ARMY IN MOTION Chief of Army expands on force evolution - Enhancing the multidomain - Defence Connect
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
ARMY IN
MOTION
Chief of Army expands on force evolution
+ Defence Industry Rheinmetall’s plans Enhancing the
Minister lauds for Aussie defence multidomain
industry capability industry development capabilities of Army
Welcome
EDITOR’S LETTER
Army has always been the nation’s first responder. Recognising
this, government has moved to modernise the force and keep it
at the cutting-edge of capability
Shifting gears, Rheinmetall Defence Australia
provides a detailed look into their extensive
research and development programs across
unmanned systems, and collaborative efforts to
Steve Kuper develop critical local defence industry capability.
Analyst and editor Local success story EPE Protection discusses
Defence Connect its own R&D and local industry and workforce
development efforts, building on its veteran-
focused experience in the land domain.
WHILE BOTH Navy and Air Force are Luminact discusses the importance of
well progressed on their modernisation information supremacy and its role in
and recapitalisation programs, driven by supporting interoperability. The company also
platforms like the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters discusses how despite platform commonality,
and Hobart Class destroyers, Army is at the interoperability can’t be guaranteed and needs
beginning of this process. Following on from to be accounted for.
the success of the Defence Connect Maritime
HENSOLDT Australia chats about its growing
& Undersea Warfare Special Edition, this
footprint across the ADF, with expertise
second edition focused on the Land Domain
learned during the company’s relationship with
will deep-dive into the programs, platforms,
Navy and Air Force to build a diverse offering,
capabilities and doctrines emerging that will
enhancing Army’s survivability and lethality.
shape Army over the coming decades.
Relative newcomer Broadspectrum speaks about
To begin with, Minister for Defence Industry
its transition to becoming a Ventia company,
Melissa Price will detail the growing
building on the broader network’s relationships
role and capability of Australia’s defence
to provide unique offerings to Army and the ADF.
industry in supporting the delivery of the
multibillion-dollar modernisation and Finally, Victorian-based Aquaterro discusses
recapitalisation efforts. and deep-dives into the Army’s infantryman
modernisation and lethality programs, and its
Building on this, Chief of Army, Lieutenant
mounting success in supporting the lethality
General Rick Burr, AO, DSC, MVO, provides
and survivability of the future Australian Digger.
a foreword highlighting the Army’s
modernisation efforts and constant pursuit of As always, feedback is both appreciated and
evolutionary warfare. encouraged, so please get in touch with us
should you have any ideas to put forward.
Soucy will explain in detail the benefits
Thanks again for your continued support as
emerging from developments into composite
we all work together to make Australia a safer,
track systems over traditional steel track
more prosperous and secure nation.
systems and how the capability has evolved
to be at the core of cutting-edge, mobile
warfare for LAND 400 Phase 3.
Chief of Army returns for a detailed Q&A Cover image: Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019
taking a look at the ‘Army in Motion’ and
‘Accelerated Warfare’ doctrines serving as the Photographer: Sgt. 1st Class Whitney C. Houston
driving force behind Army’s modernisation. Source: Department of Defence
www.defenceconnect.com.au - 01 - Land Special Edition
From the
Minister
The Hon Melissa Price MP, Minister for Defence Industry
LAND DOMAIN
WELL BEYOND BUSINESS AS USUAL
Defence and our industry partners are working closely together
during the global COVID-19 pandemic to continue to deliver
world-class capability in a manner above and beyond business as
usual, explains the Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price
T
he Morrison government’s Since March, Defence has paid more than
unprecedented $270 billion 190,000 invoices, totalling $15 billion, with
investment in the defence of $11 billion of them paid early.
Australia continues to focus attention on
This is a terrific indicator that work is
Australia’s Defence needs – both now
continuing and jobs are being supported
and well into the decades ahead.
by much needed cash flow getting
But at the same time, the COVID-19 through our prime contractors to the
pandemic highlights the crucial role of many Australian small businesses that
our domestic industry and the crucial are critical to Defence. In addition to the
support it already provides to the ADF. Defence COVID-19 Task Force, defence
industry has been further supported
It has never been more apparent that
with the creation of a dedicated Industry
Australia needs to be a nation that builds
Support Cell, part of Defence’s COVID-19
high-quality, value-for-money capability
Task Force, to help keep business moving.
with secure, sovereign supply chains.
And Defence is playing a vital role in Land Systems Division was called upon to
keeping Australians in jobs by continuing provide much needed technical expertise
to support Australia’s defence industry. and equipment to help Victorian company
Land Special Edition - 02 - www.defenceconnect.com.au
Follow Melissa Price MP
twitter.com/Melissa4Durack
Med-Con ramp up production of vitally- Prime vendor for the LAND 400 Phase 2
needed surgical masks. program, Rheinmetall Defence Australia,
has already brought on board many
Then Australia’s only manufacturer of
Australian small businesses to support
surgical masks, the Shepparton-based
this project, creating hundreds of
company reached out for support to restore
Australian jobs and providing them with
and run its mask-making machines.
opportunities to showcase their talents
Defence answered the call, enabling and develop export opportunities as part
Med-Con to successfully increase their of their global supply chain.
production capacity from 2 million to
It’s both a turning point and a model for
200 million masks per year. The effort
the kind of defence force our government is
to rebuild the machines and enable the
building – because our men and women in
manufacture of additional equipment was
uniform are only as strong as the industry
a mammoth task, undertaken with high
and the workers that stand behind them.
skill and quiet dedication.
It’s the same kind of thinking that has
Simultaneously, the Land Systems
flowed through into LAND 400 Phase 3 to
Division’s Health Systems Program Office
deliver up to 450 modern infantry fighting
was securing tens of millions of dollars’
vehicles to protect Australian soldiers in
worth of gowns, goggles and masks.
combat, and bring them home safely to
This significant procurement was made their families.
possible largely through their prime
To support and encourage local industry
vendor arrangement with Central
in this project, an Australian Industry
Healthcare Services, one of the many
Capability Roadshow was held between
successful reforms put in place and
March and May 2020 to give Australian
available when we needed it most.
businesses the chance to showcase their
However, even before the pandemic, high quality products – everything from
Defence had been focusing on securing steel to electronics, seating, and a range of
and improving its domestic supply chains, other components and consumables.
with dedicated programs to support our
While the planned physical roadshows
defence industry and Australian jobs – in
could not be conducted, the Armoured
all domains, including Land.
Vehicle Division made sure this
Let’s look at the LAND 400 program – opportunity wouldn’t be lost and quickly
the most significant materiel acquisition transformed the roadshow to a series
in the history of the Australian Army of online sessions that pitched their
– which will provide a new generation expertise and capability directly to the two
of armoured vehicles with new levels of project contenders, Rheinmetall Defence
protection, mobility and firepower. Australia and Hanwha Defense Australia.
The Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles project In other home-grown success stories,
is a game-changer – with the majority of in July we announced the purchase of a
its 211 vehicles being delivered from the further 8,500 rifles from Thales Australia
state-of-the-art Military Vehicle Centre – in addition to the 30,000 already
of Excellence near Ipswich in Queensland, being delivered. Every rifle is made with
with an Australian industry capability (AIC) Australian know-how at the Thales factory
level of more than 50 per cent. in Lithgow, near Sydney, enabling our
www.defenceconnect.com.au - 03 - Land Special Edition
From the
Minister
soldiers to engage targets more accurately
at much greater ranges than ever before.
The wholly Australian-designed Hawkei
Australian Army soldier Corporal Sander Vloothuis, operates
protected mobility vehicle represents a surgical face mask machine at Med-Con Pty Ltd. Photographer:
new capability for the Australian Defence CPL Sagi Biderman, Department of Defence
Force and I’m proud that it is being
manufactured in Bendigo, Victoria, at
the same factory where the world-class
Bushmaster vehicle is manufactured.
The start of full-rate production in
September means more opportunities
for our local businesses to be involved in
manufacturing and longer-term support of
these vehicles in Australia.
Army’s new Australian-designed Hawkei protected vehicle
It will create significant long-term is ready to enter full-rate production at the Thales Protected
opportunities for Australian industry, as Vehicles facility in Bendigo, Victoria. Source: Thales
well as the potential for export.
Again pivoting around the pandemic,
Defence and Raytheon have successfully
Land Systems Division has found ways
conducted a preliminary design review
to successfully progress a number of
via virtual means, with more than 90
important industry solicitation activities.
individuals participating from Australia,
In May, the first virtual industry briefing the US and Norway. These types of
ever held by Land Systems Division was engagements are serving to strengthen
undertaken online in support of the Defence and industry relationships while
Integrated Soldier System project. keeping our projects on schedule and
providing cash flow to companies.
This approach provided opportunities for
600 businesses across Australia to engage The pandemic also proved no match for the
in the process, without the associated time Lethality System project (LAND 159), which
and cost of travel. The positive and generous will deliver next-generation small arms
feedback received will no doubt see more weapon systems, ranging from knives,
sessions moved online in the future. pistols, rifles and machine-guns to anti-
tank guided missile systems.
The Protected Mobile Fires program,
which will deliver the self-propelled COVID-19 restrictions meant that tender
howitzers and armoured ammunition evaluation for the first phase of this project
resupply vehicles from Geelong, Victoria, had to be conducted remotely, but the team
continues to make good progress, with the remained connected, both within itself and
key industry solicitation activities being with industry, and have successfully signed
completed on schedule to deliver against a contract.
our election commitment. All of this aims to ensure Australian
Working together virtually has also been soldiers have a capability advantage over
a critical tool for our Short Range Ground potential adversaries into the next decade.
Based Air Defence project. Defence was even able to work with one of
Land Special Edition - 04 - www.defenceconnect.com.au
Minister for Defence Industry the Honourable Melissa Price and Australian Army soldier Trooper Kia Arbuckle of the 2nd/14th Light
Horse Regiment (QLD Mounted Infantry) at Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane. Photographer: SGT Max Bree, Department of Defence
Australia’s best-known brands. RM Williams other small Australian manufacturers,
supplies parade boots for ADF members. and an order was subsequently placed
When Defence heard that the firm was for 9,000 items with Farage to help with
extending its usual Easter stand-down their operational capability and workflow
because of the pandemic, an extra order through the pandemic downturn.
for boots was placed.
It’s readily apparent that the Defence
RM Williams stores around the country contribution to the whole-of-government
were able to progressively reopen during response has gone well beyond the
May, with their factory in Salisbury, SA, uniformed soldiers, sailors and airmen and
re-opening the same month. And now, airwomen seen on our city streets.
ADF recruits are guaranteed to receive
We have moved well beyond business as
their parade boots for graduation. There
usual – and helped achieve one of the
have been numerous similar initiatives
most successful pandemic responses
implemented across the Land Domain.
across the world to date, while protecting
Army endorsed a proposal by Holmwood our national and strategic interests.
Highgate to bring forward the manufacture
I continue to be fiercely proud of my
of liquid modules and tanker vehicles by
department and the work they are doing
12 months to help curb commercial delays
to support our nation, which they are
and keep Australians employed.
doing hand-in-hand with our growing
Defence supported a proposal by Farage defence industry.
Holdings, a small family business based
It’s often said that the bonds that are
in Sydney, to increase Australian industry
developed during times of adversity are
involvement in the manufacture of the
the most enduring – and I look forward to
new general duties dress for women across
seeing the Defence and industry relationship
the three services. They engaged with two
continue to go from strength to strength.
www.defenceconnect.com.au - 05 - Land Special Edition
Foreword
FOREWORD FROM
CHIEF OF ARMY
LIEUTENANT GENERAL RICK BURR, AO, DSC, MVO
P
olitical, economic and Investment in emerging technologies and
environmental uncertainty is high. concepts, such as robotics and autonomous
This uncertainty influences how systems and information warfare.
states and groups compete and co-operate
To optimise how these capabilities
and how they use force for advantage.
are employed, Army is exploring new
Australian land forces will be required to concepts, what and how we train, and
do more to enable the Australian Defence learning with others through partnerships.
Force to defend Australia and its national We are driving preparation and adaptation
interests in an environment shaped by for an uncertain future. Army is alert and
natural disasters, the increasing range ready as an Army in Motion.
and lethality of strike weapons, and the
A strong defence industry is the
expanding military use of the space, cyber
foundation for a strong Australian
and information domains.
Defence Force. Industry and Defence have
Australia is responding to these evolving a common purpose, to provide the best
strategic circumstances. The government’s capability for Australian soldiers and
Defence Strategic Update and Force Structure support national resilience and innovation.
Plan 2020 articulate a strategic approach
and force structure to deliver competitive We worked together during bushfires and
advantage in this rapidly changing the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout this
environment. To ensure that Australia’s land time, industry has continued to support
forces have the capacity and capabilities to land force training.
do what is needed of them, government is Concurrently, Army has accelerated its
investing approximately $55 billion in land training transformation, using technology
capabilities over the next decade. The key and delivering training differently,
components of this investment are: while complying with state and national
Credible combat capabilities designed to restrictions. Industry has an important
succeed in joint land combat. role in this transformation.
Sophisticated combat support capabilities More broadly, Army supports the
such as long-range fires, cyber and implementation of the Defence Industrial
electronic warfare capabilities. Capability Plan to develop sovereign defence
Land Special Edition - 06 - www.defenceconnect.com.au
Private Callam Stewart, who serves as an infantryman with 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, conduct reconnaissance
during Exercise Talisman Sabre 19 at Stanage Bay, Queensland, Australia, July 15, 2019. Photographer: Sgt. 1st Class Whitney C.
Houston, Department of Defence
industry for land combat vehicles, combat Defence industry publications, such as
clothing, small arms design, research, Defence Connect, enable dialogue and
development and manufacture. understanding between Army and industry.
This engagement is vital for Army to drive
Army disproportionately partners with
down the cost of ownership and to ensure
many Australian small and medium
the sustainment and delivery of the land
businesses and always seeks to develop more
capabilities the Australian Defence Force
effective ways of doing business through needs now and in the future.
greater collaboration and co-operation.
Strong defence industry, enabled by
The forums for collaboration continue to government investment, collaboration,
expand. Current avenues include Annual innovation and understanding, continues to
Army Innovation Days, conducted virtually ensure that Australia’s land forces can meet
in 2020, the recently established Robotics the tasks required in a dynamic strategic
and Autonomous Systems Implementation context. Army seeks industry’s insights,
Coordination Office, and Army and industry ideas and innovations to help us succeed in
integration in trials and experiments. a future defined by accelerating change.
www.defenceconnect.com.au - 07 - Land Special Edition
Feature
COMPOSITE
RUBBER TRACKS
TO SUPPORT LAND 400 PHASE 3 CONTESTANT
Soucy Defense has responded to the Commonwealth’s
LAND 400 Phase 3 bid, using international experience to deliver
a composite rubber track for the Australian Army’s future IFV
S
oucy Defense has been in the CRT perform as Rheinmetall and Hanwha
background of this battle of the giants, go head to head in trials later this year.
a subsidiary of the Canadian company
Speaking to Defence Connect, Kevin
Soucy Group, it designs and manufactures
Sloan, Soucy Defense’s regional business
composite rubber track systems to meet the
development director and a retired
requirements laid down by end users and
British Army Cavalry Officer, explains
leading manufacturers of defence vehicles.
the benefits of fitting next-generation
No matter who wins the multibillion-dollar combat vehicles with CRTs.
LAND 400 Phase 3 program, the platform
“The benefits of CRT have made it a
is expected to deliver the Australian Army
popular choice when compared to the
with a next-generation capability and will
alternative, steel track. Offering enhanced
require equally next-gen components to
support the intended operational capacity. mobility; weight saving, exceptional
mean time before failure rates (MTBF),
Enter Soucy Defense, which has worked lower vibration, reduced noise, better fuel
hard over the past few years to shape consumption, with minimal maintenance
opinion and inform the Australian Defence
and reduced logistic demand,” Sloan says.
Force of composite rubber track (CRT)
system benefits while attending land forces Expanding on this, Sloan adds, “The end
conferences and meeting with program users and OEMs are now looking beyond
managers for LAND 400. The company has the traditional and seeking to optimise
also collaborated with the LAND 400 Phase their platforms in all areas of vehicle
3 OEMs to ensure that CRT is available in design, and with the benefits CRT brings,
time for the competition. it has a positive effect on all areas of
vehicle development.”
Hanwha’s AS21 Redback is fitted with CRT
and Rheinmetall KF41 is fitted with steel Soucy Defense offers arguably one of
track. It will be interesting to see Soucy’s the most innovative solutions in tracked
Land Special Edition - 08 - www.defenceconnect.com.auRheinmetall’s KF-41 Lynx IFV is one of two contenders for the LAND 400 Phase 3 program. Source: Rheinmetall MAN
mobility in recent history, meeting defence over the past 25 years – it took me a while
standards for over 25 years, in the harshest to be a convert. What also does not help is
of operational environments. that requirements managers/end users have
For Soucy, however, there seems to be already considered tracked vehicles having
some misplaced reluctance to introduce challenges in long distance deployments,
CRT on their armoured vehicles, and compensate for that in their Battle Field
something Sloan explains in great detail. Mission (BFM) requirements.”
“I think its perception, having looked Sloan adds, “Composite rubber track reduces
at CRT from a military requirements the high levels of vibration synonymous
standpoint whilst serving, there is with steel tracked vehicles, which reduces
definitely a cohort of platform designers early mechanical failure and crew fatigue.
and requirements managers who are “Operationally, combat formations currently
biased towards steel tracks – potentially suffer significant attrition as vehicles break
they are less risk in design,” he explains. down or require maintenance on their
“They have an idea that rubber tracks way to the line of departure, reducing a
stretch, and are weak, these opinions are commander’s combat effectiveness before
formed by individuals who have not followed his mission has even started. When you
the development of composite rubber track consider the benefits and realise the cost
www.defenceconnect.com.au - 09 - Land Special EditionFeature
Hanwha Defense Australia’s AS21 Redback IFV. Source: Hanwha Defense Corporation
savings through life that CRT enables – it’s a and Rheinmetall’s Lynx KF41 will see
wonder why that perception is still out there both platforms put through a gruelling
– but I can assure you the tide is turning.” risk mitigation activity (RMA) for two
distinctly different platforms.
Soucy Defense is also focusing its attention
on developing Australian industry capacity, Hanwha Defense Systems AS21
working closely with Australian suppliers Redback: The AS21 will include the
to ensure that much of the subcomponents capability to integrate active protection
for a CRT could be produced under licence. systems into an evolved turret system,
the Redback will, like the unsuccessful
Sloan tells Defence Connect, “Facilitating
BAE offering, be capable of hosting a
Australian industry involvement and
crew of 11 (three crew, eight troops), a
Australian workers will be vital to the
top road speed of 70km/h, cross country
success of LAND 400 Phase 3. It will be a
speed of 40km/h, an operational range
huge opportunity for Australian industry
of 500 kilometres, with an armament
to deliver the latest technologies to the
consisting of a 40mm autocannon and a
Australian Defence Force and Soucy would
single 7.62mm coaxial machine gun.
be incredibly proud to see CRT as part of it.”
Rheinmetal Lynx KF-41: The Lynx KF41
LAND 400 Phase 3 is a $10-15 billion Army
will include the capability to support a
program that will recapitalise Army’s
crew of 12 (three crew, up to nine troops),
Vietnam-era M113 armoured personnel
have a max road speed of 70km/h, a road
carrier (APC) force, with a combination of a
range of more than 500 kilometres, with
tracked infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and
an armament consisting of the Lance 2.0
tracked APC.
30-35mm autocannon, a 7.62mm coaxial
The Australian government’s down machine gun and a variety of additional
select of Hanwha’s AS21 Redback IFV close in weapons systems.
Land Special Edition - 10 - www.defenceconnect.com.auQ&A
Q&A with Chief of Army Lieutenant General Rick Burr, AO, DSC, MVO
‘ARMY IN MOTION’
AND THE FUTURE OF THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY
The Army in Motion philosophy necessitates a force that is
continuously adapting to an ever-changing environment, taking
guidance from its core strengths and principles, yet always
remaining open to developing new ways of employing capabilities
A
s government’s ‘first responders’, Chief of Army Lieutenant General Rick
the Australian Army is often called Burr, AO, DSC, MVO, is responsible for
upon to meet myriad challenges ensuring that the Army is “ready now,
facing decision makers – as technology has future ready” to meet the missions of
evolved so too have the operating concepts today and the future.
and doctrine available to the Army.
The Army in Motion concept recognises
The Commonwealth government has the major challenge of ‘Accelerated
announced a $270 billion investment Warfare’, which describes changes
in modernising the Australian Defence occurring in global, regional and
Force, with Army expected to be the domestic operating environments.
beneficiary of $55 billion over the next
Shedding light on this evolution, LTGEN
decade with a focus on building Army’s
Burr took the time to answer some
capacity to conduct traditional, high
questions about ‘Army in Motion’ and the
intensity combat capabilities.
evolution of Army as it will fit within the
Spearheading the revolution and evolution ‘joint force’ and 2020 Defence Strategic
now transforming the Australian Army, Update and Force Structure Plan.
www.defenceconnect.com.au - 11 - Land Special EditionQ&A
Defence Connect: Considering some of So, a lot of good news in this, and we’re
the challenges we have to our north, grateful for government’s investment in
how is Army preparing and gearing the land force.
up to make sure that it’s spot on for
the response we need now, while also
DC: What are you doing or how is Army
preparing for the future?
preparing for the next iteration of a white
Chief of Army Lieutenant General Rick paper, and what’s your involvement there?
Burr, AO, DSC, MVO: We absolutely
LTGEN Burr: The strategic update is the
have been thinking about this emerging
platform that gives us the policy settings
future for a while now. We described it as
and the investments and the resource to
accelerated warfare. The acceleration of
prosecute that strategy, so we’re absolutely
change in our strategic environment, the
focused on delivering that.
convergence of that change through the
many domains is materialising. Inside the department … this is a continuous
process, as we think through the life cycle
In many respects the future’s already here,
of continuously updating strategy, updating
and it really imposed on us as an Army to
our priorities and our investment priorities
think about how we organise to accelerate
accordingly. That’s a continuous process.
in our own response to that, and how we
think of ourselves, to be ready now but Right now, we are focused on
also can gear up for that future. implementing the outcomes of the Force
Structure Plan. Inside Army we are
That’s been the central philosophy, if you
focused on delivering that through the
like, of what we’ve called the Army in
Army Objective Force, which is focused
Motion; an Army that needs to continuously
on posture and the integration of those
adapt to an ever-changing environment, to
capabilities into our organisation, [and]
not be fixed in its ways but be guided by its
how we develop [everything] around that.
core strengths, the principles that underpin
how we employ capabilities. That includes things like new training
systems and new workforce requirements
[It also needs] to be open to developing new
to operate what are fundamentally
concepts, new ways of employing these
new capabilities in a lot of cases, or
capabilities, and this environment has
new capabilities to replace previous
certainly presented those opportunities.
platforms [that] will also be employed in
The Force Structure Plan builds on the fundamentally different ways.
integrated investment plan from the 2016
A good example is the Boxer, which is
defence white paper.
replacing the LAV, investing a one-for-
It helps us strengthen the Army, an Army one replacement. This is a fundamentally
that in its design principles we knew different capability in terms of its
… needed to be more connected, more technology, the sensors, the way it can
protected, more lethal, and more enabled. integrate into the joint force to be a node
The capabilities that we’re receiving enable on the network ... a mobile command and
us to achieve that. control (C2) node.
It allows us to operate in and across all This is an incredibly capable platform. But
domains and to be a more effective and a when you think about long-range fires, that
more integrated member of the joint force. is fundamentally different for our Army.
Land Special Edition - 12 - www.defenceconnect.com.auChief of Army, Lieutenant General Rick Burr, AO, DSC, MVO (left), talks with soldiers during the Australian Army’s 119th birthday
celebration at Russell Offices, Canberra. Photographer: CPL Sagi Biderman, Department of Defence
Being able to fire at operational level LTGEN Burr: Since the integrated
ranges, to add more capability to the joint investment plan that we’ve been executing
force, to provide more operational and over the last four years, I think Army
strategic options to government, it is new has really strengthened its partnership
territory for our Army. with industry. It has a much more clear
We’re excited about it, and it’s reflected understanding of what it means to be a
back throughout our entire force demanding customer, to be clear about
structure in terms of who we need to future-proofing our requirements, and be
recruit, how we need to develop our driving down the cost of business.
people into the future, and how we The cost of ownership is a key issue for
manage that skill base going forward. us in Army, in terms of sustaining these
capabilities over time.
DC: How are you finding industry’s They are high tech, they have a lot of
role in supporting the delivery and the sustainment, as well as a number of our
modernisation and the sustainment legacy platforms and how we keep them
of the Army’s existing and future going while we introduce these new
capabilities? It seems to be working capabilities. So, lots of opportunities for
much better than how it used to, but industry to be on that journey with us, to
what more would you like to see? be a good partner.
www.defenceconnect.com.au - 13 - Land Special EditionQ&A
Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Rick Burr, AO, DSC, MVO, in the dock of HMAS Adelaide during Operation Bushfire Assist 2020.
Photographer: ABIS Thomas Sawtell, Department of Defence
But more broadly, in terms of Army, which is where a lot of that innovation and
is distributed all around the country - we partnership can really play out.
literally are a nationally distributed force
Government highlighted that in the
that provides unique opportunities for
Force Structure Plan with a significant
SMEs all around the country.
investment in the future around
A lot of the things that we do in Army autonomous systems.
aren’t just the big platforms. There are a lot
of little things, which really feeds into that We’ve obviously started that with our
SME sector. We are ripe for innovation. robotics and autonomous systems
strategy back in 2018. We set up the
We have our Innovation Day each year.
Implementation and Coordination
Because of COVID, we did that virtually.
Office last year, and we’re doing a lot of
We think that’s a great thing to help
smaller innovators to come to the table experimentation with unmanned and
with their new ideas and to pick some of autonomous systems. And I think there’s
those and further develop those initiatives. a really exciting future there.
So, a lot going on in the traditional Of course, people will still be central
sense, but also thinking about the future to everything we do, but that presents
and where we’re going with robotics a whole new world of innovation and
and autonomous systems. I think [that] supply chain opportunity for us.
Land Special Edition - 14 - www.defenceconnect.com.auFollow LTGEN Rick Burr
twitter.com/ChiefAusArmy
Resilience in our supply chain is We have a very active engagement
something that everyone’s focused on, and program, exercise program, exchange
that’s really being addressed on a number program to build on or to strengthen
of levels, but government’s defence those person-to-person relationships
industry policy, the incentives to do more [and] mutual understanding.
here in terms of sovereign capability, I That’s been longstanding. Obviously, a
think is really strengthening our ability to big focus on the south-west Pacific in
be more resilient. recent times, but certainly in south-
east Asia.
DC: Industry is now a fundamental Later this year, we celebrate 50 years
input of capability, which was a great of our presence in Malaysia, in RAAF
milestone and well received. What would Base Butterworth … That’s an indicator
you like to see more of from industry to of how long we’ve been present and
help support your objectives? engaged in the region.
LTGEN Burr: At the departmental We are growing those relationships
level, the industry policy and all of every day, in terms of opportunities for
the initiatives around that are really collaboration, bilateral relationships,
strengthening our departmental approach. but also multi-lateral relations, both at
the single service and at the joint level.
Army doesn’t do this alone. And in the
land domain, obviously skilling our In terms of how we can do more into
people, better educating people in this is the future, obviously we’re thinking
an important part of our capability. about … how we’re organised to
operate in the continuum, if you like,
Indeed, it is becoming a much stronger co-operation competition in particular
career stream, if you like, inside Defence, and, as it’s commonly referred to now,
and Army is helping strengthen that. the grey zone.
We also understand what it means to be We have a lot of capabilities that
a good partner, to embrace the ideas of contribute to that, and Army is an
others, to be open to exploring new ideas active player in terms of building
and to bring new people onto the team, partnerships, the shaping element of
ultimately with that shared purpose of our strategy, but also the deterrence.
delivering great capability for our Army
and driving down the cost of ownership,
DC: When you talk about the impact
and to always seeking the edge.
of platforms, doctrine and manpower,
which we’ve just had a quick discussion
DC: Is Army capable of responding to about, can you give some sense for
and meeting the different challenges and the relationships between Accelerated
threats in the Indian and Pacific Oceans Warfare and Army in Motion?
separately? What’s your view on that?
LTGEN Burr: I think the philosophy
LTGEN Burr: We are already actively has served us well, because it speaks to
engaged, not just here at home, but in the tension between what you’re doing
the Pacific and through south-east Asia today but the need to continuously and
and Asia. proactively prepare for the future.
www.defenceconnect.com.au - 15 - Land Special EditionQ&A
Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Rick Burr, AO, DSC, MVO and Thales CEO Chris Jenkins at Russell Offices, Canberra for the full-rate
production announcement of Australian Army Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle. Photographer: Jay Cronan, Department of Defence
The future doesn’t just arrive. You don’t LTGEN Burr: With people at its centre or
just arrive in an organised way. You at its core, achieving their potential, doing
need to constantly be pulling it towards it in partnership with others, grounded as
you, making choices today, making a profession; that’s its central idea.
risk-based decisions to make changes
To manage that across a large Army
now in order to embrace that future and
enterprise, a very complex system, we
be ready for it on your own terms.
have introduced the Army Operating
The idea of that future being described System, which allows us to break it down
as accelerated warfare, the need to into a land capability system, to manage
be an Army in motion continuously all of these capability aspects, the people
changing, speaks to that. capability system.
This helps to think of our people as a
DC: Based on the evolving geopolitical capability and a key element of delivering
landscape and these doctrines, how these outcomes, and preparedness system,
are you ensuring their relevance today with a more strategic front around how
versus their relevance tomorrow or we think of all of this coming together to
maybe five years’ time? Can you see help us make those risk-based and time-
the Army deviating too far away from based decisions about what changes we
where it is right now? need to make.
Land Special Edition - 16 - www.defenceconnect.com.auQ&A
Q&A with Gary Stewart, managing director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia
INNOVATION, R&D AND THE FUTURE OF
RHEINMETALL’S PLANS FOR AUSTRALIAN
INDUSTRY
DEVELOPMENT
Rheinmetall Defence Australia is at the forefront of driving
Australian industry development through the LAND 400 program.
As part of this, the company is building a robust R&D capability
which will keep the ADF at the cutting edge of capability
A
s the Australian Army continues to Delivering such capabilities requires a
embark upon the implementation dedicated commitment to developing
of ‘Army in Motion’ doctrine, sovereign industrial capability and working
innovation, technology and industry all work with the end user to establish technology
together in conjunction to deliver a cutting- development priorities in response to
edge capability for the future ‘joint force’. existing and emerging challenges.
As a fundamental input to capability, Enter Rheinmetall Defence Australia,
industry is at the forefront of Army which is playing a critical role in
delivering the ‘Army in Motion’ concept supporting the development of a robust
and supporting doctrines of ‘Accelerated innovation and research and development
Warfare’ and the development of a capability to support the needs of the
‘Networked and Hardened’ Army. Australian warfighter today and tomorrow.
www.defenceconnect.com.au - 17 - Land Special EditionQ&A
Speaking exclusively to Defence Connect, Providing Army with a force multiplier
Rheinmetall Defence Australia (RDA) effect, delivering quality and value in our
managing director Gary Stewart took products/services etc;
the time to answer some questions Helping Rheinmetall to secure major
and shed some light on the company’s Defence programs, both locally and
innovation agenda. internationally;
Being active as a leading defence prime in
Defence Connect: R&D plays an important Australia;
role in RDA’s ambitions in Australia Striving for technical superiority to enable
– can you highlight some of the focal the development of high technology
points and what they mean for RDA’s products for Defence;
relationships with the existing and
Creation of high technology jobs in
future supply chain partners?
Australia; and
Gary Stewart: RDA is focused on the
Supporting local industry.
introduction of emerging technology to
Australia from Rheinmetall research and
product development internationally,
How does our R&D work to support these
and its application in the Australian
focal points?
academic and research community to seed
the development of leading technology Our technology can extend the life of
products for Defence. type of platforms and adds value to
existing products;
RDA have formed a series of strategic
and research relationships in Australia, Our global collaboration means we are
in a very short time frame, with CSIRO, able to develop technology faster and
DST Group and a number of Australian with more capability than if developing in
universities, with the aim to target specific Australia alone;
research foci leveraging the very best that We have access to technology and
Australian research has to offer. specialists through our global partners,
These include perception-based which isn’t readily available in Australia,
technologies, artificial intelligence but we sponsor transfer of technology
and machine learning for autonomous to enable sovereign development of
systems in the short term and materials capability. Likewise, we are exporting
research for military vehicle applications our expertise and technology to support
in the medium term. future collaboration projects;
We are employing 50+ researchers from
RDA are developing an extensive supply
chain in Australia, for both current and four local academic and government
future programs, and with a select few research agencies for ACW alone;
leading technology industry partners, RDA has invested $9.3 million to support
to target product specific R&D activities local research. Around $5 million of this has
aimed at the development of next- been awarded to local research institutions;
generation military platforms. Where possible, we’re using Australian
RDAs R&D efforts are focused on delivering developed sensors, knowledge, skills and
the following benefits to Australia: equipment to support our development.
Land Special Edition - 18 - www.defenceconnect.com.auDC: How are some of the R&D programs We are actively participating in autonomous
in Industry 4.0, lightweight metals and systems development and experimentation
metals 3D printing shaping RDA’s offering programs globally, both within Rheinmetall
for LAND 400 and for future development and with a variety of customers, in an effort
in autonomous ground systems? to best meet the varying needs of different
customers. RDA commenced planning for
GS: RDA is working on a range of R&D
the ACW program in late 2018 and launched
projects in various levels of maturation,
the program in February 2020.
including autonomous systems,
lightweight metals and metals 3D printing. This research program is already starting
to show promise in a number of areas.
RDA is aligning, wherever practical, the
Product improvements stemming from
research objectives and goals across our
Australian research in ACW will be shared
research and academic partners with
across Rheinmetall autonomous systems
Defence strategic planning objectives
development programs globally. Using
contained in documents such as the Army
the same approach based on autonomous
RAS Strategy 2018, the Defence Strategic
systems requirements and developments
Update 2020, the Force Structure Plan 2020
from Rheinmetall in North America and
and the Sovereign Industrial Capability
Europe, Australian research and industry
Priority Industry Plan 2020.
partners are able to participate in our global
Reducing vehicle weight and vehicle design R&D programs to develop autonomous
complexity could have possible application systems (and a range of other) products.
in Defence vehicles and, in many In Australia, we are focused on software
respects, this could be by using additive engineering, AI development and machine
manufacturing techniques. For example, learning skillsets to complement our
combining multiple vehicle components systems engineering, mechanical and
into one to reduce the bill of materials, electrical engineering and military vehicle
improve quality, structural integrity, reduce design and development expertise.
costs and decrease manufacturing time.
DC: What platforms have currently been
DC: R&D is never done in isolation developed, how do they fit within the
– particularly in the autonomous land domain capability plan – what is
space. How are RDA’s international the growth path and how is Australian
relationships paving the way for R&D industry working to support the
collaboration, how is Australian industry development of niche capabilities in
fitting within the R&D programs and this space?
what skills, specialities and expertise
GS: Rheinmetall have developed a wide
does Australia bring to the development
range of platforms in recent years, including
of autonomous ground vehicles?
the Boxer CRV family of vehicles, the LYNX
GS: RDA have fostered an open and IFV, the Protected Medium and Heavy [HX
collaborative approach to autonomous family] logistic vehicles and the introduction
systems research and product development into Australia of autonomous systems for
with our North American and European research, development and experimentation,
businesses to ensure that we leverage the such as the Mission Master UGV and the
relative strengths in each jurisdiction. Autonomous Wiesel vehicle.
www.defenceconnect.com.au - 19 - Land Special EditionQ&A
CSIRO, QUT, RMIT and DSTG researchers – all participating in the Rheinmetall Autonomous Combat Warrior program
Rheinmetall have built the Military research and academic partners, aims
Vehicle Centre of Excellence in south- to develop on-vehicle technology that
east Queensland, with extensive design, will allow future autonomous systems to
manufacturing, test and support work with troops rather than be operated
capabilities aimed at supporting Defence by troops.
for all Land Domain platforms up to and
Rheinmetall autonomous systems
including a Main Battle Tank.
technology provides a solid foundation
Rheinmetall is leveraging its already for ACW as we have already developed
expanding Australian supply chain to further leader/follower, convoy mode,
maximise AIC across its existing programs autonomous navigation and operation in
and develop an enduring sovereign defence GPS denied environments.
industry capability that will locally produce
combat vehicles of exceptional quality for ACW is using this solid foundation
Australia and for export. technology baseline to target specific areas
of research within Australian research
partners to solve the problems encountered
DC: Autonomous Combat Warrior with the use of tactical autonomous systems
is currently in development across in complex environments today, and to
Rheinmetall – what is the latest with this prove the technology advancements that will
capability? How is it changing to respond facilitate trusted human-machine teaming
to the rapidly evolving threat environment? tomorrow. DST Group and Rheinmetall are
GS: ACW is a three phase, five-plus developing an on-vehicle dynamic decision-
year program of research and product making system that will fundamentally
development that commenced in February change the way that autonomous systems
2020. The program, in concert with our operate with troops in tactical settings.
Land Special Edition - 20 - www.defenceconnect.com.auits performance and the tuning of the
algorithms to suit the various mobility
characteristics of each platform that the
A-Kit is integrated with.
RDA are planning significant growth in
the A-Kit and complementary systems over
the life of the ACW program, which involve
the use of different sensors, sensor fusion
and increasing levels of processing power.
RDA is investigating the potential input
from Australian industry for additional
Wiesel Autonomous Combat Warrior sensor technology and payloads for ACW
Phase 2, due to commence in August 2021.
For ACW Phase 3 (2023-2025) Australian
CSIRO, QUT and Rheinmetall are developing
research partner and industry partner
an advanced terrain detection system
involvement will expand again.
that will be capable of detecting and
classifying terrains that are traditionally
very confusing for autonomous systems, DC: AI is gaining prominence across the
such as water and mud. CSIRO, QUT domains – but most of the emphasis is
and Rheinmetall are developing a vision placed on aerial or maritime platforms –
recognition system that can recognise how is AI evolving in the land domain?
and classify human movement, including
GS: RDA and DST Group are developing an
gross body movement and hand gestures
on-vehicle dynamic decision-making system
to enable future autonomous systems to
that is aware of the tactical environment,
operate in close proximity with troops.
is aware of what its human team mates are
RMIT and Rheinmetall are developing an doing and why, and can perform a range of
advanced machine learning and autonomous vehicle outputs/tasks that are understood
systems simulation capability that will train and expected by human team mates.
on-vehicle autonomous systems, can be
used for training soldiers in the operation of We aim for future autonomous systems
and with autonomous systems, and for after working with an infantry section, for
action analysis and reporting. example, to have an understanding of
infantry tactics, the threat environment,
DC: What are some of the capability and can recognise what infantry troops are
developments that are currently doing through human behaviours and what
underway ahead of integration with the actions the humans want the autonomous
platform? How much growth is available systems to perform based on a range of
in the platform, what avenues can hand gesture inputs. In this sense, we
Australian industry play in developing see AI evolving to enable less restricted
this capability? autonomous movement of vehicles in cross
GS: Assuming, by platform, you mean the country terrains using our VRS and ATD
Rheinmetall autonomous kit; there are developments and that they operate as part
a range of activities underway globally of the team rather than being operated by
to continually improve the capability, dedicated troops within the team.
www.defenceconnect.com.au - 21 - Land Special EditionFeature
VETERAN EXPERIENCE, INVESTMENT
IN R&D AND DELIVERING
GENUINE SOVEREIGN
CAPABILITY
Five Eyes and NATO ‘on the ground’ operational experience
serves as the driving force behind EPE’s investment in
developing sovereign industry capacity and R&D outcomes to
deliver life-saving capability for the Australian warfighter
T
oday’s battlespace is an increasingly Part of the solution lies in the development
contested and challenging of capability through sovereign based
environment for Australian forces capacity built from operational experience
that demands technological advantage and specialist focus. EPE is a trusted,
over threat forces and maintenance of the veteran-owned Australian company that
individual’s capability edge. specialises in the domains of counter-IED,
Whether it is counter insurgency operations EOD, counter-CBRNe, Force Protection ECM
involving improvised explosive devices and counter-UAS.
(IEDs), or a new battlespace where our Speaking to Defence Connect, Scott Corrigan,
soldiers are engaged against peer and near- director of capability, draws on his own
peer competitors that increasingly utilise experience with the Special Operations
diverse intelligence and unmanned systems Engineering Regiment (SOER) to inform
capabilities, our forces will be required to
EPE’s capability offering in the challenging
achieve capability overmatch to succeed.
battlespace: “We have been able to build a
Further complicating this environment
team over the last decade that consists of
is the ever-present threat of chemical,
defence and law enforcement veterans with
biological, radiological and other explosive
‘domain’ technical knowledge, mixed with
weapons systems, broadening the key threat
decades of ‘boots on the ground’ Five Eyes,
spectrum and fundamentally reshaping the
NATO and domestic operational experience.
capacity, survivability and interconnectivity
requirements of the conventional military, “We continue to track global threat trends
special operations forces and other whole of and apply our experience to determine
government agencies. what this means for current capability,
Land Special Edition - 22 - www.defenceconnect.com.auTALON Robot platform in-service with ADF
and future vulnerabilities. EPE has a single unbroken 365-days-a-year field support
purpose and that is to deliver world leading representative commitment into the
specialist capabilities either directly, or Middle East area of operations (MEAO).”
through our partnerships, that ensures our
In 2012, EPE delivered an EOD and Explosive
warfighters remain at the cutting edge with
Detection Dog Training Project that was
the capability advantage.”
able to surge specialist explosive ordnance
Over the last decade, EPE has delivered and training and canine capability directly to
currently supports some key components support the warfighter in Afghanistan.
within Defence and whole of government
Corrigan says, “The canine project has
capabilities. Corrigan explains further,
been one of the most enjoyable projects EPE
“For Land Systems Division (LSD) EPE
has delivered to date. Explosive Detection
provides 100 per cent of EOD personal
Dog capability is a real force multiplier in
protective equipment (PPE), and the largest
finding IEDs and saving lives, and we felt
EOD and search unmanned ground vehicle
we made a significant contribution. Our
(UGVs) fleet currently in service.
training services remain strong, with EPE
“We also have a long-term performance- scheduled to deliver over 450 instructor
based contract to sustain ‘Force Protection days of training to Australian and NZ
Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) Fleets’ Defence Forces over the financial year
for Electronic Systems Division (ESD). ending 2021. When you add the 2,700 plus
This project has another added dimension portable CBRNe sensors EPE has delivered
in that for the last eight years we have over the last three years into multiple whole
been able to support a continual and of government programs, we do generate
www.defenceconnect.com.au - 23 - Land Special EditionFeature
and sustain a good portion of current teaming capabilities currently at the top of
Defence capability in our niche area.” the priority list for Defence.
The Commonwealth government’s push Corrigan adds, “EPE has recently won three
for developing truly sovereign industrial separate projects to deliver new unmanned
capability as a fundamental input to Defence system platforms into Defence’s expanding
capacity, with an emphasis on innovation autonomous programs. We have invested
and staying at the cutting edge, has seen time and resources into staff capabilities
the company grow from strength-to- for developing robotics, particularly in
strength both locally and around the world. the counter-IED and C-CBRNe missions,
Corrigan tells Defence Connect, “We have but the focus for the future is upon
enhanced our relationships with the collaborating with Defence’s autonomous
academic and R&D communities, with state, and robotics capabilities in the human-
federal, tertiary and vocational education autonomous teaming systems.
and training to ensure that we develop local “Our true sovereign industrial capability
capacity from conceptualisation and design advantage is about how we bring all of
through to manufacturing. As part of EPE’s this together through training, technology
five-year plan, we are investing heavily platforms, sensors and effectors to generate
to significantly grow our integration, test capabilities to enable our clients to achieve
and assurance, validation and prototyping their mission efficiently and effectively,
capabilities across our CIED, EOD, CBRNe with a high degree of safety. It is also
sensor portfolio and unmanned systems about how we assist to reinforce regional
platforms. We have a specific drive to enable capacity and sustain an ability to capture
Defence to have the options to deliver many international best practice.
of its capabilities via autonomous and semi-
“We pride ourselves in the fact that we
autonomous systems, which are needed
have grown and established significant
to support the diverse range of missions
international traction to the point where
required today and tomorrow.
our New Zealand subsidiary was awarded
“The counter-CBRN capability has been the New Zealand Defence Ministers Award
a primary focus of EPE for some time for Project Delivery Excellence; and with our
and given the mission requirements US team over the last month securing our
for the ADF – we want to continue to first contracts to provide CBRNe sensors and
support this capability by providing next unmanned systems directly into both the
generation CBRNe sensor fusion from US Military and State Department projects.”
the operator or platform, back to the
As a trusted partner to primes, or in
overarching C2 capability. Other initiatives
partnership with other SMEs, EPE will
in this area include a significant Defence
continue to build business processes that
Innovation Hub submission with a
are equally trustworthy. EPE looks forward
Commonwealth research partner, which
to continuing to deliver complete capability
will provide EPE with some significant
to Defence, law enforcement, emergency
commercialisation opportunities.”
services and other government agencies
These impressive capabilities are further in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as into
enhanced by the company’s growing North America. Together we will optimise
investments in unmanned and autonomous Australian industry capability for the men
platforms, as well as the human-machine and women in the fight.
Land Special Edition - 24 - www.defenceconnect.com.auYou can also read
