Page 18 - Australian Defence Magazine November 2021

18 NEWS REVIEW INDUSTRY UPDATE
NOVEMBER 2021 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
LOYAL WINGMAN TO BE BUILT IN TOOWOOMBA
BOEING has selected Toowoomba as the preferred site to build the ‘Loyal Wing- man’ Airpower Teaming System.
The site, developed in partnership with the Queensland Government in the Well- camp Aerospace and Defence Precinct at Wellcamp Airport, will be the company’s first aircraft assembly facility of its kind outside of North America.
The Loyal Wingman made its first flight in February 2021.
“In choosing Wellcamp Airport, Boeing have taken an important step towards deliv- ering their purpose-built final assembly fa- cility,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.
“This announcement follows our success with Australia’s first commercial drone
flight testing facility at Cloncurry Airport last December, of which Boeing was a first user,” Treasurer and Minister for Invest- ment Cameron Dick said. “It’s the result of an arrangement our government entered into with Boeing Australia last year to support the establishment of the primary final assembly facility for the Boeing Loyal Wingman here in Queensland, subject to defence orders.”
The uncrewed aircraft is designed to operate as a team, using artificial intelli- gence to extend the capabilities of crewed and uncrewed platforms.
“We are confident in the future pro- duction outlook for this world-class, in- novative aircraft,” said Boeing Defence
LEFT: Boeing Australia is currently developing six aircraft in partnership with the RAAF.
Australia Vice President and Managing Director Scott Carpendale. “We’re think- ing long-term about this investment, which could assist Australia to gain fu- ture work share in other global defence and aerospace opportunities, in addition to the Loyal Wingman assembly.
“The Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precinct location is attractive due to its access to a flight line, clear flying days, commercial flight access from major cit- ies and ability to support the rapid pace at which the Airpower Teaming System program is growing.
“Sustainable aerospace is a critical fo- cus for Boeing, and Wagner Corporation’s use of sustainable construction methods supports our vision to create a leading sustainable aerospace manufacturing fa- cility from the ground up, including re- newable technologies and human-centric design,” Carpendale said.
Boeing Australia is currently develop- ing six aircraft in partnership with the RAAF, with flight testing ongoing.
“I’m not at all surprised that a project of this calibre has come out of the Cow- per electorate on the Mid North Coast,” Conaghan said.
“We’re an innovative bunch, and to see that ingenuity rewarded like this is fantas- tic news for our region.
“Huge congratulations to Bale Defence for the recognition of excellence by secur- ing this exciting contract, and I look for- ward to seeing the project come to fruition.”
BALE DEFENCE TO DELIVER ROUGH TERRAIN VEHICLE
A FAMILY-OWNED engineering company based in Port Macquarie has been award- ed an $8.47 million contract to deliver the ADF’s next generation rough terrain vehicle fleet.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the contract with Bale Defence to build 40 vehicles would create six new jobs in Port Macquarie and support the ongoing employment of another 18 Aus- tralian workers, injecting $6.17 million into the local economy.
“The rough terrain vehicle provides an important tactical, light, all-terrain land capability used by the ADF on operations and exercises both in Australia and over- seas,” Minister Price said.
“Bale Defence provided the first gener-
ation of rough terrain vehicles to the ADF. “This contract ensures Australia can continue to manufacture, modernise and enhance this critical capability lo- cally, to meet our Defence Force’s evolv-
ing requirements.”
Member for Cowper Pat
Conaghan said the contract with Bale Defence was yet an- other example of regional Aus- tralia leading the charge for in- novation and technology.
RIGHT: Bale Defence provided the first generation of rough terrain vehicles to the ADF.
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