Australian Defence Force

[seaspear]

Xav I understood the b 871 was a one off kilo though ,and another reason this type of feature is not commonly used is the extra weight and inability to reverse ,correct me if Im wrong of course

[xav]

Well I don't know personally but I can try to find out (it may take a couple of weeks however)

[xav]

PACIFIC 2015: Pictures of the Contenders for the Australian Navy SEA5000 ASW Frigate Program

At PACIFIC 2015, the international maritime exposition held recently in Sydney, most shipyards or shipbuilding groups attending the event unveiled the design of their proposal for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) SEA5000 program. SEA5000 calls for the replacement of the RAN ANZAC class frigates. The Future Frigate is expected to have anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities and the CEAFAR2 radar currently in development by CEA.

CEA would not comment on CEAFAR2 at the show by Navy Recognition understands it will be a tri-band (S, X, L) radar with plannar arrays on an integrated mast. It will be developped (as part of SEA1448 Ph4B) to be agnostic to the ship design chosen for SEA5000. At PACIFIC 2015, the new generation active phased array radar could be seen fitted on almost all the SEA5000 contenders (on scale models or in CGI).

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ?task=view

[swoop]

the pod in the middle, between the 4 fuel transter hose arrangements... is it some sort of spill cleansing/ fire fighting pod that can be accessed even in the most adverse of conditions? Or something else?

RAS gear control compartment. Knobs, levers and switches.

[ArmChairCivvy]

Thx, are the same functions controlled from the bridge in the UK version (anyone know?)?

[arfah]

..................

[R686]

Found this on another site, Australia next submarine contender


http://m.asia.rbth.com/blogs/2015/10/12 ... 49837.html


Well it brought a smile to my dial anyway

[seaspear]

Perhaps the Indian navy will buy it .

[seaspear]

A site that has a range of articles of interest is the ANI site http:navalinstitute.com.au/subscribe-free-tothe-aniwebsite/

[desertswo]

Thx, are the same functions controlled from the bridge in the UK version (anyone know?)?

I rather doubt it, but then I don't know everything. However, one must understand that the CO and his various conning officers (about 15 minutes a throw is enough for that level of concentration before you turn it over to the next guy up) are busy enough without throwing control of the STREAM gear into the mix.

Comms between ships once made up is done via the Phone and Distance Line. It is a sound powered phone and the distance line aspect is marked off in 20 foot segments (using green chemical lights at night). Ships move anywhere from 60 to 160 feet apart, 100 to 140 feet being optimum. The UNREP ship is the guide and MUST hold course and speed without fluctuation. The ships being serviced do the maneuvering.

Perhaps counterintuitive to the uninitiated we always keep 1/2 degree of right rudder, in other words, TOWARD the UNREP ship, if on her port side and 1/2 left rudder if on her starboard side at all times. Why? Because the bow waves of both ships combine to push them apart. To widen the distance you take that rudder off and let fluid mechanics do the rest.

It's a bit of a two edged sword though in that the underwater portions of the ships hulls describe a DeLaval nozzle in cross-section and p1A1V1= p2A2V2 applies. A Venturi is created that conspires to suck the two hulls together. It's a constant battle of "come left to 130, indicate 125 revolutions" when the course you were on was 131 and you had 123 revolutions rung up. Like I said 15 minutes at a shot is enough for conning officers and master helmsman (or "coxswains" in RN/RAN/RCN/RNZN parlance . . . we only use coxswain in respect to those ratings charged with operating ships boats) are also rotated frequently during the UNREP.

So with all that going on you want to throw operation of STREAM gear into the mix as well? This is why the ships boatswain and (again USN parlance, "1st Lieutenant") are paid the big bucks. They oversee the operation of the gear on deck and serve as the primary safety observers. They have counterparts on the other ship and perhaps of interest to some, most of their comms station to station is done via semaphore if in an EMCON ALPHA situation and if not, it's still usually done that way just for practice. If not though, UHF walky-talkies do the trick.

[ArmChairCivvy]

Canberra nearing operational status (a snippet from Shephard news):
"The trials saw the CH-47D carry out a number of evolutions to the vessel’s flight deck, including launch and recoveries, and a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) assessment. Aircraft lashing schemes and refuelling procedures were also assessed.

The trial, which aims to provide a limited CH-47D operating envelope to the Landing Helicopter Dock or amphibious assault ship, comes ahead of the First of Class Flight Trial planned for the CH-47F in late 2016.

Commander Paul Moggach, Commander Air HMAS Canberra, said: ‘We are already authorised for deck operations with MRH-90 Taipan and S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters, and the Chinook activity this week has further expanded our knowledge."

I wonder how that infantry Rgmnt permanently assigned to the Marine role, but stopping short from being called Marines, is coming along?

[xav]

The French clearly are outsiders in this program

DCNS Delivers its Final Proposal for Australia' SEA1000 Future Submarine Program

DCNS today lodged its final deliverables to the Australian Government’s Competitive Evaluation Process to select an International Program partner for the SEA1000 Future Submarine Program.

The proposal includes a Government to Government Agreement from The French Ministère of Defence’s Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) to the Commonwealth of Australia’s Department of Defence and a binding written commitment on key aspects of the deliverables.

This milestone has been achieved on schedule and marks the beginning of the Commonwealth of Australia’s evaluation phase.

Mr Sean Costello, CEO DCNS Australia, said “DCNS acknowledges the dedication from hundreds of people in France and Australia to the development of the Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A and a sovereign industry in Australia.”

“We have worked as a team to create the best possible solution for Australia’s future.”

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ew&id=3277

[R686]

ADF set to gain additional heavy lift helicopters 3 more CH-47F which will take us will eventfully take us to 10 F's. would be nice if we can trade in the remaining D's or remanufacture them into F's


http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/au ... f-aircraft

[ArmChairCivvy]

Can't understand how the Canberras are qualified to take one flavour of the Chinooks (in service), but not the other?

[Wrekin762]

Can't understand how the Canberras are qualified to take one flavour of the Chinooks (in service), but not the other?

The flight control and navigation systems are completely different on the F model Chinook so it'll behave differently in the air. Once it's on board and in the hangar deck it also has a bunch of different requirements from the ground handlers in terms of maintenance and support equipment.

All of that has to be rubber stamped for use on the ship so the two types are qualified separately.

[ArmChairCivvy]

Ok, Thanks

[R686]

I guess will be confirmed when the new Defence White Paper is released next year(ops this year)


http://australianaviation.com.au/201...-for-the-raaf/

"L-3 Communications Mission Integration, Greenville, Texas, has been awarded a $93,632,287 firm-fixed price undefinitized contract action task order (1648) for Australia Government G550 aircraft procurement and maintenance. Work will be performed at Greenville, Texas, and is expected to be complete by Nov. 30, 2017. This contract is 100-percent foreign military sales to Australia. The 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (FA8620-11-G-4025)"

http://www.defense.gov/News/Contract...Article/639406


Also nothing from DSCA as yet, the latest from that refers to the 3x CH-47

http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/archives/201512

[ArmChairCivvy]

$93,632,287 firm-fixed price

The notice says "unspecified number of a/c" ... so it's one. OK, it is for modifications, not the airframes themselves... so make it two.

I guess that with the fabulous P-8s coming, installed ELINT capability will actually go down
- so it/they will be that version from those available (even though they look almost identical to the ground-scanning Sentinels):
"various special missions variants are in military service, most notably in both CAEW ‘Conformal Airborne Early Warning’ and SEMA ‘Special Electronic Missions Aircraft’ ELINT forms with the Israeli Air Force. Singapore also operates G550 CAEWs, while the type has also been ordered by Italy"

[R686]

$93,632,287 firm-fixed price

The notice says "unspecified number of a/c" ... so it's one. OK, it is for modifications, not the airframes themselves... so make it two.

I guess that with the fabulous P-8s coming, installed ELINT capability will actually go down
- so it/they will be that version from those available (even though they look almost identical to the ground-scanning Sentinels):
"various special missions variants are in military service, most notably in both CAEW ‘Conformal Airborne Early Warning’ and SEMA ‘Special Electronic Missions Aircraft’ ELINT forms with the Israeli Air Force. Singapore also operates G550 CAEWs, while the type has also been ordered by Italy"

I reckon you will be on the money for 2x aircraft, as we have a supposed 2x AP-3 Orion's for SIGINT/ELINT undisclosed duties. Most probably the aircraft the flew near the disputed area in the SCS

[R686]

The ABC is reporting on the FMS case of the Gulfstreams 550's, untill is see something from DSCA I'll reserve judgement.

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-0 ... es/7074574

http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales

[ArmChairCivvy]

Very sensible proc strategy for land, all three contestants are MOTS (in service somewhere, for the hull), mated with turrets that match the Oz-specific requirement:

http://defencetechnologyreview.realview ... a#folio=22

[ArmChairCivvy]

Now I know where our George got the idea for the SSBN construction to proceed under a Treasury body (unnamed). The Australian senate committee report is already half a year old, so just picking up the more general points:

"Also, given the national significance and complexity of the project to acquire the
future submarine, the committee recommends that the government establish a
Naval/Submarine Construction Authority as a 'non corporate Commonwealth
entity with appropriate industry and defence expertise and authoritative
leadership to deliver the future submarine'.
The committee recommends further that Defence heed and apply the lessons
learnt from the AWD regarding the transfer of knowledge and those of the
Collins Class submarine about the consequences of being a parent navy to the
future submarines.
Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs)
It is clear from the evidence presented to the committee that the source of the AWD
project's problems can be attributed to a poor understanding and inadequate analysis
of cost and schedule, and poor or inadequate management at the Alliance and
Commonwealth level. From the beginning, decision-makers failed to appreciate the
difficulties in transferring the design work to Australia, where industry was trying to
meet demands created by fitting out the Landing Helicopter Dock ship (LHD) and
starting on a 'first of class' vessel. There are clear lessons to be learned from the AWD
project. It is important to note that a number of factors that affected productivity were
outside the control of the people working on the ships. Two systemic issues identified
by experts such as Dr John White are that the project was starting from scratch, and
the lack of long-term strategic planning."
- just the minor detail that we have our Submarine Enterprise in place already, and the Treasury could simply nominate a member (even the Chair, if they insist to be accountable for the outcome)

Funny, Australia borrowing (it is only a recommendation) Best Practice, and we immediately want to do some 'upmanship'?

[arfah]

..................

[Mercator]

Australia, France eye collaboration on special forces NH90 helicopters

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... ce-421028/

“It is very early in the process,” says the source. “Our special forces would like the NH90, but want them to a certain specification. They make a request and then there will be an answer – yes to everything, yes to some things, or no to everything. Then [if appropriate] they will have to decide what they can do without."

[Halidon]

Reuters reporting that the French and Japanese proposals for the Collins Class Replacement are starting to look like the finalists.