Page 12 - Australian Defence Magazine - July 2018

NEWS REVIEW
INDUSTRY UPDATE
Export success for Australian load handling system
SOUTH Australia’s Supashock has part- nered with Rheinmetall to develop a load handling system that improves efficiency and safety for the loading of containers and other items onto vehicles.
The system enables the automated load- ing and unloading of containers, modules and flat racks onto military trucks from the within the safe confines of a protected truck cabin in a combat environment.
“Supashock has truly revolutionised the concept of integrated load handling sys- tems for military applications,” Michael Wittlinger, Head of Rheinmetall’s Logistic Vehicle business unit, said.
“The ALHS 17 introduces a genuine ‘lift and go’ capability that significantly reduces the time spent by military personnel in a hostile environment, thus increasing overall safety and survivability.”
It has been designed for Rheinmetall’s logistic vehicle (HX77 8x8) and its future derivative which is being delivered for the German Army. Rheinmetall is a 49 per cent shareholder in Supashock.
Minister for Defence Industry Chris- topher Pyne launched the innovation at Eurosatory in France, one of the world’s largest international security and de- fence exhibitions.
The ALHS 17 introduces a genuine ‘lift and go’ capability that significantly reduces the time spent by military personnel in a hostile environment.
Supashock estimates that work on the de- sign, prototype, validation, manufacturing and qualification of the system will create a significant number of advanced manufac- turing jobs in Adelaide.
“Supashock is a great example of an in- novative Australian business transferring its knowledge and skills to take advantage of opportunities available in the defence industry and becoming an advanced manu- facturing exporter,” Minister Pyne said.
WA to host Zephyr pseudo satellite trials
NIGEL PITTAWAY | MELBOURNE
AIRBUS will conduct a series of test flights of its solar-powered Zephyr High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) from north-west Australia in the second half of the year.
WA premier Mark McGowan an- nounced that Wyndham had been selected by Airbus from one of several sites under consideration around the country. The Pre- mier’s office said the WA State Government had been working with Airbus since Febru- ary to establish site development at Wynd- ham airport for the trials.
Airbus’ Zephyr is a solar powered un- manned aerial system (UAS), able to ac- commodate voice and data communications payloads and operate at an altitude of 65,000 feet (19,800 metres) for between 14 and 40 days. The Zephyr S (single tail) aircraft, ca- pable of uplifting a five kg payload, has been ordered by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The larger Zephyr T (twin tail) vehicle now under development will be capable of carrying a 25 kg payload, which will allow a larger range of sensors to be incorporated, including a nano-radar.
Last year, Airbus Australia Pacific manag- ing director Tony Fraser said the Zephyr S
system would be based in Australia for a se- ries of trials on behalf of potential custom- ers, including the ADF, and that Airbus was working with a number of State Govern- ments to establish a suitable location for the trials. Fraser also said that Airbus was look- ing to partner with Australia on the Zephyr program in the areas of battery technology and laser data link capability.
However at the Singapore Airshow in February, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space Dirk Hoke told ADM that Australia was only one of a number of launch sites under consideration in the region.
Western Australia
was chosen for its favourable weather.
12 | July 2018 | www.australiandefence.com.au
AIRBUS
SUPASHOCK