NEWSLETTER No 6 of 2004
"AIDN will provide the focal point for Defence's interaction with Australia's dynamic base of smaller defence companies."
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NEW MEMBERS 1
MEMBERS’ NEWS 1
AIDN-Vic ACTIVITIES 3
SPIDER PROJECT 3
DEFENCE INDUSTRY 3
STATE GOVERNMENT 4
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES 4
GENERAL NEWS 5
NEW MEMBERS
A warm welcome is extended to the following new members of AIDN-Vic.
IB Supplies Pty Ltd
A progressive company that thinks outside the square and is ready to take on a challenge. G Series of Collapsible Containers: H/Duty construction combined with unique collapsible design. Collapsible Pallet Loader System: H/Duty portable pallet loading system able to be configured for any container moving. High Speed Cable Layer; The fast secure method for monitored field deployment of fibre optic cabling. PeatSorb - The Ultimate Spill Kit: Huge absorption capabilities & natural. EFlare for H/Duty Night Visibility: Leading solution for night emergency lighting with extra bright hazard illumination. For more information please contact Ian Boon, Managing Director, Phone: 03.95874465
Intercorp Pty Ltd
For further information please contact Mr Barry Batagol, Managing Director, Phone: 03.96708299, Email:
RMS (Aust) Pty Ltd
Barrack Management - Facilities Management and Event Management software. RMS (Aust) Pty Ltd is a fully Australian owned specialist software development company, currently providing Systems to approx 90% of the Australian Defence Bases. Bookings short term and Long term accommodation management, housekeeping and maintenance schedules. Facilities management software manages bookings for a range of facilities from Conference facilities, training facilities and equipment to firing range bookings. For further information please contact Bill Best, Defence Account Manager, Phone 0409-175703, Email
Voyage Enterprises Pty Ltd
Project management and aeronautical, systems and software engineering expertise focused on providing this expertise to government and the defence industry. For further information please contact Maurice S. Sikorski, Director/ General Manager, Phone:
03.96506842
MEMBERS’ NEWS
CODARRA WINS $1.6M DEFENCE CONTRACT
Codarra Advanced Systems have signed a $1.6m contract with Defence for the provision of professional engineering services to develop Field Vehicle & Trailer Specifications relating to Phase 3 of project Land 121 (Project 'Overlander'). The professional engineering services will be provided to the Land Engineering Agency (LEA) and DMO Program Office, and involve the delivery of 35 engineering specifications covering field vehicles, modules and trailers over an eight-month period. Codarra has assembled a team of 14 professional engineers, including resources from the UK's Royal Military College of Science (at Shrivenham), to undertake the work. For more information please contact: Warren Williams, Tel: 02-62640100 Email:
PERSONAL GENERATION SYSTEM
Tectonica Australia managing director, Miles Partridge, says the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has reviewed an important milestone for the Personal Generation System ('Generette') Capability Technology Demonstrator project. The milestone related to delivery of the concept design, which Partridge says was achieved on schedule and budget. During the review, the Land 125 (Soldier Combat System) project director, Col Doug Fraser, is said to have examined a mock up of the conceptual design of the Personal Generation System, which represented the first substantial deliverable under the contract signed in April 2004. Partridge says his company "is committed to delivering demonstrator units to the ADF for evaluation by June 2005." The 'Generette' is being designed to replace chemical batteries with an electric power generator driven by a combustion engine running on a logistic fuel. Contact: Miles Partridge 03 9381 6711 0418 151 006
REDFLEX CONTRACTED FOR US MOBILE BATTLEFIELD CONTROL SYSTEM
Melbourne-based Redflex Communications Systems Pty Ltd, has been selected to provide communications systems for the Battle Control System-Mobile (BCS-M), an ongoing USAF program to update and eventually replace the legacy ground theatre air control system control and reporting centre (CR) command and control (C2) system. Redflex teamed with US based Innovative Solutions Consulting Inc to provide a local integration capability for this program under a total contract value around A$17m over the four years. This latter contract is Redflex's fifth engagement by the US Department of Defense in just eight months.
BUSHMASTER CONTRACT PROCEEDING
The Australian Army's new Bushmaster vehicles have successfully passed the final stage of reliability tests, Defence Minister Robert Hill announced today.
Senator Hill said the achievement of this milestone meant there was only one step left before full rate production of the fleet could commence at ADI's Bendigo facility. The final acceptance test is due to be completed late next month. Bushmaster is currently in low volume production at the facility. Fifteen vehicles have so far been delivered to Defence. Introduction into service is expected in mid 2005. For further information:
Leigh Funston, Group Manager, Corporate Communications, ADI Limited
Tel: 02.9562 2552 (Business)
0414 866 697
FIRST FLIGHT - TRUE UAV AUTONOMY
Canberra-based Codarra Advanced Systems reports 6 July that is ‘Avatar’ unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), mounting a truly autonomous intelligent agent flight control system, has successfully completed flight tests in restricted airspace at the Army’s 'Graytown' range, 60 miles north of Melbourne. In the flight tests, the 'Avatar' was guided by a 'Jack' intelligent software agent, developed by Agent Oriented Software, that directed the aircraft’s autopilot during the course of the mission. The successful first flight, undertaken by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), shows that UAVs can now autonomously re-plan and execute missions without ground operator intervention, thus opening the door to enormous savings in operational costs and manpower requirements.
CSIRO DIVISION OF MANUFACTURING AND INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY
has a very strong capability related to the performance of armour materials - from monolithic metal, ceramic or composite armour for vehicles to light weight laminated materials for personnel protection. Calculation of certain performance characteristics against various threats is also a specialty. This is supplemented by the capability to manufacture various ceramic and composite armour materials in-house.
An advanced understanding of the behaviour of shock waves within materials is key to our understanding of behind-armour effects, such as fragmentation and spalling, that result from ballistic impact and blast loading.
The use of our patented heat-treatment processes to improve the strength and toughness of aluminium alloys and aluminium metal matrix composites, for use in vehicles, ordinance and armour applications is unique to CSIRO.
The design and construction of light-weight structural concrete panels for optimum resistance to blast loading is an area under rapid development.
VICOM
Vicom announces the world’s fastest timer/counter/analyser, the new CNT-90 from Pendulum Instruments AB, one of the world's leading experts in time and frequency calibration, measurement and analysis.
The ultimate tool for measurement, analysis and calibration of frequency, time interval or phase whether in test systems, on the R&D bench, in the calibration laboratory or out in the field, the CNT-90 is the state-of-the-art timer/counter/analyser.
Outperforming any existing counter on the market, the CNT-90 offers a unique ease-of-use with graphical display and improved control over measurement at an outstanding price.
Features include:
· Fastest measurement (250 000/s)
· Highest resolution (12 digits/s)
· Multi-parameter (14 digit display) & Graphical Histogram, Trend & Modulation displays
· USB/GPIB standard
· Unique ease-of-use
· Cost of a standard counter
· Plug-and-play 53131A-emulation
Contact: Vicom Australia Pty Ltd Phone: +61 (0)3 9563 7844 Email: or visit www.vicom.com.au. Vicom New Zealand Ltd., Phone: +64 9 379 4596 Email: or visit www.vicom.co.nz
AIDN-Vic ACTIVITIES
AIDN-Vic Breakfast
Presentation of Certificates of Manufacturing Excellence: by Minister Tim Holding
Guest Speaker: Paul Davies, Regional Manager, Business Development, Tenix Defence
Briefing on Project Protector
When and Where: Thursday 12 August 2004 (Prior to the Defence Regional Briefing)
7:00am for 7:15 – 8:30pm
HILTON ON THE PARK
192 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne
Charge: $30
Contact for more information and registration
DEFENCE SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY SURVEY
Are you involved in supplying into the defence marine arena? For those companies interested in participating in the upcoming Naval Shipbuilding programs, simply click on the link below for the AIDN-Vic What’s New Page and then select the AIDN-Vic Defence Shipbuilding Industry Survey 2004. The survey should take approximately 5 minutes to complete.
www.aidn.org.au Note all responses will be acknowledged by the Secretariat. Could you please respond by Friday 16 July 2004.
SPIDER PROJECT
SPIDER STEP WORKSHOPS
The SPIDER project – STEP in Defence Engineering – has been completed. It has delivered to the industry supply chain a core of experience and expertise in using STEP translators to undertake error free CAD and PDM data transfers. These transfers of real life components and information have been conducted by the industry itself, with the assistance and support of the major CAD/PDM system vendors. Come and hear at first hand from key players in the local Defence industry – how they have achieved significant success in the project trials.
* Melbourne Tuesday 10 August, 2004 DIIRD, Melbourne
* Adelaide Wednesday 11 August, 2004 Technology Park, Mawson Lakes
* Sydney Thursday 12 August, 2004 Defence Plaza, Sydney
Contact for further information or visit www.ausdec.com.au for on line registration.
DEFENCE INDUSTRY
RFT FOR JOINT PROJECT 129 TACTICAL SURVEILLANCE CAPABILITY
Defence is to release a Request for Tender (RFT) by the end of July for the acquisition of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) tactical surveillance capability. Defence Minister Hill says the JP 129 solution will be capable of providing capabilities such as "airborne surveillance, reconnaissance and target acquisition in support of land operations. The unmanned aircraft will be equipped with an integrated sensor capable of collecting video and still images by day and night. While the aircraft will operate autonomously, it will be remotely commanded and monitored from a ground station where the crew will process the imagery collected from the aircraft's integrated sensor." Hill added, the tactical UAV system "would be complemented by a larger high-altitude strategic UAV, such as the 'Global Hawk', as foreshadowed in the Defence Capability Plan." (Note this tender will be sent to AIDN-Vic financial members)
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DEFENCE APPOINTS NEW HEAD INDUSTRY DIVISION IN THE DMO
Defence has announced the appointment of Mr Peter Croser, immediate past CEO of CEA Technologies with over 22 years experience in industry, as the new Head Industry Division in the Defence Materiel Organisation. This appointment is advantageous for AIDN and its members as Peter understands the challenges faced by Australian SMEs in competing in the Australian defence sector and globally. Under Peter, there are the two branches of Industry Capability and Industry Policy and Programs, headed by Dominic Zaal and Edwin Ho respectively.
DMO’s REGIONAL BRIEFING – HILTON ON THE PARK 12 AUGUST
Following on from its Defence+Industry Conference in Canberra last month, the Defence Materiel Organisation is again running its excellent series of regional briefings. The briefings give those who did not make it to the conference the chance to here the major themes covered, and also hear from Defence’s major buying agencies in the regions. Melbourne’s briefing will be on 12 August, with Albury (Commercial Club) on 25 August. To register or find out more, go to www.DefenceIndustry2004.communicationlink.com.au or ring 02 6280 8122.
DEFENCE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS SECTOR STRATEGIC PLAN
The Defence Electronic Systems Sector Strategic Plan proposes a comprehensive suite of measures to foster critical capabilities in Australian industry and mitigate the significant risk that attaches to Defence acquisition of military systems integration. This Sector Plan is available on the AIDN web site on the What’s New Page.
STATE GOVERNMENT
ELECTRONICS TRADE MISSION TO DEVELOP ASIA-VICTORIA LINKS
An Electronics Industry Capability Mission to North Asia is to be conducted 13-27 October 2004. The mission will be led by Matt Viney, Parliamentary Secretary, Innovation and Industry, and will travel to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea focusing particularly on strategic alliance and joint venture opportunities. In Taiwan members will participate in the Victorian stand at Taitronics (Taipei International Electronics Show). Victorian organisations wishing to participate in the Mission (at a cost of $7,500) should contact AEEMA at
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
The CRC for Microtechnology the "Converging Technologies for Agriculture and Environment" conference. Monday 9th to Thursday 12th August at the Duxton Hotel, 328 Flinders Street. Melbourne. For further information contact Richard Gill, CRC for Microtechnology, Phone: 03 9505 6528 Email:
Land Warfare Conference 2004 will be held during 28-30 September, 2004 at the Melbourne Convention Centre. For further info visit www.dsto.defence.gov.au.
New Zealand Defence Industry Association Defence Forum'04 will be held at Te Papa, Wellington on 19/20 October 2004. "ACQUISITION to SUPPORT" reflecting the change in emphasis and hence the opportunities for Industry as the New Zealand Defence procurement program moves from an acquisition phase to through-life-support. As the programme develops, details will be available at www.defencetech.co.nz/index.html
EURONAVAL 2004 25-29 October 2004, Le Bourget, Paris visit: www.euronaval-show.com for more information. Austrade and Defence are organising a Team Australia stand (see AIDN email 29 April) Email <>
Australian International AirShow 2005 will be held from Tuesday to Sunday, 15-20 March 2005 (note revised dates). The theme adopted for the 2005 show is 'The Shape of Things to Come', and will present the latest in aviation and aerospace hardware and technologies. For further information visit www.airshow.net.au
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GENERAL NEWS
AUSTRADE EXPORT SEMINAR
Austrade is running a seminar in Melbourne on: “exporting means: business opportunities”
At this free seminar, you will learn how exporting can mean new business opportunities, increased sales and greater profits for your business. Whether your business is large or small, you could succeed in exporting. Hear from local business people, how they succeeded in exporting.
Free seminar on Thursday 29 July 2004 Australian Trade Centre, 53 Queen Street, Melbourne at 5.30pm. For further information contact Edgar Dong on tel: (03) 9658 9643 or email:
CONTACT
Sue Smith
Editor
PO Box 336, Ashburton, Vic 3147 Australia
Tel: +61 (3) 9886 9278
email:
web: www.aidn.org.au
ABN: 28 597 845 793
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News Items for Future Editions
Any members wishing to have an article published in future editions of our electronic newsletter are asked to have their article submitted by the middle of the month. Articles are to be limited in size and submitted by email to . This is a free service to members.
DISCLAIMER
Views expressed in the AIDN-Vic Newsletter do not necessarily reflect the opinion of AIDN-Vic. Not all third-party events included in the UPCOMING ACTIVITIES section are endorsed by AIDN-Vic. No responsibility is accepted by AIDN-Vic or the editor for the accuracy of information contained in the newsletter or the consequences of any person relying upon such information.
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