Page 135 - Australian Defence Magazine Sep-Oct 2022

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
LAND WARFARE
ARMY INNOVATION DAY 135
SME Praxis Labs, which has performed work for Defence in the air, sea and now land domains. The Bushmaster is fitted with a toughened solar panel which has been inte- grated into the vehicle’s bonnet and is tough enough to walk on. The technology promises to reduce Army’s reliance on electrical generators or other heat-producing sources out in the field. The solar array on display at ARX 2022 is ca- pable of producing up to 240 Watts of power and powers the Bushmaster’s communications batteries.
“People want power and a lot of Defence equipment is sit- ting out in the sun,” explained Managing Director Katie Don- aldson. “So, it makes sense to harvest it, but what was holding them back was the solar tech, in terms of weight and form, but our integration technology puts the cells inside the structure. There’s no loss of performance of the cells, we can offset the weight of the cells and we can make it as tough as you want.”
ROBOTIC RESUPPLY
Canberra-based ECLIPS demonstrated its Automated Resup- ply Mechanical Handling System (ARMHS), which is a means of reloading Army’s Hanwha AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicles (AARV) being acquired under Land 8116 Phase 1. The automated system is being developed in partner- ship with RICO and aims to remove around 20 humans from the arduous resupply process of the AARV’s 104 60 kg shells.
The intent is to develop the system to the point where it can be marketed by Hanwha alongside the AS9/K9 and AS10/K10 systems for future export sales. When combined with Army’s HX77 Leader-Follower development displayed at ARX 21, has the potential to provide and end-to-end lo- gistics solution for the self-propelled howitzer in service.
“ARX is an opportunity for companies to deal directly with senior Defence leadership. It’s not about buying things: many of the things here you just can’t buy, because they’re in development,” COL Smith summarised. “Another great opportunity is networking amongst like companies.” ■
The ESSINGTON School
Powered by the pioneering spirit of the Northern Territory for over 30 years, our vision is to create an inspiring environment that fuels creativity and imagination, moti- vates students to be the best that they can be and where everyone can belong.
Global thinking, Territory spirit.
Defence families are a very important and dynamic part of Essington and we heartily welcome students from Defence families into our school in Darwin.
Limited vacancies available for 2023 and 2024. enrolments@essington.nt.edu.au | 08 7913 8100 www.essington.nt.edu.au/enrolment-at-essington
Global thinking, Territory spirit.
NIGEL PITTAWAY