Defence Directions Industry News

Welcome to Vol 4, No 3 of the Defence Directions Industry News - 'Tailoring Recruitment to Defence Industry.'

This document is provided as a free service to professionals operating within the Defence Industry.

New CEO of the DMO Takes Chair

Dr Stephen Gumley has taken chair as the new CEO of the DMO. Dr Gumley is the previous CEO of the Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC). The DMO is effectively one of the largest companies (per expenditure) in Australia with over 200 projects currently in play at a cost approaching 40 Billion USD's

Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) timeline announced

The keenly anticipated timeline surrounding the construction and integration of the AWD into the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has been announced. Three companies have been shortlisted (all international) to provide the initial design.

• IZAR - Spanish Shipbuilder (Prototype design variant of F100 currently in service with Spanish Navy)
• Blohn+Voss - German Shipbuilder (Designer of ANZAC FFH - proposing stretch variant of the ANZAC)
• Gibbs and Cox - US Shipbuilder (Producer of the successful Arleigh Burke design, proposing shrink variant)

Selection of final design is slated for 2005, concurrently, Operational Concept Definition of the requirements of the AWD Combat System continues. On similar grounds to the Collins Class Replacement Combat System (RCS), one would expect a Combat System offering compatibility with US C4I, namely an Aegis variant.

Delivery of the first platform is approximated at 2010+. Delivery of the first platform would restore an AWD capability to the RAN that has been absent following the decommissioning of the Perth Class DDG's in 2001

Mulwalla Redevelopment Project Continues

The Commonwealth explosives manufacturing plant of Mulwalla-currently administered by ADI is scheduled for major renovation. Government approval of the modernization requirements confirms the importance of maintaining an organic explosives production capability within Australia . The upgrade is expected to improve production, safety and environmental factors presently associated with production. ADI is proposing to manage the upgrade with the assistance of third party suppliers - tender closes in April.

JORN Upgrade

Although only having recently achieved full activation, JORN is currently scheduled for a multi million dollar upgrade. The upgrade will aim to increase the sensitivity of the system to permit detection of smaller vessels. The main problem in the detection of possible illegal entry vessels has been the lack of metal in the hull to produce a solid radar return. The upgrade plans to use improvements in RADAR design and pulse compression techniques to improve the effectiveness of the billon dollar establishment

Another Milestone for the Collins Class Submarine

The march towards full Acceptance Into Naval Service (AINS) for the Collins Class continues with achievement of Operational Release. This follows several successful deployments of the Class including HMAS COLLINS (CMDR P.M.J Scott, RAN) North East Pacific Deployment to Alaska . During this deployment, COLLINS deployed a total of 21000 miles, navigated by LEUT A.J. Waldie, (RANR).

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