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AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT
SEPT 2021
VOL.47 NO.6
JP 9711
CORE SIMULATION
CAPABILITY
VIRTUAL REALITY INTERVIEW ASIA REGION
FOR MAINTENANCE MATT SIBREE, AIRBORNE EW
TRAINING CAE ASIA-PACIFIC CEO CAPABILITIES
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CONTENTS
FEATURES
Print Post Approved PP349181/00104 AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT
12 AIR 6500 SHORTLIST ANNOUNCEMENT
SEPT 2021
VOL.47 NO.6
Managing Director/Publisher
Marilyn Tangye Butler
JP 9711 Joint Air Battle Management System a step
Phone: +61 (0) 410 529 324 CORE SIMULATION closer
Email: marilyn.tangye@venturamedia.net CAPABILITY
14 ELECTRONIC WARFARE OF INCREASING
Editor
Kym Bergmann
IMPORTANCE FOR THE ADF
Phone: +61(0)412 539 106 Even more so in hybrid warfare
Email: kym.bergmann@venturamedia.net
18 ASIAN REGION ELECTRONIC WARFARE
Contributors
Vladimir Karnozov
AIRCRAFT
Arie Egozi A big increase in capability, especially from
Mark Farrer China
Mike Yeo
Geoff Slocombe
George Galdorisi VIRTUAL REALITY INTERVIEW ASIA REGION
22 1ST PERSON INTERVIEW
FOR MAINTENANCE
TRAINING
MATT SIBREE,
CAE ASIA-PACIFIC CEO
AIRBORNE EW
CAPABILITIES CAE Managing Director Asia-Pacific,
Australia Matt Sibree
Ventura Media Asia-Pacific Pty Ltd Cover description: High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems of
PO Box 88, Miranda the United States Army and United States Marine Corps launch
NSW 1490 Australia rockets during a firepower demonstration held at Shoalwater Bay 26 MARITIME DOMAIN SIMULATIONS
ABN 76 095 476 065 Training Area in Queensland, during Talisman Sabre 2021. An increasingly complex environment
Credit: CoA / Madhur Chitnis
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REGULARS 30 JP 9711 – CORE SIMULATION CAPABILITY
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Email: subscriptions@venturamedia.net 06 EDITOR’S LETTER
The collapse of Afghanistan and cover ups 32 VIRTUAL REALITY AIRCRAFT
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The use of digital technology is surging
Australia, NZ & Asia Pacific,
USA, Canada & South America
NEWS 36 COURT FINDS THALES AUSTRALIA IN
Graham Joss 6 Australia and U.S. partner on precision strike BREACH OF IP USE
Sales Director
Phone +61 2 9526 7188 EOS expands live fire weapon system A complex case regarding the Austeyr
Fax +61 2 9526 1779 activities
Mobile +61 (0) 419 492 836 37 GUARANTEEING FIRST ROUND ACCURACY
Email: graham.joss@venturamedia.net
8 Boeing and Indigenous Defence & A computer can be better than the human brain
Europe
Infrastructure Consortium agreement
Diana Scogna NIOA continues work on 120mm tank 38 ISRAEL’S TORCH BMS CENTRAL TO
Mobile: +33 6 6252 2547 ammunition COMBAT OPERATIONS
Fax: +33 1 7079 0534
Email: dscogna@dsmedia.com.fr They have no idea what Australia is up to
9 Elbit workshops human-machine teaming
Israel with universities 40 SINGAPORE’S NEXT GEN ARMY
Asa Talbar Rapid transformation continuing
Talbar Media 10 Frequentis completes C4I acquisition
Phone: +972-77-562-1900
Fax: +972-77-562-1903 11 Airbus welcomes UGL to Australian 42 NEWS FROM ACROSS THE TASMAN
Email: talbar@talbar.co.il
SATCOM team Our regular update
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Asia Pacific Defence Reporter SEPT 2021 3
EDS LETTER
THE COLLAPSE OF
AFGHANISTAN AND THE
FOLLY OF COVER UPS
missing personnel being “ghost soldiers”. These of the culture of secrecy and evasion when it
imaginary people continued to draw a salary for comes to defence projects is getting worse. We
years, which was simply shared out between now know that the strategically critical Hunter
corrupt officers. On top of that, despite billions class frigate program is either 18 months late
of dollars of military assistance, real soldiers if you believe Peter Dutton, or two years late if
KYM BERGMANN // CANBERRA were often unpaid and unfed for the same you believe Defence bureaucrats. In the middle
reason – a situation that never ends well. of this year at Senate Estimates everything
L
ike the vast majority of observers, we were As Australian counter terrorism expert David was still on time and on budget – and yet now
surprised at the speed with which the Kilcullen has tried to explain for years, in many we discover that there is a massive slip in the
government of Afghanistan collapsed, but parts of rural Afghanistan the Taliban enjoy a program, but only because the Defence Minister
not by the outcome. It is too early to tell whether measure of support because at least they are mentioned this in a comment to a friendly
this is some sort of foreign policy disaster for the able to bring a functioning legal system to bear. journalist. After that it was confirmed by prime
west in general, and the U.S. in particular, or just An example of his is that if in a provincial town contractor BAE Systems.
another misjudgement that will soon be forgotten. someone went to the police to report that their The problem appears to be with the parent
To an extent this will be decided by the attitude of bicycle had been stolen, they would probably Type 26 design, rather than the Australian
the Taliban and the nature of the new regime and be beaten up for causing trouble. If the same specific modifications required for the Hunter
whether it is as ghastly as many fear. person reported the theft to the Taliban, as class – though they can’t be helping. This
The original invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 Kilcullen described: “They will get their bicycle is an extraordinary situation where the U.K.
– and Australia’s participation in it – was not back. It might have blood on it, but they will get government via the Royal Navy assured the
only the morally correct thing to do, it was also it back.” world – from Ministers to journalists – that the
in line with our treaty obligations. The U.S. had There were also cultural misjudgements that Type 26 was the most mature design that had
been on the receiving end of a massive terror made the task of the west extremely difficult. ever been put into construction; that a massive
attack targeting civilians in the Twin Towers – A central government was installed in Kabul up-front investment had been made to de-risk
and eliminating that threat benefitted the whole and then maintained in power with only a the program; that because a digital twin of
world. The subsequent nation-building part of pretence of democratic elections and therefore the ship had been developed, incorporating
the formula has dragged on for another two always struggled for legitimacy. ISAF propped changes would be easy – and so on and so
decades because that goal was always going up the Afghan military with a series of huge forth. This was all nonsense.
to be impossible to achieve – at least by the fortifications near towns, blocked off from the In addition, we still don’t know what is going
methods that were followed. community and surrounded with razor wire. If on with Army’s Battle Management System –
There are several reasons why the return of other countries had set up a series of massive and we suspect nor does the supplier, Elbit.
the Taliban was always likely. Perhaps most structures all around Australia, only ventured out Problems are emerging with the Boxer 8x8
importantly was that with the support of Pakistan in heavily armed convoys and didn’t bother with vehicles – and as we have previously reported
they were able to constantly withdraw over the local culture or even learn a few words of the their main armament can only fire proprietary
the long, historically porous border to rest, language, imagine how we would feel. ammunition that is incompatible with U.S. 30mm
rearm and re-equip – particularly during the The point in listing these issues is not that they rounds, depriving them of an enormous supply
winter months. Pakistan also either supported are the result of 20-20 hindsight, but that they chain. Making these errors is the same institution
or turned a blind eye to associated terror groups have always been there, just hiding in plain sight. that is hell bent on replacing Tiger helicopters –
such as the still mysterious Haqqani network. Senior Australian military figures have been now performing satisfactorily – with more than
Next was the deep-seated corruption of the aware of these facts – and so have successive $4 billion worth of similar U.S. platforms that are
security apparatus that included, but was not Australian governments, but no one has been at the end of their technological development.
limited to, the Afghan National Army and the prepared to speak the truth. We are not alone, Some Governments think it is clever covering
national police force. The former had a nominal and a similar pattern has occurred in the U.S. things up, but it just makes them look sneaky
strength of 350,000 but in actual fact probably and Britain, to name but two others. and untrustworthy. Just look at the outcome in
numbered about one third of that with the To pivot to domestic matters: a continuation Afghanistan.
4 Asia Pacific Defence Reporter SEPT 2021
SOVEREIGNTY
It takes an Australian company
to deliver true sovereign capability.
The Australian Missile Corporation has established a collaboration of leading
Australian companies including SMEs, academic institutions and state governments
as the core of the Australian guided weapons enterprise.
Securing Australia’s Sovereign Defence Capabilities
LEM060
www.amc.com.au
GENERAL NEWS
AUSTRALIA AND US PARTNER
TO SPEARHEAD PRECISION
STRIKE MISSILE CAPABILITY
12 August 2021
The Australian Defence Force and the United
States Armed Forces will partner to develop
a new precision missile capability to further
interoperability and modernise both militaries.
Australia’s participation in the US led Precision
Strike Missile co-development program contributes
to both nations’ strategic objectives, delivering on
a key aspect of Australia’s 2020 Defence Strategic
Update.
Australia has contributed $70 million to the
$907 million Precision Strike Missile program
(PrSM) to advance long-range precision fire
capabilities of Australian and US militaries.
The surface-to-surface, all weather, precision-
strike guided missile will be capable of destroying,
neutralising and suppressing diverse targets at Lockheed Martin High Mobility Rocket Artillery Systems of the United States Army and United States Marine Corps
launch rockets during a firepower demonstration held at Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, during Talisman
ranges from 70 to over 400 kilometres. Sabre 2021. Credit: CoA / Max Bree
A recent Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) between the Australian Army and the EOS EXPANDS LIVE Sanderson stated, “While we complete our
US Military cements this collaboration, with a FIRE WEAPON SYSTEM design and development work in Australia, most
commitment to increasing the lethality, range DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN of our live firing to date has had to be conducted
and target engagement of the baseline missile in overseas due to the lack of suitable ranges in
development.
AUSTRALIA Australia. However the Australian Government’s
16 August 2021, CANBERRA
The MOU opens the door for future Australian drive to greater domestic defence capability has
industry engagement with potential domestic EOS Defence Systems today announced the provided us with the confidence to invest in the
component manufacture, maintenance, repair, successful live firing of its Titanis counter creation of an Australian solution.”
weapon surveillance and research. unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) solution at
Signatory to the MOU, US Army’s Defense a private range in Australia. This marks the
Exports and Cooperation, Deputy Assistant conclusion of the first stage of the company’s
Secretary Elizabeth Wilson, said the agreement ambitious plan to expand live fire weapon system
formalises one of the US military’s largest development activities in Australia.
cooperative acquisition programs entered into with CEO for EOS Defence Systems Grant Sanderson
a partner nation. said, “We successfully detected and engaged a
“Australia’s cooperation with the PrSM number of UAS targets using the Titanis C-UAS
compliments the U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific solution incorporating the R400 remote weapon
Command area of responsibility; reinforces our station, including moving targets and swarms
dedication to allies in the Indo-Pacific; and sets a of multiple drone threats. Being able to conduct
path forward for U.S. Army Long Range Precision weapon system development in Australia Drone destroyed by EOS system (EOS photo)
Fires in the region.” represents a significant sovereign capability.”
The Australian Army’s Head of Land Capability EOS has been working closely with weapon Sanderson continued, “This is a critical first
Major General Simon Stuart, said the precision and ammunition OEMs and providers, state and stage in developing our local live firing capability.
strike guided missile will provide the Joint Force federal agencies, equipment providers, and the We expect to expand this further to allow for more
Commander with long range and deep strike land owner to create a field firing area suitable for complex activities over the coming months.”
capability from the Land. a wide range of weapon systems. Infrastructure EOS will use the range to live fire a number of
“Increment 2 of the program, committed under including hard stand firing points and an approved its products including the T2000 medium calibre
the MOU, will seek to incorporate technology ammunition magazine are established, and range turret and its R400 and R800 remote weapons
that allows ships and air-defence systems to be instrumentation including shot detection and stations, directed energy effectors, and the Titanis
engaged,” MAJGEN Stuart said. meteorological sensors are being commissioned. C-UAS solution.
6 Asia Pacific Defence Reporter SEPT 2021
Advertorial
IAI's OPAL decentralized battle management solution
ADVERTORIAL
IAI's OPALthe
changes decentralized battle management
rules of combat
solution changes the rules of combat
Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) OPAL in line with operational needs, enabling end
decentralized battle management enables for users to take swift and relevant actions.
interconnectivity and real-time data sharing One of the unique capabilities in the OPAL
and thus providing military forces around the networking layer is that it provides realtime
world to meet the challenges of the modern communications. Unlike traditional datalinks
combat arena. that provide update rates of several seconds,
First unveiled in April 2019, OPAL is OPAL real-time network is being used to
designed to allow warfighters to respond prevent mid-air collisions between fighter jets
effectively to combat threats characterized flying in close formations.
by time critical targets (TCT), and forces that Developed over the past 15 years using
operate both in conjunction with other units open architecture, OPAL allows customers
and in remote areas, away from C2 coverage, to program their own applications to
according to Barak Israel, Product Line match operational needs, after the initial
Manager, and Eyal Yogev, Project Manager, infrastructure is delivered by IAI.
Conversions and Upgrades Division at According to Yogev, the system is inspired
Aviation Group, IAI. by Android-like architecture, which all relies
According to Israel, military forces on the same infrastructure, instead of the
have been hampered by the fact that traditional military systems that relied on improve the efficiency and survivability of the
combat platforms were not able to directly dedicated portions of hardware resources different members, within the same force
communicate with another, such as the lack and required their own specific software. and among different forces, such as air and
of connectivity that existed between fourth “We took the Android concept and brought ground forces. “The implications for close air
and fifth generation fighter jets. it to network-centric warfare. OPAL can support, for example, are major, Israel stated.
“Modern warfare is very dynamic. If you be installed on any platforms - aircraft, “It changes the doctrine completely.”
don’t respond immediately, the threat won’t helicopters, UAVs, ground forces and ships. OPAL shares the internal platform’s data
be there,” Israel stated. It can bring any operational capability though via the selected radios to link up end users,
The need to share information among this infrastructure, and make it shareable, ensuring that information rapidly reaches
various forces, and the critical requirement of similar to how smartphone applications one point of the network from the other in
militaries to see the same picture and speak function,” he said. real time, irrespective of range, geographical
the same language was the driving force OPAL is comprised from a range of obstacles, weather conditions, or operational
behind OPAL’s development. different hardware chassis with optimized developments.
“If you see something that I can’t see – I installation configurations, depending on the OPAL provides customers with a high
want to see what you’re seeing. Not through platform or end user in question. The chassis degree of operational independence.
verbal descriptions, but through image and deliver an advanced application middleware Customers have the option of ordering IAI’s
video sharing or data set transmissions. My with optimized applications and where radio systems and datalinks as a part of
physical location isn’t important anymore for needed advanced networking connectivity the OPAL battle management system, or
this to happen,” Israel stated. solutions. OPAL features high processing acquiring OPAL while utilizing their indigenous
Military forces have been struggling and graphic capabilities, and deliver essential existing communications radios and datalink
with the need to acquire sensor to shooter battlefield services to the participating networks. Moreover, customers can order
cycles that deliver sufficient information in members, enabling all users to see the same operational capabilities (a.k.a) applications
time. Traditional solutions for combat needs common operating picture in real time and to from IAI, or develop their own applications
moved slowly. OPAL is based on the desire communicate in the same language. relying on the OPAL application infrastructure
to deliver a focused, affordable solutions in a The ability to share accurate real time data provided by IAI.
very short timeframe. among the different fighting forces significantly “In terms of operational doctrine, one
The end result, Israel said, is significantly of the most important capabilities OPAL
enhanced lethality and survivability for provides is introduce new capabilities in a very
customers, as well as savings on life cycle short time,” said Israel “Once the system is
costs and time. installed, clients are independent. We transfer
OPAL creates networking connectivity and the relevant data so that they can develop
enables data sharing among all members of their own capabilities.”
a fighting force, irrespective of whether they OPAL is proven and operational on jets,
are airborne, naval or land-based. It uses training aircraft, refuels, helicopters, mission
software-defined radios and any existing data aircraft, command and control centers, and
links to share large amounts of real-time data, ships as well as other platforms.
GENERAL NEWS
Indigenous education and employment prospects.” Force through its extensive partnerships with global
iDiC identifies business opportunities for its manufacturers.
Indigenous business consortium partners and CEO of NIOA, Mr Robert Nioa stated ‘Our work in
provides turnkey solutions to prime contractors recapitalising the ADF tank ammunition is part of
delivering nation-building projects in the infrastructure a broader, private investment of over $13M NIOA
and defence industries. has made in Benalla facilities and equipment. NIOA
“Boeing and iDiC have worked together to create maintains an exceptional workforce at Benalla which
a true partnership based on trust and aligned has grown significantly in the past 12 months to
values,” said Adam Goodes, chief executive officer undertake important work for the ADF such as this
and director of iDiC. “In the pursuit of growth for ammunition recapitalisation”.
Indigenous businesses, we operate as one team.” Up to 100 jobs will be created by NIOA who signed
a new 10-year contract for a tenancy at the Benalla
NIOA CONTINUES WORK ON munitions factory in Victoria on 29 June 2020.
120MM TANK AMMUNITION The ongoing refurbishment work is consistent
with the Australian Government’s Sovereign
12 August 2021 Industrial Capability Priority (SICP) for Munitions
Caption: Scott Carpendale, vice president and managing
director of Boeing Defence Australia, signs the
Australian-owned weapons and munitions company and Small Arms Research, Design, Development
groundbreaking relational head agreement with Adam NIOA has continued manufacturing operations at the and Manufacture and the Modern Manufacturing
Goodes, chief executive officer and director of Indigenous
Government Owned, Contractor Operated (GOCO) Initiative which lists Defence as one of six national
Defence and Infrastructure Consortium. (Boeing photo)
Benalla Munitions Facility in recapitalising 120mm manufacturing priorities.
BOEING AND INDIGENOUS tank ammunition for the Australian Army’s M1A1 Founded in regional Queensland in 1973, NIOA
DEFENCE & INFRASTRUCTURE Abrams tank fleet. The recapitalisation work extends is investing $130m in domestic munitions and
the life of type of M1028 cannister tank ammunition explosives manufacturing over the next five years,
CONSORTIUM SIGN AGREEMENT and represents an important initial step for future including a $60m artillery shell forging plant in
TO ADVANCE INDIGENOUS manufacture of additional tank ammunition natures Maryborough, Queensland with joint-venture partner
BUSINESSES at Benalla. Rheinmetall Waffe Munitions, the Benalla upgrade
12 August 2021 Working in collaboration with Northrop Grumman and an $11m expansion of its Brisbane warehouse
Boeing Australia and Indigenous Defence and Defence Systems (NGDS) and the Capability and distribution facility. The company recently
Infrastructure Consortium (iDiC) have signed an Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) Explosive secured Stage 1 of Tranche 1 of the LAND 159
agreement to grow and support Aboriginal and Torres Materiel Branch (EMB), the work extends NIOA’s program to modernise the Army’s weapons systems
Strait Islander-owned and controlled businesses. position as one of the largest commercial suppliers and in 2018 was awarded the $100m LAND17 –
The groundbreaking, five-year relational head of non-guided munitions to the Australian Defence 1C.2 future artillery ammunition contract.
agreement will see both businesses operate under
shared guiding principles and a strategic partnership
– making it easier for all of Boeing’s Australian
subsidiaries to engage Indigenous small and
medium enterprises.
Relational agreements are designed to focus on
the relationship between the businesses – defining
the principles for ethical interactions which are
advantageous to both parties.
“Boeing Defence Australia has been working
with iDiC since 2017,” said Scott Carpendale, vice
president and managing director of Boeing Defence
Australia.
“We’ve spent more than $18.5million with
Indigenous businesses since 2012 and expect
this figure to increase significantly now that all
of Boeing’s Australian subsidiaries can engage
Indigenous owned businesses under the agreement.
“This agreement bolsters our commitment to
achieving genuine and sustainable reconciliation
between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
and the wider community in Australia. In addition,
An Australian Army M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank fires its main armament during live-fire training for Exercise
it further builds on our work towards boosting Exercise Gauntlet Strike at Puckapunyal Military Training Area in Victoria. Credit: CoA / Robert Whitmore
8 Asia Pacific Defence Reporter SEPT 2021
ELBIT SYSTEMS OF AUSTRALIA to ensure its technology remained world leading. to emergency services, homeland security and
WORKSHOPS HUMAN MACHINE “Our global businesses successfully partner with defence agencies,” Mr McLachlan said.
TEAMING WITH UNIVERSITIES universities to showcase new technologies and to “Our collaboration and pursuit of excellence
demonstrate collaboration between industry and does not stop with the Victorian Government
16 August 2021 research institutions,” Mr McLachlan said. and Australian universities however, as we want
“I am extremely proud that we now have the to support and champion the development of
Elbit Systems of ability to partner with them right here in Australia a Human Machine Teaming ecosystem within
Australia (ELSA) using our sovereign research and development Victoria by engaging with multiple SMEs and
is teaming up with (R&D) centre that will grow both Victoria’s and the research institutions to enable the growth of
universities to nation’s technology footprint. Human Machine Teaming technologies and
showcase world- “Australian universities have outstanding Australian jobs.”
leading disruptive reputations and demonstrated abilities to work ELSA’s Centre of Excellence Program Manager
technologies to benefit with industry and we are delighted to collaborate R&D Damian Fratric said the aim of collaborations
emergency services, and have the opportunity to workshop innovative was to enable universities to present research
defence and homeland solutions for our world-leading technology.” projects and technologies.
Paul McLachlan (Elbit}
security through the Mr McLachlan said that technology included “The aim of the workshop series is to discuss
Centre of Excellence in Melbourne. command and control solutions based on our emerging technologies and the possibility of
The Centre of Excellence, which ELSA launched E-CIX modular framework, which is an open developing research projects that could be utilised
in February this year in partnership with the architecture design that provided a development to improve decision making and situational
Victorian Government, will kick off its educational environment that could accommodate third-party awareness for Human Machine Teaming
collaboration series on Monday August 16. applications. applications for emergency services, homeland
ELSA Managing Director, Major General (ret’d) “The E-CIX framework also enables integration security and defence,” Mr Fratric said.
Paul McLachlan AO, CSC, said while it was the of multiple sensors, AI and data fusion capabilities “We look forward to working with the
first workshop for the new Centre of Excellence in that augments the user’s situational awareness educational and research institutions and SMEs
Melbourne, global parent company Elbit Systems and ability to respond quickly and effectively. that have reached out since the opening of our
placed great emphasis on working with universities These are characteristics that are really important new sovereign R&D hub.”
APDR
GENERAL NEWS
ACQUISITION OF
AUSTRALIAN-BASED
C4I COMPLEMENTS
FREQUENTIS GLOBAL
DEFENCE PORTFOLIO
3 August 2021
• Completion of the acquisition of
C4i Pty. Ltd., formalised on 30
July 2021, completes the L3Harris
transaction of 23 February 2021
• C4i will strengthen Frequentis
worldwide Defence business and
Mission critical platform – F-35 (Frequentis image)
portfolio with its highly secure
interoperable communications
solutions for mission-critical environments communications,” says Frequentis’ CEO Norbert C4i, headquartered in Melbourne, has been
• C4i will operate as an independent brand in the Haslacher. “We will combine the strength of operating successfully in the Defence Command
high-end Defence trusted supplier market with Frequentis and C4i mission-critical communication & Control market for more than 20 years. In the
specific focus on US, Australia, UK, and allied platforms, to provide market leading technology course of the acquisition by Frequentis, C4i is
markets and solutions based on extensive security, re-established as an independent brand. It will
“We are delighted that with the closing for C4i compliance and export handling processes. remain a separate business entity within the
we completed the transaction with L3Harris in Frequentis is a market leader in communication Frequentis Group with its own ringfenced security
such a short time. As a new entity of the Frequentis systems for military Air Traffic Management. protocols and will focus on US, Australia, UK, and
Group, C4i will significantly reinforce Frequentis Together with C4i, we will now secure a globally the allied markets. Founded more than 20 years
capabilities in the very important Australian and dominating position also in the Defence Command ago, C4i currently has about 80 employees and
US markets for multi-domain cyber secure Defence & Control market.” most recently generated revenue of about USD 17
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10 Asia Pacific Defence Reporter SEPT 2021million (EUR 14.4 million) per annum. generation military satellite communications to draw on more than 7,000 UGL engineering,
Darren Gardner, who has been C4i´s Managing (satcom) capability to Australia under the JP9102 construction, operations and maintenance
Director since 2017 will continue to lead C4i programme. specialists in developing its end-to-end JP9102
Pty Ltd. Martin Rampl, Frequentis Australasia The unique teaming arrangement – called Team solution, while minimising risk and enhancing
Managing Director, will support the integration Maier – seeks to identify Australian partners in sovereign defence satellite capability.
process and future positioning of C4i. “Frequentis the space, technology and academic sectors to Peter Bierton, Head of Communications of UGL,
will further expand its Defence business in provide innovative and specilalised military satcom said: “We are excited to be joining Team Maier.
Australia and US with further investment into capabilities as part of the JP9102 programme. Its focus on a truly Australian approach to military
products and facilities,” says Martin Rampl. As well as delivering a military satcom solution satcom capability resonates with our desire to
“Australia will benefit from C4i’s sovereign to the Australian Government, the teaming approach develop and enhance sovereign capability. We
Australian capability and from increased global is designed to aid the development of a long-term believe this type of collaboration can be the catalyst
export opportunities. Finally, the close relationship sovereign defence and space eco-system and for the Australian industry to develop international
between Australia and the USA will foster enhanced capability in Australia. leadership in satcom. We are also looking forward
trusted collaboration for US based business.” A leading asset solutions provider, UGL would to continuing our positive relationship with Barpa,
design and construct all ground infrastructure bringing real value-add work directly to our
AIRBUS WELCOMES UGL TO supporting the JP9102 project, including the Indigenous population.”
TEAM MAIER IN BID TO DELIVER communications systems, network operations Martin Rowse, Airbus Campaign Lead for the
and systems integration, as well as its ongoing JP9102 programme, said: “UGL brings a wealth
NEXT-GENERATION MILITARY sustainment. of experience and expertise to Team Maier and
SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS Team Maier will benefit from UGL’s experience continues to drive our commitment to collaborate
FOR AUSTRALIA supporting the Australian Defence Force over the with true Australian companies. Airbus is looking
16 August 2021 - CANBERRA last two decades, including in the most recent forward to advancing these great discussions
Airbus today announced that Sydney-based upgrade works at the Royal Australian Navy and development work with UGL. We also expect
ground-control infrastructure specialist UGL will communications and logistics facility at HMAS our respective capabilities to contribute to the
become the latest local partner to join the Airbus Harman. best possible solution to meet Australia’s satcom
teaming arrangement in its bid to deliver next- Under the partnership, Airbus will also be able requirements.”AIR 6500
KYM BERGMANN // CANBERRA
JOINT AIR BATTLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
A STEP CLOSER
The ultimate goal of Network Centric Warfare is to have everything linked – basically every person, platform, sensor and
weapon is connected to the system and has an IP address. Australia’s three services have been steadily improving their
internal connectivity – with varying levels of success – and now an important further step has been taken in the development
of a fully integrated national system.
AIR6502 Phase 1 (previously AIR6500 Phase 2)
Soldiers from 1-1 Air Defense Artillery Battalion is the acquisition of a Medium Range Ground-Based
fire a Patriot missile during Exercise Talisman
Sabre 2021 on July 16, 2021, at Camp Growl Air Defence capability. Initial Operating Capability
located in Queensland. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. is planned for the late 2020s. Defence’s focus
Trevor Wild, 38th ADA BDE Public Affairs.)
for 2021 is to further develop acquisition options
based on both existing and emerging systems,
as well as both commercial and Government-
to-Government approaches. This includes further
development of detailed operational concepts and
functional performance requirements.
The Defence Strategic Update 2020 identified
that the proliferation of ballistic and advanced
missiles means our deployed forces require
additional defences to be survivable in combat
operations in the region. In response, Defence has
established project AIR6503 Phase 1 which will
deliver a deployable defensive system against the
advanced missile threat, to include ballistic and
hypersonic threats. A strong defence against these
threats also enhances deterrence. As this project is
just commencing, Defence is considering a range of
O
n August 5, Defence Minister Peter the future submarine project, which five years response options against a suite of advanced high-
Dutton announced that two companies – and $2 billion later has yet to deliver anything of speed missile threats. AIR6503 Phase 1’s Initial
Lockheed Martin Australia and Northrop substance – but this is the world that we live in with Operating Capability is planned for the mid-2030s.
Grumman Australia - have been shortlisted for AIR an actual tender with, you know, formal performance AIR6500 Phase 1 will integrate the AIR6502
6500, saying: guarantees and stuff being a thing of the past. Phase 1 medium range system, AIR6503 Phase 1
“The Morrison Government’s $2.7 billion Perhaps this is because AIR 6500 is an evolving advanced missile defence system, as well as the
investment in a sovereign Joint Air Battle multi-phase activity, starting life as an Integrated Air LAND19 Phase 7B short range system as part of
Management System will deliver a critical capability and Missile Defence System. It is now broader than a layered Integrated Air and Missile Defence effort.
to defend against increasingly advanced air and that with the additional objective of full inter-service It will also integrate other missile defence systems
missile threats. connectivity – though the air and missile defence such as the E-7A Wedgetail, and Navy’s Air Warfare
“Through the competitive evaluation process, part will establish the system architecture. Destroyer (upgraded under SEA4000) and Future
Australian industry has demonstrated its versatility A reminder about the overall structure, with an Frigate (SEA5000). While these are all separate
and adaptability to provide innovative proposals in update supplied by Defence: acquisition projects, the capabilities they represent
the challenging field of Integrated Air and Missile AIR6500 Phase 1 is the acquisition of a Joint are managed as part of an Air Force-led Integrated
Defence. Air Battle Management System, which will provide Air and Missile Defence Multi-Domain Program
“The Joint Air Battle Management System will the architecture at the core of the ADF’s future Management Office formed in early 2020.
connect our ships, aircraft and other capabilities Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability. Minister Dutton mentions a figure of $2.7 billion
together in a way that multiplies their defensive AIR6500 Phase 1 will start delivering capability for the current phase – AIR 6500 Phase 1 - which
power.” from the mid-2020s. The Commonwealth continues is slightly more precise than the 2020 Force
Some readers might shudder at the words to work to select a Strategic Partner to lead the Structure Plan that had an estimate in the range
“competitive evaluation process” – pioneered for delivery of AIR6500 Phase 1. $1.8 - $2.8 billion.
12 Asia Pacific Defence Reporter SEPT 2021AIR 6500
The estimate for Medium Range Ground Based AIR6500 Program Executive added: “Today’s battlespace is the most contested since
Air Defence – AIR 6502 Phase 1 - is $4.9 - $7.3 “AIR6500-1 will make it possible to combine the Cold War. Offensive missile systems with
billion. Australia’s integrated battlespace with the U.S and maturing sophistication from rogue states pose a
Combining all these capabilities and developing allied forces, ensuring greater situational awareness growing threat to the U.S. Helping the U.S. counter
both an Integrated Air and Missile Defence System and increased interoperability for our military forces these threats is the Command, Control, Battle
plus a Deployed Ballistic and High-Speed Missile to combat evolving threats across the region.” Management & Communications (C2BMC) system,
Defence System is, on paper, RAAF’s largest Christine Zeitz, General Manager, Northrop the integrating element of the U.S. Missile Defense
acquisition ever at somewhere between $15.8 Grumman Asia Pacific said: System.
and $23.7 billion. Early trends indicate across all “Northrop Grumman’s unmatched expertise in “To strengthen C2BMC’s capability, the Missile
services that as numbers for projects firm up, they developing complex, multi-domain, multi-mission Defense Agency awarded Lockheed Martin
strongly trend towards the upper end of what has weapons systems will help meet Australia's a $157 million contract to augment C2BMC’S
been estimated earlier. sovereign Integrated Air and Missile Defence needs engagement support capability for the Ground-
This also needs to be viewed in conjunction both today and into the future. Working with Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system that
with the Government increasing the urgency of twelve leading Australian SMEs, like Nova Systems protects the U.S. from long-range ballistic missile
developing a sovereign guided weapons capability. Australia, AOS Group and Daronmont Technologies attacks. The GMD system includes silo-based
Even two years ago the obvious candidate for as some of our capability partners, we will employ interceptors, connections to sensors on land and
the medium range ground-based missile was the a highly collaborative ‘Joint Air Battle Management sea, distributed fire control and launch support
MM-104 Patriot System in its latest PAC-3 iteration, System Enterprise’ approach, bringing together the systems.
but now the solution might be a local one – or best capabilities developed by Australia’s Defence “Currently, the GMD system engages a threat
at least a co-development with either Raytheon, industry. using the best single source data from multiple
Lockheed Martin or IAI, the latter now part of the
Australian Missile Corporation.
Turning to Lockheed Martin and Northrop
“AIR6500-1 will make it possible to combine Australia’s integrated
Grumman, they both have formidable track records battlespace with the U.S and allied forces, ensuring greater
in advanced integration activities, cutting edge
technologies, technology transfer and providing
situational awareness and increased interoperability for our
innovative solutions to complex problems. Both military forces to combat evolving threats across the region.”
are well established in Australia and are part of
the sovereign industrial framework. It might be a “Our approach provides significant opportunities radars. The next upgrade to C2BMC, called Spiral
coincidence, but both companies were the best for enduring and innovative Australian industry 8.2-7, will provide GMD with a single, real-time,
of the field in consistently and openly explaining to participation in the ongoing design, development, composite picture of threat system tracks by
the media what they were bringing to the equation integration, delivery and sustainment of the JABMS correlating and fusing data from a broader set of
– by far. capability.” sensors, including satellites, ground- and ship-
Both companies unsurprisingly had similar Another Christine, this time in the form of based radars. Once the spiral upgrade is complete,
reactions with Joe North, Chief Executive Lockheed Christine Harbison, Vice President and General the GMD system will see the same battlespace
Martin Australia and New Zealand saying that the Manager, combat systems and mission readiness at picture currently seen by combatant commanders.
announcement: the parent Northrop Grumman commented: Additionally, Spiral 8.2-7 will also enable C2BMC
“…..marks the next step in AIR6500-1 to work in “Our US team, in partnership with our Australian to report hypersonic threat activity onto the Link 16
partnership with the Australian Defence Force and colleagues, looks forward to providing our advanced military tactical data link network and display to the
industry partners to support the Royal Australian Air architecture that has been deployed successfully operators.”
Force’s vision to transform the Air Force into a next- across a number of joint all domain command and Lockheed Martin says that, fielded in 2004,
gen-enabled force through delivering a sovereign control programs, including Integrated Air and C2BMC is one of the first operationally deployed
highly advanced Joint Air Battle Management Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS). Multi-Domain Systems, integrating systems and
System to protect Australia’s security.” Our approach provides significant opportunities sensors operating in space, on land and at sea.
“Since 2016, we have been highly committed to for enduring and innovative Australian industry The company says the network operates 24/7
supporting the AIR6500-1 project. Our Lockheed participation in the ongoing design, development, to support real-world operations at more than
Martin Australia AIR6500-1 team has steadily integration, delivery and sustainment of the JABMS 30 locations around the world, including U.S.
grown over this time to over 80 Australians in capability.” Strategic, Northern, European, Indo-Pacific, Space
Adelaide, Canberra, and Williamtown. IBCS, which has also been sold to NATO member and Central Commands.
“Critical to that effort has been our focus on Poland is just one reference system available to Whoever is chosen to lead the activity, it is likely
proactively engaging and establishing important Northrop Grumman. Not to be outdone, on August that both companies will be involved in delivering
partnerships with Australian industry to identify and 10 Lockheed Martin announced that they had the eventual system, with Defence believing there
invest in ‘best of breed’ local capabilities to deliver been chosen to upgrade the U.S. Missile Defense is enough work to go around for everyone – which
a truly sovereign capability solution for Australia.” System’s Multi-Domain Command & Control seems a reasonable supposition given the huge
Steve Froelich, Lockheed Martin Australia Capability, saying: scale of the planned undertaking.
Asia Pacific Defence Reporter SEPT 2021 13EW
GEOFF SLOCOMBE // VICTORIA
ELECTRONIC WARFARE OF INCREASING
IMPORTANCE FOR THE ADF
Australia’s strategic environment is changing rapidly, with hybrid warfare coming to the fore.
increasingly engage in such activities, operating in a
shadowy online influence-for-hire economy.
Democratic countries like Australia need to
understand that strategic thinking and actions are
a long game and democracies must overcome their
tendency to view conflict as being initiated by some
critical event, rather than as an ongoing phenomenon.
ADF Chief Angus Campbell highlighted this, in a
speech two years ago, when stating that Western
democracies tended to react only when a crisis point
had been reached.
Fast-moving technology clearly gives the advantage
to militaries that can obtain new systems quickly. And
it’s a major source of damage and danger to those
whose support organisations and materiel reserves
aren’t delivering these powerful capabilities into the
hands of the soldiers, sailors and aviators.
In Australia this clearly creates a need for technology
A Royal Australian Air Force No.33 Squadron KC-30A Multi Role Tanker aircraft extends refuelling hoses prior
to refuelling of a No.6 Squadron EA-18G Growler aircraft during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021. development by industry, the Defence Science and
Credit: CoA Technology Group (DSTG), and academia.
Local universities are active in providing courses for
W
hat type of warfare is this? Simply that
the armed forces of countries in the
region, including our own, are one part
Authoritarian states are evolving their capacity to develop and
of a broader strategic landscape including political, deploy offensive tools from their cyber-enabled, information and
economic, industry and civil spheres.
The art of moving between conventional and
hybrid warfare arsenals.
unconventional modes of warfare to exploit an principles, since they wield tightly held reins of power.
opponent’s specific vulnerabilities, which blurs the They can employ and/or play by different rules students which will equip them for careers in defence
distinction between peace and war, represents a to achieve broad effects rather than narrow gains. either in industry, DSTG, or the ADF.
huge challenge. Authoritarian leaders don’t have to face periodic For example, Defence is supporting the Defence
Conventional warfare is being impacted by new elections (or if they do, the outcome is hardly in Centre at Flinders University Tonsley campus,
capabilities and activities in cyberspace, technology doubt), which aids continuity in strategic planning which was established in February 2021 with the
and with on-line information. Authoritarian countries and execution. appointment of Professor Sam Drake, the inaugural
active in the ‘grey zone’ are presenting enormous Governments around the world are also currently Chair of Electromagnetic Systems & Security.
challenges to democratic nations like Australia and grappling with how to deal with disinformation-for-hire The first academic year of instruction of the EW
its closest allies. operations and cyber-enabled foreign interference. focussed B.ENG.TECH (Electronic Systems &
It is conceivable that future conflicts might be won Australia is deeply concerned about foreign Security) began in March 2021.
without any shots being fired. But that is only one interference through social media because like most Defence industry is fully playing its part.
marker in a long-term strategic timeline. other countries, this emerging online phenomenon APDR asked Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) how
Authoritarian states are evolving their capacity to has fallen down the cracks between intelligence, they are involved in helping prepare the ADF for future
develop and deploy offensive tools from their cyber- policing and policy agencies. And it’s not only nation- warfighting.
enabled, information and hybrid warfare arsenals. states that interfere in elections and manipulate They told us that autonomous systems will play
Their leaders are not constrained by democratic political discourse. A range of commercial services a key role in the battlefield, and will be fitted with
14 Asia Pacific Defence Reporter SEPT 2021EW
a number of sensor packages to support ISR and EW CAN BE DIVIDED UP BY A useful definition of the three main components
tactical early warning missions. BDA’s internal R&D THREE DESCRIPTORS of EW was provided to APDR by a Defence
work will increase interoperability between ADF spokesperson. This is the way Defence analyse and
platforms, so that EW data can support a broader Historically, it must be remembered that a previous provide capabilities as a key part of both ‘grey zone’
range of operational effects. subdivision of the EW included Electronic Support and active warfare.
‘The power of the Joint Force is really magnified Measures (ESM), Electronic Counter Measures Electronic Support (ES): Electromagnetic
when you use effects in one domain to achieve (ECM), and Electronic Counter Counter Measures support is a division of electromagnetic warfare.
a warfighting outcome in another domain,’ BDA’s (ECCM). It involves actions to search for, intercept, identify,
Chief Technology Officer Hugh Webster explained EW, beyond its original role of passive intelligence and locate or localise sources of intentional and
to APDR. ‘For example, by better managing the and protection and active attack, has evolved for unintentional electromagnetic radiation. It facilitates
electromagnetic spectrum in the air, our forces several years becoming an essential element in the immediate threat recognition, threat avoidance,
can get better tactical outcomes in amphibious deployment of systems of systems in the field of homing, targeting and planning, as well as
operations.’ EMSO (Electro-Magnetic Spectrum Operation). conducting future operations.
AIRBORNE EW CAPABILITIES INCREASING Kym Bergmann // CANBERRA
To date, the service that has invested the most in F/A-18F Super Hornets, are regularly upgraded case of read the FMS fine print – and to return to
EW platforms seems to be the RAAF. This is the throughout their service life to ensure ongoing a full complement of 12 aircraft will have to be
pattern in many other countries because of the operational relevance, and to maintain covered by Australia. Defence says it is currently
need for aircraft to penetrate heavily defended air commonality and interoperability with the US engaged with the US Navy to explore options for
space, often saturated with hostile ground based Navy fleet. replacement of Growler A46-311.
and airborne radars, and to protect themselves Defence says this is achieved via the Air Asked about the longevity of the capability,
from missiles that also use this technology for Combat and Airborne Electronic Attack (ACEA) Defence says the current EA-18G withdrawal
guidance, homing and proximity fusing. spiral upgrade program managed by the date is expected to be 2035.
All combat aircraft carry at least a radar Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group.
warning receiver – and the ability to jam enemy As the US Navy develops capability upgrades, AIR 555 - MC-55 Peregrine
radar sites and communications are essential they are considered for implementation within According to a Defence spokesperson, AIR
capabilities for modern operations. These the Australian fleet under the ACEA spiral 555 will deliver four MC-55A aircraft including
functions are often carried out by separate upgrade program. mission, ground and support systems and
aircraft such as Growlers with onboard and Following the initial agreement in October Australian-based facilities. The MC-55A is a first-
podded jammers designed to disrupt various 2017, Defence entered into two new contracts of-type modified Gulfstream G550 aircraft with
radar frequencies. Given the flexibility of in August 2020 to work with the US Navy to mission systems incorporated by L3 Harris USA.
electronically scanned radars, several platforms develop the Next Generation Jammer systems The project is primarily a developmental Foreign
not specifically designed for EW nevertheless that will augment, and ultimately replace, most Military Sales acquisition through the United
have powerful jamming and spoofing legacy ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming Systems States Air Force.
capabilities, with F-35 and E-7A Wedgetail on currently used on the EA-18G Growler. Peregrine is progressing through the design
top of the list. The first agreement entails production, and development stage of the program. Aircraft
Looking at specialised EW aircraft, as outlined sustainment and follow-on development of modifications for the outer mould line (Phase
in the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and 2020 the ALQ-249(V)1 Next Generation Jammer – One) are in progress at Gulfstream with four
Force Structure Plan, Defence will deliver a mix Mid Band which supports the introduction of aircraft inducted into the modification program
of air platforms and ground support systems advanced electronic jamming technology and in Savannah, USA. Mission, ground and support
that will contribute to Australia’s intelligence, will ensure Australia’s Growler aircraft retain systems are also in design/development at the
surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), commonality with their US counterparts. L3Harris facility in Greenville, Texas.
electronic warfare, and strike capabilities. The USN recently announced achieving Facilities are in the build phase, with the
Defence will invest in key related capabilities Milestone C for the Mid Band Jammer, allowing interim operating facility at RAAF Base Edinburgh
including AIR 555 (MC-55 Peregrine), and the the start of Low Rate Initial Production. It is due for completion in second quarter of 2022.
EA-18G Growler. expected to enter service around 2025. During the 2021/2022 calendar year, the
The overall level of RAAF EW capability was first four MC-55A airframe modifications will
EA-18G Growler lost by the destruction of a Growler in January continue, with the fourth aircraft inducted in
Royal Australian Air Force No. 6 Squadron 2018 when an engine exploded as the aircraft August 2021.
EA-18G Growlers recently participated in was taking off as part of Exercise Red Flag in The first aircraft to begin mission system
Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021. Nevada. Many were surprised to discover that integration (Phase Two) is expected to return to
EA-18G Growler aircraft, along with their the accident was not covered by insurance – a Greenville in second quarter of 2022.
Asia Pacific Defence Reporter SEPT 2021 15You can also read
