Page 8 - Australian Defence Magazine October 2019

NEWS REVIEW
INDUSTRY UPDATE
Navy on Hunter class
link systems with other RAN platforms.” CDRE Mann also said that Hunter will have the flexibility to contribute signifi-
cantly to a Joint Task Group.
“Key to Joint operations is the integration
of warfare systems, and the fusion of sensor information is to develop high fidelity situa- tional awareness, cracking the code on stealth and threats with low probability of detection characteristics,” he explained to ADM.
“The USN-developed Co-operative Engagement Capability (CEC) resident in our Hobart class destroyers is a perfect example of this sensor fusion (and) this capability will also be resident in Hunter, courtesy of the Aegis/Saab Australian in- terface combat system.”
The Hunter class is part of a family of at least 32 Global Combat Ships, which in- cludes eight Type 26 vessels for the Royal Navy and 15 Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) ships for the Royal Canadian Navy, so there are potential synergies in both the glob- al supply chain during their build processes and also interoperability once in service.
“The Australian, British and Canadian Navies have established the GSC User Group to maximise the benefits presented by this tripartite shipbuilding initiative. The Group meets regularly to discuss common items such as information shar- ing, ASW training, global supply chains and general concepts to prevent overlap/ duplication of effort,” CDRE Mann said.
“The understanding developed in this forum will assure Navy is ready in all re- spects to introduce the advanced capabili- ties of the Hunter Class into service in the late 2020s.”
Special Forces to engage with intelligence, science and technology, and innovation organisations to ensure future threats and opportunities are assessed, to make sure we are delivering them the capability they need in the future.”
COMING UP IN NOV ADM
• C4I and Comms looking
at EW training, satcom program update and design thinking in ICT
• Sustainment and MRO update on Chinooks, M777 and using AI and big data for condition based work
NIGEL PITTAWAY | MELBOURNE
THE history and future of Navy’s Hunter class Future Frigate under Sea 5000 Phase 1 and its production process in Australia is documented elsewhere this issue (see P58), but to learn more of the capability it will deliver, ADM recently spoke with Com- modore David Mann, Director General, Surface Combatants and Aviation.
CDRE Mann noted the recent Defence White Paper outlined substantial growth of submarine numbers in the Indo-Pacific, the future complexities of the operating environment and identified Anti-Subma- rine Warfare (ASW) as a ‘key enabler’ for Australia to achieve its Strategic Defence Interests and Objectives.
“The Hunter Class Frigate will provide Navy with the lethality and ASW capabil- ities to provide a deterrent effect and make a significant contribution to Joint and Al- lied operations, in both the blue-water and
littoral environments,” CDRE Mann said. “The Hunter Class will form the back- bone of the future surface fleet, adding to Australia’s maritime security, through its ability to respond to government directed tasks, including diplomatic, constabulary operations and contributions to humani-
tarian assistance/disaster relief activities.” CDRE Mann added the Hunter design is optimised for ASW but will also possess a ‘so- phisticated’ air warfare capability via its CEA Technologies CEAFAR2 phased array radar and Lockheed Martin Aegis combat system, integrated with a Saab Australia tactical in- terface and Evolved Sea Sparrow (ESSM) and
Standard surface-to-air missiles.
“It will also have an enhanced surface
warfare capability through the integrated Sikorsky MH-60R ‘Romeo’ helicopter and advanced anti-ship missiles,” he said. “The ship will play a key role in the force protec- tion and power projection of a RAN Mari- time Task Group and will be networked by modern communications and data
tions, and human performance training and support.
“Australian Special Forces undertake complex, highly demanding operations in high threat environments,” PM Mor- rison said.
New equipment
funding boost for
Special Forces
“Global threats will continue to evolve in ways which threaten Australia’s inter- ests. This funding will ensure our Special Forces have cutting edge capabilities to stay ahead of those who might threaten Austra- lia’s interests.”
“Our Special Forces, now more than ever, need to be ready and able to deploy on operations anywhere in the world, at short notice, and in very uncertain con- ditions,” Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said.
“This first stage of funding enables our
PRIME Minister Scott Morrison has ap- proved the first stage of Project Greyfin (Land 1508), which will provide the first $500 million of a $3 billion planned invest- ment over 20 years in equipment for the Special Forces.
Project Greyfin will see investments in body armour, weapons, diving and para- chuting kit, roping and climbing systems, medical search and rescue, communica-
8 | October 2019 | www.australiandefence.com.au
BAE SYSTEMS