Page 10 - Australian Defence Magazine Dec-Jan 2023

10 NEWS REVIEW INDUSTRY UPDATE
DECEMBER 2022-JANUARY 2023 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
RAAF BASE EDINBURGH TO INTEGRATE
NICHE TRADES WORKFORCE
DEFENCE has signed an Edinburgh Aero- space Intelligence Surveillance and Re- connaissance (ISR) Enterprise Common Services Deed with Airbus Australia Pa- cific to create a common workforce for niche trades at RAAF Edinburgh.
The deed will create an integrated workforce through a single, common provider for niche trades initially, with the potential for expansion for addition- al common services to support the P-8A Poseidon, MC-55A Peregrine and MQ-4C Triton capabilities.
Director General Aerospace Surveil- lance and Response, Air Commodore Ja- son Agius, said the deed would result in economies of scale and better efficiency for limited facilities and the niche trade workforce in South Australia.
“The Edinburgh ISR precinct is home to some of the most advanced airborne intel- ligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms in the world,” Air Commodore Agius said.
“This deed signed with Airbus Australia Pacific will enable more efficient support for our Air Force ISR fleets in South Aus-
tralia and encourage further integration between our industry partners.”
AIRCDRE Agius said the integrated workforce at the sub-contractor level between Primes would provide greater flexibility for industry to respond to Defence’s needs across capabilities as required.
“This initiative provides a framework to increase the efficiency of a workforce to support multiple small fleets of aircraft and
ABOVE: An RAAF P-8A Poseidon departs RAAF Edinburgh
provides a basis for the extension of sup- port to additional platforms if required.” The Edinburgh Aerospace ISR Enter- prise was established in 2021 to enable a more integrated industry base for the support of P-8A , MC-55A and MQ-4C
capabilities.
ASC AND QMS INK DEAL TO SUPPORT COLLINS
ASC has reached a new agreement with Australian company QMS NDT & NACE (QMS) for the delivery of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and metal survey services.
QMS’ sophisticated x-ray and radio- graphic testing methods allow for accu- rate analysis of the integrity of submarine welds, pipe wall thicknesses and other
metallic materials in the Collins-class submarines without having to disrupt the structures that surround them.
This service will be utilised within the Full Cycle Docking (FCD) program and hopes to assist ASC’s teams to effectively target their maintenance activities.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Whiley, said ASC works with more than 1200 Australian businesses within its sovereign supply chain and spends around
$200 million each year.
LEFT: A Collins class submarine conducts helicopter transfers in Cockburn Sound, Western Australia
“ASC is committed to the involvement of Australian suppliers on the Collins Class sustainment program,” Whiley said.
“Developing strong, long-term rela- tionships with local suppliers assists ASC to maintain high levels of quality and responsiveness during Collins-class maintenance.
“QMS is a proudly Australian-owned company and this new deal helps cre- ate further sovereign capability in ASC’s supply chain.”
QMS Owner, Shaun Kennedy, said the company has a great relationship with ASC.
“QMS NDT & NACE has supported the Collins Class NDT and metal loss contract for the past eight years and we are happy to have the opportunity to sign another contract to continue working on the Collins Class fleet,” Kennedy said.
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