Title: Her Majesty's Australian Defence Forces
Description: issues, news & updates
Description: issues, news & updates
Uzi 0 - September 4, 2004 09:38 AM (GMT)
PARIS --- While Australia’s planned order for 12 NH90 helicopters, announced Aug. 31, is valued at about A$ 1 billion, industry and government officials say repeat orders now in the pipeline or planned could boost the total number of NH90s to as many as 60, worth over A$ 5 billion.
However, the final contract negotiations for this first contract may prove more difficult than anticipated. Australia selected the NH90 on the basis of a Best And Final Offer for a 40-helicopter buy. The price quoted in that offer may no longer be acceptable to the supplier, as the initial order has now been reduced to 12. Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill told reporters that a decision on the upgrade or replacement of the Black Hawks, for which the remaining 28 NH90s were planned, would not be made before 2005 or 2006.
The risk for the NH90 industry group is that the Australian government may refuse to pay a higher price despite the lower number it is ordering. For domestic political reasons, Australia also is likely to insist on local assembly of at least some of the initial 12 helicopters, even though this makes much less financial sense than it would for 40 aircraft.
This would result in a substantial erosion of the contractors’ profit margin, but this is a sacrifice the NH Industries partners may be forced to accept as the price of locking in Australia’s transport helicopter market and, not least, of ejecting Sikorsky. NH Industries is a joint venture between France’s Eurocopter, Italy’s Agusta and Stork Fokker of the Netherlands. Formally, Australia’s MRH90s will be supplied by Australian Aerospace, a local subsidiary of Eurocopter.
According to current plans – which may change if the Howard government loses the general election it has called for early October – the NH90 should eventually replace the Australian Army’s Black Hawks, boosting the number required by the Army to 40, or possibly 42. The first batch of 12 will replace the Army’s UH-1s, which will be retired.
In addition, the Sea King and Sea Hawk helicopters currently operated by the Royal Australian Navy are also due for replacement, and the RAN will also require additional naval helicopters for the new Air Warfare Destroyers and new amphibious ships it plans to build. A number of NH90s – known as MRH90s in Australia – will also be required for training. In addition, the purchase contract will include a support contract lasting up to 20 years, generating substantial additional revenue for the manufacturers involved.
The Australian Industry Participation package now being finalized is worth about A$300 million, and centers on assembly of the aircraft by Australian Aerospace in Brisbane where the company is already assembling the Tigers on order.
“We're hoping the new helicopters will also be assembled in Brisbane and in the industry package that is to be negotiated, we'll look for a number of other capability enhancements, particularly in relation to the strategic area,” Hill said, adding that “opportunities for Australian industry are anticipated in helicopter assembly, common and similar aircraft systems, avionics equipment, structural and engine technologies and training systems.”
The offset package will be more ambitious than is normally the case, Hill added, “because we are not just looking at a traditional offset type of arrangement; we now search for opportunities to support our industry, investing into the global supply chain.”
“We think that that's the way of the future and there are a number of specialty niches in Australia and systems integration at the high-tech area, where our industry is poised to make real gains if it can get into further major contract opportunities,” he said.
Australian Aerospace and its local partners including ADI, KBR, Raytheon Australia and Thales Training Simulators will provide major components, mission systems, electronics, flight training facilities, training and maintenance for the helicopters, said Joseph Saporito, CEO of Australian Aerospace.
Following the Sultanate of Oman’s late July decision to buy 20 NH 90s, Australia is now the eleventh country to have selected the NH 90. Current orders stand at 357 aircraft plus 86 options, with additional orders planned by the original program partners.
Australia’s MRH90s will be modeled on the German Army's version, with slight variations such as electrically-folding main rotor blades and extensive navalisation features, according to Defence Minister Hill, including emergency flotation kits. He added the helicopters will form a new squadron based in Townsville; the first will be delivered in 2007, with all 12 aircraft expected to be delivered by 2008.
If confirmed, the NH90 order will give Eurocopter a firm hold on the Australian military helicopter market, where it has already sold the Tiger attack helicopter, and reinforces the position of its corporate parent, EADS, whose Airbus unit earlier this year beat Boeing in a competition to supply the Royal Australian Air Force with tanker aircraft worth A$ 2 billion.
link
However, the final contract negotiations for this first contract may prove more difficult than anticipated. Australia selected the NH90 on the basis of a Best And Final Offer for a 40-helicopter buy. The price quoted in that offer may no longer be acceptable to the supplier, as the initial order has now been reduced to 12. Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill told reporters that a decision on the upgrade or replacement of the Black Hawks, for which the remaining 28 NH90s were planned, would not be made before 2005 or 2006.
The risk for the NH90 industry group is that the Australian government may refuse to pay a higher price despite the lower number it is ordering. For domestic political reasons, Australia also is likely to insist on local assembly of at least some of the initial 12 helicopters, even though this makes much less financial sense than it would for 40 aircraft.
This would result in a substantial erosion of the contractors’ profit margin, but this is a sacrifice the NH Industries partners may be forced to accept as the price of locking in Australia’s transport helicopter market and, not least, of ejecting Sikorsky. NH Industries is a joint venture between France’s Eurocopter, Italy’s Agusta and Stork Fokker of the Netherlands. Formally, Australia’s MRH90s will be supplied by Australian Aerospace, a local subsidiary of Eurocopter.
According to current plans – which may change if the Howard government loses the general election it has called for early October – the NH90 should eventually replace the Australian Army’s Black Hawks, boosting the number required by the Army to 40, or possibly 42. The first batch of 12 will replace the Army’s UH-1s, which will be retired.
In addition, the Sea King and Sea Hawk helicopters currently operated by the Royal Australian Navy are also due for replacement, and the RAN will also require additional naval helicopters for the new Air Warfare Destroyers and new amphibious ships it plans to build. A number of NH90s – known as MRH90s in Australia – will also be required for training. In addition, the purchase contract will include a support contract lasting up to 20 years, generating substantial additional revenue for the manufacturers involved.
The Australian Industry Participation package now being finalized is worth about A$300 million, and centers on assembly of the aircraft by Australian Aerospace in Brisbane where the company is already assembling the Tigers on order.
“We're hoping the new helicopters will also be assembled in Brisbane and in the industry package that is to be negotiated, we'll look for a number of other capability enhancements, particularly in relation to the strategic area,” Hill said, adding that “opportunities for Australian industry are anticipated in helicopter assembly, common and similar aircraft systems, avionics equipment, structural and engine technologies and training systems.”
The offset package will be more ambitious than is normally the case, Hill added, “because we are not just looking at a traditional offset type of arrangement; we now search for opportunities to support our industry, investing into the global supply chain.”
“We think that that's the way of the future and there are a number of specialty niches in Australia and systems integration at the high-tech area, where our industry is poised to make real gains if it can get into further major contract opportunities,” he said.
Australian Aerospace and its local partners including ADI, KBR, Raytheon Australia and Thales Training Simulators will provide major components, mission systems, electronics, flight training facilities, training and maintenance for the helicopters, said Joseph Saporito, CEO of Australian Aerospace.
Following the Sultanate of Oman’s late July decision to buy 20 NH 90s, Australia is now the eleventh country to have selected the NH 90. Current orders stand at 357 aircraft plus 86 options, with additional orders planned by the original program partners.
Australia’s MRH90s will be modeled on the German Army's version, with slight variations such as electrically-folding main rotor blades and extensive navalisation features, according to Defence Minister Hill, including emergency flotation kits. He added the helicopters will form a new squadron based in Townsville; the first will be delivered in 2007, with all 12 aircraft expected to be delivered by 2008.
If confirmed, the NH90 order will give Eurocopter a firm hold on the Australian military helicopter market, where it has already sold the Tiger attack helicopter, and reinforces the position of its corporate parent, EADS, whose Airbus unit earlier this year beat Boeing in a competition to supply the Royal Australian Air Force with tanker aircraft worth A$ 2 billion.
link
saver111 - June 25, 2005 10:54 AM (GMT)
Australia to decide by August whether to sign ASEAN nonaggression treaty
06/24 10:00:29 AM
CANBERRA (AP) - Australia will decide by August whether to sign a nonaggression treaty with its Southeast Asian neighbors, the government said Thursday.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has made signing the nonaggression pact with the 10-member group a condition for Australia's attendance at an inaugural East Asia Summit economic forum in December. The summit is expected to set the foundations for a giant Asian trade bloc.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told Parliament on Thursday that a decision on whether to sign ASEAN's Treaty of Amenity and Cooperation would be made "before the Parliament rises" Thursday evening for a six-week winter break. But his spokesman, Chris Kenny, said later Downer had meant the decision would be made before Parliament next sits, on Aug. 9.
The center-right government has repeatedly rejected ASEAN's urging that it sign the treaty, which critics say could conflict with Australia's existing alliances, including with the United States.
Downer said one of the reasons Australia was reluctant to sign was that the treaty bans interference in other signatories' internal affairs.
"It talks about noninterference in internal affairs and we've said, 'well, we don't feel enthusiastic about signing up to something like that because we feel we've got a right sometimes to criticize other countries if we're unhappy with their practices,'" Downer said.
He said Australian officials have been working for weeks with ASEAN nations to find solutions to Canberra's concerns.
The opposition Labor Party said that by reconsidering the treaty, Prime Minister John Howard was backing down from his policy that Australia has a right to launch military attacks in other nations to prevent terrorist threats. Howard denied Thursday any back down..
ASEAN's members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
China, Japan, South Korea, India and New Zealand have also been invited to the summit in Kuala Lumpur. New Zealand, a free trade partner of Australia, recently said it intends to sign the treaty to ensure its place at the negotiating table.
In May, Prime Minister Helen Clark said New Zealand believes the treaty does not change anything in the way New Zealand interacts with ASEAN members on issues such as human rights and democracy.
06/24 10:00:29 AM
CANBERRA (AP) - Australia will decide by August whether to sign a nonaggression treaty with its Southeast Asian neighbors, the government said Thursday.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has made signing the nonaggression pact with the 10-member group a condition for Australia's attendance at an inaugural East Asia Summit economic forum in December. The summit is expected to set the foundations for a giant Asian trade bloc.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told Parliament on Thursday that a decision on whether to sign ASEAN's Treaty of Amenity and Cooperation would be made "before the Parliament rises" Thursday evening for a six-week winter break. But his spokesman, Chris Kenny, said later Downer had meant the decision would be made before Parliament next sits, on Aug. 9.
The center-right government has repeatedly rejected ASEAN's urging that it sign the treaty, which critics say could conflict with Australia's existing alliances, including with the United States.
Downer said one of the reasons Australia was reluctant to sign was that the treaty bans interference in other signatories' internal affairs.
"It talks about noninterference in internal affairs and we've said, 'well, we don't feel enthusiastic about signing up to something like that because we feel we've got a right sometimes to criticize other countries if we're unhappy with their practices,'" Downer said.
He said Australian officials have been working for weeks with ASEAN nations to find solutions to Canberra's concerns.
The opposition Labor Party said that by reconsidering the treaty, Prime Minister John Howard was backing down from his policy that Australia has a right to launch military attacks in other nations to prevent terrorist threats. Howard denied Thursday any back down..
ASEAN's members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
China, Japan, South Korea, India and New Zealand have also been invited to the summit in Kuala Lumpur. New Zealand, a free trade partner of Australia, recently said it intends to sign the treaty to ensure its place at the negotiating table.
In May, Prime Minister Helen Clark said New Zealand believes the treaty does not change anything in the way New Zealand interacts with ASEAN members on issues such as human rights and democracy.
datu - August 11, 2005 03:21 PM (GMT)
...and the protests from neighbors, even the Philippines.
http://www.sedar.org.my/images/sedar/ns1201.pdf
http://www.sedar.org.my/images/sedar/ns1201.pdf
saver111 - August 12, 2005 04:18 AM (GMT)
Australia accepts ASEAN treaty, secures invite to summit
Australia has committed to signing ASEAN'S Treaty of Amity and Co-operation.
Canberra had previously refused to sign the non-agression pact, but the foreign affairs minister, Alexander Downer, says it will will now be placed before parliament.
Foreign Ministers from the ASEAN member states, meeting in Laos, have formally invited Australia to join the first East Asia summit, now that Canberra is willing to sign the treaty.
The summit will convene in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, on December 12.
It will involve the 10 member states of the Association of South East Asian Nations and three from Northeast Asia - Japan, South Korea and China.
The other three countries to be invited have been announced by the foreign minister of Laos, Somsavat Lengsavad.
"The meeting has decided to invite India, New Zealand and Australia to attend the first East Asia summit."
Downer pleased
Mr Downer says the East Asia summit is a key development for the region.
"We can play a role in helping to craft the evolution of an East Asian community," he said.
"I see it as part of a great ambition that Australians have had for some time and I'm glad we've been able to succeed.
"We will obviously consult the parliament through the parliamentary treaties committee and once that's concluded we will go ahead with a formal signing and ratification of our accession to the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation."
Questions raised over acceptance of treaty
Australia's main opposition party has questioned the government's decision to sign ASEAN's Amity and Cooperation pact.
The treaty requires members not to use force against each other and is at odds with the government's principle of military preemption in the region.
The Labor Party's foreign affairs spokesman, Kevin Rudd, says it is not logical to sign the treaty without retracting the policy of military preemption.
"You cannot hold a doctrine which says you reserve the right to yourself to launch unilateral military attacks against the sovereign territory of your neighbours and at the same time sign a non aggression pact with your neighbours," he said.
Australia has committed to signing ASEAN'S Treaty of Amity and Co-operation.
Canberra had previously refused to sign the non-agression pact, but the foreign affairs minister, Alexander Downer, says it will will now be placed before parliament.
Foreign Ministers from the ASEAN member states, meeting in Laos, have formally invited Australia to join the first East Asia summit, now that Canberra is willing to sign the treaty.
The summit will convene in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, on December 12.
It will involve the 10 member states of the Association of South East Asian Nations and three from Northeast Asia - Japan, South Korea and China.
The other three countries to be invited have been announced by the foreign minister of Laos, Somsavat Lengsavad.
"The meeting has decided to invite India, New Zealand and Australia to attend the first East Asia summit."
Downer pleased
Mr Downer says the East Asia summit is a key development for the region.
"We can play a role in helping to craft the evolution of an East Asian community," he said.
"I see it as part of a great ambition that Australians have had for some time and I'm glad we've been able to succeed.
"We will obviously consult the parliament through the parliamentary treaties committee and once that's concluded we will go ahead with a formal signing and ratification of our accession to the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation."
Questions raised over acceptance of treaty
Australia's main opposition party has questioned the government's decision to sign ASEAN's Amity and Cooperation pact.
The treaty requires members not to use force against each other and is at odds with the government's principle of military preemption in the region.
The Labor Party's foreign affairs spokesman, Kevin Rudd, says it is not logical to sign the treaty without retracting the policy of military preemption.
"You cannot hold a doctrine which says you reserve the right to yourself to launch unilateral military attacks against the sovereign territory of your neighbours and at the same time sign a non aggression pact with your neighbours," he said.
Wushu - August 12, 2005 04:38 AM (GMT)
they need asean more than asean needs them......
saver111 - August 12, 2005 08:12 AM (GMT)
Australia, Philippines in anti-terror talks
By Agence France-Presse
SYDNEY--Australia and the Philippines launched a new ministerial forum Thursday, with the inaugural meeting focused on efforts to combat terrorism in the region.
The establishment of the forum "is recognition by both countries of the strength and breadth of existing bilateral relations, and represents a significant development in the relationship," Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said in a statement.
The two-day meeting brings Downer and Trade Minister Mark Vaile together with their Philippine counterparts, Alberto Romulo and Peter Favila.
"The focus of our discussions on foreign and security issues will be the joint efforts of Australia and the Philippines to combat the terrorist threat in the region," Downer said.
"We will share our assessments and experiences, and review progress on Australia's 10 million-dollar (7.5 million US) counter-terrorism assistance package to the Philippines. We will also discuss a number of new cooperative initiatives."
The meeting will also seek to broaden and diversify economic and trade relations, with the opening up of the Philippines mining sector offering "good prospects for Australian mining operations," the statement said.
A memorandum of agreement will be signed Friday to formally establish the Philippines-Australia Ministerial Meeting as a regular ministerial forum.
By Agence France-Presse
SYDNEY--Australia and the Philippines launched a new ministerial forum Thursday, with the inaugural meeting focused on efforts to combat terrorism in the region.
The establishment of the forum "is recognition by both countries of the strength and breadth of existing bilateral relations, and represents a significant development in the relationship," Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said in a statement.
The two-day meeting brings Downer and Trade Minister Mark Vaile together with their Philippine counterparts, Alberto Romulo and Peter Favila.
"The focus of our discussions on foreign and security issues will be the joint efforts of Australia and the Philippines to combat the terrorist threat in the region," Downer said.
"We will share our assessments and experiences, and review progress on Australia's 10 million-dollar (7.5 million US) counter-terrorism assistance package to the Philippines. We will also discuss a number of new cooperative initiatives."
The meeting will also seek to broaden and diversify economic and trade relations, with the opening up of the Philippines mining sector offering "good prospects for Australian mining operations," the statement said.
A memorandum of agreement will be signed Friday to formally establish the Philippines-Australia Ministerial Meeting as a regular ministerial forum.
saver111 - August 12, 2005 08:50 AM (GMT)
Gunman 'may be Australian soldier'
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) -- A former Australian soldier is suspected of being a masked gunman who appeared in a videotaped terror message this week threatening attacks against the West, newspapers have reported.
Mathew Stewart had served as a private with the U.N. peace keeping force in East Timor before he was discharged from the Australian army on psychiatric grounds in 2001 and apparently disappeared overseas.
Counterterrorism authorities launched an investigation Wednesday when a man wearing a balaclava and speaking in what experts agree is an Australian accent appeared on Dubai-based Al-Arabiya television in what purported to be an al-Qaeda video tape made in Afghanistan.
Stewart's family has confirmed police visited the family home on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland state on Wednesday and asked Vicki Stewart if she could identify her 28-year-old son from still pictures taken from the tape.
"Mrs. Stewart had been shown photos and advised the federal police that it definitely was not Mathew," the family said in a statement issued Thursday.
"The family supports the work done by the federal police and is still grieving over Mathew who disappeared without a trace four years ago," the statement added.
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock, who is minister responsible for the nation's top intelligence agency, said the link between Mathew Stewart and the tape remained speculative.
"I can't tell you whether it is an Australian or not," Ruddock told reporters Friday.
"Competent agencies are still undertaking a very thorough examination of the issue," he added.
Prime Minister John Howard said he would not confirm or deny that Stewart was a suspect.
A longtime friend of Mathew Stewart, Adam Miechel, told a newspaper he believed the terrorist spokesman who appeared in combat gear clutching an automatic rifle in the video was the keen surfer he grew up with.
"My first thought was, 'yeah, it even sounds like him,"' Miechel told The Daily Telegraph. "It looks like him. It sounds like him as well."
Stewart was reportedly the subject of an Australian defense force statement in mid 2002 that said a 25-year-old man was missing in Afghanistan and was believed to have trained with al-Qaeda.
U.S. forces reportedly found documents identifying Stewart as an al-Qaeda recruit when they raided a terrorist training camp that year.
Australian intelligence agents had given priority to watching for Stewart after he crossed the Iranian border into Afghanistan on August. 4, 2001 -- a month before the al-Qaeda attacks on the United States, The Australian newspaper reported. He had reportedly converted to Islam.
In the video, excerpts of which were shown on Australian television on Wednesday, the terrorist spokesman berated U.S. President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair over their involvement in Iraq.
He also claimed that a rocket attack on a helicopter that killed 16 U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan in June was carried out by al-Qaeda fighters.
"The honorable sons of Islam will not just let you kill our families in Palestine, Afghanistan, Kashmir and the Balkans, Indonesia, the Caucasus and elsewhere," he said.
"It is time for us to be equals. As you kill us, you'll be killed. As you bomb us, you will be bombed," he added.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer warned Thursday any Australian caught fighting with a group like al-Qaeda overseas could find themselves without the protection of international law.
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) -- A former Australian soldier is suspected of being a masked gunman who appeared in a videotaped terror message this week threatening attacks against the West, newspapers have reported.
Mathew Stewart had served as a private with the U.N. peace keeping force in East Timor before he was discharged from the Australian army on psychiatric grounds in 2001 and apparently disappeared overseas.
Counterterrorism authorities launched an investigation Wednesday when a man wearing a balaclava and speaking in what experts agree is an Australian accent appeared on Dubai-based Al-Arabiya television in what purported to be an al-Qaeda video tape made in Afghanistan.
Stewart's family has confirmed police visited the family home on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland state on Wednesday and asked Vicki Stewart if she could identify her 28-year-old son from still pictures taken from the tape.
"Mrs. Stewart had been shown photos and advised the federal police that it definitely was not Mathew," the family said in a statement issued Thursday.
"The family supports the work done by the federal police and is still grieving over Mathew who disappeared without a trace four years ago," the statement added.
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock, who is minister responsible for the nation's top intelligence agency, said the link between Mathew Stewart and the tape remained speculative.
"I can't tell you whether it is an Australian or not," Ruddock told reporters Friday.
"Competent agencies are still undertaking a very thorough examination of the issue," he added.
Prime Minister John Howard said he would not confirm or deny that Stewart was a suspect.
A longtime friend of Mathew Stewart, Adam Miechel, told a newspaper he believed the terrorist spokesman who appeared in combat gear clutching an automatic rifle in the video was the keen surfer he grew up with.
"My first thought was, 'yeah, it even sounds like him,"' Miechel told The Daily Telegraph. "It looks like him. It sounds like him as well."
Stewart was reportedly the subject of an Australian defense force statement in mid 2002 that said a 25-year-old man was missing in Afghanistan and was believed to have trained with al-Qaeda.
U.S. forces reportedly found documents identifying Stewart as an al-Qaeda recruit when they raided a terrorist training camp that year.
Australian intelligence agents had given priority to watching for Stewart after he crossed the Iranian border into Afghanistan on August. 4, 2001 -- a month before the al-Qaeda attacks on the United States, The Australian newspaper reported. He had reportedly converted to Islam.
In the video, excerpts of which were shown on Australian television on Wednesday, the terrorist spokesman berated U.S. President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair over their involvement in Iraq.
He also claimed that a rocket attack on a helicopter that killed 16 U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan in June was carried out by al-Qaeda fighters.
"The honorable sons of Islam will not just let you kill our families in Palestine, Afghanistan, Kashmir and the Balkans, Indonesia, the Caucasus and elsewhere," he said.
"It is time for us to be equals. As you kill us, you'll be killed. As you bomb us, you will be bombed," he added.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer warned Thursday any Australian caught fighting with a group like al-Qaeda overseas could find themselves without the protection of international law.
| QUOTE |
| converted to Islam |
wrong group and not Islam.
| QUOTE |
| "It is time for us to be equals. As you kill us, you'll be killed. As you bomb us, you will be bombed," |
Now they're telling us. Their own homegrown terrorist. :armywink:
ikara - August 17, 2005 10:18 AM (GMT)
Australia and the United States have signed a joint agreement to further develop advanced Australian radar technology at a cost of $30 million over three years, Defence Minister Robert Hill has said.
Senator Hill said both countries would share the development costs, technical expertise and benefits of the active phased array radar technology now being developed by ACT electronics company CEA Technologies.
He said phased array radar technology had enormous potential to manage high threat environments.
"The program represents a significant enhancement to already leading edge technology and will help position Australian industry at the forefront of this field," he said in a statement.
"This makes radar technology a sound investment for Australian industry with potential for extensive application in the future and significant export opportunity."
Unlike conventional radar which employs a rotating antenna, phased array radar uses a fixed flat plate antenna, with the radar beam steered electronically. That allows it to detect and track a large number of different objects.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
Senator Hill congratulated CEA Technologies and the Defence Materiel Organisation for their ongoing support of this project.
"The program will allow further development of the CEA radar technology for possible use in medium to long range air warfare and ballistic missile defence," he said.
""The technology can also be applied to smaller ships and other Australian Defence Force air surveillance assets."
Senator Hill said it also had potential to be used in a range of US programs including the new Littoral Combat Ship as well as replacing older systems on some US ships.
"We have a very close working relationship with the US Navy on this project, with US staff embedded in the project team," he said.
© 2005 AAP
A model of this radar (CEA-FAR) is currently undergoing trials on one of the R.A.N's ANZACS.
Senator Hill said both countries would share the development costs, technical expertise and benefits of the active phased array radar technology now being developed by ACT electronics company CEA Technologies.
He said phased array radar technology had enormous potential to manage high threat environments.
"The program represents a significant enhancement to already leading edge technology and will help position Australian industry at the forefront of this field," he said in a statement.
"This makes radar technology a sound investment for Australian industry with potential for extensive application in the future and significant export opportunity."
Unlike conventional radar which employs a rotating antenna, phased array radar uses a fixed flat plate antenna, with the radar beam steered electronically. That allows it to detect and track a large number of different objects.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
Senator Hill congratulated CEA Technologies and the Defence Materiel Organisation for their ongoing support of this project.
"The program will allow further development of the CEA radar technology for possible use in medium to long range air warfare and ballistic missile defence," he said.
""The technology can also be applied to smaller ships and other Australian Defence Force air surveillance assets."
Senator Hill said it also had potential to be used in a range of US programs including the new Littoral Combat Ship as well as replacing older systems on some US ships.
"We have a very close working relationship with the US Navy on this project, with US staff embedded in the project team," he said.
© 2005 AAP
A model of this radar (CEA-FAR) is currently undergoing trials on one of the R.A.N's ANZACS.
Wardog - August 17, 2005 10:46 AM (GMT)
uh oh...the mods gonna be mad at you - you didnt post the link :armytwisted:
saver111 - August 18, 2005 07:37 AM (GMT)
Operations will be supported by forces of robots and unmanned vehicles
| QUOTE |
| Australia's future military operations will be supported by forces of robots and unmanned vehicles which will be highly integrated and controlled by defence personnel from a distance. |
| QUOTE |
| envisage that in the future unmanned battlespace vehicles will be deployed in fleets to gather information, conduct surveillance, sweep for mines, defuse bombs and carry out a range of dangerous tasks. |
ikara - August 26, 2005 01:10 AM (GMT)
YOUNG Pacific islanders could be recruited into the Australian defence force under a citizenship-for-military-service plan.
A new Pacific Islands Regiment is also being considered under plans to boost military numbers in Australia.
Defence Personnel Minister De-Anne Kelly, who has commissioned a review of defence recruitment, has backed the idea in principle.
She said it had merit as a way to engage the young people and improve their skills.
The review team will include a so-called Generation Y human resources expert, a senior academic and probably Dr Mark Thomson from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
Dr Thomson said taking recruits from struggling Pacific island nations was one of several ideas to lift troop numbers.
Advertisement:
The review panel would also consider sign-on payments, educational incentives, shorter careers and a more varied lifestyle.
Australia's military links with Pacific island nations dates to World War II when the Pacific Islands Regiment was formed.
Australian officers raised and ran the regiment in Papua New Guinea from 1951 to 1975.
A re-formed regiment would be staffed by Australian officers and senior NCOs with islanders filling the other ranks.
"This would be part of a broader Pacific engagement program and would not just stand alone," Dr Thomson said.
Increased economic prosperity, changing career expectations and family pressures have resulted in recruiting shortfalls in the past few years.
Trainee military officers have their HECs fees waived by the Government and skills that are in short supply attract generous retention bonuses.
Mrs Kelly said she did not underestimate the challenge for Defence given skills shortages such as the shortfall of 30,000 engineers.
"With low unemployment levels, young people are in huge demand," she said.
www.news.com.au
flipzi - August 26, 2005 01:45 AM (GMT)
Maybe the Aussies realized that Indonesia is getting stronger with ASEAN backing her up and with its better equipped military.
Now Australia cant easily compel the Indons to do what the former is asking the latter to do.
Just my thought though.
It will be best for Australia to hire Pinoys, just like what the US Navy did when they were still here.
Imagine having Pinoys on Aussie ships?
Dont forget the Australian Marines, okay?
hehehe count me in! :armycheers:
Now Australia cant easily compel the Indons to do what the former is asking the latter to do.
Just my thought though.
It will be best for Australia to hire Pinoys, just like what the US Navy did when they were still here.
Imagine having Pinoys on Aussie ships?
Dont forget the Australian Marines, okay?
hehehe count me in! :armycheers:
ikara - August 26, 2005 03:28 AM (GMT)
" Maybe the Aussies realized that Indonesia is getting stronger with ASEAN backing her up and with its better equipped military"
Has nothing to do with Indonesia or ASEAN,neither of whom hold any great fears for the Aus miltary.
To the contrary Aus. has been a supporter of ASEAN hence the BILLIONS of dollars we have had to tip into it's member countries.
Has more to do with Australias commitments on the world stage and the difficulties of fullfillling these commitments with the limited resources(human) Australia pocesses.
You have to remember that whilst Aus. has a booming economy and a huge landmass we only have a population of 20mil
Has nothing to do with Indonesia or ASEAN,neither of whom hold any great fears for the Aus miltary.
To the contrary Aus. has been a supporter of ASEAN hence the BILLIONS of dollars we have had to tip into it's member countries.
Has more to do with Australias commitments on the world stage and the difficulties of fullfillling these commitments with the limited resources(human) Australia pocesses.
You have to remember that whilst Aus. has a booming economy and a huge landmass we only have a population of 20mil
flipzi - August 26, 2005 03:52 AM (GMT)
I can see that the economy is what counts most for Australia.
That's why it will do anything to preserve the tranquility in these seas.
BTW, did you say "we"?
That's why it will do anything to preserve the tranquility in these seas.
BTW, did you say "we"?
| QUOTE |
| .....we only have a population of 20mil |
:armywink:
saver111 - August 26, 2005 04:01 AM (GMT)
Just hope they won't be getting any "sleepers" that would create homegrown wackos. BTW, like the Brits they're preferring Indians, before other nationalities. Might end up like Singapore. :armywink:
ikara - August 26, 2005 04:29 AM (GMT)
BTW, did you say "we"?
Yes I am Australian
I think it also serves the purpose of giving people of these Pacific states meaningfull employment,there has been a fair bit of thought going into how to best keep a handle on some of these Pacific states(some of which are basket cases relying solely on aid) without just giving them a bag full of money every year,which in itself opens the door to corruption etc.
Yes I am Australian
I think it also serves the purpose of giving people of these Pacific states meaningfull employment,there has been a fair bit of thought going into how to best keep a handle on some of these Pacific states(some of which are basket cases relying solely on aid) without just giving them a bag full of money every year,which in itself opens the door to corruption etc.
ikara - September 2, 2005 04:02 AM (GMT)
Greg Sheridan
September 01, 2005
US President George W. Bush has issued a decree upgrading Australia to the highest rank of intelligence partner that the US has in the world.
Australia's new status is equalled only by Britain and vastly expands the quantity and quality of US intelligence our agencies receive.
In order to bring this about, Mr Bush has changed US national disclosure policy.
In the 50 years of the US-Australia alliance, Australia has never before enjoyed this level of access to American intelligence. The agreement ranges from tactical and operational military information through to comprehensive national assessments.
Increasingly, Australian agencies will have direct access to US intelligence systems. Australian military personnel in the Middle East, for example, can already directly access US intelligence databases and real-time battle space imagery.
John Howard has discussed the new intelligence arrangements with Mr Bush at several meetings in recent years.
The Prime Minister raised it again with US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld at their Washington meeting on July 19.
Defence Minister Robert Hill would not comment on anything related to US presidential decrees or US national disclosure policy, but he confirmed Canberra had a higher intelligence-sharing status with the US than ever before.
"In recent years we have obtained unprecedented access to US intelligence and tactical planning," Senator Hill told The Australian.
"That has been of great value to Australia in terms of enhancing our national security. This is access to the greatest repository of information that exists. It's another sign of the close relationship between the US and Australia."
Mr Howard raised US national disclosure policy at his meeting with Mr Rumsfeld because of resistance to Australia's new status within the US bureaucracy.
While Mr Bush and Mr Rumsfeld and US service chiefs have strongly backed the new arrangements, the natural inertia and caution of the vast US intelligence and military bureaucracies has meant a lot of operational resistance to their implementation.
Put simply, US spooks are not used to sharing the crown jewels. However, repeated instructions from the top have moved the process steadily forward.
Mr Bush's decree is believed to have followed the annual AUSMIN meeting of Australian and US foreign and defence ministers in Washington last year, where they signed the "US-Australian joint statement of principles on Inter-Operability". Since the turn of the century, there has been a steady deepening of compatibility in equipment and training between US and Australian military forces. All aspects of this "inter-operability" have been canvassed in a secret paper jointly compiled by the US and Australian defence departments.
The AUSMIN statement said Australia and the US had "agreed to enhance inter-operability between our defence forces such as communications, information exchange, operational planning and training".
It has not previously been revealed that these seemingly anodyne words had brought about the most intimate intelligence relationship in Australian history.
The new relationship occurs at many levels.
Canberra now has a permanent senior officer stationed at the US Strategic Command in Nebraska.
US Strategic Command is responsible for integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, space and global strike operations, information operations, integrated missile defence and command and control.
It is the most sensitive intelligence hub in the US military network and to have Australians stationed there at high levels of seniority is a sign of the depth of the intelligence relationship.
Australia gains access at all levels - to US raw intelligence, to US assessments of the intelligence and to real-time operational information and planning.
This has meant Australia further upgrading its own security because the US is extremely sensitive about who shares such information.
Australia's new status is a sign of the growing trust the US has in the Australian military and intelligence community. Co-operation between Canberra and Washington in these fields has grown exponentially as a result of both the war on terror and the joint operations in Iraq.
THE AUSTRALIAN
September 01, 2005
US President George W. Bush has issued a decree upgrading Australia to the highest rank of intelligence partner that the US has in the world.
Australia's new status is equalled only by Britain and vastly expands the quantity and quality of US intelligence our agencies receive.
In order to bring this about, Mr Bush has changed US national disclosure policy.
In the 50 years of the US-Australia alliance, Australia has never before enjoyed this level of access to American intelligence. The agreement ranges from tactical and operational military information through to comprehensive national assessments.
Increasingly, Australian agencies will have direct access to US intelligence systems. Australian military personnel in the Middle East, for example, can already directly access US intelligence databases and real-time battle space imagery.
John Howard has discussed the new intelligence arrangements with Mr Bush at several meetings in recent years.
The Prime Minister raised it again with US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld at their Washington meeting on July 19.
Defence Minister Robert Hill would not comment on anything related to US presidential decrees or US national disclosure policy, but he confirmed Canberra had a higher intelligence-sharing status with the US than ever before.
"In recent years we have obtained unprecedented access to US intelligence and tactical planning," Senator Hill told The Australian.
"That has been of great value to Australia in terms of enhancing our national security. This is access to the greatest repository of information that exists. It's another sign of the close relationship between the US and Australia."
Mr Howard raised US national disclosure policy at his meeting with Mr Rumsfeld because of resistance to Australia's new status within the US bureaucracy.
While Mr Bush and Mr Rumsfeld and US service chiefs have strongly backed the new arrangements, the natural inertia and caution of the vast US intelligence and military bureaucracies has meant a lot of operational resistance to their implementation.
Put simply, US spooks are not used to sharing the crown jewels. However, repeated instructions from the top have moved the process steadily forward.
Mr Bush's decree is believed to have followed the annual AUSMIN meeting of Australian and US foreign and defence ministers in Washington last year, where they signed the "US-Australian joint statement of principles on Inter-Operability". Since the turn of the century, there has been a steady deepening of compatibility in equipment and training between US and Australian military forces. All aspects of this "inter-operability" have been canvassed in a secret paper jointly compiled by the US and Australian defence departments.
The AUSMIN statement said Australia and the US had "agreed to enhance inter-operability between our defence forces such as communications, information exchange, operational planning and training".
It has not previously been revealed that these seemingly anodyne words had brought about the most intimate intelligence relationship in Australian history.
The new relationship occurs at many levels.
Canberra now has a permanent senior officer stationed at the US Strategic Command in Nebraska.
US Strategic Command is responsible for integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, space and global strike operations, information operations, integrated missile defence and command and control.
It is the most sensitive intelligence hub in the US military network and to have Australians stationed there at high levels of seniority is a sign of the depth of the intelligence relationship.
Australia gains access at all levels - to US raw intelligence, to US assessments of the intelligence and to real-time operational information and planning.
This has meant Australia further upgrading its own security because the US is extremely sensitive about who shares such information.
Australia's new status is a sign of the growing trust the US has in the Australian military and intelligence community. Co-operation between Canberra and Washington in these fields has grown exponentially as a result of both the war on terror and the joint operations in Iraq.
THE AUSTRALIAN
ikara - September 6, 2005 12:30 AM (GMT)
Northrop Grumman has been chosen as the preferred supplier of a state-of-the-art laser weapon targeting system for Australia's F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft as part of a project worth more than $100 million.
Defence Minister Robert Hill said Defence had recommended the LITENING pod manufactured by Northrop Grumman, with RAFAEL being a major subcontractor.
Defence assessed three systems - including the Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infra-Red pod manufactured by Raytheon and the Pantera pod manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
Senator Hill said the systems will be a vital component of the Hornet's weapons suite. Northrop Grumman's bid was chosen because it provided the most number of pods as well as the best value for money.
"The target designation systems will improve the detection, identification, precision targeting and damage assessment phases of F/A-18 air support operations," Senator Hill said.
"The pods produce an image of the target area on a screen in the cockpit, similar to a black and white television picture.
"The pilot is then able to use this image to exactly designate the desired target, to maximise accuracy and minimise collateral damage.
"The aircraft will be better equipped to detect and attack targets by day or night, increasing their operational effectiveness and reducing risk to aircraft and crew."
The target designation system includes a laser system, allowing for the employment of precision laser guided bombs.
The first squadron is expected to be equipped with the new system by early 2007.
This project is one of a number of planned upgrades to the Hornet aircraft that will ensure the potent strike capability of our fighter fleet continues.
www.defence.gov.au
(RAAF currently uses Nite Hawk)
Defence Minister Robert Hill said Defence had recommended the LITENING pod manufactured by Northrop Grumman, with RAFAEL being a major subcontractor.
Defence assessed three systems - including the Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infra-Red pod manufactured by Raytheon and the Pantera pod manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
Senator Hill said the systems will be a vital component of the Hornet's weapons suite. Northrop Grumman's bid was chosen because it provided the most number of pods as well as the best value for money.
"The target designation systems will improve the detection, identification, precision targeting and damage assessment phases of F/A-18 air support operations," Senator Hill said.
"The pods produce an image of the target area on a screen in the cockpit, similar to a black and white television picture.
"The pilot is then able to use this image to exactly designate the desired target, to maximise accuracy and minimise collateral damage.
"The aircraft will be better equipped to detect and attack targets by day or night, increasing their operational effectiveness and reducing risk to aircraft and crew."
The target designation system includes a laser system, allowing for the employment of precision laser guided bombs.
The first squadron is expected to be equipped with the new system by early 2007.
This project is one of a number of planned upgrades to the Hornet aircraft that will ensure the potent strike capability of our fighter fleet continues.
www.defence.gov.au
(RAAF currently uses Nite Hawk)
possible - September 6, 2005 09:27 PM (GMT)
CEA Technologies of Australia have very interesting products, especially for smaller navies. aside from the CEA-FAR
| QUOTE |
| CEAMOUNT Illuminator Ship Self-Defence The CEAMOUNT Illuminator is an active phased array Continuous Wave Illuminator (CWI) which integrates with the ship’s combat systems to provide target illumination and missile up-link for semi-active homing missiles, including ESSM, SM-1 and SM-2. The CEAMOUNT system consists of a phased array transmitter/antenna mounted on an agile director. The system employs the latest MMIC technology to enable flexible and highly effective short, medium and long-range missile fire control. High operational availability and reliability is inherent in the CEAMOUNT design. Use of the electronic beam steering allows fitting of a much simpler antenna positioning mechanism (within the agile director), which reduces cost, maintenance and failure rate. http://www.cea.com.au |
AEGIS is hyped alright but it has a big weakness, its ability to control missiles is limited by its reliance on traditional mechanically-steered radar illuminators, like so
looks impressive, problem is those three illuminators (SPG-62) can only control one missile at a time, meaning the billion dollar AEGIS air defense system is limted to controlling a grand total of three surface-to-air missiles, so if more than three antiship missiles are headed your way simultaneously...of course the USN has found a way around this hard limit by using a computer to cleverly allocate the time an illuminator "dwells" or focuses its radar beam on a target, so it can rapidly switch to another, and back-and-forth until the intercepting missile hits. of course, that's how the system works in theory, remember that the radar beam is still steered or pointed mechanically, a malfunction at the wrong moment and...
so others thought of different solutions: one, fire-and-forget missiles like ASTER, no need for illuminators since these have their own active radar in their noses, caveat being, $$$, and, two, multi-function phased-array radars which rely on electronic-beam steering using dozens of small radar emitters grouped as an array or "face", no need for a turntable, four or more faces can be slapped onto a mast to cover 360-degrees like this APAR set on a German SACHSEN-class
caveat again being, $$$, and you need a large ship to safely carry a mast tall enough to raise the heavy multiple faces to optimum height.
enter CEA-MOUNT. a dedicated illuminator offering the best of both worlds: a two-axis mechanical mounting ala SPG-62, but with multiple emitters arranged as an active phased-array ala APAR. no need to place high on a mast since the mounting takes care of vertical (and azimuth) traverse, less chance of malfunction since the array - instead of needing to dizzily twirl back-and-forth ala SPG-62 - is capable of 180-degree coverage courtesy of its electronically-steered radar beams, meaning just hold it steady and it can cover everything approaching the ship from the direction it's facing, no limit on number of missiles controlled-in-flight either since the array emits multiple as opposed to the single beam of SPG-62.
the result is something that can be installed on ships as small as missile boats or corvettes: being a dedicated illuminator, CEA-MOUNT is compact, but it still needs another radar to scan for targets, but then it can be paired with smaller multi-function radars like SEA GIRAFFE AMB since it need not occupy the tallest mast on the ship. compact, yet as effective or better than systems on AEGIS destroyers for being a true multi-target system. the breakthrough CEA Technologies came up with is how they made the whole thing so small, multiple emitters would be expected to require lots of complex wiring, but CEA-Mount is so clean and looks lighter than the clumsy dishes on other dedicated illuminators like SPG-62.
presently, CEA-Mount is used in Saab's Advanced Air Warfare System (PDF file), prospective applications being the MEKO DELTA frigate and possibly the SEA 4000 Air Warfare Destroyer if CEA Technologies can hook-up with one of the shortlisted bidders. good luck, mate.
some stuff on Shipboard Phased Array Radars (PDF file!)
ikara - September 7, 2005 12:50 AM (GMT)
TRAILING four faint exhaust plumes from its massive jet engines, the lumbering US Air Force C-17 Globemaster circled low in the grey sky before turning to land at Perth airport shortly after 7am yesterday.
Its secretive mission involved loading the Australian Special Forces Task Group bound for war-torn Afghanistan.
Operated by the 446th Air Wing out of McChord Air Force Base in Washington state, the heavy-lift cargo jet arrived three hours late.
Because of the sensitivity of the job, the operation was meant to take place in darkness with minimum public attention.
Taxiing close to the international arrivals apron, the plane's huge rear ramp was lowered and for the next four hours army transport specialists and SAS operators supervised the loading of vehicles and combat stores for the taskforce.
Pallets of oil and fuel, a large water purifier and weapons cases were loaded, in addition to six-wheel all-terrain motorcycles.
There was also what appeared to be a new version of the SAS Long Range Patrol Vehicle (LRPV). Based on the standard Land Rover, the cut-down vehicle contained mounts for automatic weapons, either a .50 calibre machine gun or 40mm grenade launcher, and rear jerry can storage racks.
After Defence officials were alerted to the presence of a photographer from The Australian, the plane was moved a short distance before a coach, its windows covered by dark curtains, pulled alongside the aircraft. Out of sight of the public, soldiers boarded the plane.
The task group is made up of 190 soldiers, mostly drawn from the Perth-based Special Air Service regiment and the 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (Commandos) from Sydney.
"The taskforce will be employed in a variety of roles similar to those performed in 2001, including combat patrols of remote regions, reconnaissance and surveillance operations, working closely with our coalition partners," he said. "It is essential the international community assist Afghan forces to defeat those who, through violent means, are seeking to defeat the democratic process."
More than 2800 candidates are contesting Afghanistan's national elections, scheduled for September 18. However, violence has been on the increase in recent months, while concerns have been raised about a resurgence in activity by guerilla fighters loyal to the ousted Taliban regime.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/commo...5E31477,00.html
Its secretive mission involved loading the Australian Special Forces Task Group bound for war-torn Afghanistan.
Operated by the 446th Air Wing out of McChord Air Force Base in Washington state, the heavy-lift cargo jet arrived three hours late.
Because of the sensitivity of the job, the operation was meant to take place in darkness with minimum public attention.
Taxiing close to the international arrivals apron, the plane's huge rear ramp was lowered and for the next four hours army transport specialists and SAS operators supervised the loading of vehicles and combat stores for the taskforce.
Pallets of oil and fuel, a large water purifier and weapons cases were loaded, in addition to six-wheel all-terrain motorcycles.
There was also what appeared to be a new version of the SAS Long Range Patrol Vehicle (LRPV). Based on the standard Land Rover, the cut-down vehicle contained mounts for automatic weapons, either a .50 calibre machine gun or 40mm grenade launcher, and rear jerry can storage racks.
After Defence officials were alerted to the presence of a photographer from The Australian, the plane was moved a short distance before a coach, its windows covered by dark curtains, pulled alongside the aircraft. Out of sight of the public, soldiers boarded the plane.
The task group is made up of 190 soldiers, mostly drawn from the Perth-based Special Air Service regiment and the 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (Commandos) from Sydney.
"The taskforce will be employed in a variety of roles similar to those performed in 2001, including combat patrols of remote regions, reconnaissance and surveillance operations, working closely with our coalition partners," he said. "It is essential the international community assist Afghan forces to defeat those who, through violent means, are seeking to defeat the democratic process."
More than 2800 candidates are contesting Afghanistan's national elections, scheduled for September 18. However, violence has been on the increase in recent months, while concerns have been raised about a resurgence in activity by guerilla fighters loyal to the ousted Taliban regime.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/commo...5E31477,00.html
ikara - September 7, 2005 12:58 AM (GMT)
Heres a link that shows how CEA-FAR will look on the ANZACS.
http://www.ausmarinetech.com.au/index.php?...=1&page=article
http://www.ausmarinetech.com.au/index.php?...=1&page=article
ikara - September 9, 2005 03:22 AM (GMT)
AUSTRALIAN Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troops were back in Afghanistan, operating against Taliban insurgents, Defence Minister Robert Hill has revealed today.
But Senator Hill would not say where the Australian troops, returning to Afghanistan for the first time since November 2002, had been sent.
He said their area of operations – believed to be in provinces along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border – was large and shared with special forces from the United States and some other unspecified countries.
"Some (Australian troops) are operational now," he said. The rest of the 190-strong force would be there very soon.
"All we have said is we have an area of operations that has been particularly troubling for a long time in terms of Taliban activity. That continues to be so," he said.
"We are fitting with the special forces that are provided by a small number of countries to provide long-range reconnaissance and to effectively deal with what are loosely described these days as the anti-Kabul forces, those who are seeking to disrupt the democratic process through violence."
The 190-member force comprises members of the SASR, the army commando battalion 4th Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR) and the Incident Response Regiment.
Senator Hill said a proposal for an Australian Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) to be deployed to Afghanistan was still under consideration with a variety of options being canvassed.
He said a decision would be made around November.
"A number of different countries have approached us and said they like us to participate in their Provincial Reconstruction Team and there are other options for conducting our own," he said.
"There are options of working with the Americans as well. We will put some recommendations to government probably around about November.
"If the Government decides to progress that further, they will be deployed next year."
Senator Hill said all the options were different depending on particular locations and proposed tasks, such as engineering.
He said that involved dealing with NATO, the British and Dutch as well as the US.
No decision had been made on a likely force size, he said.
"Different tasks will also require different levels of force protection which will change numbers," he said.
"THE AUSTRALIAN"
But Senator Hill would not say where the Australian troops, returning to Afghanistan for the first time since November 2002, had been sent.
He said their area of operations – believed to be in provinces along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border – was large and shared with special forces from the United States and some other unspecified countries.
"Some (Australian troops) are operational now," he said. The rest of the 190-strong force would be there very soon.
"All we have said is we have an area of operations that has been particularly troubling for a long time in terms of Taliban activity. That continues to be so," he said.
"We are fitting with the special forces that are provided by a small number of countries to provide long-range reconnaissance and to effectively deal with what are loosely described these days as the anti-Kabul forces, those who are seeking to disrupt the democratic process through violence."
The 190-member force comprises members of the SASR, the army commando battalion 4th Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR) and the Incident Response Regiment.
Senator Hill said a proposal for an Australian Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) to be deployed to Afghanistan was still under consideration with a variety of options being canvassed.
He said a decision would be made around November.
"A number of different countries have approached us and said they like us to participate in their Provincial Reconstruction Team and there are other options for conducting our own," he said.
"There are options of working with the Americans as well. We will put some recommendations to government probably around about November.
"If the Government decides to progress that further, they will be deployed next year."
Senator Hill said all the options were different depending on particular locations and proposed tasks, such as engineering.
He said that involved dealing with NATO, the British and Dutch as well as the US.
No decision had been made on a likely force size, he said.
"Different tasks will also require different levels of force protection which will change numbers," he said.
"THE AUSTRALIAN"
saver111 - September 9, 2005 01:17 PM (GMT)
Australia announces tougher anti-terror laws
Australian PM John Howard announced new counter-terrorism laws Thursday including preventive detention of suspects and use of tracking devices to monitor their movements"
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200509/s1456486.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200509/s1455995.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4224936.stm
From a nation who is a strong Human Rights advocate. Desperate times calls for desperate measures.
Australian PM John Howard announced new counter-terrorism laws Thursday including preventive detention of suspects and use of tracking devices to monitor their movements"
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200509/s1456486.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200509/s1455995.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4224936.stm
From a nation who is a strong Human Rights advocate. Desperate times calls for desperate measures.
spiderweb6969 - September 9, 2005 03:08 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (saver111 @ Sep 9 2005, 09:17 PM) |
| Australia announces tougher anti-terror laws Australian PM John Howard announced new counter-terrorism laws Thursday including preventive detention of suspects and use of tracking devices to monitor their movements" From a nation who is a strong Human Rights advocate. Desperate times calls for desperate measures. |
australia is one of the worst when it come to human right abuse....
ikara - September 10, 2005 03:38 AM (GMT)
"australia is one of the worst when it come to human right abuse"
That is a strong statement,coming from someone who lives in a police state(I'm guessing from your sig that your a Singaporean)
Talk is cheap, perhaps you could provide details regarding us barbaric Australians.
"Australian PM John Howard announced new counter-terrorism laws Thursday including preventive detention of suspects and use of tracking devices to monitor their movements"
How about a link so we can see this statement in context ?
That is a strong statement,coming from someone who lives in a police state(I'm guessing from your sig that your a Singaporean)
Talk is cheap, perhaps you could provide details regarding us barbaric Australians.
"Australian PM John Howard announced new counter-terrorism laws Thursday including preventive detention of suspects and use of tracking devices to monitor their movements"
How about a link so we can see this statement in context ?
ikara - September 10, 2005 04:04 AM (GMT)
AN Australian army pilot has been awarded one of Britain's most prestigious military honours for his bravery while under enemy fire in Iraq.
Major Scott Watkins, who was recently promoted from captain, was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) yesterday for saving several lives in two incidents in which he acted with "outstanding courage".
He is the first Australian since 1972 to be awarded a DFC, which is the third highest operational gallantry honour in the British forces.
On exchange from 161 Recce Squadron to the British Army Air Corps based in Germany, Major Watkins was deployed to the Forward Operating Base at Kalsu in northern Iraq as a captain in September last year.
He provided air support for the Black Watch Battle Group, which was fighting insurgents on the ground in the northern province of Babil when his helicopter was shot at.
"Captain Watkins proved himself to be a cool and courageous pilot," his citation read.
"In the opinion of the commanding officer of the Black Watch, Captain Watkins' actions undoubtedly saved a number of soldiers' lives in the Black Watch Battle Group."
On November 10, he took control of the Lynx helicopter he was co-piloting after the British pilot was injured when the aircraft was hit by three rounds of Iraqi gunfire.
After taking the controls of the Lynx, Capt Watkins avoided further gunfire, reported his position and landed safely at the coalition base at Camp Dogwood, south of Baghdad.
The pilot was evacuated to a coalition military hospital in Baghdad and treated for his injuries.
In the second incident, he was again shot at and "acted in a very courageous manner under fire".
Australian Chief of Army Lieutenant General Peter Leahy today extended his congratulations to Major Watkins on his award.
"His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Joint Helicopter Force - Iraq and the Australian Army," he said.
Lt Gen Leahy said the award reinforced the high regard in which coalition partners held Australian Defence Force personnel, their training and their expertise and adaptability in demanding operations.
Another Australian honoured for bravery in Iraq was an SAS soldier known as Trooper X, who in 2003 was awarded Australia's medal of gallantry for almost single-handedly fighting off 20 Iraqi troops.
From 1918 to 1972, a total of 2,391 Australians were awarded the DFC but from 1975 Australian personnel no longer received British honours.
Vietnam veterans Lieutenant Terence Hayes and Second Lieutenant Michael Sonneveld were the last Australians to receive a DFC.
Major Watkins will receive his award from the Queen at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace when his commitments allow.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/commo...55E1702,00.html
Major Scott Watkins, who was recently promoted from captain, was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) yesterday for saving several lives in two incidents in which he acted with "outstanding courage".
He is the first Australian since 1972 to be awarded a DFC, which is the third highest operational gallantry honour in the British forces.
On exchange from 161 Recce Squadron to the British Army Air Corps based in Germany, Major Watkins was deployed to the Forward Operating Base at Kalsu in northern Iraq as a captain in September last year.
He provided air support for the Black Watch Battle Group, which was fighting insurgents on the ground in the northern province of Babil when his helicopter was shot at.
"Captain Watkins proved himself to be a cool and courageous pilot," his citation read.
"In the opinion of the commanding officer of the Black Watch, Captain Watkins' actions undoubtedly saved a number of soldiers' lives in the Black Watch Battle Group."
On November 10, he took control of the Lynx helicopter he was co-piloting after the British pilot was injured when the aircraft was hit by three rounds of Iraqi gunfire.
After taking the controls of the Lynx, Capt Watkins avoided further gunfire, reported his position and landed safely at the coalition base at Camp Dogwood, south of Baghdad.
The pilot was evacuated to a coalition military hospital in Baghdad and treated for his injuries.
In the second incident, he was again shot at and "acted in a very courageous manner under fire".
Australian Chief of Army Lieutenant General Peter Leahy today extended his congratulations to Major Watkins on his award.
"His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Joint Helicopter Force - Iraq and the Australian Army," he said.
Lt Gen Leahy said the award reinforced the high regard in which coalition partners held Australian Defence Force personnel, their training and their expertise and adaptability in demanding operations.
Another Australian honoured for bravery in Iraq was an SAS soldier known as Trooper X, who in 2003 was awarded Australia's medal of gallantry for almost single-handedly fighting off 20 Iraqi troops.
From 1918 to 1972, a total of 2,391 Australians were awarded the DFC but from 1975 Australian personnel no longer received British honours.
Vietnam veterans Lieutenant Terence Hayes and Second Lieutenant Michael Sonneveld were the last Australians to receive a DFC.
Major Watkins will receive his award from the Queen at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace when his commitments allow.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/commo...55E1702,00.html
spiderweb6969 - September 10, 2005 11:14 PM (GMT)
just type human right abuse in australia....
ikara - September 11, 2005 04:14 AM (GMT)
Hey, just got back from the beach told some of my mates that A guy from Singapore was stating that Aus has one of the worst human rights records !
After everyone picked themselves up and stopped laughing, they asked me to pass along this link:
http://www.freedomhouse.org/ratings/index.htm (this is a very reputeable organisation)
Remember countries are rated from 1 to 7
1 being the best and 7 being the worst.
I have more if you need/want them!
After everyone picked themselves up and stopped laughing, they asked me to pass along this link:
http://www.freedomhouse.org/ratings/index.htm (this is a very reputeable organisation)
Remember countries are rated from 1 to 7
1 being the best and 7 being the worst.
I have more if you need/want them!
ikara - September 11, 2005 04:24 AM (GMT)
Canberra-based CEA Technologies has been selected to deliver a cutting edge high technology solution to protect the Navy’s ANZAC Class frigates from the increasing threat of anti-ship cruise missiles.
Defence Minister Robert Hill said the Federal Government has approved the second phase of a project to provide the world class anti-ship missiles capability.
CEA Technologies has been chosen to provide a lightweight Active Phased Array Radar system designed and developed at its Fyshwick facility in Canberra.
"The CEA phased array radar system offers the Navy a significant capability boost," Senator Hill said.
"CEA has developed a product that has a genuine competitive advantage in the important criteria of weight, cost, capability and overall value for money.
"These radars have a clear export potential and the market for this technology is estimated in the billions of dollars."
"This new phase of the project is estimated to create up to 130 jobs during acquisition and installation, and 25 jobs to support the capability through the life of the ANZAC Class frigates with around $260 million to be spent in Australia."
The major components of the CEA system are a search and track radar (CEA-FAR) and a phased array missile illuminator (CEA-MOUNT).
In addition to providing self protection, the ANZAC’s Anti-Ship Missile Defence system will also be able to protect closely escorted assets such as Amphibious ships, Auxiliary support vessels and merchant vessels.
The Anti-Ship Missile Defence system integrates the radars into the eight ANZAC Class frigates through ANZAC Alliance Team members Tenix Defence Pty Ltd and SAAB Systems Pty Ltd.
Both CEA and the Howard Government have committed significant resources towards reducing the risks inherit in such a high end technology project including conducting sea trials last year.
The selection of CEA further supports the objectives of the Defence Electronic Systems Sector Strategic Plan which includes the development of niche capabilities in RADAR as being of strategic importance to Australia.
The second phase of the project brings the total investment in the ANZACs Anti Ship Missile Defence system to over $700 million. The ANZAC Alliance Team has already commenced work to upgrade the ships’ command and control system and install an infra-red search and track system which will provide improved detection of low level aircraft and anti-ship missiles when close to land.
This is a great boost to the ANZACS, the rumor is, the other Mk.41 VLS will be fitted as well.
http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&ct=res&c...5nfD5SsYa-XgJ4I
Defence Minister Robert Hill said the Federal Government has approved the second phase of a project to provide the world class anti-ship missiles capability.
CEA Technologies has been chosen to provide a lightweight Active Phased Array Radar system designed and developed at its Fyshwick facility in Canberra.
"The CEA phased array radar system offers the Navy a significant capability boost," Senator Hill said.
"CEA has developed a product that has a genuine competitive advantage in the important criteria of weight, cost, capability and overall value for money.
"These radars have a clear export potential and the market for this technology is estimated in the billions of dollars."
"This new phase of the project is estimated to create up to 130 jobs during acquisition and installation, and 25 jobs to support the capability through the life of the ANZAC Class frigates with around $260 million to be spent in Australia."
The major components of the CEA system are a search and track radar (CEA-FAR) and a phased array missile illuminator (CEA-MOUNT).
In addition to providing self protection, the ANZAC’s Anti-Ship Missile Defence system will also be able to protect closely escorted assets such as Amphibious ships, Auxiliary support vessels and merchant vessels.
The Anti-Ship Missile Defence system integrates the radars into the eight ANZAC Class frigates through ANZAC Alliance Team members Tenix Defence Pty Ltd and SAAB Systems Pty Ltd.
Both CEA and the Howard Government have committed significant resources towards reducing the risks inherit in such a high end technology project including conducting sea trials last year.
The selection of CEA further supports the objectives of the Defence Electronic Systems Sector Strategic Plan which includes the development of niche capabilities in RADAR as being of strategic importance to Australia.
The second phase of the project brings the total investment in the ANZACs Anti Ship Missile Defence system to over $700 million. The ANZAC Alliance Team has already commenced work to upgrade the ships’ command and control system and install an infra-red search and track system which will provide improved detection of low level aircraft and anti-ship missiles when close to land.
This is a great boost to the ANZACS, the rumor is, the other Mk.41 VLS will be fitted as well.
http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&ct=res&c...5nfD5SsYa-XgJ4I
caterwaul - September 11, 2005 06:26 AM (GMT)
Hey Ikara, your country might have more freedoms than Singapore but I think your government better rein in the racist groups - some of them are getting nastier than the US Ku Klux Klan.
Duminus - September 11, 2005 07:28 AM (GMT)
Locked
possible - September 11, 2005 06:35 PM (GMT)
:armycheers: excellent! this is very good news. other small navies wil benefit greatly from the RAN's experience with this technology.
http://www.cea.com.au
http://www.cea.com.au
flipzi - September 13, 2005 02:15 AM (GMT)
Considering both are teaming up to fight terrorism inviolving Moslems, read this.
==========================================
Australians Increasingly Embracing Islam
More than 15,000 Australians in Queensland have embraced Islam since the 9/11 attacks. (ABC).
SYDNEY, August 28, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – The number of Australians embracing Islam has dramatically increased since the 9/11 attacks, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
"Once I started researching for myself and making my own decisions in regards to research and reading I come to my own understanding and realize the beauty of Islam," said Omar Boswood, once Catholic Ryan Boswood.
Like Boswood more than 15,000 Australians in Queensland have embraced Islam since 9/11, according to the ABC.
"I will be honest, but the Bible basically pushed me to Islam because I had so many unanswered questions, and I found the answer in the Qur'an," said Boswood, who embraced Islam last year.
There are some 300,000 Muslims in Australia, making up just 1.5 percent of the country's population of 20 million.
MORE HERE:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FilipinoAegis/message/1428
Also added in this thread;
http://pdff.sytes.net/index.php?showtopic=544&st=75&#last
==========================================
Australians Increasingly Embracing Islam
More than 15,000 Australians in Queensland have embraced Islam since the 9/11 attacks. (ABC).
SYDNEY, August 28, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – The number of Australians embracing Islam has dramatically increased since the 9/11 attacks, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
"Once I started researching for myself and making my own decisions in regards to research and reading I come to my own understanding and realize the beauty of Islam," said Omar Boswood, once Catholic Ryan Boswood.
Like Boswood more than 15,000 Australians in Queensland have embraced Islam since 9/11, according to the ABC.
"I will be honest, but the Bible basically pushed me to Islam because I had so many unanswered questions, and I found the answer in the Qur'an," said Boswood, who embraced Islam last year.
There are some 300,000 Muslims in Australia, making up just 1.5 percent of the country's population of 20 million.
MORE HERE:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FilipinoAegis/message/1428
Also added in this thread;
http://pdff.sytes.net/index.php?showtopic=544&st=75&#last
ikara - September 13, 2005 09:32 AM (GMT)
@flipzi
Australia embraces all PEACE loving people regardless of religeon or ethnic background.
A piece of selective journalism like the links you provided certainly does'nt change my attitude, or any other Australian.
One has to wonder what is behind you puting up this reply under the topic of radar systems?
And using the lame arse excuse you did ( both teaming to fight terrorism), just doesn't cut it.
Perhaps you should start your own topic under ethnic diversity or something, if not,stick to the subject matter,especially you being a Mod and all????
I get the feeling there is a fair bit of anymousity towards Australians on this forum this is the second time my posts have been flamed with one being locked and this one probably about to.
Now listen guys I figure we have three choices:
1:We can have an arguement everytime I post (no fears for me there)
2:You can ask me to leave, which I will do
3:We can all act like grown-ups and maybe learn from each other.
Now for the GROWN-UPS, this is another mock-up (this one will be pretty close to the final product) of the radar system on an ANZAC frigate.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2...p/20050909a.cfm
Let me know which way you want to go.
Australia embraces all PEACE loving people regardless of religeon or ethnic background.
A piece of selective journalism like the links you provided certainly does'nt change my attitude, or any other Australian.
One has to wonder what is behind you puting up this reply under the topic of radar systems?
And using the lame arse excuse you did ( both teaming to fight terrorism), just doesn't cut it.
Perhaps you should start your own topic under ethnic diversity or something, if not,stick to the subject matter,especially you being a Mod and all????
I get the feeling there is a fair bit of anymousity towards Australians on this forum this is the second time my posts have been flamed with one being locked and this one probably about to.
Now listen guys I figure we have three choices:
1:We can have an arguement everytime I post (no fears for me there)
2:You can ask me to leave, which I will do
3:We can all act like grown-ups and maybe learn from each other.
Now for the GROWN-UPS, this is another mock-up (this one will be pretty close to the final product) of the radar system on an ANZAC frigate.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2...p/20050909a.cfm
Let me know which way you want to go.
possible - September 13, 2005 06:20 PM (GMT)
thread hijacks. ever the coward's way.
ikara, is the retention of SPS-49 on the ANZACs an indication that the power requirements of CEAFAR and the CEAMOUNTs are not that much higher than the GIRAFFE and CEROS radars they're replacing? didn't the power supply problem (along with cost) kill the old ANZAC Warfighting Improvement Program?
ikara, is the retention of SPS-49 on the ANZACs an indication that the power requirements of CEAFAR and the CEAMOUNTs are not that much higher than the GIRAFFE and CEROS radars they're replacing? didn't the power supply problem (along with cost) kill the old ANZAC Warfighting Improvement Program?
| QUOTE |
| There are limits to how much fighting power can be put into a frigate of modest dimensions. When the Royal Australian Navy launched its Anzac class project, to build eight modified Meko 200 type ships for its own use and two more for the Royal New Zealand Navy, it was recognised that the Australian Anzacs would be comparatively under-armed on completion, but the Blohm+Voss containerised equipment concept would allow additional weapons to be installed as and when funds permitted. Since completion, Harpoon missiles have been added, as well as an additional vertical-launch silo for Sea Sparrow/Essm air defence missiles, but ambitions to mount a much more powerful air defence armament are proving much harder to fulfil. The hope was to retrofit a Standard SM-2 area air defence missile system, with a long-range surveillance radar such as the Apar. But margins for additions may be as low as 50 tonnes, ruling out major additions, and the containerised concept makes internal alterations much harder than anticipated. Last, and perhaps most important of all, the installation of a powerful radar, extra trackers and associated improvements to the combat system will impose massive demands on the auxiliary power supply. One solution proposed is to cut the ship in half to insert an additional section carrying uprated generators, but this would be prohibitively expensive. In fact, the addition of Standard SM-2 would lift the ship out of the frigate category into the air defence destroyer class, a massive change of rôle for a ship originally envisaged as a conventional patrol frigate. British Aerospace has produced schemes for retrofitting its Sampson multi-function radar to the Anzacs, but finding room for its compact antenna and processing equipment is only a small part of the problem. http://www.armada.ch |
how was CEA Technologies able to overcome this?
ikara - September 16, 2005 12:34 AM (GMT)
Maritime surveillance variants of CEA-FAR share the same fundamental design architecture based around the concept of a modular tile active array. The active array is comprised of a number of static faces arranged to provide 360 degree surveillance, with each array face populated by a number of tiles (as array building blocks). Each tile, 332 mm2 in area and around 8 kg in weight, has 64 Gallium Arsenide-based transmit/ receive elements.
Radar performance is increased by adding tiles and thereby increasing the array aperture (typically, using the same waveform, doubling the array size increases the free-space range by a factor of 1.68). The transmit waveform generation, receive function and signal processing is now fully integrated onto the array face, significantly enhancing stability and flexibility. This also means that the interface to a face is simplified to control/data, frequency and timing references.
Each face can now operate as an independent or integrated radar resource. This allows the scan time to be significantly and positively impacted by the parallel operation of the faces for most modes.
Another key attribute of CEA-FAR highlighted by CEA is the system's low ship installation impact, with power, weight and size intended to enable a straightforward physical and electronic interface, as well as flexible antenna-siting options. The remaining below-decks electronic and data-processing hardware is packaged in purpose-designed modular enclosures providing full environmental and shock protection and designed to simplify ease of installation and maintenance. The functionality of these units, which can be sited at long distances from the arrays, provides frequency and timing references, and overall radar control and tracking based on plots from all faces. The radar control unit also provides the integrated interface to the combat system and ship's motion data source.
Connection to the antenna faces is via non-phase critical cables. The antenna power supply is from 48 V DC, with direct conversion to 48 V from 440 V three-phase AC [50-60 Hz]). Power output can be varied to permit operation in low-probability-of-intercept modes.
According to CEA, "the nature of active arrays, the flexible hardware design of CEA-FAR and the ability to dynamically change waveforms, scan times and other features of the radar allows the performance to be dynamically tasked"; the company further notes that the transmission duty cycle, pulse-to-pulse frequency agility, beam dwell time, scan volume and beam pattern can all be modified to optimise performance according to the operational mode, threat type and prevalent operating conditions. However, CEA declines to elaborate on the beam-forming techniques used by CEA-FAR, beyond stating that "independent beam-forming for receive and transmit beams [provides] additional dynamic performance flexibility".
CEA first advanced CEA-FAR for the abortive ANZAC Warfighting Improvement Programme (WIP). The WIP aimed to endow the ANZAC ships with an advanced air-warfare capability (including a phased-array radar), but its scope proved over-ambitious, resulting in the cancellation of the project in 1999. In the wake of the WIP, the ANZAC ASMD update has set out with the more modest aim of improving ship self-defence against the more stressing air threats likely to be encountered beyond 2010, with the candidacy of CEA-FAR recently scrutinised through a programme of shipborne evaluation.
Under a separate line of development, CEA has worked closely with Saab Systems to develop the Naval Advanced Air Warfare System baselined by German shipbuilder Blohm+Voss (part of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems) for the MEKO 'D' and MEKO 'X' frigate design concepts, first presented at the MECON 2002 conference.
A further high-powered evolution of CEA-FAR, known as AUSPAR (Australia/United States Phased Array Radar), is being developed using Australian and US funding (execution of the AUSPAR Project Arrangement was finalised by the US and Australian governments on 21 April 2005, with CEA Technologies acting as the prime contractor for development of the technology).
AUSPAR further advances the existing active phased-array radar technology to address medium-to-long-range air-warfare and future theatre ballistic missile defence needs. The programme objective is to develop and test medium- and high-power active phased-array radar technology to support the progression of future advanced radar programmes in the US and Australia.
Engineering and technical activity supporting the AUSPAR radar family are centred at CEA's research, development and manufacturing facility in ACT, although the mechanical and thermal aspects of the high-power design are being progressed in CEA's other facilities in Adelaide and Melbourne. Like CEA-FAR, AUSPAR is designed to be scalable, proving applicability from small mobile systems through to large land-based and shipborne arrays.Solid-state illumination
The same technology concepts underpinning CEA-FAR have been applied to the transmit-only CEA-MOUNT active phased-array missile illuminator, which has further benefited from CEA's experience in developing the Solid State Continuous Wave Illuminator (SSCWI) transmitter for the ANZAC frigate programme.
Conceived as a direct form and functional replacement for the now ageing Raytheon Mk 73 CWI, which relies on fragile vacuum tube technology that is prone to inadvertent failure, the new SSCWI provides identical control and functionality with the hardware control interface while at the same time affording superior performance, reduced size, and enhanced maintainability and reliability. This is achieved through the use of multiple distributed solid-state power amplifiers based on commercial off-the-shelf discrete devices.
Another advantage cited by CEA is the comparatively low voltage level at which the SSCWI operates: while vacuum tube-based systems need high-voltage power supplies - a high-risk requirement in high-humidity maritime environments - the lower-voltage solid-state alternative is far more tolerant of humidity and inadvertent leakage paths.
Developing 2 kW of continuous RF energy, the SSCWI has been designed to occupy the same footprint as the earlier Mk 73 CWI. A modern system interface allows it to be controlled via the combat system: in the case of the ANZAC frigates, the transmitter is controlled by the Saab Systems 9LV 453 command, fire-control and target indication system.
CEA received a contract for SSCWI development and the production of an initial six systems in 1995, with deliveries to the Commonwealth beginning in 2000. In January 2003 the performance of the SSCWI fitted to HMAS Warramunga was demonstrated during a successful ESSM test firing undertaken off the coast of Western Australia. The system was proven again aboard Warramunga in September 2003 during tests at the US Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii, which formed part of the operational test and evaluation trials for the introduction of ESSM into RAN service.
Since that time CEA has conducted a technology update of the CEA-MOUNT product line, introducing Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit technology to reduce weight and increase power output. This multi-part contract for design (awarded in June 2004), build and test (awarded in June 2005) has in turn enabled the company to offer a multiple fixed-face-array CEA-MOUNT configuration (as proposed for the ANZAC ASMD upgrade). The outcome of this programme will be a production-ready ALRU available in the first half of 2006.
However, the company will provide the steerable CEA-MOUNT system for applications requiring higher power and therefore a larger aperture. One such opportunity could be Project SEA 4000 - the programme to acquire three new Air Warfare Destroyers for the RAN - where CEA-MOUNT technology may be considered as an alternative to the Mk 99 fire-control group currently associated with the Aegis Weapon System.
JANES (subscriber)
Radar performance is increased by adding tiles and thereby increasing the array aperture (typically, using the same waveform, doubling the array size increases the free-space range by a factor of 1.68). The transmit waveform generation, receive function and signal processing is now fully integrated onto the array face, significantly enhancing stability and flexibility. This also means that the interface to a face is simplified to control/data, frequency and timing references.
Each face can now operate as an independent or integrated radar resource. This allows the scan time to be significantly and positively impacted by the parallel operation of the faces for most modes.
Another key attribute of CEA-FAR highlighted by CEA is the system's low ship installation impact, with power, weight and size intended to enable a straightforward physical and electronic interface, as well as flexible antenna-siting options. The remaining below-decks electronic and data-processing hardware is packaged in purpose-designed modular enclosures providing full environmental and shock protection and designed to simplify ease of installation and maintenance. The functionality of these units, which can be sited at long distances from the arrays, provides frequency and timing references, and overall radar control and tracking based on plots from all faces. The radar control unit also provides the integrated interface to the combat system and ship's motion data source.
Connection to the antenna faces is via non-phase critical cables. The antenna power supply is from 48 V DC, with direct conversion to 48 V from 440 V three-phase AC [50-60 Hz]). Power output can be varied to permit operation in low-probability-of-intercept modes.
According to CEA, "the nature of active arrays, the flexible hardware design of CEA-FAR and the ability to dynamically change waveforms, scan times and other features of the radar allows the performance to be dynamically tasked"; the company further notes that the transmission duty cycle, pulse-to-pulse frequency agility, beam dwell time, scan volume and beam pattern can all be modified to optimise performance according to the operational mode, threat type and prevalent operating conditions. However, CEA declines to elaborate on the beam-forming techniques used by CEA-FAR, beyond stating that "independent beam-forming for receive and transmit beams [provides] additional dynamic performance flexibility".
CEA first advanced CEA-FAR for the abortive ANZAC Warfighting Improvement Programme (WIP). The WIP aimed to endow the ANZAC ships with an advanced air-warfare capability (including a phased-array radar), but its scope proved over-ambitious, resulting in the cancellation of the project in 1999. In the wake of the WIP, the ANZAC ASMD update has set out with the more modest aim of improving ship self-defence against the more stressing air threats likely to be encountered beyond 2010, with the candidacy of CEA-FAR recently scrutinised through a programme of shipborne evaluation.
Under a separate line of development, CEA has worked closely with Saab Systems to develop the Naval Advanced Air Warfare System baselined by German shipbuilder Blohm+Voss (part of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems) for the MEKO 'D' and MEKO 'X' frigate design concepts, first presented at the MECON 2002 conference.
A further high-powered evolution of CEA-FAR, known as AUSPAR (Australia/United States Phased Array Radar), is being developed using Australian and US funding (execution of the AUSPAR Project Arrangement was finalised by the US and Australian governments on 21 April 2005, with CEA Technologies acting as the prime contractor for development of the technology).
AUSPAR further advances the existing active phased-array radar technology to address medium-to-long-range air-warfare and future theatre ballistic missile defence needs. The programme objective is to develop and test medium- and high-power active phased-array radar technology to support the progression of future advanced radar programmes in the US and Australia.
Engineering and technical activity supporting the AUSPAR radar family are centred at CEA's research, development and manufacturing facility in ACT, although the mechanical and thermal aspects of the high-power design are being progressed in CEA's other facilities in Adelaide and Melbourne. Like CEA-FAR, AUSPAR is designed to be scalable, proving applicability from small mobile systems through to large land-based and shipborne arrays.Solid-state illumination
The same technology concepts underpinning CEA-FAR have been applied to the transmit-only CEA-MOUNT active phased-array missile illuminator, which has further benefited from CEA's experience in developing the Solid State Continuous Wave Illuminator (SSCWI) transmitter for the ANZAC frigate programme.
Conceived as a direct form and functional replacement for the now ageing Raytheon Mk 73 CWI, which relies on fragile vacuum tube technology that is prone to inadvertent failure, the new SSCWI provides identical control and functionality with the hardware control interface while at the same time affording superior performance, reduced size, and enhanced maintainability and reliability. This is achieved through the use of multiple distributed solid-state power amplifiers based on commercial off-the-shelf discrete devices.
Another advantage cited by CEA is the comparatively low voltage level at which the SSCWI operates: while vacuum tube-based systems need high-voltage power supplies - a high-risk requirement in high-humidity maritime environments - the lower-voltage solid-state alternative is far more tolerant of humidity and inadvertent leakage paths.
Developing 2 kW of continuous RF energy, the SSCWI has been designed to occupy the same footprint as the earlier Mk 73 CWI. A modern system interface allows it to be controlled via the combat system: in the case of the ANZAC frigates, the transmitter is controlled by the Saab Systems 9LV 453 command, fire-control and target indication system.
CEA received a contract for SSCWI development and the production of an initial six systems in 1995, with deliveries to the Commonwealth beginning in 2000. In January 2003 the performance of the SSCWI fitted to HMAS Warramunga was demonstrated during a successful ESSM test firing undertaken off the coast of Western Australia. The system was proven again aboard Warramunga in September 2003 during tests at the US Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii, which formed part of the operational test and evaluation trials for the introduction of ESSM into RAN service.
Since that time CEA has conducted a technology update of the CEA-MOUNT product line, introducing Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit technology to reduce weight and increase power output. This multi-part contract for design (awarded in June 2004), build and test (awarded in June 2005) has in turn enabled the company to offer a multiple fixed-face-array CEA-MOUNT configuration (as proposed for the ANZAC ASMD upgrade). The outcome of this programme will be a production-ready ALRU available in the first half of 2006.
However, the company will provide the steerable CEA-MOUNT system for applications requiring higher power and therefore a larger aperture. One such opportunity could be Project SEA 4000 - the programme to acquire three new Air Warfare Destroyers for the RAN - where CEA-MOUNT technology may be considered as an alternative to the Mk 99 fire-control group currently associated with the Aegis Weapon System.
JANES (subscriber)
possible - September 16, 2005 01:07 AM (GMT)
thanks for the info, mate :ssalute:
ikara - September 16, 2005 01:12 AM (GMT)
Took bits of above out of a much larger article, so it is a bit all over the place.
New mods to the systems+circuitry and a fixed face array CEA-MOUNT as seen in this link:http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2005/Sep/20050909a.cfm
As opposed to the steerable mount seen here:http://www.ausmarinetech.com.au/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1099885792&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&page=article
The main drawback on the ANZACS has allways been size(3600t), with a maximum of two MK.41's possible,this with the Navy allways wanting real AWD's of 8000t+ ie; improved BURKE, killed the ANZAC,WIP.
New mods to the systems+circuitry and a fixed face array CEA-MOUNT as seen in this link:http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2005/Sep/20050909a.cfm
As opposed to the steerable mount seen here:http://www.ausmarinetech.com.au/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1099885792&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&page=article
The main drawback on the ANZACS has allways been size(3600t), with a maximum of two MK.41's possible,this with the Navy allways wanting real AWD's of 8000t+ ie; improved BURKE, killed the ANZAC,WIP.
ikara - September 19, 2005 02:56 AM (GMT)
AUSTRALIAN warplanes could soon be flying patrols to help secure the world's busiest shipping lane, Southeast Asia's pirate-infested Malacca Strait.
Navy chief Russ Shalders has offered to provide RAAF aircraft for joint patrols of the piracy hotspot amid concerns that al-Qa'ida-sponsored regional terror groups have infiltrated local piracy gangs.
"We would be very happy to help in terms of providing experience in air patrolling," said Vice-Admiral Admiral Shalders, who is in Malaysia for a two-week joint defence exercise.
But he said Australia needed a formal request from the Malaysian Government before any official offer could be made.
New Zealand made a similar offer of assistance during Exercise Bersama Lima, wargames that began last Thursday in which Malaysia, Singapore and Britain are also participating.
The foriegn-surveillance proposal comes after Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand last week began the first-ever joint piracy air patrols over the congested waterway, where violent and well-organised piracy gangs have operated for decades.
The offers were made in response to rising international concerns and pressure from Australia, the US and Japan about maritime security and terrorism threats along the 960km-long waterway.
About 50,000 ships carrying a quarter of the world's trade and half its oil pass through the dangerous Malacca Strait each year.
The area, which recorded 38 attacks on ships last year, was placed on a par with Iraq as a high-risk region for war and terrorism by the Lloyd's of London insurance market in July.
Jemaah Islamiah, the Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) have all been linked to piracy attacks in the area.
A spokesman for Defence Minister Robert Hill was unable to clarify if Australia had made or received any formal offer to join the air patrols.
But Senator Hill indicated last month that he was pushing for closer regional surveillance and intelligence-sharing in the Malacca Strait. In a major departure from attitudes a year ago, the three Asian nations with jurisdiction over the Malacca Strait indicated last week that they would consider any foreign offers to help secure the vital waterway from piracy and maritime terrorism.
Malaysian and Indonesian leaders last year flatly rejected a similar offer by the US to monitor and patrol the area.
Australia is supporting Malaysia's bid to join the UN's International Maritime Organisation, which is responsible for overseeing global merchant shipping.
Piracy survivors have reported that highly organised and violent criminal gangs with corporate structures have operated with impunity in the Malacca Strait, hijacking ships, stealing valuable cargoes, and killing crews or demanding ransoms.
The so-called "Eyes in the Sky" air patrols began last week, more than a year after the first co-ordinated piracy sea patrols started.
The initiative followed decades of political inertia that prevented effective monitoring of the longstanding problem of piracy.
There were 127 piracy attacks recorded around the world in the first six months of this year, a third of which occurred in Indonesian waters.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/commo...5E31477,00.html
Navy chief Russ Shalders has offered to provide RAAF aircraft for joint patrols of the piracy hotspot amid concerns that al-Qa'ida-sponsored regional terror groups have infiltrated local piracy gangs.
"We would be very happy to help in terms of providing experience in air patrolling," said Vice-Admiral Admiral Shalders, who is in Malaysia for a two-week joint defence exercise.
But he said Australia needed a formal request from the Malaysian Government before any official offer could be made.
New Zealand made a similar offer of assistance during Exercise Bersama Lima, wargames that began last Thursday in which Malaysia, Singapore and Britain are also participating.
The foriegn-surveillance proposal comes after Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand last week began the first-ever joint piracy air patrols over the congested waterway, where violent and well-organised piracy gangs have operated for decades.
The offers were made in response to rising international concerns and pressure from Australia, the US and Japan about maritime security and terrorism threats along the 960km-long waterway.
About 50,000 ships carrying a quarter of the world's trade and half its oil pass through the dangerous Malacca Strait each year.
The area, which recorded 38 attacks on ships last year, was placed on a par with Iraq as a high-risk region for war and terrorism by the Lloyd's of London insurance market in July.
Jemaah Islamiah, the Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) have all been linked to piracy attacks in the area.
A spokesman for Defence Minister Robert Hill was unable to clarify if Australia had made or received any formal offer to join the air patrols.
But Senator Hill indicated last month that he was pushing for closer regional surveillance and intelligence-sharing in the Malacca Strait. In a major departure from attitudes a year ago, the three Asian nations with jurisdiction over the Malacca Strait indicated last week that they would consider any foreign offers to help secure the vital waterway from piracy and maritime terrorism.
Malaysian and Indonesian leaders last year flatly rejected a similar offer by the US to monitor and patrol the area.
Australia is supporting Malaysia's bid to join the UN's International Maritime Organisation, which is responsible for overseeing global merchant shipping.
Piracy survivors have reported that highly organised and violent criminal gangs with corporate structures have operated with impunity in the Malacca Strait, hijacking ships, stealing valuable cargoes, and killing crews or demanding ransoms.
The so-called "Eyes in the Sky" air patrols began last week, more than a year after the first co-ordinated piracy sea patrols started.
The initiative followed decades of political inertia that prevented effective monitoring of the longstanding problem of piracy.
There were 127 piracy attacks recorded around the world in the first six months of this year, a third of which occurred in Indonesian waters.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/commo...5E31477,00.html
fieldmouse - September 19, 2005 05:17 AM (GMT)
my guess is the Malaysians and Indonesians will also reject this offer of Aussie assistance, more loudly by the Indons.