Page 8 - Australian Defence Magazine June 2022

8 NEWS REVIEW INDUSTRY UPDATE
JUNE 2022 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
DEFENCE ORDERS SEVEN ADDITIONAL MQ-28A GHOST BATS
THE government announced an additional investment of $454 million in the Loyal Wingman Program just prior to the fed- eral election.
Then-Minister for Defence Peter Dut- ton said that the investment will deliver seven uncrewed autonomous aerial ve- hicles – recently named MQ-28A Ghost Bat – to come into service with the RAAF within the next two years.
“Since 2017 the government has in- vested more than $150 million dollars to support the joint venture between the RAAF and Boeing Defence Australia to deliver a world-leading air system that will team with existing air combat air- craft and conduct air combat, reconnais- sance and surveillance missions,” Dutton said on 16 May.
“In just four years our partnership with Boeing has successfully designed, manu-
RIGHT: MQ-28A Ghost Bat prototype aircraft in Woomera, South Australia.
factured and flown the first Australian- built military combat aircraft in 50 years.
“This investment will see the MQ-28A systems expected to enter service with the RAAF in 2024-25.
“This investment will more than double the Australian workforce directly associat- ed with the program, generating a signifi- cant number of advanced engineering and high-tech jobs in the aviation and Defence advanced technologies sectors, particu- larly in Brisbane.
“In addition to the direct engagement with Boeing Defence Australia, our invest-
ment will see the program expand to sup- port engagement of an additional 46 Aus- tralian companies, alongside international partners and allies.
“This will result in the number of busi- nesses engaged in this program growing from 35 to 81 companies, along with many more highly-skilled jobs.”
The MQ-28A aircraft first flight took place in February 2021, just two years and three months from project commencement. A second aircraft has joined the flight test program, with a third aircraft being read- ied for flight testing later in 2022.
THOMAS GLOBAL TO DELIVER M1A2 SEPV3 ABRAMS TACTICAL TRAINING SYSTEM
THOMAS Global Systems has been selected as the Prime System Integrator for the Austra- lian Army’s M1A2 Abrams Immersive Tactical Trainer (ITT), supporting the acquisition of 75 M1A2 Abrams System Enhancement Program Version 3 (SEPv3) Main Battle Tanks (MBT).
Thomas Global Systems will establish a new advanced manufacturing facility in Newington, NSW, to deliver 16 Immersive Tactical Trainers. In addition to the acqui- sition contract announced, Thomas Global
Systems has signed a separate comprehen- sive Support Contract to provide ongoing sustainment and support services of the delivered systems, bringing total program value to approximately $50 million.
Once complete, the 12 containerised ITTs will be deployed to defence bases throughout Australia, along with four class- rooms to be permanently established at the Armoured Vehicle Simulation Site located at Puckapunyal, Victoria.
“As an Australian defence technol- ogy contractor, we are delighted to be selected to support the crew tactical training for the $3.5 billion M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams MBT acquisition. This contract will enable Thomas
LEFT: File image of the Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 tank, the nominated replacement for the current Main Battle Tank.
Global Systems to further develop its sover- eign design and manufacturing capability in complex immersive training systems, in Aus- tralia,” Thomas Global’s Managing Director of Defence Australia, Andrew Hutchinson said.
“This investment leverages Thomas Glob- al Systems’ existing technical capabilities, and will also create or support 65 highly skilled design and engineering jobs through- out the supply chain. The contract also supports establishment of a new advanced manufacturing facility in Newington.”
“This five-year contract with the Aus- tralian Government presents a significant opportunity for Thomas Global Systems to access export markets in the global Abrams supply chain, in support of the US and our other allies and partners.
“We look forward to continuing to devel- op our existing portfolio of Australian de- fence training and simulation work in col- laboration with global partners like Thales, Rheinmetall, Safran and Systematiq.”
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