Page 14 - Williams Foundation Air-Sea Integration Seminar

Shaping an Integrated Force in the Extended Battlespace

“That will not happen if we build someone else’s ship in Australia which is designed to operate in separate
classes.

“I don’t want an individual class to be considered in isolation. I want to cross-learn and cross-operate
throughout our various classes of ships, and notably with regard to software integration and development.”

Question: Clearly, building a sustainable navy from the outset is crucial to your design effort.

How do you view the challenge of building a more sustainable navy from the outset?

Vice Admiral Barrett: “It is crucial to deterrence. If your ships are not operating at sea they will have little
effect.

“For example we have changed our approach to the Collins submarine largely around sustainment and
working more openly with industry to achieve much greater at-sea operational tempos.

“We have put in place an enterprise approach, which focuses on availability of submarines; Industry and
Navy are working closely together now to achieve that core objective.

“I’ve got industry keenly interested in the results of what the submarines do when they leave port and go on
operations. And we’ve had a dramatic turnaround in submarine availability as partnering has improved.

“For me, deterrence, lethality, availability, sustainability, and affordability are highly interrelated for a Navy
and its combat performance.

“And clearly as we design new ships, designing in more sustainable systems and ships is crucial.”

Question: Wedgetail shows an interesting model, namely having the combat squadron next door to the
Systems Program Office.

This facilitates a good working relationship and enhances software refresh as well.

You have something like this in mind for your ship building approach.

Could you discuss that approach?

Vice Admiral Barrett: “We do and are implementing it in our new Offshore Patrol Vessel program. And with
our ‘ship zero’ concept we are looking to integrate the various elements of operations, upgrades, training and
maintenance within a common center and work flow to get greater readiness rates and to enhance an
effective modernization process as well.

Second Line of Defense

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