Page 14 - Australian Defence Directory 2019 #51

Holmwood to show prototype to US Army
HOLMWOOD Highgate, a Brisbane-based manufacturer of military fuel storage and distribution systems, has been awarded a US Army Petroleum and Water Systems (PAWS) contract to provide a Mobile Tactical Retail Refuelling System (MTRRS) prototype and field representative support.
The contract, valued at nearly US$1 million, is for competi- tive testing and evaluation in partnership with Michigan-based MERRILL Technologies Group.
MTRRS is required to be a bulk fuel carrier and retail dispenser for military vehicles and ground support equip- ment, providing fuel at the manoeuvre level in all operational environments. The system will provide fuel storage, filtration and unit-level retail capabilities with the ability to refuel ground vehicles, ground equipment, and fuel containers.
The competitive evaluation of the MTTRS program is expected to be completed mid-2019, with anticipated contract award being late 2019.
“If it wasn’t for our success with Australia’s Land 121 3B and 5B program, we would not have this opportunity. Being able to design and develop in-house a capability that had world first require- ments for a platform such as that program, gave us the confidence to head overseas and promote our capability,” Holmwood Highgate’s Chief Executive Director, Wade Mellish said. “The MTRRS program is on a smaller scale to the ADF solution.”
“Partnering with our allies to keep soldiers, both home and abroad, safe and armed with the most effective equipment is
Holmwood Highgates’ Chief Executive Director, Wade Mellish introduces MERRILL’s CEO, Robert Yackel to Australia’s Ambassador to the US Joe Hockey.
something we take very seriously,” MERRILL CEO and President Robert Yackel said.
“This is certainly another export win for Australia’s defence industry,” Mellish said.
“We owe a lot to the Team Defence Australia program, the Australian Military Sales Office, CDIC and Austrade. They have been instrumental in helping us realize our true potential.”
Holmwood’s Land 121 Phase 3B contract is valued at more than $65 million. The company is designing and manufacturing 22 integrated fuel tankers for the RMMV 8x8 chassis, 123 ISO- compatible modular water tanks (including pumping equip- ment) and 131 ISO-compatible fuel tanks and equipment.
Cablex partners on Warmate for ADF
WB GROUP has signed a formal distribution agreement with Australian partner Cablex to offer Warmate, a loitering munition system for the ADF.
The current Warmate is a battle-proven small/medium loitering munition weighing five kg with an endurance exceeding 60 minutes, a range of over 15 kilometres, and a variety of war- heads suited to armoured and unarmoured targets. It is canister launched and is capable of being either carried by infantry or mounted on armoured vehicles.
The current Warmate is a battle-proven small/medium loitering munition.
The Warmate in its current configuration may have applica- tions for Army and SAS roles and Cablex supported by WB is proposing to bring systems to Australia for trials.
The project agreement was signed in front of former Minister for Defence Industry Steven Ciobo and Polish Ambassador Michał Kołodziejski at the Avalon Air Show. The agreement with Cablex stipulates that the company will be the exclusive distribu- tor of Warmate in Australia and the system integrator according to the requirements of the ADF.
“We are pleased to offer the ADF a high-quality loitering munition,” Piotr Wojciechowski, president of WB Group, said. “The agreement not only provides the Australian military with aerial detection and strike capabilities, it also strengthens
the bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the defence sector.”
Subject to the outcome of the trials, Cablex has identified possibilities for Australian sovereign enhancement of Warmate, including further improving its ISR capability for sustained local area surveillance, encrypted linkage into wider ADF ISR systems, improved warhead technology with local manufacture, and
a multiple system launcher customised to fit a variety of ADF armoured and protected vehicles.
An ultimate goal will also be to provide AFVs such as Boxer with a bolt-on launcher allowing Warmate launch, surveillance and strike operations controlled and monitored entirely from within the armoured vehicle, maximising operator protection.
PAGE 14 ADM’s Directory of Defence Suppliers 2019 | Edition 51 | www.defencesuppliers.com.au
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