Dutch Navy selling them off this was not because they didn't want them. Rather that when one is buying four new destroyers and you have eight near new frigates and your Government tells you that you can only keep six ships in total you sell off the balance of the near new frigates.

Apart from quality of design the systems onboard the M Class are much better suited to RAN needs. Mk 48 VLS for ESSM so you can carry 32 missiles with a lot less launcher weight than Mk 41 VLS. Real estate provisions for fore and aft positions for CIWS and Harpoon launchers that do not conflict with other systems and lower metacentric height. Plus with the Signaal combat system as offered to the RAN a 3D TIR without the need to wait 15 years and rebuild a ship for.

buglerbilly

28-07-11, 03:41 PM

Largs Bay

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued July 28, 2011)

An article in some New Limited papers today (HMAS Lemon Scented 28 Jul 2011) concerning Defence’s purchase of ex-Royal Fleet Auxiliary amphibious ship Largs Bay is misleading.

The article discusses the supersession report submitted by the ship’s previous Chief Engineer in February this year. Supersession reports are the formal means by which a ship’s engineer submits his own assessment of the materiel state of his ship prior to handing over his engineering responsibilities to another engineer. The report is principally used to inform the development of the maintenance and repair package prior to the ship’s next operating period.

Defence was aware of the report and it was taken into account in the development and negotiation of the package of refit work that is currently being progressed in a shipyard in the UK.

The February supersession report by the Chief Engineer was not extraordinary and is similar to other routine reports submitted by ships engineers.

The current refit activity addresses the key issues raised in the supersession report.

It is also worth pointing out that international shipping firm, Teekay Shipping Australia, thoroughly inspected the ship prior to the submission of Australia’s bid and found that:

“the ship presents very well, and from a technical point of view, there are no major defects.”

Teekay was also engaged on the sea trial and have provided an updated report that confirms their previous assessment.

“Largs Bay was well constructed and overall remains in good materiel condition. The ship was in operational service with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary immediately prior to commencing refit and is not “mothballed”.

I am confident that Largs Bay will provide excellent service in Navy once the ship arrives in Australia at the end of this year.

(signed)
Vice Admiral Ray Griggs
Chief of Navy

-ends-

ADMk2

13-08-11, 09:27 AM

Largs Bay has been designated - L100. Here she is in refit.

JimWH

13-08-11, 10:04 AM

Whoops. They've painted the hull number in the British (rather than American) position.... Wonder if she has a new name yet?

Milne Bay

13-08-11, 10:14 AM

Whoops. They've painted the hull number in the British (rather than American) position.... Wonder if she has a new name yet?

Indeed - Apparently HMAS Choules.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8285187/ex-rn-ship-to-be-named-after-last-wwi-vet

buglerbilly

13-08-11, 10:19 AM

Naming of Ex RFA Largs Bay - HMAS Choules

13 August 2011

Message from the Chief of Navy

ex Largs Bay will be commissioned as HMAS Choules.

Today at Fleet Base West the Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence announced that the ex Royal Fleet Auxilliary Landing Ship Dock Largs Bay is to commission into the Royal Australian Navy as HMAS Choules.

Many of you will recall that former Chief Petty Officer Claude Choules passed away in May of this year, our centenary year. He died in Perth at the age of 110. This was a significant moment when the world lost its last living link with those who had served in WW1.

Claude Choules was born in England two days after the birth of Australia's Navy in March 1901. Like the ship that will bear his name, Claude started his Naval service in the Royal Navy, in his case in 1916. He came to Australia on loan in 1926 and soon decided to transfer to the RAN. He was a member of the commissioning crew of HMAS Canberra (I) in 1928 and in 1932 became a Chief Petty Officer Torpedo and Anti Submarine instructor.

During WW2 Claude was the acting Torpedo Officer in Fremantle and the Chief Demolition Officer on the west coast. He transferred to the Naval Dockyard Police after the war so that he could continue to serve, He finally retired in 1956.

Portrait of Claude Choules at HMAS Cerberus in 1936.

In thinking about our past during our centenary year I have been struck by the stories of the tens of thousands of everyday Australians who have made the Navy what it is today. While we honour individual acts of heroism, these others also deserve some form of recognition for their service. In naming the ship after Claude Choules we not only acknowledge his forty years of service in peace and war but the contribution of all who have faced the unremitting hazards of the sea and the challenges of conflict in the last century. The naval service demands endurance and self-sacrifice and, by its nature, much goes unseen. The Navy’s history has included many fierce battles but it is also marked by the patient and devoted patrol, surveillance and escort work which has ensured that Australia and its allies have been able to use the sea to achieve victory. Our sailors past and present have gone about the vital work that we do without fuss or fanfare, often in extreme danger, generally under less than ideal conditions but always with their own unique combination of humour and devotion to duty. Claude Choules, as much as any, epitomises this tradition.

The pennant number of HMAS Choules will be L100, further reinforcing the link to the centenary of the Royal Australian Navy and those who have served in it throughout our history. HMAS Choules will be an exceptional addition to the fleet. The ship will commission in Australia later this year.

Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, AM, CSC, RAN
Chief of Navy

JKM Mk2

13-08-11, 03:00 PM

Very appropriate IMHO

Cheers
JKM

Unicorn

13-08-11, 10:45 PM

McFriday

14-08-11, 07:45 AM

I hear it wasn't what Navy wanted.

The Fleet would have liked to continue the Jervis Bay name, however it seems to have escaped Navy's corporate memory that naming ships after people is a minefield.

I was told by the then Chief of Navy that they should never have named the Collins class after people, as for everyone who was so honoured there were many more equally worthy, and for every person who approved of a name, ten more disapproved.

In this case, they appeared to have selected an otherwise unremarkable individual on the sole basis that he outlasted his contemporaries.

That's not Storm Grey either, so she will probably be repainted when she gets here, so the current pennant number's location is only temporary.

.

By coincidence I spent Saturday afternoon and evening at a function with many veterans and widows.

As some of those present were current or recent ex-Navy senior sailors the new ships and naming conventions were discussion points.

Current naming convention was raised and every one of them, male and female emphatically hold the same opinion as you on all points.

Without disrespecting Claude Choules, those named in the Collins class and their service in any way, they, especially the widows of those KIA, deplored this 'personalising' trend and made quite sound arguments against this trend as being very divisive and unavoidably unfair.

Even the Army and RAAF people agreed that it's a route best avoided. Somewhat surprising to me as these particular people love to disagree with 'Navy' just for the hell of it. LOL

I 'dips me lid' to you for commenting as you did, there are many who feel as you do.

BTW. 'HMAS Jervis Bay' was the most supported name by far.

Mac

JimWH

14-08-11, 08:17 AM

I agree with others, I have nothing but respect for CPO Choules' service, but naming a ship after him doesn't seem right. His major distinction was long service and outliving his contemporaries, which is admirable enough but not really the distinction which one would look for in naming a capital ship (which is what HMAS Choules will be to the RAN). Quite aside from anything, I was under the impression that although CPO Choules was a career sailor he was also against the glorification of war, which makes his something off an odd choice of a name.

In other matters, anyone heard whether or not we shall be arming HMAS Choules? We ought to have around 3 Phalanx in store at the moment (2 from retired FFG, 1 from Manoora).

JKM Mk2

14-08-11, 08:23 AM

I see what you all mean about naming ships after people and you're probably right. It was more a 'look good' reaction from the PM than something appropriate to the navy.

I also remember that NZ had a similar problem with a support ship they named Charles Upton (?) after a double VC winner that had a less than distingiushed history in service.

So I will stand corrected! For the record I originally expected it would be named Jervis Bay also.

Cheers
JKM

buglerbilly

18-08-11, 02:07 PM

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare – First Keel Block Delivered for New Australian Warship

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued August 18, 2011)

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced the delivery to Adelaide of the first keel block that will be used to construct HMAS Hobart – Australia’s first Air Warfare Destroyer.

“This is an important step forward in the $8 billion project to construct three new warships,” Mr Clare said.

Construction of the AWDs involves 90 separate steel blocks being built at shipyards in Adelaide (ASC), Melbourne (BAE Systems), Newcastle (Forgacs) and Ferrol, Spain (Navantia). Three sonar blocks are being constructed in Spain and the United Kingdom.

“Approximately 70 blocks will be shipped to Adelaide over the next four years where they will be consolidated into three new warships,” Mr Clare said.

Over the next six months it is expected that six blocks will be delivered from Melbourne and Newcastle to Adelaide.

This first block weighs around 180 tonnes. It is 18 metres long, 16 metres wide and five metres high and will form part of the keel of HMAS Hobart.

It was loaded on to a barge at BAE System’s Melbourne shipyard on 11 August.

The barge was towed by tug boat to the Common User Facility in Adelaide arriving on 15 August.

Last night it was removed from the barge and transported by a large multi-wheeled vehicle to the pre-fit-out facility.

Further work on the block including blast and paint, fitting pipes, installing communications and electrical cables and fitting internal walls will now be completed.

Two other hull blocks are currently being prepared for shipment from Melbourne to Adelaide.

Construction has begun on all main blocks for the first ship and work has also begun on blocks for the second ship, HMAS Brisbane.

Next year work will begin on blocks for the third ship, HMAS Sydney and the first ship will start to be consolidated in Adelaide.

Mr Clare thanked the more than 1,000 people currently working on the ships across the three Australian shipyards.

In May, the Government announced that the AWD Alliance had reallocated construction work on the project to reduce the schedule risk to both the AWD and Landing Helicopter Dock ship projects.

“The delivery of the first keel block is an important step forward in this project,” Mr Clare said.

-ends-

tiddles

18-08-11, 02:10 PM

My word ,this is a surprise
Tiddles

Kanimbla scrap date brought forward
Defence Minister Stephen Smith says the Navy's HMAS Kanimbla will be decommissioned because it is too expensive to try to make it seaworthy.

The amphibious ship has not operated since last September because of concerns about its seaworthiness, and it would have cost $35 million for the maintenance required to return it to service.

Mr Smith says an assessment revealed the most cost-effective and lowest-risk option for dealing with the ship's problems was for it to be decommissioned.

Earlier this year the Navy decommissioned HMAS Manoora for the same reasons.

Kanimbla was already scheduled to be decommissioned at the end of 2014.

A new amphibious ship bought from the UK at a cost of about $100 million is not due to arrive until December and another one is having maintenance.

Mr Smith says he is looking at options to ensure there are no gaps in Defence's capability.

"In the past I've generally said that we're looking at all the available options in our area... whether they're commercial or whether they're assets that Customs might have or the Antarctic division might have," he said.

Topics: navy,

buglerbilly

18-08-11, 02:18 PM

More info on this.............

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare and Minister for Defence Stephen Smith – Decommissioning of HMAS Kanimbla

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued August 18, 2011)

The Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith, and Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare, today announced that the amphibious ship HMAS Kanimbla would be decommissioned.

In September 2010 the Chief of Navy imposed an operational pause on HMAS Ships Kanimbla due to seaworthiness concerns.

Since then, Defence has assessed the future of HMAS Kanimbla.

This included a detailed assessment of the capability provided by HMAS Kanimbla, an assessment of its materiel state and a cost and risk assessment.

The outcome of this assessment is that the most cost effective and lowest risk option is to decommission HMAS Kanimbla.

The cost to complete the extensive remediation work required on HMAS Kanimbla is estimated to be up to $35 million.

HMAS Kanimbla would not on that basis be available for operations until at least mid-2012. HMAS Kanimbla was scheduled in any event to be decommissioned at the end of 2014.

It does not represent value for money to therefore pursue further maintenance on HMAS Kanimbla.

Accordingly, on the basis of advice and recommendations from the Chief of Navy and the Chief Executive Officer of the Defence Materiel Organisation, the Government has agreed to decommission HMAS Kanimbla.

This announcement follows a number of announcements relating to Navy’s amphibious capability in 2011.

In February the Government announced that HMAS Manoora would be decommissioned on the advice of the Chief of Navy that the ship was beyond economical repair to bring it back into operational service, given the vessel’s remaining planned life.

HMAS Manoora was formally decommissioned in May.

The Government also announced in February that it was pursuing the acquisition of the United Kingdom amphibious ship the RFA Largs Bay. The Government indicated at the time that, should this acquisition proceed, it would consider the decommissioning of the HMAS Kanimbla.

In April the Government announced that it had successfully acquired Largs Bay for £65 million (approximately $100 million).

Largs Bay will be commissioned into Navy service as HMAS Choules in honour of Mr Claude Choules, the last known veteran to have served on active service in the First World War.

HMAS Choules is expected to arrive in Australia for a commissioning ceremony in Fremantle in December 2011.

HMAS Tobruk has been docked in Sydney since May while Defence undertakes scheduled maintenance to further assure the safety and reliability of the ship and to return it to 48 hours readiness notice.

Defence has previously chartered the P&O vessel Aurora Australis from May to 12 August to provide a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief sealift response vessel.

HMAS Tobruk is currently in the final phase of its scheduled maintenance period and is expected to be available for sea for a short period of time from end August to early September before it undergoes further scheduled and previously announced work to prepare it for the cyclone season which commences in November.

To provide an amphibious transport capability while HMAS Tobruk is prepared for cyclone season, Defence has negotiated the availability of the Australian Customs Vessel Ocean Protector to provide a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief sealift response vessel from 12 August until 14 October 2011.

The Ocean Protector is in addition to Australia’s agreement with New Zealand that the New Zealand amphibious lift ship HMNZS Canterbury would be made available as part of the joint Pacific-focused Ready Response Force, subject to any operational requirements in New Zealand.

Navy continues to examine amphibious transport ship options from 14 October in addition to HMAS Tobruk in the lead up to the arrival of HMAS Choules at the end of this year.

-ends-

buglerbilly

24-08-11, 01:53 PM

Release of Terms of Reference for Submarine Sustainment Review

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued August 24, 2011)

The Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and the Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today released the terms of reference for the Review of the Sustainment of Australia’s Collins Class submarines.

This review will be led by Mr John Coles, an independent expert from BMT Defence Services in the UK.

Mr Smith and Mr Clare met with Mr Coles yesterday to discuss the Review and its Terms of Reference.

Mr Coles has more than 30 years’ experience in the design, acquisition and sustainment of ships and submarines, principally in the United Kingdom. Between 1997 and 2005 he was the Chief Executive of the United Kingdom’s Warship Support Agency (previously the Ships Support Agency), which is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all Royal Navy submarines, ships, and auxiliaries. Between 2005 and 2007 Mr Coles was head of the British Future Aircraft Carrier Project.

The sustainment of the submarine fleet is vital to Australia’s national security. It is a complex task that has proven challenging for Defence and for ASC, the prime contractor, for a lengthy period of time. Sustainment of the Collins Class submarines is at the top of the Government’s Projects of Concern list.

Just as the Rizzo Report, released on July 18, provides a plan to improve the repair and management of the Navy’s amphibious fleet, Mr Coles will provide a plan to improve the repair and management of our submarine fleet.

This Review will involve a detailed examination of complex engineering issues associated with submarine sustainment and is likely to involve support from international experts and companies in this field.

Mr Coles’ terms of reference are to examine, report and provide recommendations on:

• The optimal commercial arrangements for conduct of submarine sustainment;
• Appropriate performance goals for sustainment activity, based on world’s best practice efficiency and effectiveness benchmarks;
• Options for demonstrating value for money in sustainment activity and the supply chain;
• Opportunities for improvements in management arrangements between ASC, DMO and the Navy to achieve efficiencies;
• Future infrastructure needs to support the submarine sustainment activity;
• Measures to be implemented by DMO and the Navy to ensure that ASC is able to operate under a performance-based contract; and
• The subsequent priorities for ASC and Defence reform to effect greatest improvement, given time, budget and system constraints.

An interim report will be provided to Government by December 2011 and a final report by April 2012.

-ends-

Unicorn

25-08-11, 03:00 AM

And in a truly remarkable coincidence, this story was leaked to the Australian...

Collins-class submarine forced to surface after engine failure

EXCLUSIVE: Brendan Nicholson From: The Australian August 25, 2011 12:00AM

ONE of the navy's troubled Collins-class submarines suffered an engine failure while submerged off Western Australia late at night and was forced to surface.

The submarine, with a crew of 60, was at periscope depth at the time of the incident and running on its electric motor.

An Australian Defence Force spokeswoman confirmed last night that HMAS Farncomb's propulsion system failed at about 12.30am on Tuesday and the submarine surfaced to investigate.

The spokeswoman said the submarine always had the capacity to manoeuvre using its emergency propulsion unit, which was independent of the electric motor and was manned throughout the incident.

"In this instance, the commanding officer chose to surface to investigate the fault on the control system for the electric motor," she said. "Soon after surfacing, propulsion was restored." It was standard safety procedure to surface when the motor was not restarted within a given time.

"The incident was handled competently by the crew, who ensured positive control of the submarine throughout the incident," she said.

HMAS Farncomb returned to HMAS Stirling for repairs and was expected to sail again later this week.

The problem arose as Defence Minister Stephen Smith called in a top British naval expert to find out why maintenance problems in the six Collins-class submarines have kept so many of them in dock.

Yesterday, Mr Smith released the terms of reference for a new review of the troubled fleet's maintenance regime.

The review will be carried out by John Coles from BMT Defence Services in Britain.

Mr Smith said Mr Coles had more than 30 years' experience in the design and sustainment of ships and submarines.

The minister has warned previously that he wants problems with the Collins fleet sorted out before work could begin on plans for 12 replacement "future submarines".

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/collins-sub-forced-to-surface/story-e6frg8yo-1226121581109

Gubler, A.

25-08-11, 07:26 AM

And in a truly remarkable coincidence, this story was leaked to the Australian...

Collins-class submarine forced to surface after engine failure

Good to see that the brains trust in The Australian's sub editorial department don't know the difference between an engine and a motor.

JimWH

25-08-11, 01:51 PM

Only just read the pieces about decommissioning Kanimbla (that'll learn me for not paying attention).
Not as surprised as I think I might have been. Staring down a $35m bill with availability in mid 2012 at the earliest* they're absolutely right that it's bad value for money. And given that HMAS Choules will be on line in Australian service before Kanimbla could be available it's hard to really make much of a case for her.
The problem, really, is that the navy is going to have to handle Tobruk very gingerly over the next couple of years. On her own Choules probably has something like 66-75% of the availability of the LPA class combined (and a similar total lift capacity in most metrics) but she's still only one ship. Which means that between Tobruk and Choules ideally the RAN would want to have one good to go at any time (the 'in case of emergency break glass' amphibious vessel), and that'll mean keeping a very close eye on how Tobruk is traveling.
One hopes that the lessons have been thoroughly learned.

*What's the bet that the real impetus her is that the estimate return to service date was about to be put back by 3-6 months?

buglerbilly

26-08-11, 02:24 PM

Response to Criticisms of MU90 Torpedo Project

(Source: Australian Department of Defense; issued Aug. 26, 2011)

An article in some Fairfax media papers today (Lost for words, a Navy all at sea, 26 August 2011) and more widely reported in the electronic media contains information that is wrong in fact and misleading.

The article refers to the need to translate technical documents and instructions for the MU90 Light Weight Torpedo into English.

This is not correct.

As a condition of contract all key project documentation including technical instructions from the supplier has been delivered in English.

The MU90 torpedo is a complex anti-submarine warfare weapon and is a joint French and Italian development.

Defence is taking advantage of additional test data from these countries as a way to reduce costs and minimise the number of formal ship trials for the Australian MU90 program to finalise the acceptance into ADF service process.

Torpedo trials are very expensive and each test firing is a significant exercise in its own right. Being able to examine and use the results of other countries’ trials saves the Australian taxpayer a lot of money.

To date the French and Italian Navy testing programs have involved the firing of over 200 MU90 torpedoes. It is the reports and data from these tests - conducted by the French and Italian Navy for their own purposes and provided to Australia - that is in French and Italian and needs to be translated into English.

As a Project of Concern the MU90 Light Weight Torpedo replacement project receives Government, Defence and equipment supplier oversight.

-ends-

tiddles

30-08-11, 12:29 PM

At least it looks it will eventually be able to get to sea ,hopefully in November.
Tiddles

Problems keep HMAS Tobruk out of action
Posted August 30, 2011 17:56:31

The problems are continuing for Australia's amphibious navy ships, with HMAS Tobruk being kept out of the water to fix a fire safety system.

The Navy recently decommissioned two amphibious ships because they were going to cost millions of dollars to repair.

HMAS Tobruk has been docked in Sydney for maintenance work since May.

HMAS Manoora and HMAS Kanimbla were decommissioned earlier this year.

Maintenance on HMAS Tobruk was supposed to be completed this week, but Defence Minister Stephen Smith says the work will need to continue.

"We've discovered a problem with the fire suppressant system. I've previously indicated that we expected Tobruk would go out at the end of August for a short period of time," he said.

"Our expectation is that Tobruk will be ready for the cyclone season, which commences the beginning of November."

Last month a damning report into the repair and maintenance of the Navy's support ships found longstanding problems and called for urgent reforms.

The Navy has bought the Largs Bay from the UK as a stopgap measure but it will not arrive until later this year or early next year.

buglerbilly

05-09-11, 01:18 PM

Australian-Made Radar Latest Weapon In Navy’s Arsenal

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued September 3, 2011)

Navy’s new anti-ship missile defence radar system has been released for initial operational use after achieving outstanding results from the trial of the system off the coast of Australia and Hawaii.

The new multi-phased array radar system has been installed on the Anzac-class frigate HMAS Perth. The radar identifies, tracks and guides missiles to multiple targets at the same time.

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare inspected the radar at work on-board HMAS Perth while it was conducting training exercises off the coast of Western Australia.

“This is the latest weapon in Navy’s arsenal. It means our Anzac frigates will be a lot more capable,” Mr Clare said.

“At the moment our Anzac frigates can track and destroy one target at a time. This new radar means they will now be able to track and destroy multiple targets at the same time.

“This is also a great Australian success story. It’s cutting-edge technology developed right here in Australia by CEA Technologies.”

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs said HMAS Perth had just returned from testing the system on the United States Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii with tremendous results.

“The tests proved that the new system can defend the ship from modern cruise missile attack. This is a significant enhancement for the Anzac-class frigates.”

HMAS Perth is the lead ship in this project. Following the successful testing of the system on this ship, the Government will soon make a decision about upgrading the other seven Anzac-class frigates.

-ends-

ADMk2

05-09-11, 01:30 PM

Australian-Made Radar Latest Weapon In Navy’s Arsenal
“At the moment our Anzac frigates can track and destroy one target at a time. This new radar means they will now be able to track and destroy multiple targets at the same time.

Er no, it can track many targets, it can engage multiple targets, but it can only terminally guide one ESSM at a time. ASMD upgrade provides the capability to terminally guide multiple ESSM's simultaneously...

Unicorn

15-09-11, 12:52 AM

Opposition claims Collins-class submarines affect Defence reputation
Cameron Stewart From: The Australian September 15, 2011 12:00AM

THE chronic problems of the Collins-class submarine fleet have caused Australia to lose its superiority in submarine warfare across the region, opposition Defence spokesman David Johnston has told parliament.

Senator Johnston said there would be a grave long-term strategic cost to Australia for failing to tackle the problems of the Collins-class fleet today.

"The undoubted lead Australia once had in regional submarine capability has, despite the best efforts of our very committed submariners, disappeared," he told parliament. "Our Collins-class submarines are inherently unreliable, technically challenging to maintain and difficult to crew.

"We rarely have more than two submarines available to go to sea and there have been instances of late where there have been none, repeat none, available to defend our borders."

Senator Johnston was speaking following the revelation in The Weekend Australian of a frightening incident in which the submarine HMAS Farncomb sank without power off the coast of Perth after suffering a double engine failure, forcing the commander to blow emergency ballast to get back to the surface.

The government has commissioned reviews into the fleet to improve reliability and reduce the cost of their annual maintenance, which has soared by 120 per cent to $443 million over the past seven years.

Senator Johnston said new submarines in the region could sail deeper, more quietly and were more agile. He said the government's plan to spend up to $36 billion to build a "Walt Disney, large-style, conventionally powered submarine" was fraught with danger and had not been scrutinised to a proper cost-benefit analysis.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/opposition-claims-collins-class-submarines-affect-defence-reputation/story-e6frg8yo-1226137272614

buglerbilly

15-09-11, 02:05 PM

Minister for Defence and Minister for Defence Materiel – Amphibious Ship Update

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued September 14, 2011)

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that the Royal Australian Navy will lease an additional amphibious ship, the Windermere, to enhance the Navy’s amphibious capability during the forthcoming cyclone season.

This adds to HMAS Choules which will arrive in Australia in December and HMAS Tobruk which is currently in maintenance in preparation for the cyclone season which commences in November.

The additional ship has been leased to maximise the Royal Australian Navy’s ability to respond to humanitarian and natural disasters over the cyclone period.

The Windermere has been leased from 14 October to 31 January 2012, with the option to extend to the end of February 2012.

It has been chartered through P & O Maritime Services at a cost of $9.4 million. It is capable of supporting around 100 passengers and can carry 1,000 tonnes of cargo.

The Windermere is also in addition to Australia’s agreement with New Zealand that the New Zealand amphibious lift ship HMNZS Canterbury would be made available as part of the joint Pacific-focused Ready Response Force, subject to any operational requirements in New Zealand.

Today’s announcement is one of a series of actions the Government has taken this year to improve Navy’s amphibious capability and ensure it has the capacity required for the cyclone season.

-ends-

tiddles

19-09-11, 10:53 AM

I thought we had leased the A109s to more or less do this job but I seem to be a bit out of date with whats going on. Story from Flight Global.
Tiddles
Australia to lease three Bell 429s
By Greg Waldron

The Royal Australian Navy will lease three Bell 429 helicopters from Raytheon Australia to train its air crews.

The navy will receive the new aircraft in 2012, which will be used for four years, said Australian minister of defence materiel, Jason Clare. The contract is worth $26 million and includes support and maintenance.

Clare said the Bell 429s will likely fly around 1,500h per year.

"This is one way the navy is making sure that pilots and aircrew are ready for the new [Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky] MH-60R helicopters that will start arriving in 2014," Clare said.

The 429s will also be used to prepare crews for the navy's new NH Industries MRH90s.

In June, Australia announced it will acquire 24 MH-60Rs in a deal worth over A$3 billion ($3.1 billion).

Australia is obtaining 46 MRH90s to replace its army's Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks and the navy's Westland Sea Kings.

Gubler, A.

19-09-11, 11:47 AM

I thought we had leased the A109s to more or less do this job but I seem to be a bit out of date with whats going on. Story from Flight Global.

Leases by their very definition don't last forever. The original RMI lease was up and a new one needed. Since Raytheon has since partnered with Bell for the ADF's new helicopter trainer tender they offered the 429 for the new lease. Smart move.

JimWH

19-09-11, 12:14 PM

tiddles

19-09-11, 12:58 PM

Which suggests that Bell 429's will form the basis of Raytheon's offer for A9000P7.
Any chance of getting them with wheels I wonder? Skids are a pain to use aboard ship, which has implications both in terms of training and if we ever wanted to pursue the development of an LUH capability with the A9000P7 aircraft.

Edit: answered my own question. Wheels can be added, and this brings cruise speed up a wee bit (5kts)
I was thinking the same thing but do not know if the version we are leasing are with or without skids, but in reality how often will they be moved about ship,they dont have folding rotors and I dont think are marinesed, so I would have expected them to be [among other things] just landing & taking off,with minimal movement from landing spots, as we really only have the Anzacs [1 landing spot] for them to train on at the moment . I guess this could change when the HMAS Choules gets here & is available for training.
Tiddles

buglerbilly

19-09-11, 01:03 PM

Very few with wheels and the vast majority of those are Corporate windjammers....................

Gubler, A.

19-09-11, 01:22 PM

I was thinking the same thing but do not know if the version we are leasing are with or without skids, but in reality how often will they be moved about ship,they dont have folding rotors and I dont think are marinesed, so I would have expected them to be [among other things] just landing & taking off,with minimal movement from landing spots, as we really only have the Anzacs [1 landing spot] for them to train on at the moment . I guess this could change when the HMAS Choules gets here & is available for training.
Tiddles

OK a few things about wheels and skids. For landing on the back of a ship wheels are better than skids because you may not plonk down where you want to and having wheels makes it easier for the helo to move until it is secured. It’s not about taxying around the flight deck. If you want to move a skidded helo after it has landed and been secured there are special wheels that can be clipped onto the skids.

The HATS requirement for a new training helo has a preference for wheels (not an absolute requirement) because this enables training in taxying and a range of other things (like moving in and out of hides for army helos). All of the main helos in the ADF have wheels and training from scratch on wheels is a much better solution.

Gubler, A.

19-09-11, 01:24 PM

Very few with wheels and the vast majority of those are Corporate windjammers....................

See you at the...

ADMk2

19-09-11, 01:35 PM

See you at the...

The f'ing Catalina wine mixer...

JimWH

19-09-11, 02:55 PM

There are certainly ways to get around skids aboard a ship, it's mostly just that if an LUH requirement ever makes it off the wish-list, it'll make an appreciable difference when used from the LHD. The Bell 429 seems pretty well suited to the role too (those clam shell doors make it a good casevac bird).

tiddles

19-09-11, 09:54 PM

OK a few things about wheels and skids. For landing on the back of a ship wheels are better than skids because you may not plonk down where you want to and having wheels makes it easier for the helo to move until it is secured. It’s not about taxying around the flight deck. If you want to move a skidded helo after it has landed and been secured there are special wheels that can be clipped onto the skids.

The HATS requirement for a new training helo has a preference for wheels (not an absolute requirement) because this enables training in taxying and a range of other things (like moving in and out of hides for army helos). All of the main helos in the ADF have wheels and training from scratch on wheels is a much better solution.
Makes sense, I obviously had not taken into account securing the Helo or taxying training.
Tiddles

Mercator

20-09-11, 02:46 AM

Nine MSN website:

New ship chartered for cyclone season

The navy is to lease another amphibious transport ship to ensure it has enough capacity to conduct relief operations during this summer's cyclone season.

The extra vessel is the Windermere, which is to be leased from October 14 to January 31 with an option to extend until the end of February.

The vessel is being been chartered through P&O Maritime Services at a cost of $9.4 million.

Windermere is an 80-metre, sub-sea operations vessel usually used to support oilfield diving activities.

It can carry about 100 passengers and 1000 tonnes of cargo.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith said the Windermere would supplement the new amphibious vessel HMAS Choules which arrives from the UK in December and HMAS Tobruk which is currently undergoing maintenance.

It is also additional to the agreement with New Zealand for HMNZS Canterbury to be made available as part of the joint Pacific-focused ready response force.

The move to ensure sufficient amphibious vessels are available this summer follows maintenance problems with the amphibious fleet that left the navy with limited capacity to assist cyclone-ravaged areas earlier in 2011.

Since then the government has opted to retire the older vessels Manoora and Kanimbla and acquire HMAS Choules, a surplus UK amphibious vessel, formerly RFA Largs Bay.

While HMAS Tobruk has undergone scheduled maintenance, the navy supplemented its amphibious capability by chartering the the P&O vessel Aurora Australis and the Australian Customs Vessel Ocean Protector.

---ends ---

Mercator

20-09-11, 02:52 AM

this might be it:

http://www.hallinmarine.com/news/2011/hallin-subsea-operations-vessel-arrives-in-australia

Mercator

20-09-11, 02:54 AM

bugger --- you guys already had this!

back to lurking for me...

Unicorn

22-09-11, 01:48 AM

Navy's $80,000 bonus to keep sailors
Cameron Stewart From: The Australian September 22, 2011 12:00AM

THE navy has been forced to offer an unprecedented $80,000 bonus to engineers on its submarines and Anzac-class frigates to stop them being poached by cashed-up mining companies.

The move will lead to some non-officer submariners being paid up to $177,000 a year, almost as much as an experienced submarine commander, in a move the navy privately concedes could cause tension in the ranks.

The bonuses of between $40,000 and $80,000 will be paid over two years to 200 selected non-officer marine technicians "who possess key operator qualifications" in return for two years' service. The Australian understands the drastic step was taken after the navy concluded the shortage of qualified engineers was so grave it threatened the ability to put some submarines and Anzac-class frigates to sea.

A Department of Defence spokesperson said the bonus, announced internally to navy personnel this week, was aimed at easing "critical" workforce issues.

"Each workgroup is facing critical personnel shortfalls at both rank and qualification levels, with high and increasing separation rates that are impacting on navy's ability to deliver Anzac and Collins capability," the spokesperson said.

In particular, the navy is anxious to stem an exodus of engineers, who are being offered big pay to work for mining companies wanting their technical skills. "The mining boom is part of the broader economy's demand for skilled workers, which continues to impact on the navy's capacity to retain highly skilled engineers," the spokesperson said.

The navy says the bonus payments will be targeted at those marine technicians who have the abilities to operate the propulsion systems of specific submarines and Anzac frigates. "The bonus being offered is up to $80,000 in return for two years' service for the highest qualification level down to $40,000 for two years' return of service for the lowest qualification level, in two one-year increments of $20,000," the navy spokesperson said.

This means some chief petty officer marine technicians on a submarine who are a grade 10 with more than 11 years' service would have their current pay package ($137,000 including all bonuses) increased by $40,000 to $177,000 a year for the next two years.

A recently graduated able seaman marine technician on a submarine would potentially have the current salary package ($84,000 including bonuses) increased by $40,000 to $124,000 for the next two years.

By comparison, an experienced submarine commander with more than 11 years of service gets a total salary package of $191,000.

Navy headquarters is believed to have warned commanders this week the large bonuses would have the potential to upset those who did not qualify for them, including officers and marine technicians on other navy vessels.

In February, The Australian reported the findings of an internal 2009 navy report that found naval engineering had reached a critical low point, with "cancerous" morale problems, a massive shortfall in numbers and a broken management system.

"The current situation has an urgency and a criticality that cannot be overstated," said the November 2009 report on the strategic review of naval engineering.

"Navy is potentially exposed due to the poor state of engineering policy should there be further accidents."

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/navys-80000-bonus-to-keep-sailors/story-e6frg8yo-1226143104730

Exsandgroper

29-09-11, 10:55 AM

Who does write the crap published in the Strategy Page on the ADF

Australian 429s To Support MRH90s

September 29, 2011: The Royal Australian Navy is leasing three Bell 429 helicopters for use in training pilots for the 36 new MRH90 helicopters that are on the way. The lease deal costs $26 million, for four years. The Bell 429s will arrive next year.
The 429 is a further civilian development of the U.S. Army OH-58 scout helicopter. The twin-engine, 3.1 ton 429 can carry eight people, including one pilot. The aircraft can carry a ton of cargo. Cruising speed is 273 kilometers an hour and endurance is about 2.5 hours. The 429 is generally used as an air taxi or for police work.

Cheers

Unicorn

03-10-11, 11:18 AM

A PR person tasked with the job. probably an Army PR officer, a junior one still wet behind the ears who has been assigned the job because they are not capable of much more.

Instead of writing about the Army, of which they know little, they they try writing about another service, of which they know nothing.

The result is the crap you refer to.

.

buglerbilly

06-10-11, 01:31 PM

Northrop Grumman Upgrades Enhance Royal Australian Navy Frigate Anti-Ship Missile Defence Systems

(Source: Northrop Grumman Corp.; issued October 5, 2011)

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. --- System upgrades provided by Northrop Grumman Corporation into the ANZAC Class frigate HMAS Perth helped optimize the performance of the ship's Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) system during recent sea trials conducted by the Royal Australian Navy.

Northrop Grumman supplied equipment containing a military-grade Global Positioning System (GPS) that was integrated into the Navigation Data Distribution Systems (NAVDDS). The company supplies and maintains NAVDDS for the Royal Australian Navy.

Northrop Grumman's partner, CEA Technologies, developed and supplied the Phased Array Radar (PAR), a key component of the ASMD system. CEA Technologies is an Australian company that specializes in the design, development and manufacture of advanced radar and communications solutions for civil and military applications. The integration was carried out by BAE Systems Australia Defence Pty Ltd., which built the ships, and Saab Systems Pty Ltd, who supplied the combat management system.

The ASMD system includes an integrated CEAFAR, which is a digital S-band AESA radar, and CEAMOUNT, an X-band illuminator. The NAVDDS GPS upgrade optimized the full capabilities of the CEAFAR, primarily by delivering timely, high-accuracy navigational data to the ASMD system.

"This combination of improved data and the advanced radar technology of the CEAFAR provides an advanced capability to the frigate," said Bill Hannon, vice president of Northrop Grumman's Maritime Systems business unit. "This will enable the Australian ANZAC fleet to operate its weapon system with very high quality, accurate navigational data."

Northrop Grumman has contributed to the ANZAC-class frigates since they were first commissioned. The company installed the MK 49 Ship Inertial Navigator Systems (SINS), beginning during the mid-1990s. The MK 49 SINS remains the ships' core position sensor and is a critical element of the ASMD. The company first introduced the NAVDDS in late 2000.

"These sea trials demonstrate the importance and usefulness of delivering accurate navigation data to optimize anti-ship missile defence," said Andrew Fraser, director of navigation for Northrop Grumman's Maritime Systems business unit. "The MK 49 ring laser inertial navigators, combined with the latest upgrades to the NAVDDS product line, supply this data to multiple users quickly, accurately and efficiently."

The Australian and New Zealand ANZAC Class Frigate program started in the 1990s and has played a pivotal role in military actions around the world including the Gulf War and war against terror. The ANZAC Class has a formidable weapons array installed, and the new ASMD upgrade will be a vital protector for the new LHD class ships now being built.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

-ends-

Milne Bay

18-10-11, 10:19 PM

RFA Largs Bay/ADFS Choules

A&P Group’s Falmouth yard has marked the end of the multi-million pound refit of RFA Largs Bay – the second ship in her class to undergo a major refit at the docks.

The RFA Largs Bay was formally handed over to the Australian Department of Defence, which bought the ship, at an official signing ceremony on Friday (Oct 14th).

The ship has been renamed ADFS Choules, after Claude Choules, the last combat veteran of the first world war, who died earlier this year aged 110. British born, he began his 41-year military career with the Royal Navy, later relocating to Australia and joining the Royal Australian Navy. The new name was chosen to recognise the strong links that bind Australia and Great Britain.

Work began in June and was completed on September 29 – one day early. The major refit included:

• Overhauling the main propulsion system, including diesel generators and azimuths
• Repainting the hull and flight deck
• Upgrading the tropical cooling system
• Upgrading and maintaining the salt water system
• Overhauling the stern ramp
• Extending the bridge front walkway
• Various safety enhancements
• Supplying and installing Mexeflote pontoon
• Installing temporary air shelter

In a speech during the ceremony, Australian Cmdre Steve McDowall praised the “seemingly limitless flexibility” and “highly professional performance” of A&P Falmouth and the Cluster Support Team.

In August A&P Falmouth welcomed Australian Defence Minister Jason Clare MP and Australia’s Chief of Navy Ray Griggs to the docks to inspect RFA Largs Bay.

The grey ship, which has become a recognisable sight on the Falmouth skyline, is due to leave the docks later this month, arriving in Freemantle, Australia in mid December.

Gerald Pitts, A&P’s Cluster Director, said: “Building on the successful first of class refit on the Mounts Bay in 2010, the sister vessel to Largs Bay, we were delighted to undertake this project.

“Due to programme changes the Cluster Support Team and the team at A&P had a very tight timescale to develop a specification, plan the work and complete the project, but I am pleased to say work was completed on schedule.

“We learned a great deal during the refit of the RFA Mounts Bay last year. We were able to put these lessons into action while we worked on the RFA Largs Bay and a number of improvements were made. No doubt we will have more improvements to put into practice when we perform the next major refit, which is due on the RFA Lyme Bay next year.”

A&P Group has a contract with the MOD to provide upkeep support to Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships. The partnership has led to a more economical approach to ship repair and maintenance throughout the RFA flotilla, through advanced planning, knowledge of the vessels, continuous improvements in working practices, the reliable quality of work and availability of the docks.

The new approach is estimated to deliver millions of pounds of savings to the MOD over 30 years on the previous arrangements, which saw individual contracts competed for as and when they were required, and has already been praised in Parliament.

Peter Child, Managing Director of A&P Falmouth, said: “The Ministry of Defence has strong ties with Falmouth and we are delighted to celebrate the continuing success of the partnership between A&P Group and the RFA and to showcase what has been achieved.

“The contract helps provide the company – and it’s highly skilled employees – with vital security for the future. We provide excellent value for money, as we proved last year with the RFA Mounts Bay, which was the first ship in its class to undergo a major refit.

“We have a worldwide reputation for excellence and efficiency and continue to develop our resources and invest in our skills base.”

Former Royal Navy and RFA vessels are in considerable demand as a cost effective alternative to new build options. The A&P Group has a good record of regenerating UK MoD vessels and has a specialist team of experts available, not only to regenerate the ships but also to install new equipment and train personnel in its safe and effective operation.

Mr Child said: “As the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary accepts new warships and auxiliaries into the fleet, older ships that still have a service life are potentially very attractive assets for overseas navies.

“Warship regeneration is a complex and demanding requirement and A&P Group has responded to this new business stream by becoming a major provider to the UK MoD and overseas navies in the past three years by returning these ships to service with the new owners.”

Next on the agenda for A&P Falmouth is the major refit of the RFA Cardigan Bay, which arrived in the port in August. Work is due to be completed by January 2012, and will include further improvements and efficiencies identified during work on the RFA Largs Bay.

Planning is also already underway for the RFA Lyme Bay refit period next June.

http://www.ap-group.co.uk/2011/10/17/ap-group-celebrates-the-end-of-rfa-largs-bay-re-fit/

Nice ropework on the new bell.
What happens to the bells of de-commissioned ships? eg HMAS Adelaide, Canberra etc

JimWH

18-10-11, 10:29 PM

Hmm... Temporary aircraft shelter. Wasn't aware she was getting one of those. And if it was a refit item that implies it is not the inflatable tent the RFA have been using. Curious.

Gubler, A.

18-10-11, 11:14 PM

Hmm... Temporary aircraft shelter. Wasn't aware she was getting one of those. And if it was a refit item that implies it is not the inflatable tent the RFA have been using. Curious.

According to someone on the ship it is the tent looking thing but he says its a lot more solid than it looks from photos.

And you can actually see it in that photo of the ship's bell change over.

tiddles

18-10-11, 11:51 PM

According to someone on the ship it is the tent looking thing but he says its a lot more solid than it looks from photos.

And you can actually see it in that photo of the ship's bell change over.

Certainly nothing wrong with your eyesight Abe ,yes the hanger is in the pic. but I did not see it until you mentioned it.I imagine that it will be a temperorary or semi permanament fixture until we can get an LHD commissioned & get a ship of this sort to sea that can carry Helos permanently if required, as at present we have more or less nothing except our part arrangement with NZ.I expect that when we get an LHD that the need for a Hanger on the HMAS Choules will probably diminish.
Tiddles

Unicorn

19-10-11, 05:25 AM

Navy fund and training cuts leave us exposed to terror

Cameron Stewart From: The Australian October 19, 2011 12:00AM

THE navy's ability to detect and destroy mines planted by terrorists in the nation's busiest ports and sea lanes is being jeopardised by a chronic lack of training, funding and equipment.

The steep decline in the navy's mine warfare capabilities is causing alarm in military circles at a time when the mining boom has made the economy especially vulnerable to any attack on Australia's seaborne trade with countries such as China.

Defence is belatedly working to rectify the shortcomings but admits that its training levels for all forms of minesweeping are still "not optimal" for requirements.

In answers to questions on notice, Defence says it has put two of its six minehunters, HMAS Hawkesbury and HMAS Norman -- into mothballs and would need five years to get the full fleet back into the water.

It reveals that for the past four years there has been virtually no underwater mapping by minehunters of the main ports. This so-called "route survey data" is vital because it gives the navy a clear picture of what lies underwater, allowing it to quickly spot new foreign objects such as explosive mines.

Navy says it has conducted only 78 hours of route survey work in the past four years, mostly in Moreton Bay after this year's Queensland floods, leaving other major ports, including the lucrative mining ports in the country's north, exposed.

"The navy's ability to conduct mine clearance operations in Australian ports is in serious decline through neglect and decay," one insider told The Australian.

The navy's six Huon minesweepers were built between 1994 and 2003 in one of the country's most successful shipbuilding programs. But the fleet has suffered from funding cuts and neglect as funds have been diverted to fix other problem areas such as submarines and amphibious ships.

Defence says it is implementing programs to "reinvigorate" its minesweeping capability. It maintains that its four operational minehunters "meet all directed levels of operational activity", but declines to say whether these levels have been reduced to reflect the low level of training and the poor availability of equipment.

Minehunters use high-frequency sonar to search for, detect and then classify mine-like objects. When such objects are found, the ships deploy a remote-controlled mine-disposal vehicle or clearance divers to identify and, if necessary, neutralise them. The clearance divers, however, have defective diving equipment, which Defence says it is in the process of replacing.

Defence has also revealed its three remote-control minesweeping boats have been defective for more than three years. "No remote-control minesweeping activities have been conducted in the last four years due to known drone boat serviceability issues with the remote-control system," a Defence spokesperson said.

Replacements for the drone boats are being procured but are unlikely to be back in service for up to 12 months.

Defence says its minehunters have only trained four times in the past four years in the vital technique of "influence" minesweeping where minehunters use acoustic and magnetic signals to detonate emplaced mines.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/navy-fund-and-training-cuts-leave-us-exposed-to-terror/story-e6frg8yo-1226170097501

buglerbilly

25-10-11, 11:18 PM

Family mourns navy man

JOSEPH CATANZARO, The West AustralianOctober 26, 2011, 5:35 am

Michael Wilson/The West Australian ©

Just weeks ago, Ewan McDonald stood on the upper deck of HMAS Toowoomba, scanning the Arabian Sea with his .50-calibre machinegun as he laughed and joked with his navy mates.

On Monday, as the WA-based warship was docked in the Indian city of Mumbai, he died from a gunshot wound in what the Defence Department called a "firearm incident".

Defence will not release details of the sailor's death until it completes an investigation. But from two weeks embedded with Toowoomba in the Middle East last month, _The West Australian _can confirm one thing: Able Seaman McDonald, 26 - "Macca" to his mates - was a good bloke who was loved and respected by the rest of the 190 crew.

A Victorian, he moved to WA eight years ago when he joined the navy and said last month he loved his adopted State.

In a statement yesterday, his family said he treasured his partner and the life they made in Perth and adored his nieces and nephews.

"The welfare of his family and friends was paramount to Ewan and he constantly put others before himself," it said.

"The navy definitely brought out the best in Ewan. He joined as a boy and left as a true gentleman."

The last six months of AS McDonald's life were spent on HMAS Toowoomba in pirate waters in the Middle East and Gulf of Aden. As boatswain's mate, his main duties were manning the helm or standing sentry on the upper deck.

Steering at night, his friendly voice often floated from the darkness on the blacked-out bridge, often with a joke or advice. A little shy and reserved, his smile was all the more genuine when he did break it out.

As the ship cut through the Arabian Sea, he said he missed his friends and loved ones in Australia but believed the counter-piracy mission was worth the sacrifice.

"We are doing a good job," he said. " If we weren't up here, piracy would be a lot worse."

"It will be a difficult trip home," one sailor said yesterday. Even with almost 200 crew, no doubt the ship will feel a bit empty.

Unicorn

27-10-11, 03:02 AM

He was a member of a club I am in, building ship models.

RIP.

.

buglerbilly

27-10-11, 03:06 AM

Its a damn shame fer sure...........

geof

28-10-11, 08:11 AM

buglerbilly

28-10-11, 02:11 PM

Submarine Gas Leak on Multi National Exercise

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued October 28, 2011)

The Royal Australian Navy submarine HMAS Farncomb is returning to Singapore after partial failure of its cooling system during the Five Power Defence Agreement (FPDA) Exercise Bersama Lima 2011 (BL11).

The submarine crew followed standard emergency operating procedures to clear the refrigerant gas, Freon which had leaked as a result of the failure. No one was injured.

Farncomb will undertake repairs in Singapore over the coming days.

BL11 involves a total of 18 warships, one submarine and 65 military aircraft, as well as various support elements.

BL11 is being conducted by the FPDA member countries in various locations on the Malaysian Peninsula and in the South China Sea from 17 October to 4 November 2011.

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of a successful FPDA illustrating the long-term commitment of the founding members to Defence cooperation and regional stability.

-ends-

Unicorn

24-11-11, 12:24 AM

.. Excuse my ignorence on this, but I remember years ago the Navy had a small fleet of White Survey Ships, with their primary role to map harbours, bays, shipping lanes etc., etc ... what ever happend to them .. ? and have their role been passed to the Huon's .. ??

The survey force is still active, Leeuwin, Melville and the four inshore survey catamarans.

The role they undertake is navigational survey work, a very different role from the route-mapping and clearing, which sets up a database of the sea-bed contour, allowing the operators to note any changes in the items on the sea-bed, greatly assisting in locating mines and removing them.

Jezza

24-11-11, 12:11 PM

http://aprs.fi/?call=i%2F503688000&_s=ib

Location of warship

Weasel

24-11-11, 12:48 PM

http://aprs.fi/?call=i%2F503688000&_s=ib

Location of warship

nice... I wonder if they will take her down to Heard Island on the trip home?

Milne Bay

24-11-11, 11:30 PM

Off topic but appropriate to RAN.

Unexploded ordnance found on Sydney beach

Updated November 25, 2011 10:13:59
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-25/unexploded-ordinance-found-on-sydney-beach/3694240

An unexploded navy shell has washed up on a beach in Sydney's north.

Police say a street sweeper spotted the shell on Dee Why Beach just before 7:00am (AEDT).

An explosives clearance team from the Royal Australian Navy has arrived to remove the device.

Police have cordoned off the area.

I didn't know that unexploded navy shells floated - and how did it get to Dee Why?

Mercator

25-11-11, 12:10 AM

Smoke marker maybe. Dozens get used by aircraft, ships and subs during various serials.

buglerbilly

25-11-11, 01:51 PM

HMAS Kanimbla Farewelled

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued November 25, 2011)

The last of the Royal Australian Navy’s Amphibious Landing Platforms, HMAS Kanimbla, was decommissioned at her homeport of Garden Island, in Sydney, today.

Kanimbla’s dedicated service was acknowledged in a traditional ceremony attended by the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, AM, CSC, RAN and past and present crew.

During the ceremony the Australian White Ensign was lowered for the last time and handed to the Commanding Officer, Commander Brendon Zilko, RAN.

“Today represents the closing of a fine chapter in the history of Navy’s Amphibious Fleet,” Commander Zilko said.

“HMAS Kanimbla has provided outstanding service and dedication to duty over her 17 years, actively supporting National and coalition operations spanning from the Western Pacific to the Middle East.”

“Kanimbla was the first Coalition vessel to supply urgently needed medical supplies to civilian hospitals in Baghdad.”

“Kanimbla also undertook numerous humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions providing relief to thousands of people in Vanuatu, Indonesia and East Timor.”

“Today it is also important to acknowledge the hard work of Kanimbla’s past and present serving personnel. They are the lifeblood of the ship, and Kanimbla’s proud history is theirs. Their dedication is what has allowed Kanimbla to respond to the numerous taskings directed by Government in both war and peace.”

“Kanimbla’s successes will be built on into the future with the introduction of the Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Dock providing advanced amphibious capability to Navy.”

“To tide us over until the LHDs arrive, ADFS Choules will shortly be commissioned, enabling Navy to continue its vital role in the region.”

-ends-

Unicorn

27-11-11, 05:25 AM

ADFS Choules!?!

.

Mercator

27-11-11, 06:19 AM

Not yet commissioned.

ADMk2

27-11-11, 06:34 AM

ADFS Choules!?!

.

Yep. Hasn't been formally commissioned into the RAN yet, so it gets the ADFS tag until the ceremony in Fremantle in a couple of weeks...

buglerbilly

28-11-11, 07:32 AM

Minister for Defence and Minister for Defence Materiel – New Cutting Edge Missile Defence System for ANZAC Ships

28 November 2011

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that the Government has approved the upgrade of all eight of the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac Class frigates with an advanced Anti-Ship Missile Defence system.

The total project cost is in excess of $650 million, including the funds already spent upgrading HMAS Perth.

The ANZAC Class Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) project has also been removed from the Projects of Concern list.

The 2009 Defence White Paper outlined the Government’s intent to put all of the ANZAC Class ships through an ASMD upgrade program, subject to the successful outcome of at-sea trials on the first ship.

The upgrade of HMAS Perth as the lead ship for the ASMD program was successfully completed earlier this year.

Following exhaustive testing, including in theUnited States, the Chief of Navy agreed to the operational release of the system in July 2011.

Government has now approved the installation of the system on the remaining seven ships of the ANZAC class by 2017.

Minister Smith said this was the latest weapon in Navy’s arsenal and meant the Navy’s ANZAC frigates would be a lot more capable.

At the moment our ANZAC frigates can track and destroy one target at a time.

The new system is able to identify, track and guide missiles to multiple targets at the same time.

Minister Clare said the project was a great Australian success story – cutting edge technology developed right here inAustraliaby CEA Technologies.

The remaining upgrade installation and integration work will be undertaken by the ANZAC Ship Integrated Materiel Support Program Alliance, comprising SAAB Systems, BAE Systems and the Defence Materiel Organisation.

Minister Clare said that the ASMD upgrade program is a good demonstration of how the Projects of Concern process can effectively manage difficult projects and deliver successful national security outcomes forAustralia.

Media Note:

Imagery available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003&search=20112625

Media Contacts:

Mr Smith’s Office: Ellen Shields (02) 6277 7800 or 0400 347 473

Mr Clare’s Office: Korena Flanagan (02) 6277 7620 or 0418 251 316

Department: MediaOps (02) 6127 1999

buglerbilly

28-11-11, 01:09 PM

BAE Systems Secures Anti-Ship Missile Defence Upgrade Contract

(Source: BAE Systems Australia; issued Nov. 28, 2011)

HENDERSON, Australia --- BAE Systems has been awarded an AUD $270M contract to upgrade the seven remaining Royal Australian Navy ANZAC class frigates, with the Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) capability already implemented on the first of class, HMAS Perth.

The new contract follows the successful upgrade of HMAS Perth earlier this year which was completed on time and budget with completion of sea trials and acceptance taking place in June.

The new contract will be completed through the ANZAC Ship Integrated Material Support Program Alliance comprising BAE Systems, Saab Systems and the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO).

BAE Systems Australia Director Maritime, Harry Bradford said project management and planning for ship two would begin immediately with fabrication set to begin early June next year and installation to commence in the fourth quarter of 2012.

He said the scope of the project included ship integration of the leading edge CEA Phased Array Radar (PAR), the Vampir NG Infrared Search & Track (IRST) system, the Sharpeye Navigation Radar System (NRS), and an upgraded Saab Combat Management System (CMS) including an improved operations room layout.

“The platform integration of these systems will require significant structural modifications however having undertaken this already on HMAS Perth we will be able to implement process improvements gained from that project.

“Like the work carried out on HMAS Perth we will again replace the forward and aft masts on all ships.”

Mr Bradford said the facilities available at the company’s Henderson yard in Western Australia meant that BAE Systems had the capability to carry out this large project to its completion in 2017.

“Our Henderson shipyard has the ability to dry-dock two ships simultaneously and this enables the fleet upgrade program to be accelerated with operational and cost benefits to the Commonwealth.

Mr Bradford said the ASMD project would also be a boost for the local economy with an additional 240 jobs created by this project with 90 per cent of those based at Henderson in WA. The remainder will be at BAE Systems Williamstown yard.

“BAE Systems is continuing to invest in its Henderson yard and winning this contract demonstrates the Government’s confidence in our capacity to again deliver a successful result on ASMD and upgrade the rest of the ANZAC fleet.”

-ends-

buglerbilly

28-11-11, 01:34 PM

Pic including the new radar..............

buglerbilly

05-12-11, 01:55 PM

Pentagon Contract Announcement

(Source: U.S Department of Defense; issued December 2, 2011)

Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors, Owego, N.Y., is being awarded an $85,137,344 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-11-C-0020) to provide for the procurement of end-of-life components and long lead materials and associated efforts required for the production and delivery of 24 MH-60R Mission Avionics Systems and common cockpits for the Royal Australian Navy under the Foreign Military Sales Program.

Work will be performed in Farmingdale, N.Y. (53 percent); Owego, N.Y. (32 percent); Ciudad Real, Spain (5 percent); Victor, N.Y. (4 percent); St. Charles, Mo. (3 percent); Lewisville, Texas (1 percent); Windsor Locks, Conn. (1 percent); and various locations throughout the United States (1 percent).

Work is expected to be completed in March 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

-ends-

ADMk2

05-12-11, 05:05 PM

ADFS Choules is at present about 200k's off the coast of WA. She should be arriving in Fremantle tomorrow...

http://aprs.fi/?call=i%2F503688000&_s=ib

geof

06-12-11, 07:19 AM

ADFS Choules is at present about 200k's off the coast of WA. She should be arriving in Fremantle tomorrow...

http://aprs.fi/?call=i%2F503688000&_s=ib

Some nice Pics of Her on Her way south ...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/royal_australian_navy/6328035206/in/set-72157628087404208/

Milne Bay

06-12-11, 07:54 AM

She does look good.
Glad she arrive safe and sound.
Quick question: Where does she carry her mexflotes? - Strapped to the outside or stored inboard and attached outboard when needed?
Has she got mexflotes yet - and if not are they being made in Australia?
Interested
MB

buglerbilly

06-12-11, 09:24 AM

The Mexflotes were ordered as part of the ADFS Choules package and I seem to remember that they are new-builds but don't quote me on that. No idea if they are being shipped inside ADFS Choules.........? Operationally, they'd always be stored outside per pic below.............the landing craft go inside............

The Mexflotes are attached to the rear, outside hull pointing down............see pic, this is Mounts Bay with Mexflotes still attached.........

ADMk2

06-12-11, 01:43 PM

She has arrived in Fremantle. Apologies for the horrible weather, it's turned bloody awful over there, apparently?

buglerbilly

06-12-11, 01:46 PM

Its more or less been pissing down all day along with occasional torrential downpours along with sometimes high winds................

ADMk2

06-12-11, 02:53 PM

Hasn't been real flash over here either. It has been overcast days, drizzling and windy every now and then, with a storm every other afternoon for the last few weeks. Oh and it's cold here at present, by Brisbane in December standards anyway... Before that it was stinking hot, with massive humidity and no storms to cool it off and drop the humidity. It was completely sucky...

buglerbilly

06-12-11, 04:31 PM

Here's the info on the MEXFLOTES..............

New landing ship set for capability boost (EDITED version)

Max Blenkin, AAP Defence Correspondent

April 28, 2011 - 11:54AM .

AAP

To boost its capability to land troops and equipment where no port facilities are available, defence will buy a pair of mexeflotes - large diesel engine powered rafts able to transport loads of up to 110 tonnes.

Mexeflotes can be transported attached to the ship's side or in the rear well deck. Britain used them extensively during the Falklands war and in recent relief operations.

"The likely source of mexeflotes will be from civilian operators. Defence is investigating the acquisition of two reconditioned ex-military mexeflotes from UK civilian operators," a defence spokesman said.

buglerbilly

13-12-11, 12:22 PM

HMAS Choules commissioned

13 December 2011

Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore, AM, CSC, RAN presents the Australian White Ensign to Commanding Officer, HMAS Choules, Commander John Cowan, CSC, RAN.

The Royal Australian Navy now has enhanced amphibious warfare capability with the commissioning in Fremantle today of Australia’s newest warship, the Bay Class Landing Ship HMAS Choules.

Choules, a former Royal Fleet Auxiliary which served the Royal Navy under the name Largs Bay, was renamed after Chief Petty Officer Claude Choules, Australia’s last surviving World War I veteran. Mr. Choules passed away in his home city of Perth in May 2011, aged 110.

HMAS Choules is now at the forefront of a new generation of amphibious capability for Navy in the period leading up to the arrival of the Landing Helicopter Dock ships in 2014.

The ship has been proven as a robust amphibious capability, having provided humanitarian relief as a part of the international response to the Haiti earthquake last year.

The 176 metre long vessel has a crew of 158 officers and sailors, and can accommodate two large helicopters, 150 light trucks and 350 troops. She also carries two mexeflotes, which are powerful landing raft designed to move goods and vehicles between the ship and the shore.

Following her commissioning in Western Australia, HMAS Choules will transit to the east coast to her home port at Fleet Base East in Sydney on 21 December.

buglerbilly

13-12-11, 12:27 PM

Additional ship to be purchased for humanitarian and disaster relief capability

13 December 2011

SOV Windermere

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced the next step in the Government’s plan to improve the Royal Australian Navy’s amphibious capability – the purchase of an additional humanitarian and disaster relief ship.

The Government has authorised the purchase of a ship to add to the Royal Australian Navy’s current amphibious ships, HMAS Choules and HMAS Tobruk.

The purchase of a third ship will ensure that Defence has the humanitarian and disaster relief capability required between now and the arrival of the Landing Helicopter Dock Ships in the middle of the decade.

Defence is currently leasing the Subsea Operations Vessel (SOV) Windermere to provide additional capability to the Navy over the coming cyclone season.

Detailed decisions on the purchase of the additional ship will be taken in the near future.

The third ship will primarily be used to transport troops and supplies in support of humanitarian and disaster relief operations domestically and in the region.

A commercial off-the-shelf vessel will be sought so that minimal modifications will be needed allowing the ship to enter into service in the course of 2012.

The vessel will be manned under a civilian crewing arrangement.

Action taken this year

When Cyclone Yasi hit North Queensland in February this year, Defence did not have any amphibious ships available to assist.

At that time Mr Smith and Mr Clare made no secret of their disappointment with the state of the Royal Australian Navy’s amphibious ships.

Since that time the Government has taken a number steps to rectify the problem with the Navy’s amphibious fleet.

First, in April the Government purchased the RFA Largs Bay from the British Government.

The ship was today commissioned into the Royal Australian Naval fleet as HMAS Choules.

Second, work was conducted on HMAS Tobruk to return it to sea.

Third, in order to maintain the Navy’s amphibious capability over the past 12 months, ships have been leased to supplement the existing capability. SOV Windermere has been leased to provide extra support this cyclone season.

Fourth, to ensure such a gap in capability does not happen again, the Government also commissioned Mr Paul Rizzo to develop a plan to improve the maintenance and sustainment of our naval fleet.

That report was provided to the Government in July and the recommendations are now being implemented.

Current Amphibious capability if required

The Royal Australian Navy now has the following amphibious capability if required to provide humanitarian and disaster relief during the current cyclone season:

◦ HMAS Choules
◦ HMAS Tobruk
◦ SOV Windermere – leased from P&O until 31 January 2012, with the option to extend to the end of February 2012
◦ HMNZS Canterbury – under Australia’s agreement with New Zealand she could be made available as part of the joint Pacific-focused Ready Response Force, subject to any operational requirements in New Zealand, and
◦ A number of Landing Craft, Heavy (LCH) boats

buglerbilly

13-12-11, 12:31 PM

Progress of future submarine project

13 December 2011

Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith, and Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare, today provided an update on the Future Submarine Project, SEA 1000.

The 2009 Defence White paper outlined the Government’s commitment to acquire 12 new Future Submarines, to be assembled in South Australia.

Minister Smith said that the Future Submarine project is major national undertaking and is of a scale, complexity and duration never before experienced within Defence. The submarines will be constructed over the course of the next three decades.

Options for the Future Submarine range from a proven fully Military off the Shelf design through to a completely new submarine. All options are being considered, other than nuclear propulsion which the Government has ruled out.

Development of the Future Submarine Project is being informed by careful consideration of lessons learnt from the Collins Class project.

Minister Smith said that “Problems with the Collins Class are of long standing and well known. It is essential that Navy and Defence learn everything they possibly can from the experience with the Collins Class to inform development of the Future Submarine project”.

The release today of the Interim Report of the Coles Review is an important part of that process.

The Government and the RAND Corporation today also released the RAND study into Australia’s Submarine Design Capabilities and Capacities.

The RAND Report has identified that Australia has a considerable amount of expertise, but there are gaps. One key area in which we need to build expertise is submarine propulsion systems. RAND has suggested that land-based test facilities are a useful way to begin to build that expertise.

The RAND report also found that Australia will need a significant amount of help from overseas to deliver the Future Submarines.

This year, the Government has held high level discussions with the United States on the future submarine project.

Minister Smith said that at AUSMIN in November 2010, Australia and the United States agreed that Australian-United States cooperation on submarine systems was strategically important for both countries.

The high level of submarine interoperability between Australia and the United States and our technical cooperation will extend into future submarine acquisition program.

The Government also announced today that three important steps had been taken in the development of the Future Submarine Programme:

◦ The Government has approved the release of Requests for Information to three overseas submarine designers offering off-the-shelf submarine designs, which will provide a better understanding of the capabilities of off-the-shelf options. The designers are:

◦ DCNS (France), designer of the Scorpene
◦ HDW (Germany), designer of the Type 212 and Type 214 submarines
◦ Navantia (Spain), designer of the S-80 submarine;

◦ Defence has entered into a contract with Babcock for a study into the establishment of a land based propulsion systems test facility, which will inform engineering development of the future submarines.

◦ The Chief Executive Officer of the Defence Materiel Organisation will develop in close consultation with the Australian Defence Industry a Future Submarine Industry Skills Plan.

Minister Clare said “The Future Submarines Project is the biggest and most complex Defence project we have ever embarked upon. It will involve hundreds of companies, thousands of workers and a lot of skills that do not currently exist in sufficient numbers.

“Some of those skills are available overseas, others will have to be grown here. Now is the time to develop a plan to make sure we have the skills we need when we start designing and building the submarines.”

Government will make further announcements regarding the Future Submarine project in 2012.

The RAND Corporation study into Australia’s Submarine Design Capabilities and Capacities will be available at: www.rand.org.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

buglerbilly

13-12-11, 12:39 PM

Submarine Sustainment Review Phase 1 Report, The Coles Review

13 December 2011

HMAS Farncomb (left) and HMAS Collins alongside Fleet Base West.

Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith, and Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare, today released the report of Phase 1 of the Review of the Sustainment of Australia’s Collins Class submarines, the Coles Review.

The review is being led by Mr John Coles, an independent expert from BMT Defence Services in the UK.

Sustainment of the Collins Class submarines is at the top of the Government’s Projects of Concern list.

Mr Smith said the sustainment of the submarine fleet was a complex task that has proven challenging for Defence and ASC for a lengthy period of time.

In August, Minister Smith and Minister Clare released the terms of reference for the Review of the Sustainment of Australia’s Collins Class submarines.

This Review is examining complex engineering issues associated with submarine sustainment.

Just as the Rizzo Report provides a plan to improve the repair and management of the Navy’s amphibious fleet, Mr Coles is developing a plan to improve the repair and management of our submarine fleet.

“The Coles review is an important step in implementing improvements to the way the Collins class submarines have been sustained over a long period,” Mr Smith said.

Key Findings

Phase 1 of the report identifies a range of key issues that need to be addressed:

◦ Poor submarine availability caused by a crew shortfall, lack of spares and unreliable equipment;
◦ A lack of cohesion in strategic leadership;
◦ Department of Finance and Deregulation, the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO), Navy and Industry not working collectively as an “Enterprise”;
◦ A lack of clarity around accountability, authority and responsibility;
◦ Submarine knowledge thinly spread;
◦ Lack of robustness of Navy’s contribution to manning and sustainment;
◦ No long term strategic plan for efficient use of assets;
◦ DMO seeking direct involvement at the tactical level;
◦ A performance-based ethos not being embedded in ASC;
◦ No long term strategic plan for efficient asset utilisation; and
◦ Unclear requirement and unrealistic goals.

Interim recommendations

Phase 1 makes interim recommendations about how to address some of these issues.

Mr Coles’ interim recommendations are:

◦ Resources should be directed to the provision of spares leading directly to increased availability;

◦ Any decision to reduce the agreed Materiel Ready Days in a year should only be taken by the Collins Class Program Manager.

◦ The In-Service Support Contact (ISSC) between the Defence Materiel Organisation and ASC, currently under discussion, should be placed as planned;

◦ The classification of Priority 1 Urgent Defects by the submarine commander should be moderated by Commander SUBFOR to avoid over classification purely to increase priority of spares; and

◦ As part of the crew training program, Commanding Officers, Marine Engineering Officers and Weapons Electrical Engineering Officers should undertake a pre-joining course at ASC and Pacific Marine Batteries (and other key suppliers) to gain a better insight into some of the intrinsic submarine design and equipment characteristics.

Implementation of these recommendations will commence immediately.

The Phase 1 report proposes the scope of work for Phase 2 of the review. Mr Coles has proposed four areas for detailed analysis:

1. Integration and Program Management
2. Commercial
3. Engineering Reliability and Navy, and
4. Costing.

In Phase 2, the review team will gather and analyse data to put forward well-evidenced findings and recommendations on how to improve performance in Collins submarine sustainment.

Mr Coles will provide the Phase 2 report in April 2012.

The Coles Review will also inform development of the Future Submarine Project.

Minister Smith said that “Problems with the Navy’s current Collins Class are of long standing and well known. It is essential that Navy and Defence learn everything they possibly can from the experience with the Collins Class to inform development of the Future Submarine project.”

“The implementation the Coles Review will help build confidence in our capacity to sustain our current fleet of submarines, so that we can turn with confidence to the acquisition program for our Future Submarine.”

The report of Phase 1 of the Review of the Sustainment of Australia’s Collins Class submarines is available at:

http://www.defence.gov.au/dmo/.

buglerbilly

13-12-11, 03:19 PM

Australia launches study into alternative crewing for Navy support ships

An Australian Royal Fleet Auxilliary?

13:19 GMT, December 13, 2011 Australian Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith, today announced a study by the Royal Australian Navy into alternative methods of crewing some of its support ships.

Navy will work with other Federal agencies and Australia’s maritime industry to examine the feasibility of alternate crewing options to better utilise Navy’s uniformed workforce and take advantage of skills and experience in the civilian shipping industry.

This review will examine the viability of crewing some of our vessels with a mix of civilian and military or even all civilian crews.

Such crewing arrangements already operate successfully in the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom and across the United States Government’s Transport Command in support of the United States Navy.

These alternate arrangements could apply to selected support ships such as HMAS Choules once the first Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Dock has been delivered, and the Navy’s auxiliary tanker, HMAS Sirius.

It will not apply to Navy’s warships, including frigates, Air Warfare Destroyers, Landing Helicopter Docks and patrol boats.

The study may also provide a complementary strategy to re-invigorate Australia’s merchant shipping industry. This is in line with the series of reforms announced by the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese, on Friday 9 September 2011, under the Government initiative “Stronger Shipping for a Stronger Australia”.

tiddles

13-12-11, 07:43 PM

Hi BUG, I know little about the Windemere except that it is a strange looking beast [probably quite practical] & the crane at the stern seems rather big for a ship this size,do you know the reason for such a large crane..I have just spent 2 weeks on the Dawn Princess which is a much better looking ship & I imagine more comfortable but it has no crane or helipad,so is unlikely to be leased by the RAN.
Tidddles

buglerbilly

14-12-11, 02:31 AM

Subsea Operations Vessel (SOV) Windermere, the title says it all mate.

Because she's a Subsea Ops vessel she has to typically lift large ROV's (remotely operated, underwater, vessels), deepsea diving bells and the like..........these are not light (typically 10-20 tonne mark). Also as a SOV she self-loads containers full of kit, gases, and pre-containerised dive support & ROV control centres.

Due to Ops requirements its a de facto need to have a heli-deck permanently installed and the front is the only place to put it.

Clough Engineering here in Perth have 3 or 4 of these vessels but these are either on long-term contracts or still being built/completed. Its a highly lucrative end of the specialist market.

Milne Bay

14-12-11, 08:51 PM

Final flight for Navy's Sea Kings

Posted December 15, 2011 07:39:42

The Navy's decommissioned Sea King helicopters of 817 Squadron will take their final flight today.

The formation will leave Nowra at 9:30am and head up the coastline for a flyover of Sydney Harbour.

The squadron will then travel to Canberra to fly over Lake Burley Griffin and the Australian War Memorial.

817 Squadron Commander Paul Moggach says his most important deployment was during the Queensland floods in January this year.

"We were tasked to go in to the Lockyer Valley on January 11 and we spent a day flying in some of the worst weather I've ever seen - certainly the worst conditions I've ever flown in," he said.

"[We carried out] a number of evacuations, a number of rescues along with two Army helicopters ... it was the most significant day [and the] most impressive amount of skill I've seen from my crew and my maintainers."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-15/final-flight-for-navy-sea-kings/3732110

Milne Bay

15-12-11, 08:51 AM

Navy appoints first female Admiral

The Navy has announced the appointment of its first female Admiral, Robyn Walker.

Admiral Walker is the first woman in the Navy to attain the rank of Rear Admiral and to take on the job of Surgeon‑General for the Australian Defence Force.

The Admiral, who joined the Navy in 1991, says she is honoured by the promotion.

"Navy and Defence have provided me with every opportunity to learn and develop as an individual; and if you take the opportunities that are provided and work hard, your efforts will be noticed and rewarded," she said.

"I am looking forward to the challenges that I will face and continuing to make a positive difference in my new role."

Admiral Walker, originally from Brisbane, has been heavily involved in the Navy's health service.

She was in charge of planning Australia's military medical response to the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.

Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, says Admiral Walker is a role model for all women in Defence.

"Admiral Walker's achievements as director-general of health for the Navy with broader responsibilities to the ADF in leading a $270 million revamp of the ADF’s health capability, and her previous role in supporting the health of operational Defence personnel in Iraq and East Timor, have been recognised in the decision to promote her," he said.

"Her promotion reflects her outstanding service and dedication to Defence health services, the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Defence Force."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-15/first-female-admiral-for-navy/3733672

buglerbilly

17-12-11, 12:58 AM

Capability Reviews Bring Changes for Australia's Navy

By NIGEL PITTAWAY

Published: 16 Dec 2011 14:24

MELBOURNE, Australia - The Australian government this week announced its response to two reports that criticize the operational capability of the Royal Australian Navy.

Speaking to media on Dec. 13, Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Jason Clare, minister for defense materiel, announced the Navy would acquire an additional sealift ship to improve its amphibious capability, following withdrawal of two amphibious warfare vessels, Kanimbla and Manoora, due to poor condition earlier this year.

The ministers also detailed responses to the recently released first phase of a review of maintenance of the Navy's six Collins-class submarines by John Coles, an independent expert from BMT Defence Services in the U.K.

The review was commissioned following revelations that most, and sometimes all, of Australia's submarines were not able to put to sea for a period of time and that sustainment costs had increased dramatically.

Speaking during the commissioning of the RAN's amphibious ship Choules in Western Australia, Smith responded to Phase 1 of the Coles review, saying that implementation of the recommendations will begin immediately.

"The report shows very deep, long-standing difficulties so far as maintenance and sustainment of the Collins-class submarine is concerned," he said. "It points to very serious flaws over a long period of time and draws attention to the need for fundamental reform in the way in which maintenance and sustainment is effected. The report itself makes very salutary reading, and it is a no-holds-barred report into what I regard as a long-standing systemic difficulty so far as Collins-class maintenance is concerned."

The report identified a range of shortfalls, including poor availability, a lack of cohesion in strategic leadership, a lack of clarity about accountability and responsibility, unclear requirements and unrealistic goals.

Its recommendations include increasing the provision of spare parts, further training and the development of an In-Service Support Contract between the government's Defence Materiel Organisation and the Australian Submarine Corp., manufacturers of the Collins boats.

Phase 2 of the Coles report will be released in April.

The Rizzo report, commissioned to investigate Australia's amphibious capability and conducted by independent external reviewer Paul Rizzo, was submitted to government in July and has directly resulted in the plans to acquire a third vessel to complement Choules and the existing landing ship, Tobruk.

To cover the shortfall in the interim, the Australian Defence Force is leasing the subsea operations vessel Windemere from civilian sources.

"A commercial off-the-shelf vessel will be sought so that minimal modifications will be needed, allowing the ship to enter service in the course of 2012," Smith said. The new ship "will primarily be used to transport troops and supplies in support of humanitarian and disaster relief operations domestically and in the region. Detailed discussions on the purchase will be taken in the near future."

Responding to the Coles and Rizzo reviews, Chief of Navy Vice Adm. Ray Griggs said, "I see these reviews as a very important opportunity for Navy, and for me as the capability manager, to be able to exercise my responsibilities. I don't see them as a threat. I see them - and their candor and honesty - as extremely useful to me to exercise my responsibilities and to make sure that we work together to get the sustainment of our Collins submarines right."

Australia plans to build 12 conventionally powered submarines to replace the Collins boats in the next decade, and Smith and Clare also announced Dec. 13 that French shipbuilder DCNS, Germany's HDW and Spain's Navantia will be issued requests for information.

Australia has also contracted with Babcock to study the establishment of a land-based propulsion systems test facility in response to a Rand Corp. study into Australia's submarine design capabilities and capacities.

The government has held high-level discussions with the U.S. Navy on the Future Submarine Project, most recently during November's AUSMIN ministerial talks.

"The Future Submarine Project is the biggest and most complex defense project we have ever embarked upon," Clare said. "It will involve hundreds of companies, thousands of workers and a lot of skills that do not currently exist in sufficient numbers.

"Some of those skills are available overseas; others will have to be grown here. Now is the time to develop a plan to make sure we have the skills we need when we start designing and building the submarines."

Clare said future announcements regarding the program will be made in 2012.

Smith and Clare also announced a study into alternate methods of crewing some naval vessels with a mix of civilian and military crews in a manner similar to the Military Sealift Command in the U.S. or Britain's Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Weasel

18-12-11, 04:57 AM

buglerbilly

18-12-11, 08:46 AM

Just read this; I find it mildly amusing.

How much money did they spend on this guy?

cheers

w

He's a BMT guy so not less than a $1,000 per day, probably a lot more ($3,000 per day)...............over the life of this plus report, no change out of a Million or Two.

Milne Bay

18-12-11, 08:51 AM

=
He's a BMT guy so not less than a $1,000 per day, probably a lot more ($3,000 per day)...............over the life of this plus report, no change out of a Million or Two.

Jebus H Chr!$?

:faint2

buglerbilly

18-12-11, 09:31 AM

=

Jebus H Chr!$?

:faint2

That figure, if anything, is a gross underestimate................

Mercator

19-12-11, 03:28 AM

From questions on notice at the last Senate Estimates (just published as it turns out):

Conduct of the Coles Review;
v. The current financial commitment to the Coles Review is $722,000 GST inclusive,
however the whole scope of Phases 2-4 has not been contracted.

Page 75 in the PDF below. Phase 1 report just completed by Mr Coles. There's more dollars to be had yet.
http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/fadt_ctte/estimates/sup_1112/def/DefencePart1-Part2-Part3.pdf

Some interesting reading in there actually. Lots of stuff that they tend to gloss over off-the-cuff.

buglerbilly

03-01-12, 02:02 PM

Pentagon Contract Announcement

(Source: US Department of Defense; issued December 29, 2011)

Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors, Owego, N.Y., is being awarded a $103,500,000 firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-09-G-0005) for mission avionics and common cockpit non-recurring engineering, program support, and associated efforts required for the production and delivery of 24 MH-60R helicopters for the Royal Australian Navy under the Foreign Military Sales Program.

Work will be performed in Owego, N.Y. (95 percent), Farmingdale, N.Y. (4 percent), and various locations throughout the United States (1 percent). Work is expected to be completed in July 2018. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

-ends-

buglerbilly

12-01-12, 02:10 AM

Raytheon Awarded $80 Million for First International Airborne Low Frequency Sonar Contract

Providing Proven Sonar System to Australia

TEWKSBURY, Mass., Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded an $80.8 million contract modification from the U.S. Navy in support of a Foreign Military Sale of the AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar to the Royal Australian Navy. ALFS is the primary undersea warfare sensor for the U.S. Navy's MH-60R multimission helicopter. The contract represents the first international sale of Raytheon's advanced anti-submarine warfare sensor.

ALFS provides critical undersea warfare mission support capabilities, including submarine detection, tracking, localization, classification, acoustic intercept, underwater communication and environmental data collection.

This contract modification follows two previously awarded contracts, totaling $141.5 million, for ALFS systems, spares and repairs for U.S. Navy inventory. The first contract, awarded by Naval Air Systems Command, was valued at $81.7 million for the manufacture, integration, testing and delivery of ALFS systems for the U.S. Navy. The second contract, from Defense Logistics Agency Aviation Strategic Acquisition, valued at $59.8 million, provided for spares and weapons replaceable assemblies for fleet-deployed systems, systems under test, and helicopter maintenance trainer assets.

"ALFS is a key tenet of our naval strategy, providing us a robust, rapid and far-reaching anti-submarine warfare capability," said U.S. Navy Captain Jim Glass, program manager for the MH-60 helicopter. "Now with the sale to Australia, we are providing our airborne ASW sensor of choice to advance the capabilities of a valued, allied fleet."

The system's performance and capabilities continue to be proved during U.S. Navy undersea warfare exercises. Navy officials report on results, stating that the carrier strike groups consistently detect all exercise submarines during deployment. ALFS is deployed as the primary anti-submarine warfare sensor onboard the MH-60R helicopter, charged with defending the surface ships before the submarines come within range to launch an attack.

buglerbilly

31-01-12, 01:14 PM

BAE Systems In New Contract for Nulka TLS

(Source: BAE Systems; issued 31 January 2012)

The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has awarded BAE Systems a six-year Nulka Through-Life Support (TLS) contract with options for a further 18 years.

The new TLS approach breaks new ground in the way the DMO contracts for sustainment, and is valued at approximately AUD $19 million for the initial six-year period and includes support for both ships and shore facilities.

Nulka is the world’s most effective anti-ship missile defence and BAE Systems is the prime contractor responsible for design, development and integration of the Nulka system.

BAE Systems Chief Executive, David Allott welcomed the signing of the TLS contract and said it was a testament to the success of Nulka and BAE Systems Weapons business.

“The TLS contract is a new way for both the DMO and BAE Systems to deliver the support service for Nulka with the ultimate aim of delivering a robust support structure or this critical ship defence system,” he said.

“Having BAE Systems responsible for both production and support of Nulka presents many benefits for the customer in terms of service delivery as well as achieving savings in accordance with the Strategic Reform Program.”

The TLS contract will be managed by a Nulka Support Team located at several sites including Richmond in Victoria and Mulwala in New South Wales as well as Edinburgh Parks in South Australia.

Late last year the government also awarded BAE Systems a 13th successive contract to produce additional Nulka rounds for delivery to both the RAN and USN. This latest production Option, worth $40m, would see production take place during 2012 and 2013 at Edinburgh Parks and Mulwala and bring the total number of rounds supplied by BAE Systems to more than 1200.

Originally conceived in Australia, and developed under a joint Australian-US program, Nulka provides warships with a highly effective all-weather defence against anti-ship missiles, bringing together hovering rocket, autonomous system and electronic technologies.

Two US sub-contractors, Lockheed Martin and Aerojet, manufacture the electronic warfare payload and the rocket motor respectively.

Nulka is deployed on more than 140 surface combat ships in the US, Canadian and Australian navies and is also Australia's largest and most successful regular defence export.

-ends-

buglerbilly

01-02-12, 01:13 PM

Should Australia Build Warships? An economic and strategic analysis

(Source: Australian Strategic Policy Institute; reproduced by permission)

Another ASPI special stating the obvious I woul think altho I haven't read it and won't until the weekend...........read at your own peril!

Australia plans to acquire a wide range of naval vessels in the decades ahead at a total cost in the tens of billions of dollars. Taxpayers can rightly demand that those acquisitions are undertaken in a way that ensures value for money. Meeting that demand requires careful attention to the balance between domestic production and the import of naval vessels.

Since the late 1980s, the trend has been to rely on domestic production for a historically high share of the naval program. This has entailed substantial cost penalties that are reflected in the very high rates of assistance provided to Australian naval shipbuilding. Additionally, there have been substantial schedule slippages, imposing costs both in the form of the delayed introduction of capabilities and of increased sustainment outlays on existing platforms. The overall result has been to distort the allocation of resources, not only in the economy as a whole but also in defence itself, as the high cost of the program reduces the ability to fund the capabilities needed for the defence of Australia. Moreover, analysis suggests the cost penalties associated with Australian production are unlikely to diminish in future.

The goal of defence self-reliance does not provide a sensible justification for bearing these excess costs. Complete self-reliance is not possible in any case. Policy setting is therefore a matter of degree in which the appropriate extent of self-reliance needs to be determined by balancing costs and benefits. As a result, the penalties associated with domestic shipbuilding should only be accepted if they are offset by commensurate benefits.

While such benefits have often been claimed, closer examination reveals them to be slight or non-existent. In particular, domestic production of naval vessels: does not ensure, or reduce the cost of ensuring, the supply of vessels that meet Australia’s strategic requirements; is not necessary to ensure, or to reduce the cost of ensuring, the sustainment of the fleet in peace or in war; and, does not materially enhance Australia’s sovereignty. Nor is it the case that domestic production should be considered an inherently advantageous way of providing jobs, boosting incomes and hence tax revenues; in fact, the effect is the opposite. Nor is it an efficient way to secure technological and workforce training benefits more broadly.

It is therefore crucial that future decisions about sourcing Australia’s naval assets are based on rigorous and transparent cost-benefit appraisal, with special scrutiny applied to decisions that involve customised or Australian-unique platforms. Moreover, that appraisal must be based on realistic evaluations of life-cycle costs, rather than the underestimates of future costs that have been a recurring feature of Australian defence planning.

Given that the excess costs, calculated over the entirety of the future fleet program, could amount to many billions of dollars, the loss to Australian society from protecting domestic military shipbuilding could be extremely high. There is also the loss, more difficult to quantify but no less real, should the high cost of building ships in this country force us to settle for a smaller fleet or impose unwarranted opportunity costs on other parts of the defence portfolio, thus reducing Australia’s net defence capability.

Unless credible offsetting benefits can be identified, and they have not been to date, the case for continuing the current preference for domestic production is very weak indeed.

Click here for the full report (34 pages in PDF format) on the ASPI website.

http://www.aspi.org.au/admin/eventFiles/ASPI%20Seapower%20paper%20Feb%202012.pdf

-ends-

buglerbilly

01-02-12, 01:18 PM

New Radar Absorbing Material Manufactured Locally

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued February 1, 2012)

Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) staff are advancing the progressive application of new radar absorbing material to Australia's Collins class submarine fleet.

The fitment program commenced in 2008, in collaboration with Mackay Consolidated Industries, a Melbourne-based rubber manufacturer.

DSTO maritime platforms researcher Dr Andrew Amiet explains that the new radar-absorbing material was designed, formulated and tested by electromagnetic signature management specialists.

He says that DSTO is replacing internationally sourced absorbers ‘that proved to be less optimal.’

“The old material showed evidence of deterioration and rust, where it affixed to the Collins. The underlying metal also needed to be treated with hydrofluoric acid, to help affix the absorber,” Dr Amiet says.

In applying the newly developed rubber, DSTO and Mackay Consolidated Industries do not need to rely on hydrofluoric acid treatment – an extremely hazardous substance which requires great care when using.

DSTO has previously worked with Mackay Consolidated Industries on other projects and consulted them again to develop a durable material that meets the Royal Australian Navy’s unique signature management requirements.

“The new material is tested for peel and tear, to help ensure it adheres effectively to the masts.”

“It is designed to reduce the range at which other sea or airborne platforms could detect a Collins class submarine. The effectiveness of the absorber has been validated through measurements performed by electronic warfare and radar experts at DSTO.”

Dr Amiet says that Mackay uses the best, locally derived materials to develop the new Radar Absorbing Material.

“Working with local manufacturers means that the Australian Defence Force and DSTO have the sovereign ability to modify the material, as required, if circumstances or demand change.”

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is part of Australia's Department of Defence. DSTO's role is to ensure the expert, impartial and innovative application of science and technology to the defence of Australia and its national interests.

-ends-

buglerbilly

01-02-12, 01:20 PM

Thales and A&P Group Cooperate on HMAS Choules

(Source: Thales; issued January 31, 2012)

UK-based A&P Group and Thales Australia have signed an agreement to provide through life support services to HMAS Choules – the Royal Australian Navy’s new Bay Class Landing Ship Dock.

A&P Group has an existing support contract with the Defence Materiel Organisation for the interim support of the vessel, which Thales Australia will play a key role in delivering through its ship upgrade, maintenance and repair capabilities based at Garden Island in Sydney, NSW.

A&P Group is also seeking a long term support arrangement with DMO that will capitalise on the experience gained by A&P Group on support of HMAS CHOULES and the three sister ships operated by UK MoD through an integrated Cluster Contract signed in 2008.

Max Sothcott, A&P Group Business Development Director – Defence, commented that “A&P Group completed the refit for HMAS CHOULES prior to her departure for Australia, and has been supporting the vessel under this interim contract with the DMO. With her arrival into RAN service, we are seeking a long term arrangement with an Australian provider to maximise the Australian industrial participation for long term sustainment of the vessel, and Thales Australia is that preferred provider.”

“This is a prime example of how industry cooperation can create effective sustainment solutions,” said Thales Australia CEO Chris Jenkins.

“We have extensive local expertise based on years of experience operating the Garden Island dockyard, working on a wide variety of RAN and commercial vessels, and developing an in-depth understanding of local customer requirements.

“These strengths, combined with A&P Group’s detailed knowledge of HMAS CHOULES and its own significant service capabilities, enable us to deliver an effective and collaborative sustainment capability to the Navy and the Department of Defence.

A&P Group has already liaised extensively with Thales Australia personnel to commence establishment of a local Cluster Support Team over the coming months.

The two companies are also currently exploring other cooperation opportunities regarding other next generation RAN vessels.

A&P Group is a leading engineering services and fabrication group providing tailor-made solutions for customers in the global marine and energy sectors. Originally founded as a centre of expertise in ship design and construction in 1971, A&P Group and remains 100% privately owned. Its trusted and proven heritage in marine engineering services has become a dynamic catalyst for future-facing development and innovation.

A&P Group’s global leadership in ship repair, ship conversion and marine services is born out of expertise, market-strength and dedication to delivering complex projects. The company provides robust, bespoke solutions and maintain a collaborative, open approach that inspires long-lasting and trusted partnerships with each of client.

Operating some of the world’s best-equipped marine services facilities across three strategic yard sites in the UK and a worldwide network of agents and preferred suppliers, A&P Group is able to offer far-reaching capabilities across the globe.

Thales is a global technology leader for the Defence & Security and the Aerospace & Transport markets. In 2010, the company generated revenues of €13.1 billion (equivalent of AUD 18.9 billion) with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 22,500 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local partners.

Thales Australia is a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force and is also present in commercial sectors ranging from air traffic management to security systems and services. Employing around 3,300 people in over 35 sites across the country, Thales Australia recorded revenues of around AUD 900 million in 2010.

-ends-

buglerbilly

03-02-12, 01:58 PM

Ministerial Indecision Blamed for Sub Burden

(Source: The Canberra Times; issued February 3, 2012)

Analysts predict taxpayers will spend billions of dollars to keep the troubled Collins class submarine fleet afloat into the 2030s, blaming a succession of defence ministers who haven't made a decision on a replacement.

The first Collins class boats are due to be decommissioned around 2025 and the plan called for a replacement to have been designed, built and successfully tested by then.

This just isn't going to happen. Rear-Admiral Rowan Moffitt, the head of the future submarine program, has said an Australian designed and built submarine won't be ready until 2032 at the earliest.

One analyst, who has examined the timeline Admiral Moffitt spelt out at the Seapower conference in Sydney this week, says 2035 is a more likely date. Another, who argues Admiral Moffitt may be being conservative, believes a locally designed and built submarine could be ready for sea trials by 2029.

Both have pinned the blame for the ''schedule slip'' on the Government's failure to get the ball rolling.

Submarine Institute of Australia vice-president Frank Owen said, ''We should have been doing what we are doing now at least three years ago.''

Andrew Davies, a senior analyst with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the delays were ''due to decisions not being made by government - but, on the other hand, I don't believe the quality of information needed to make a decision has been available.''

That point is moot however. ''The Government has not made obtaining that information a priority,'' he said.

Mr Owen and Mr Davies agree there is no way the Collins fleet could be operational into the 2030s in its current form. Mr Davies said, ''It will definitely require a midlife upgrade.''

Both men concur the investment required would be substantial. ''Likely well over a billion dollars,'' Mr Davies said.

The Collins has been dogged by propulsion system problems for decades. ''When Admiral Moffitt gave his speech he referred to some problems that had been designed in [to Collins],'' Mr Davies said. ''The engines are one of those.''

Issues with the diesels are two fold; Hedemora - the manufacturer - stopped making engines in the 1990s.

''They were effectively the last of the previous generation of naval diesels - and they were heavily modified,'' Mr Davies said.

He said the problems with the engines are such they need to be replaced. This could be done in conjunction with the future submarine project. Technology developed for the Collins could then be applied to the new class of submarines.

Mr Owen said a midlife upgrade could also reduce the ever-increasing operating cost of the Collins class boats.

''There is a view that a lack of upgrades in the past is one of the reasons they are costing so much to operate now,'' he said.

-ends-

Milne Bay

03-02-12, 08:52 PM

Ministerial Indecision Blamed for Sub Burden

''There is a view that a lack of upgrades in the past is one of the reasons they are costing so much to operate now,'' he said.

-ends-

Jeez - who'd-a-thought!

One of the biggest problems that Defence has had IMHO, is the number of DefMins we have had over this time.
It is a huge portfolio, and takes even a talented DefMin a long time to come to grips with its complexity.
There have been too many changes giving the incumbents too little time in the job. The next minister has to start from scratch each time, and tough problems get left until last. Collins has been a tough problem so guess what .....
And some DefMins have not been too talented.

buglerbilly

01-03-12, 09:29 PM

Australian DoD Selects NSM As Preferred Tenderer for Anzac Frigate Maintenance

HMAS Anzac (FF150) arrives at Naval Station Pearl Harbor for RIMPAC 2008. (Photo: U.S. Navy, Paul D. Honnick)

08:33 GMT, March 1, 2012 A $300 million maintenance and repair contract for the Anzac Class Frigates will be negotiated with Naval Ship Management Australia, following their selection as preferred tenderer.

Australian Minister for Defence Materiel Senator Kim Carr said the new five-year contract was expected to provide better outcomes for industry and more effective, value for money outcomes for the Navy.

“In June of last year my predecessor Minister Jason Clare announced the Government’s intention to reform the naval ship repair sector – commencing with the release of the tender for the repair and maintenance of the Navy’s eight Anzac Class frigates,” Senator Carr said.

“I am pleased to announce the outcome of the Tender evaluation. I congratulate Naval Ship Management Australia, a joint venture of Babcock Australia and United Group Infrastructure, for being selected as the preferred tenderer.”

Senator Carr said the announcement follows extensive consultation with industry on a new approach to contracts for repair and maintenance work.

“In contrast to the previous arrangements which required every new maintenance activity to be individually contracted out, the grouping of ship repair and maintenance tasks offers the potential for significant cost savings.

“These savings are achieved through reductions in contracting activity, greater ability to forecast work effort, and productivity gains through greater investment in workforce skills and infrastructure.

“This initiative will provide industry with the predictability, certainty and stability that it needs to achieve efficiencies and provide job security for, and investment in, its workforce.

“This new contracting approach is good for industry, it is good for job security and development, it is good for Navy, and it is good for Australian taxpayers who rightly demand maximum efficiency from every dollar spent on Australia’s defence.”

Contract negotiations are expected to be finalised by June 2012.

buglerbilly

05-03-12, 12:42 PM

Australian Anzac Support Contract Win

(Source: Babcock; issued March 2, 2012)

The contract is expected to be valued at A$300 million (c £200 million) over an initial five year period, with an option to extend for a further five years. The final contract is expected to be signed by the end of June 2012 and become operational, after a transitional phase, on 1 January 2013.

This contract marks Babcock's entry into the surface ship support market in Australia at a time when the Australian Department of Defence is seeking to reform its naval ship repair market to ensure optimum value for money while setting high standards of performance. Both Babcock and UGL have proven track records and considerable experience in managing long-term, performance-based maintenance contracts as well as delivering efficient and cost-effective support for major warships.

Babcock and UGL have also been down selected to tender for the Amphibious and Afloat Support Ships' GMC when it is released. This is expected to be by mid-2013.

Commenting on the award Peter Rogers, Chief Executive of Babcock said:

"We are delighted to have won this contract with our partners UGL. We look forward to working with the Australian Government and developing a long-term relationship as we support its plans to deliver a new, cost-efficient, integrated naval support solution.

This success reinforces our confidence in the growth prospects for Babcock in the Australian naval support market."

-ends-

buglerbilly

14-03-12, 01:19 PM

Australian Navy retires the A109

14 March 2012 - 12:14 by Tony Osborne in London

The Australian Navy has retired its fleet of AgustaWestland A109 helicopters as the type makes way for the introduction of the Bell 429.

The aircraft, which are assigned to 723 Squadron based at HMAS Albatross near Nowra, flew their final missions on 9 March.

The A109s first entered navy service in June 2007. Provided and maintained by Raytheon Australia, the aircraft flew over 6,000 hours and qualified over 60 aircrew in that time.

The helicopters were part of Navy’s Retention and Motivation Initiative (RMI) that aims to provide development opportunities for junior pilots, aviation warfare officers and aircrewmen awaiting operational flying training on Seahawk and MRH90 helicopters.

As well as the RMI mission, the aircraft also provided vital support in community assistance operations, including the 2009 Victoria bushfires and 2011 Queensland flood relief.

The A109s are being replaced by three Bell 429 helicopters - also provided by Raytheon Australia. The first 429 will arrive in March 2012 and undergo testing before entering in service with 723 Squadron in May.

Exsandgroper

19-03-12, 06:41 AM

Minister for Defence and Minister for Defence Materiel – Joint Media Release – Purchase of Offshore Support Vessel for Humanitarian and Disaster Relief

19 March 2012

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that the Government had agreed to purchase the Offshore Support Vessel MSV Skandi Bergen.

The Skandi Bergen will add to the Royal Australian Navy’s current amphibious ships, HMAS Choules and HMAS Tobruk. The 6,500 tonne ship is 105m long and 21m wide. It has accommodation for up to 100 people, more than 1000 metres of deck area, and a helipad.

The purchase of the Skandi Bergen – at a cost of less than $130 million – will ensure that Defence has the humanitarian and disaster relief capability required between now and the arrival of the two new Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships in the middle of the decade.

It will primarily be used to transport troops and supplies in support of humanitarian and disaster relief operations domestically and in the region.

The purchase of this vessel will also provide a long term capability for Customs and Border Protection.

After Defence introduces the LHDs into service, the vessel will be transferred to Customs and Border Protection.

The Skandi Bergen will be able to undertake patrols in the Southern Ocean providing surveillance, detection and apprehension of any vessels operating illegally. The vessel is able to operate in sub-Antarctic weather conditions.

The commercial off-the-shelf vessel will require minimal modifications and will enter into service in the middle of the year and will be operated under a civilian crewing arrangement.

The Skandi Bergen is the sister ship of the ACV Ocean Protector, currently operated by Customs and Border Protection.

Action taken since Cyclone Yasi:

When Cyclone Yasi hitNorth Queenslandin February early last year, Defence did not have any amphibious ships available to assist.

At that time Minister Smith and Minister Clare made no secret of their disappointment with the state of the Royal Australian Navy’s amphibious ships.

Since that time the Government has taken a number of steps to rectify the problem with the Navy’s amphibious fleet.

First, in April last year the Government purchased the RFALargs Bay from the British Government. In December it was officially commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy as the HMAS Choules.

Second, work was conducted on HMAS Tobruk to return it to sea.

Third, in order to maintain the Navy’s amphibious capability, ships were leased to supplement the existing capability. Subsea Operations Vessel Windermere was leased to provide extra support during the cyclone season.

Fourth, to ensure such a gap in capability does not happen again, the Government also commissioned Mr Paul Rizzo to develop a plan to improve the maintenance and sustainment of our naval fleet. The recommendations from the Rizzo report are now being implemented.

Fifth, in December last year Minister Smith and Minister Clare announced that they would pursue the purchase of an additional ship to be used by Navy, particularly for humanitarian and disaster relief situations.

Current Amphibious capability if required:

The Royal Australian Navy currently has the following amphibious capability:
•HMAS Choules;
•HMAS Tobruk;
•Landing Craft Heavy vessels; and
•HMNZS Canterbury – under Australia’s agreement with New Zealand she could be made available as part of the joint Pacific-focused Ready Response Force, subject to any operational requirements in New Zealand

Media Note:

Imagery is available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003&search=11120487

Media Contacts:

Mr Smith’s Office: Andrew Porter (02) 6277 7800 or 0419 474 392

Mr Clare’s Office: Korena Flanagan (02) 6277 7620 or 0418 251 316

Department: (02) 6127 1999

Cheers

Exsandgroper

19-03-12, 09:24 AM

19 March 2012

HMAS Choules passes first capability test off North Queensland

The Royal Australian Navy’s new amphibious ship HMAS Choules has successfully carried out its first major amphibious training tasks.

Navy and Army have come together over the last three weeks for the amphibious exercises known as “SQUADEX” and “SEA LION.” Exercise SQUADEX provided practice for drivers of Army Landing Craft Medium (LCM8) and Navy Landing Craft Heavy (LCH), along with a variety of vehicle types as they drive on and off HMAS Choules.

HMAS Choules is significantly larger than the amphibious ships she replaced and she gives the ADF new capabilities such as a floating dock.

The internal docking facility or “well dock” can be flooded to a depth of up to three metres so landing craft and the ship’s own landing barges called Mexeflotes actually drive inside the hull whilst the ship is at sea, taking on their cargo of vehicles and people in safe and controlled conditions.

“It’s reasonably daunting first time,” said Private Jarrod Gafa from 35 Water Transport.

“The ship is very stable and the entry into the well dock is wide enough, but sea swell and the current can make it a challenge to execute an accurate approach and enter the ship at the correct angle with just enough power to deploy the LCM8.”

Army Blackhawk helicopter pilots from 5 Aviation Regiment, based in Townsville, have also put the ship to the test, flying constant sorties to confirm their deck landing qualifications, as well as practice cargo and personnel transfers.

For exercise SEA LION, HMAS Choules was joined by the New Zealand amphibious ship HMNZS Canterbury, with her 122 crew, Australian Army personnel from Townsville’s 3rd Brigade and planning staff from all three services around Australia. This exercise was focused on confirming the ADF is prepared to meet a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief incident within our region.

According to HMAS Choules’ Commanding Officer, Commander John Cowan, these types of activities will soon become the norm for the Royal Australian Navy’s newest ship.

“We have the capacity to conduct simultaneous landing craft and helicopter operations, day and night, in support of operations focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR). Using Choules’ well dock to move personnel and equipment ashore allows a significant increase in the speed of transfer compared with the Navy’s previous Landing Platform Amphibious ships,” CMDR Cowan said.

At 176 metres long, Choules has a crew of 158 officers and sailors, including a permanently embarked Ships Army Department of 22. The ship can accommodate two large helicopters, 150 light trucks and 350 troops.

Media note:

Vision of HMAS Choules and the Australian Army exercising will be released through Defence Digital Media in Canberra via Parliament House. A web clip will also be available on line at:

http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003&search=11122236

Media contact:

Navy (on board HMAS Choules): LEUT Darren Mallett 0409 836343

Army (3 Brigade): CAPT Jillian Gaze 0418 218 415

Defence Media Operations: (02) 6127 1999

Cheers

Raven22

19-03-12, 01:36 PM

What that press release doesn't tell you is that bugger all training actually got done due to the weather and the sea state.

geof

23-03-12, 10:14 AM

Some Pics of Skandi Bergen .. Nice looking ship .. not sure about that helipad though .. reckon they could build a flightdeck on the rear, would make it much more suitable for military use .. Will this ship be re-named .. ??

buglerbilly

23-03-12, 11:42 AM

Nah, HELIDECK over the bow means you get wind over the deck, helps when bringing in a helo. The stern needs to be kept clear to give you Working Deck space which is the WHOLE point of a supply-dive vessel design, which is what this..............the bow is "wasted" space now used for a purpose.

geof

25-03-12, 04:50 AM

.. Do you think it will be re painted and re named HMAS whatever ... ???

Gubler, A.

25-03-12, 09:39 AM

.. Do you think it will be re painted and re named HMAS whatever ... ???

Its going to end up in Customs after 18 months so if it is renamed and repainted it will be to their spec not the Navy's. So likely to be "Oceanic Bag Sniffer" if anything and only an ADF Ship rather than fully commissioned during its first period of service especially as it will have a civil crew. It might get a rear flight deck but that would be to access a new build helicopter hangar. The crane and deck space for underwater construction will all be removed and redundant on the Skandi in Australian service.

buglerbilly

25-03-12, 12:01 PM

Its going to end up in Customs after 18 months so if it is renamed and repainted it will be to their spec not the Navy's. So likely to be "Oceanic Bag Sniffer" if anything and only an ADF Ship rather than fully commissioned during its first period of service especially as it will have a civil crew. It might get a rear flight deck but that would be to access a new build helicopter hangar. The crane and deck space for underwater construction will all be removed and redundant on the Skandi in Australian service.

It "may" end up that way BUT why bother removing the Crane, it gives other abilities to this vessel and the helideck on the back is an irrelevant expense for most occasions. Ain't gonna happen in the current financial climate..........in my opinion of course.

buglerbilly

25-03-12, 02:32 PM

MPs visit Europe to survey subs

March 26, 2012 - 12:00AM Read later

The government is yet to make a decision on the replacement of six Collins class submarines.

Oooh goodie, six wankers on a Euro, fully-paid jolly, are going to resolve all of our Defence worries, the Subs in particular................ :thebird

THE decision on Australia's multibillion-dollar submarine project and "deep-seated problems" with military spending will be the focus of a cross-party delegation of MPs on a visit to shipyards in Britain, Spain and Germany.

The six MPs will also take a firsthand look at the troubled Joint Strike Fighter assembly line in the United States, with concerns cost blowouts and delays could leave Australia's air defences exposed.

The government is yet to make a final decision on the plans outlined in Labor's 2009 Defence blueprint for 12 new submarines to replace the existing fleet of six Collins-class boats built in the 1990s.

Labor must decide whether to design and build a new boat in Australia — despite the bitter experience with the Collins, which was plagued with technical problems — or purchase an existing overseas model.

West Australian Labor senator Mark Bishop and shadow defence spokesman David Johnston will lead the delegation next month to assess submarine options in Europe.

The MPs will visit the port of Kiel in northern Germany where the Type 214 submarine is built. The South Korean and Turkish navies are among several countries that operate the diesel-electric submarine, while Spain's S-80 is seen as another off-the-shelf option for Australia. The MPs will also look at maintenance of Britain's Trafalgar-class submarines in Devonport.

The delegation will contribute to a parliamentary inquiry into Defence capital projects, due to report in June.

A scathing preliminary report in December slammed an "endless merry-go-round" of reviews into Defence procurement problems that has led to major delays, including replacing military helicopters and amphibious ships.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/mps-visit-europe-to-survey-subs-20120325-1vsiy.html#ixzz1q8Qlj25L

ARH v.3.1

25-03-12, 03:45 PM

If the RAN / government is serious about building a capable submarine fleet as a long term hedge, they should probably be looking at the Astutes rather than the rinky dink diesel electrics that the Europeans are coming up with.

Gubler, A.

25-03-12, 11:51 PM

It "may" end up that way BUT why bother removing the Crane, it gives other abilities to this vessel and the helideck on the back is an irrelevant expense for most occasions. Ain't gonna happen in the current financial climate..........in my opinion of course.

I think DOF has already said that the Skandi Bergen the Younger will have its big crane and other stuff removed before the sale.

buglerbilly

26-03-12, 02:04 AM

Gubler, A.

26-03-12, 02:50 AM

Jeez they are a bunch of Muppets...........silly in extreme. Removing the crane is easy enough as its mounted on a pedestal, so you disconnect power and a few other lines and hey presto she lifts off............removing the dive support gear is also easy enough as its just boxes and modules. You then end up with an open deck area emminently suitable for carrying more modules and deck cargo. Sticking a helideck on the arse of the deck is stupid, from an engineering viewpoint its the worst place to be in one of these designs considering where the CofG is. This kind of vessel has the arse end yo-yoing around severely under any kind of sea when empty and/or light-loaded so unless you ballast it heavily it'll be a first-calss bitch to land on in any kind of sea much above Sea State 3 or 4.

As a UAS mothership she'll work well, as a helicopter carrier? NAH!

Well its just my conjecture that if they want a heli hangar they need to move the flight deck from above and forward the bridge to somewhere aft of the bridge. It could be on the centreline with a hangar aft. Been done before.

But that is for the customs requirement which is for enclosed space, RHIBs and the like. For the Navy they would want as much deck space for cargo carriage and the big crane for lifting it on and off.

The sale press release from DOF is here:

http://www.dofsubsea.com/en-US/News.aspx?Action=1&NewsId=224&PID=6

Signed agreement to sell Skandi Bergen (NB 771)
19. March 2012
We refer to press release sent earlier today regarding sale of yard no. 771 at STX OSV AS to Commonwealth of Australia (COA).
DOF SUBSEA REDERI AS HAS SIGNED AN AGREEMENT TO SELL A SHIP UNDER CONSTRUCTION

We refer to press release sent earlier today regarding sale of yard no. 771 at STX OSV AS to Commonwealth of Australia (COA).

The ship is sold for a price slightly below USD 130 million. The ship will be delivered to COA without it's subsea equipment, hereunder 2 WROVs, 250 T crane, and launch and recovery systems for the two WROVs.

DOF Subsea Rederi AS has today signed a building contract with STX OSV AS for a new vessel of OSCV 11 design. This new vessel is a lengthened version of yard no. 771 with a total length of approximately 121 m. The new vessel's yard no. is 776.

The subsea equipment from yard. no. 771 will be transferred to yard no. 776. Yard no. 776 will deliver from STX OSV in May 2013. Estimated project price for yard no. 776 is approximately NOK 660 million. This number includes the subsea equipment from yard no. 771 and DOF's estimated costs for construction supervision, spare parts and mobilisation.

Milne Bay

26-03-12, 03:31 AM

Apparently the ship will be fitted with a 60 Tonne crane.
Will this be from one of the LPA's?
Not sure where this will be placed.
MB

Gubler, A.

26-03-12, 03:58 AM

Apparently the ship will be fitted with a 60 Tonne crane.
Will this be from one of the LPA's?
Not sure where this will be placed.

Probably just use the crane base built for the 250 T. Here is a picture of # 771 in November 2011 before she was launched. Plenty of room on the cargo deck for anything.

ADMk2

26-03-12, 05:28 AM

Is it going to stay bright red and can we put ESSM, 5 inch guns and F-35B's on it?

(Sorry, I was channelling the usual Dt 16 year old there for a moment...)

buglerbilly

26-03-12, 06:03 AM

Apparently the ship will be fitted with a 60 Tonne crane.
Will this be from one of the LPA's?
Not sure where this will be placed.
MB

Well you have a crane pedestal and/or foundation reinforcement for one from the existing crane so putting a new one of lower capacity is no big deal or problem.................

Gubler, A.

26-03-12, 06:55 AM

Is it going to stay bright red and can we put ESSM, 5 inch guns and F-35B's on it?

(Sorry, I was channelling the usual Dt 16 year old there for a moment...)

LOL. You know the bizarre thing about #771 is she is being built in a Norwegian village with a population of about 900. The village surrounds are only another 1,000 people. Real Viking long boat stuff.

buglerbilly

26-03-12, 07:35 AM

LOL. You know the bizarre thing about #771 is she is being built in a Norwegian village with a population of about 900. The village surrounds are only another 1,000 people. Real Viking long boat stuff.

Pretty typical of construction and small shipyards in Norway........the yard goes out of business the towns die and/or become retiree hide-outs.............very very pretty locations in Summer, bloody cold in Winter but the Fabrication is usually done in covered halls.........wonderful people! Among the best on Earth............gotta go back for a visit in a year or two.

buglerbilly

26-03-12, 08:07 AM

Some very nice shots of HMAS Choules in operation............

http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003&search=11122236

..........interesting shots of the Mexflotes in operation on pages 3 & 4..........as usual near impossible to download shit from this worthless upgrade to the Defence file images system................:cuckoo

geof

27-03-12, 07:04 AM

LOL. You know the bizarre thing about #771 is she is being built in a Norwegian village with a population of about 900. The village surrounds are only another 1,000 people. Real Viking long boat stuff.

.. Bit confused here .. is the ship under construction in the photo @ #771 you posted the Skandi Bergen .. ?? if so .. then we are getting a brand new ship .. ?? .. Fuck Customs .. would make for a great replacement for Tobruk .. :-p .. 2 x LHD's, 1 x LSD & 1 x LSH .. very tidy combo ..

Gubler, A.

27-03-12, 08:26 AM

.. Bit confused here .. is the ship under construction in the photo @ #771 you posted the Skandi Bergen .. ?? if so .. then we are getting a brand new ship .. ?? .. Fuck Customs .. would make for a great replacement for Tobruk .. :-p .. 2 x LHD's, 1 x LSD & 1 x LSH .. very tidy combo ..

There are more than one Skandi Bergens. Customs leased the immediate past Skandi Bergen from DOF Subsea in 2010 and renamed it ACS Ocean Protector. DOF then went and ordered a new ship, which they named Skandi Bergen, from STX OSV and their Sovik shipyard. This ship which is also known by the constructors hull number (# 771) was brought over the past six or so months while still under construction. It was launched in January (AFAIK) and will be complete in May. The photo is of the Sovik yard in November last year with # 771 (aka Skandi Bergen the Younger) still on the slipway under construction.

The role of this ship is to provide sealift up until the end of 2013 or into 2014 until HMAS Canberra is commissioned. When Canberra is commissioned with Adelaide to follow the supporting sealift role will be taken by HMAS Choules.

buglerbilly

02-04-12, 02:34 PM

Smith under attack from ship critics

David Ellery

March 31, 2012

Defence Minister Stephen Smith's decision to order his department to spend $130 million on a ship for the Border Protection and Customs Service is unprecedented, a former senior bureaucrat says.

Critics within Mr Smith's department say the ship, the Skandi Bergen, is of no use to the navy and that the purchase is a public relations stunt.

It is due to undergo sea trials in May and will arrive in Australia around the middle of the year.

''Navy did not buy this ship to fill any void until the Land Helicopter Docks come on-line,'' a source said. ''The government bought this ship because Customs needs it - but Customs does not have any money. The defence minister directed Defence to buy it with Defence money.''

Attempts by the minister to pass the Skandi Bergen off as an amphibious vessel were just plain wrong.

''It is not, I repeat, not, an amphibious ship,'' the source said. ''It has no amphibious capability whatsoever.''

Professor Ross Babbage, the former head of strategic analysis in the Office of National Assessments, said Mr Smith's intervention was remarkable.

''It strikes me as truly without precedent,'' he said yesterday. ''I cannot recall a previous occasion where the minister has ordered his department to buy a major piece of Defence equipment which the department itself hasn't previously identified as a requirement for defence capability.''

The intervention represented ''a serious breakdown in the discipline of force structure development''.

Unlike last year's purchase of HMAS Choules - which at only $100 million represents a lot more bang for the buck than the much smaller Skandi Bergen - funds do not come from a budgetary underspend. ''The decision was not related to any budget underspend. Defence is not currently anticipating an underspend in 2011-12,'' a Defence spokesman said.

The decision to buy the Skandi Bergen, a sister ship to the Border Protection and Customs Service's Ocean Protector, was driven by Mr Smith's fear HMAS Tobruk and HMAS Choules would not be sufficient to respond to a natural disaster such as a cyclone or tsunami in the region.

''Navy [now] only has two amphibious ships and the minister wanted a third ship for humanitarian assistance and disaster response,'' the source said. ''This reeks of the government trying to give the impression it is doing something about defence - it is an attempt to mislead the electorate. It is worse than doing nothing as it is a diversion of focus and resources,'' another Defence insider said.

The Skandi Bergen purchase followed the announcement, on December 13, by Mr Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare of ''the next step in the government's plan to improve the Royal Australian Navy's amphibious capacity - the purchase of a ship to add to the Royal Australian Navy's current amphibious ships, HMAS Choules and HMAS Tobruk''.

To qualify as an amphibious vessel a ship needs to have a ''roll on, roll off capability''. The Skandi Bergen does not meet this requirement.

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/smith-under-attack-from-ship-critics-20120330-1w476.html#ixzz1qtDxbuHc

buglerbilly

02-04-12, 02:38 PM

On The Record: Chief of Navy's letter to the editor in response to Skandi Bergen amphibious claims

2 April 2012 By Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, AM, CSC, RAN

MSV Skandi Bergen's sister ship, ACV Ocean Protector.

I refer to the article in Saturday’s Canberra Times "Ship Under Attack from Defence Critics - Defence Purchase a Stunt”. This was a disappointing article in that it contains a number of errors of fact and gives your readers a highly inaccurate view of the value that the offshore Support vessel Skandi Bergen provides to Navy.

To say that the ship is of no use to Navy is incorrect. Navy has been using chartered vessels to supplement its amphibious capability since May of 2011 and in the process has been able to provide greater assurance to Government that it can cover a range of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) contingencies during the amphibious capability transition to the new Landing Helicopter Dock ships. The focus of these chartered vessels, and now of the Skandi Bergen, has principally been on providing HADR options if required. With a fleet of only two major amphibious ships, having one ship online can not always be guaranteed, particularly when one of those ships (HMAS Tobruk) is in the latter part of its life and its availability can be considered fragile. Skandi Bergen significantly enhances Navy’s flexibility to manage the limited number of assets during the transition period between now and 2016.

The claim that the ship was bought because Customs needs it is also incorrect. The initial decision to purchase an interim HADR vessel was made solely on the basis of Defence requirements. The scope of the purchase was subsequently, and very sensibly, expanded to capitalise on the broader Whole of Government need over the longer term.

To claim that the ship has no amphibious capability is simply wrong. The amphibious capability is a system about the collective ability of the ADF to land, support and sustain ground forces from the sea. The amphibious spectrum of operations covers everything from HADR and non combatant evacuation through to higher end warfighting roles. A roll on roll off capability is, despite what the article contends, not what defines a ship as being an amphibious vessel. It is the ability to land and support troops and equipment free from any established port infrastructure (such as wharves) that is the key qualifier. Skandi Bergen has this ability in conjunction with other RAN assets that make up the overall amphibious capability.

Weasel

03-04-12, 02:46 AM

Unicorn

10-04-12, 12:38 AM

Hey, it the ADF, for them that's moving swiftly.

Mercator

10-04-12, 01:26 AM

The Canberra Times is still trying to generate some heat out of the Scandi purchase...

-----

Amphibious fleet a multimillion-dollar shambles

David Ellery
April 9, 2012 Read later
.

More than a year after Defence Minister Stephen Smith promised urgent action over the failure of the navy's amphibious fleet capability it remains a multimillion-dollar shambles.

The decommissioned and rust-riddled HMAS Manoora and Kanimbla are both tied up at Garden Island awaiting disassembly expected to cost $10 million or more and HMAS Tobruk has only made one extended voyage - to Christmas Island - since February last year.

Defence has rejected claims its latest ship, HMAS Choules, lacks a full crew complement and says sufficient training has been carried out to ensure ship and crew ''can carry out any likely operational requirement asked of them''.

With the Choules purchase originally only intended to replace HMAS Manoora, which was marked for death last January, the navy is still well down on amphibious ship capacity.

Manoora's sister ship, HMAS Kanimbla, was formally pulled out of service last November and neither of the 41-year-old vessels had been operational since September 2010.

Meanwhile HMAS Tobruk is said to ''lack Mr Smith's confidence'' and has been described as ''fragile'' by Chief of Navy, Vice-Admiral Ray Griggs. Despite having had $6.5 million spent on it in recent times, it will not be ready to return to service until at least the end of this month.

The amphibious fleet problems are compounded by serious issues with the replenishment vessels. HMAS Success, the east coast oil tanker and replenishment vessel, needs $200 million worth of additional work if its operational life is to be extended by five years from 2017 Defence has said.

This is on top of the $35.8 million that has been spent on the ''ship of shame'' that has been the centre of numerous sex scandals and inquiries costing millions of dollars since it went to Singapore for an upgrade in December 2010.

HMAS Sirius, the west coast ''fleet oiler'', needs to carry a separate fuel store as it can't use the same fuel as the rest of the fleet.

And, according to an Australian Strategic Policy Institute Report, because it started life as an oil tanker it is meant to sail either full or empty, not somewhere in between. ''There are some sea-keeping problems as a result.''

Other issues include that helicopters can't be flown off the flight deck and it is too slow to keep up with a naval taskforce. It has been reported these problems are so grave the Sirius may be withdrawn from service before the end of its planned 15-year life.

Because Australia is a two-ocean navy, three if you count the southern ocean, at least two major replenishment vessels are considered necessary.

HMAS Success, described as ''anything but'' by one insider, has not been operational since December 2010 and may not be fit for duty until August - if all goes well from here.

One industry source said despite the well-publicised Rizzo review and a spate of ship acquisitions - including HMAS Choules which was commissioned just ahead of the cyclone season late last year, ''bugger all'' had been achieved since Mr Smith gave the leadership of the senior service and the DMO a very public caning at the Australian Defence Magazine Congress last February.

''The 'can do, make do' culture [the minister criticised at that time] is still alive and well,'' he said, noting there was no clear indication Defence would bite the bullet and cough up the cash to fix HMAS Success for once and for all.

Others are more charitable, saying attention was being paid to the recommendations of the Rizzo report but that the problems are taking longer to fix than anticipated.

''Navy is serious about Rizzo; the chief of navy has an implementation team in place and whenever you here talk about doing something with ships or new capability Rizzo is constantly mentioned.

''It is hard to see what has changed because navy and the DMO is still playing catchup with the backlog of maintenance on the old ships - but as this is being conducted Rizzo features strongly.''

A visibly angry Mr Smith had told surprised 2011 ADM congress delegates there was a view ''major support ships are not subject to the same level of risk as submarines as aircraft, almost a perception HMAS Manoora and HMAS Kanimbla are second-class ships''.

''Maintenance and sustainment must be bread and butter business for Defence, the Defence Materiel Organisation, for navy and the Defence industry,'' he said.

Thirteen months on both HMAS Kanimbla and Manoora are gone, Tobruk is dodgy and there are mutineers on the chief of navy's own quarterdeck questioning the wisdom of spending $130 million of Defence treasure on a new boat for customs when so much core capability is going begging.

The Canberra Times drew fire from both Vice-Admiral Griggs and Mr Smith last week for quoting a defence insider as saying the $130 million purchase of the Skandi Bergen - a sister ship to customs' Ocean Protector - was an exercise in deception.

The source said Defence was misrepresenting the ship, described by its own builders as a ''multipurpose support vessel'', as an ''amphibious vessel'' in a bid to make it appear something is being done about the capability gap. It had actually been bought to meet a Border Protection and Customs specification.

Vice-Admiral Griggs, not surprisingly, rejects any suggestion the Skandi Bergen is a fraud and brings nothing to the navy's table - even though she will never be operated by a navy crew.

He says it qualifies as an amphibious vessel because - if operated in conjunction with ''other RAN assets that make up the overall amphibious capability'' - it can ''land and support troops and equipment free from established port infrastructure''.

This claim has been met with scepticism by some.

One maritime executive said any navy ship, including patrol boats, missile frigates - and probably even the Collins-class submarines - qualified as amphibious on that basis.

When asked if the definition would raise eyebrows across the fleet, a Defence spokesman said: ''The chief of navy is not suggesting every vessel in the fleet is an amphibious asset, he was merely pointing out a 'roll on-roll off' capability is not the defining feature of an amphibious vessel.''

AMI International defines amphibious ships as ''ocean going vessels capable of conducting amphibious operations with either embarked aircraft or landing craft''. Under AMI's definitions the Skandi Bergen would qualify as a fleet auxiliary but nothing more.

One thing the purchase will do is to allow sister ship, the Ocean Protector, to concentrate on its primary focus - border protection and customs duties. Ocean Protector was press ganged into service as part of a number of ad hoc arrangements to create an ''amphibious capability'' in the wake of the Tobruk debacle last year.

Defence maintains the decision to buy Skandi Bergen, a sixth C-17 Globemaster and long lead items on a new batch of Bushmaster troop transports had nothing to do with avoiding a Defence budget underspend for the second year in succession.

Defence refused to say whether there would have been an underspend in its 2011-12 budget if it had not ordered the $425.5 million in unprogrammed spending.

''Updated details of Defence's budget estimate for 2011-12 will be released in the usual way in the May budget,'' a spokesman said. ''Defence has proceeded on the basis there will not be a significant underspend in 2011-12.''

DEFENCE RESPONSE

Defence has rejected many of the assertions about the state of the amphibious and sustainment vessels in this report. Here is a summary of the key responses:

HMAS Success: ‘‘The current Defence Capability Plan includes project 1654 Phase 3 to replace HMAS Success, whose life of type ends in 2017. ... If it is determined by government that HMAS Success’s life is to be extended, the cost would be in the order of $200 million for a five-year period beyond 2017.’’ This needs to be read in conjunction with an earlier response that played that cost down: ‘‘The Current Defence Capability Plan includes the Project SEA 1654 Phase 3 to replace HMAS Success. In addition to maintenance and repair costs, the department has received recent advice indicating that extending the life of HMAS Success for five years beyond the current planned withdrawal date of 2018 would require expenditure of just in excess of $20 million.’’

HMAS Sirius: ‘‘The Chief of Navy is satisfied with the capability that Sirius provides.’’

HMAS Tobruk: ‘‘In January-February 2012, while assigned to Operation Resolute (January 13 to February 25, 2012, as standby Navy Major Fleet Unit), HMAS Tobruk has been as far as Christmas Island. Tobruk has shown improved reliability since its maintenance period last year. HMAS Tobruk is now 31 years old and, as with any ship of this age, the ship needs to be carefully managed. The Minister agrees with the Chief of Navy.’’

Current refuelling capability: ‘‘The RAN has the auxiliary oiler, HMAS Sirius, fully operational and currently at sea. Navy does not currently lease a replenishment tanker. HMAS Sirius is being complemented by the participation of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s tanker, HMNZS Endeavour, in RAN training activities at sea. We do not have an absence of a fleet oiler at this time. Further use of the Endeavour is on a case-by-case basis.’’

HMAS Choules: ‘‘Defence inquired at the time as to whether a second (Bay Class) vessel was for sale [hello!!!] and was consistently advised by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence that this was not the case. HMAS Choules has a full crew complement and sufficient training has been carried out to ensure she can carry out any likely operational requirement.’’

Skandi Bergen: ‘‘Skandi Bergen has been purchased on Defence advice, including that of the Chief of Navy, as interim capability to assist in Navy’s current amphibious transition.’’ The Chief of Navy, in a letter to The Canberra Times, said: ‘‘To claim that the ship has no amphibious capability is simply wrong. A roll-on-roll off capability is not what defines a ship as an amphibious vessel.
‘‘It is the ability to land and support troops and equipment free from any established port infrastructure [such as wharves] that is the key qualifier. Skandi Bergen has this ability in conjunction with other RAN assets that make up the overall amphibious capability [HMAS Choules, HMAS Tobruk]. This [the purchase of the Skandi Bergen] is an effective, efficient and value for money purchase for the Commonwealth.’’

Rizzo review: ‘‘Progress is well under way in implementing the recommendations of the Rizzo review. As identified in the Rizzo review, the management of the amphibious and afloat support force was inadequate. The subsequent maintenance activity for Success and Tobruk were part of the rectification of some of the issues.’’

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/amphibious-fleet-a-multimilliondollar-shambles-20120408-1wjtq.html#ixzz1ram6MWEK

--ends--

buglerbilly

10-04-12, 06:00 AM

This puzzles the shit out of me...........

And, according to an Australian Strategic Policy Institute Report, because it started life as an oil tanker it is meant to sail either full or empty, not somewhere in between. ''There are some sea-keeping problems as a result.''

A lot (most?) vessels of this ilk have a seawater ballast system specifically for this?

Unicorn

23-04-12, 12:39 PM

Obsolete Collins fleet 'a lost cause'
BY: CAMERON STEWART From: The Australian April 21, 2012 12:00AM

Commander Harrap, a 20-year navy veteran, said Australia's submarines had 'the least reliable diesel engines ever built'. Picture: Mike Burton Source: AdelaideNow
A SUBMARINE commander has quit the navy, describing the Collins-class fleet as obsolete and unsustainable and saying the boats are kept running only by the "sheer determination of the crews at sea".

In comments that will rattle the Defence hierarchy, Commander James Harrap, a 20-year navy veteran, said Australia's submarines had "the least reliable diesel engines ever built", and attempts to upgrade the boats would be a waste of money because their performance would only get worse.

"I don't believe the Collins-class are sustainable in the long term and many of the expensive upgrade plans which have been proposed would be throwing good money after bad," he said in a written account of his time as commander, obtained by The Weekend Australian.

Commander Harrap, who has commanded both HMAS Waller and, until last month, HMAS Collins, said: "Lack of available stores inventory, increased equipment failure rates and submarines living with reduced capability is something I expect will persist for the remaining life of the class.

"I do not believe we have the capability to independently design and build our own submarines."

Commander Harrap's comments contradict a message sent to all sailors at sea yesterday by navy chief Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, who staunchly defended the performance of the fleet.

In a signal sent to all ships, Vice Admiral Griggs said "ongoing and concerted efforts to improve overall reliability" of the boats were succeeding.

"I remain confident in the capacity of the submarine force to meet the operational requirements of government," he said.

Vice Admiral Griggs was responding to a report released this week by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, which raised questions about the war-fighting ability of the submarines given their history of chronic problems.

Commander Harrap says that despite the unreliability of the submarines, he believes the Collins-class boats had "serviced the navy well and achieved much", including many unheralded successes.

However, the bulk of his five-page account of his experience is sharply critical of the submarines.

"Over the last two years, I believe these problems have become worse," he wrote. "Throughout my command of both Collins and Waller, full capability was never available and frequently over 50 per cent of the identified defects were awaiting stores.

"Collins has consistently been let down by some fundamental design flaws, leading to poor reliability and inconsistent performance. The constant stream of defects and operation control limitations makes getting to sea difficult, staying at sea harder and fighting the enemy a luxury only available once the first two have been overcome."

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/obsolete-collins-fleet-a-lost-cause/story-fn59niix-1226334791923

buglerbilly

24-04-12, 03:50 PM

On the Record: Chief of Navy’s Signal on Collins Capability

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; dated April 21, posted April 23, 2012)

1. Today, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) released its paper “Mind The Gap: Getting Serious About Submarines.” As a result of this there has been some quite critical, and in some cases dated, analysis reported in the press.

2. There is no denying the issue that submarine availability is not where we need it to be. We require three boats running consistently to ensure we meet our various commitments while also training submariners as we build experience levels and overall workforce numbers. Our submarine arm has grown steadily since 2008 and has a healthy training pipeline. Our immediate goals this year are achieving our FPDA, KAKADU and RIMPAC exercise commitments and achieving the goal of establishing the fourth submarine crew. This latter task remains finely balanced but is being closely managed and overseen by CNSAC.

3. I had the priviledge of spending nearly 24 hours underway in HMAS Dechaineux last year in a very busy operational setting. What I saw was a very capable boat with an exceptionally professional and hard-working team. It gave me great heart to see the skill levels resident in the force – we should be very proud of our submariners.

4. The ASPI paper highlights a number of well-known issues with the Collins class. some issues are historical and have been remedied. These include the submarine’s combat capability. Soon, all of our submarines will be equipped with the same combat system installed in the USN submarine fleet. We also share the same advanced heavyweight torpedo. These improvements, along with the close relationship we’ve developed with the USN submarine force, have enabled us to maintain high levels of operational proficiency.

Similarly, regular, complex exercises with USN submarines are proving the capability of the Collins class to operate very effectively in its warfighting roles.

5. The current issues raised in the ASPI paper are the focus of ongoing and concerted efforts to improve overall reliability across the submarine fleet. These efforts are meeting with success and Navy, DMO and industry are working together closely to systematically address remaining issues. We are also conducting the analysis expected of us in assessing the ability of the Collins class to operate beyond the time we originally intended to decommission the boats- a task other navies have undertaken with similar rigour and with some success.

6. You will appreciate that we do not publicly discuss the operational capability of the Collins fleet or any other defence capability for genuine reasons of national security. I can say that I remain confident in the capacity of the submarine force to meet the operational requirements of government. The Collins class retains its relevance as a potent strategic capability, reflecting both the effectiveness of our submarines as well as the professionalism of our people.

7. Commanding officers are to ensure that the content of this signal receives the widest distribution.

-ends-