Page 12 - Australian Defence Magazine - June 2018

NEWS REVIEW
INDUSTRY UPDATE
Antonov An-124 delivers first JSF parts
ONE of the world’s largest aircraft has land- ed at RAAF Base Williamtown carrying the first delivery of Australia’s state of the art training equipment for the Joint Strike Fighter.
Minister for Defence Marise Payne said the Antonov An-124 touched down after a two-day journey from the United Kingdom carrying equipment for the Australian F- 35A Integrated Training Centre.
The equipment delivered will provide Australia with its own F-35 pilot and main- tainer training capability.
“This delivery includes an Ejection Sys- tems Maintenance Trainer which is a rep- lica of the F-35A aircraft escape systems and a Weapons Load Trainer, which replicates
Luerssen signs L-3 on OPVs
LUERSSEN Australia, the prime con- tractor for the design and build of 12 new Offshore Patrol Vessels for the RAN, has awarded a subcontract to L3 Communica- tions Australia.
While opening L3’s new Defence Design and Engineering Centre in Victoria, Minis- ter for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne said the contract with L3 would provide the communications throughout the ships, in- cluding monitoring systems for the engines and navigation system for all 12 OPVs.
“This contract will see 28 jobs created in Australia while allowing L3 to package a range of their maritime solutions together, providing further growth and opportunities for local Australian companies,” Minister Pyne said. “L3 Technologies has a long histo- ry of working with the ADF to deliver a range of capabilities, and have made vital contribu-
the F-35A fuselage, including the weapons bay and wing hard points. The equipment delivered will provide Australia with its own F-35 pilot and maintainer training capability and will form part of the overall Australian F-35A Training System,” Minis- ter Payne said.
“Importantly this equipment will enable our pilots and crews to train without having to remove aircraft from flight schedules.
“This is an important milestone with two of Australia’s F-35A aircraft to be based at RAAF Base Williamtown from December 2018 and pilot training expected to com- mence at Williamtown from mid next year."
Minister Payne said future deliveries to Williamtown’s No. 2 Operational Conver-
ABOVE: An Antonov An-124 parks on the flightline as an E7-A Wedgetail, Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft (left) taxis in to RAAF Base Williamtown.
sion Unit will include six Full Mission Sim- ulators required for F-35A pilot training.
“The first two of these six simulators will be delivered later this year,” she said.
The Antonov departed Yorkshire on 30 April 2018, with stop overs at Gujarat, In- dia and Senai, Malaysia before arriving to Williamtown.
RAAF Base Williamtown last hosted an Antonov 124—the ‘baby’ of the Antonov heavy lift fleet—approximately 10 years ago.
Luerssen's OPV will be fitted with L3 communications and navigation systems.
tions to our Collins Class Submarines and Canberra Class Amphibious Assault Ships.
“L3 have been expanding in Australia, growing by 30% since mid-2017. Their brand new expanded Defence Design and Engineer- ing Centre will enable this relationship to con- tinue and grow, collaborating and innovating with local universities and SMEs, and I con- gratulate them on the opening.”
Lurssen Australia is under contract for the design and build of 12 OPVs. The project, which in total is worth around $3.6 billion, will create approximately 1,000 jobs – 400 direct and a further 600 in the supply chain. Construction will commence on the first ship at Os- borne Naval Shipyard in South Austra- lia this year.
12 | June 2018 | www.australiandefence.com.au
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