DTN News - AUSTRALIA DEFENSE NEWS: Australia Acceptance Of Two CH-47D Chinook Helicopters

DTN News - AUSTRALIA DEFENSE NEWS: Australia Acceptance Of Two CH-47D Chinook Helicopters
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Australian Government Department of Defence
 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 3, 2012: Minister for Defence Stephen Smith announced on Wednesday ~ February 1, 2012 that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) fleet of Chinooks has increased to seven following the arrival of two additional CH-47D Chinook helicopters in Townsville.

In November last year, the Government approved the purchase of the two ex-United States Army Chinooks following the loss of one ADF Chinook on operations in Afghanistan in May 2011.

The Minister said the new Chinooks would enter a period of deep maintenance and modification to bring them up to the same configuration as the existing ADF Chinook fleet.

Both Chinooks are scheduled to be delivered to the Australian Army to support operations by the middle of 2012.

The CH-47D Chinook is a highly capable medium-lift utility helicopter.  Its roles include troop movement, battlefield equipment transport, search and rescue and disaster relief.

Chinooks have been highly capable workhorses since they entered ADF service in 1995 in operations both in Australia and overseas.

Chinooks have been deployed on Operation Slipper in Afghanistan since 2006.

They have performed an outstanding service for both ADF and International Security Assistance Forces and are in high demand across Afghanistan due to their superior performance in hot and high altitude conditions.


The ADF CH-47D fleet will be replaced with seven new CH-47F Chinooks from around 2016.

Media Contacts: 

Mr Smith’s Office: Andrew Porter (02) 6277 7800 or 0419 474 392
Department of Defence: (02) 6127 1999

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Australian Government Department of Defence
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News: US, Australia To Seek Military Exercises With China

DTN News: US, Australia To Seek Military Exercises With China *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) CANBERRA, Australia - September 4, 2009: The United States and Australia will invite China to take part in three-way military exercises amid concerns arising from Beijing's military build-up, reports said Thursday. A U.S Marine from the 31st Marine Expenditionary Unit (MEU) fires his rifle from behind an amoured personal carrier during the combined urban combat training exercise as part of Exercise Talisman Saber 2009 at the Urban Operations Training Facility, Shoalwater Bay Training Area on July 22, 2009 in Rockhampton, Australia. The recreated urban environment is fitted with a live tracking system to record and analyze the tactics of the personnel involved, who are training to improve the interoperability of the Australian and U.S. military forces so as they can come together quickly and execute whatever mission necessary should the need arise. The top US military commander in Asia, Admiral Timothy Keating, believed joint exercises would improve relations between the nations and increase stability in the region, Fairfax newspapers reported. The report said Keating and Australian Defence Force chief Angus Houston met this week and agreed to put the proposal to China "at the earliest opportunity." "We are anxious to engage with them," Keating told Fairfax. "We want to understand much better than we do now China's intentions." He said that China's public statements on its defence plans were "less than fulfilling" and urged China: "Don't stand in isolation in the Asia Pacific." Keating said the proposed exercises would start with small-scale naval and land activities, followed by personnel exchanges. Asked if strengthening military ties would upset regional powers such as India, Japan and South Korea, Keating said: "We can control the rheostat on this and invite nations to observe and participate. "It is a fairly simple thing to do." The United States has repeatedly raised concerns about the size of China's military build-up, with a Pentagon report earlier this year warning Beijing's pursuit of sophisticated weaponry was altering Asia's military balance. The Australian defence department told Fairfax that it had had begun pursuing military-to-military ties with China in recent years. "(We) place a high priority on engaging China on matters of shared security interest," a spokeswoman said. "Our ability to speak frankly on issues such as China's military modernisation is an indication of the growing maturity of our relationship."

DTN News: Boeing Defence Australia Completes 50,000 Flight-Support Hours For Bell 206B-1 Kiowa

DTN News: Boeing Defence Australia Completes 50,000 Flight-Support Hours For Bell 206B-1 Kiowa *Source: DTN News / Boeing Defence Australia (NSI News Source Info) OAKEY, Queensland - July 24, 2009: Boeing Defence Australia (BDA), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], today announced it has completed 50,000 flight support hours for the Australian Defence Force's fleet of 19 Bell 206B-1 Kiowa helicopters. The Bell 206B-1 Kiowa has been in service with the Army since 1972; its main roles being observation and rotary flying training. It is also utilised for the command and control of tactical aircraft, such as the F/A-18 and F-111. They often work closely with artillery and armoured cavalry units. The majority of the Kiowa fleet is located in Darwin, used by 1 Aviation Regiment. BDA provides the Australian Army with pilot and aircrew training, fleet maintenance and support services for the Bell 206B-1 Kiowa and S-70A-9 Black Hawk helicopters as part of the Army Aviation Training and Training Support (AATTS) program based at Oakey. "This is a significant milestone for the team and I congratulate everyone, past and present, who has participated in achieving this result," said Matthew Sibree, project manager for the BDA AATTS program. "Throughout our team's 16 years of supporting this platform, we have continuously worked to improve maintenance processes, enabling the Kiowa to fly up to 6,000 hours per year. Most civilian platforms average anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 flight hours per year. "This program is unique because it involves both operational maintenance and deeper level maintenance," Sibree added. The customer can program the aircraft to complete up to 50 missions per day, and the BDA maintenance team is responsible for servicing each aircraft before and after every mission. "Boeing has provided excellent support within those 50,000 hours and contributed greatly to the training outputs required of Army Aviation aircrew training," said Lt. Col. Scott Benbow, Commanding Officer at the School of Army Aviation, Army Aviation Training Centre at Oakey. "The Australian Army's relationship with Boeing is a fine example of how industry and defense, when well combined, can achieve very good results." BDA will continue to work on the Kiowa platform for at least the next three years, until Air 9000 Phase 7 -- the replacement helicopter training system for both the Australian Navy and Army -- enters service. BDA, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company and a business unit of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, is a leading Australian aerospace enterprise. With a world-class team of nearly 2,000 employees at 13 locations throughout Australia and two international sites, BDA supports some of the largest and most complex defense projects in Australia. A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

DTN News: Australia Issues RFP For New Light Armored Vehicles

DTN News: Australia Issues RFP For New Light Armored Vehicles

Opportunity for Australian Defence Industry *Source: Australian Department of Defence (NSI News Source Info) June 13, 2009: Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, today announced that the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking Australian manufactured and supported protected mobility vehicles under Project LAND 121 Phase 4.

*Phase 4 will see the acquisition of a further 1,200 armored light vehicles in the 1- and 2-ton payload class worth an estimated $1.2 billion Australian.

*Phase 5 will see the acquisition of about 2,000 unprotected, commercial off-the-shelf trucks and utility vehicles worth about $300 million Australian. These will be used for training and low-risk logistics tasks.

Project LAND 121 Phase 4 will provide the core of the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) light protected vehicle fleet that can be deployed for operations. They will replace some of the ADF 4200 Land Rovers with a fleet of protected light mobility vehicles.

The vehicles will perform a number of important combat support roles, including command, liaison and light battlefield resupply. They will be provided to Army’s combat units and will be designed to operate in future conflict environments.

“The new vehicles will improve the level of safety for our troops overseas through an increase in the level of ballistic and blast protection over current lightweight vehicles,” said Mr Combet. “This is a fantastic opportunity for local defence industry, provided they can demonstrate their competitiveness, and I encourage local manufacturers to explore this opportunity.”

“The Rudd Government is committed to supporting Australian defence jobs by ensuring that local defence industry has every opportunity to compete to provide the equipment our ADF needs.”

The solicitation of local industry is being pursued in parallel with the ongoing Australian participation in the US Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Program. These parallel processes will ensure that all viable options available for the delivery of light protected mobility vehicles to the Army have been considered.

“This approach is consistent with Mortimer Review recommendations, and will ensure that taxpayers receive value for money and that the Army and our soldiers receive the best equipment and protection possible,” said Mr Combet.

DTN News: Australia TODAY May 23, 2009-Pakistan Military's Chiefs of Staff General Tariq Majid In Canberra For Joint Coop With Australian On Militancy

DTN News: Australia TODAY May 23, 2009 - Pakistan Military's Chiefs of Staff General Tariq Majid In Canberra For Joint Cooperation With Australian Military On Militancy

(NSI News Source Info) CANBERRA - May 23, 2009: Pakistan military's Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majid is escorted by Australia's Major General Craig Orme as they leave Parliament House in Canberra May 20, 2009.

Pakistan's military chief held low-key talks with Australian military commanders on Wednesday and agreed to step-up counter-terrorism cooperation as his country targets pro-Taliban militancy in the Swat Valley.

Please feel free to distribute this DTN News Report to friends or repost to your Web site linking to http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/

BAE Touts PZH 2000 SP Gun At Australian Airshow / BAE Systems Showcases Self-Propelled Howitzer PZH 2000 At The Australian International Air Show

BAE Touts PZH 2000 SP Gun At Australian Airshow / BAE Systems Showcases Self-Propelled Howitzer PZH 2000 At The Australian International Air Show

(NSI News Source Info) MUNICH/AVALON, Victoria - March 12, 2009: Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co.KG (KMW) and through-life support partner BAE Systems Australia are featuring the Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000) Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) capabilities for Land 17 at this week’s Australian International Air Show in Avalon.

The PzH 2000 (Panzerhaubitze 2000) is the 155mm self-propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) together with the main subcontractor Rheinmetall Landsysteme for the German Army. "The PzH 2000 is the 155mm self-propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann." KMW received a contract in 1996 for production of 185 units. The first system was delivered in July 1998 and deliveries for this batch are complete. Rheinmetall (formerly MaK) delivers the complete chassis for all series vehicles. Total German Army requirement has been reduced from around 450 units to 260. PzH 2000 has also been selected by the Italian, Dutch and Greek Armies. The Greek Army has 24 systems, delivered between July 2003 and June 2004. A German / Italian co-production programme with Consorzio Iveco-Oto Melara is providing the 70 units for the Italian Army. KMW delivered two units in 2002. First deliveries of the remaining 68 from Consorzio Iveco-Oto Melara took place in May 2007. The system entered service with the Italian Army in June 2007 and achieved initial operating capability in October 2008. Final deliveries are scheduled for 2009. The Dutch army signed a contract for the procurement of for 57 units, later reduced to 39 units and deliveries are underway. The surplus 18 units (not yet built) were offered to the Australian Army but were declined.

The Land 17 Artillery Replacement Programme will fundamentally change the Australian Army’s indirect fire support capability through a system of systems architecture. Fielding of the KMW PzH 2000 for the Land 17 SPH capability package will provide a versatile, safe, combat proven, networked, autonomous and PGM certified precision weapon system.

The PzH 2000 is the most modern tube artillery system in the world and meets all international demands. The PzH 2000 forms an essential element in combat support, both now and in future combat and crisis scenarios. Currently PzH 2000 units of the Dutch Army are providing combat support, convoy and base protection for Coalition forces in Afghanistan.

“Today there are 250 units in service across four NATO armies, including the Netherlands, already operating with advanced networked C2 and fire control systems,” says Christian Goettfert, Regional Sales Director of KMW. “One PzH2000 can deliver the indirect artillery support previously provided by four NATO M109 class Self Propelled Howitzers.”

BAE Systems Australia’s Managing Director Jim McDowell says the PzH 2000 is an attractive option for the Department of Defence because it offered considerably lower procurement risk. “This is a safe off the shelf solution. Minimal changes and verification and validation testing are required to meet the Land 17 SPH requirements. Crew safety, work load minimization, human factors and reduced crew size are all integral to the PzH 2000 system design.”

Other key features of the PzH 2000 include:

--Delivery of five rounds in less than two seconds on a single target (Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact capability);

--Combat load of 60 rounds, with rapid resupply (60 rounds in less than 12 minutes), and ability to fire all types of NATO approved ammunition;

--Full 360 degree target engagement at all ranges from a stationary PzH 2000;

--Proven 30 kilometres combat range for standard 155mm HE projectiles and up to 56 kilometres with boosted munitions;

--No need for a specialised armoured resupply vehicle;

--Proven deployability and US certification for strategic lift in C17 aircraft;

--High automation levels mean reduced crew numbers (only two are required for static firing missions)

--Unmatched safety features, with charges stored in a protected compartment separate from the crew space and the gun crew contained within a safety cage in the turret to prevent injury during firing.

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG leads the European market for armoured wheeled and tracked vehicles. At locations in Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and the USA, some 3200 employees manufacture and support a product portfolio ranging from air-transportable, heavily armoured wheeled vehicles (MUNGO, DINGO, GFF4 and BOXER) through reconnaissance, anti-aircraft and artillery systems (FENNEK, GEPARD, LeFLaSys, Armoured Howitzer 2000, AGM and DONAR) to heavy battle tanks (LEOPARD 1 and 2), armoured personnel carriers (PUMA) and bridge-laying-systems (LEGUAN and PSB2). The armed forces of more than 30 nations worldwide rely on the operational systems by KMW.

BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £18.5 billion (US $34.4 billion) in 2008.