2020 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AUSTRALIAN HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE CDRE FIONA FREEMAN AUSTRALIAN HYDROGRAPHER NATIONAL NAVAL SHIPBUILDING ENTERPRISE TONY DALTON FEATURES DEPUTY SECRETARY, NATIONAL RADM JONATHAN MEAD NAVAL SHIPBUILDING, CASG AUSTRALIAN FLEET RADM WENDY MALCOLM RADM MARK HAMMOND HEAD MARITIME SYSTEMS COMMANDER AUSTRALIAN FLEET-DESIGNATE DIVISION, CASG RADM PETER QUINN HEAD NAVY CAPABILITY RADM COL LAWRENCE HEAD NAVY ENGINEERING INTERVIEWS CDRE CHARLES HUXTABLE TRAINING VADM CHIEF OF NAVY CDRE SIMON OTTAVIANO DIRECTOR GENERAL LOGISTICS RADM CHRIS SMITH CDRE MATT BUCKLEY DEPUTY CHIEF OF NAVY DIRECTOR GENERAL NAVY PEOPLE CDRE MICHAEL HARRIS CDRE DARREN GROGAN DIRECTOR GENERAL MARITIME OPERATIONS COMMODORE FLOTILLAS WO-N DEB BUTTERWORTH WARRANT OF THE NAVY

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Laing O’Rourke is supporting Defence’s operations in the delivering both projects as managing contractor. The projects will provide upgrades and new facilities and infrastructure for Australian and visiting Defence personnel. With more than four decades of Australian Defence experience, Laing O’Rourke has established itself as an sympathetic approach through adopting modern methods of construction. award-winning contractor capable of delivering major Defence projects Australia-wide. The Australian- Military Training Initiative (ASMTI) Facilities project at Shoalwater Bay Training Area is a critical element of the ASMTI program to maximise Laing O’Rourke: Australia’s and Singapore’s Defence capabilities. This has brought about the need to develop unique training areas and facilities.

• Delivers certainty, adopting modern methods of construction to ensure Throughout the delivery phase, the project is targeting and on track to achieve 80% continuity of Base operations and Defence capability; local participation to create a lasting legacy in Central .

• Provides transparency, confidence and delivery assurance through the implementation of a digital delivery platform; Battlefield Airlifter Project, Qld • Ensures quality, productivity and effectiveness in stakeholder management The Battlefield Airlifter (BFA) Project is nearing completion reconfiguring RAAF Base with the use of Digital Engineering. Essentially building twice - first virtually, then Amberley to permanently house, maintain and operate the C-27J Spartan Battlefield in real life; and Airlifter aircraft. Through proactive stakeholder engagement there has been no unplanned disruption to base operations.

• Champions local industry participation, ensuring a lasting legacy beyond the The squadron’s headquarters can be flexibly and efficiently reshaped to suit the physical construction, providing tangible benefits to local jobs, skills and the squadron’s profile throughout its lifecycle, reducing the facilities whole-of-life cost. regional economy.

New pilot training infrastructure and facilities have been completed at five RAAF bases across Victoria, and South Australia. A key feature has been delivering a turnkey pilot training solution that integrates physical and synthetic training environments.

Our digital engineering led approach drove consistency in the facilities being

for each base. And we minimised operational disruption though off-site manufacture and on-site assembly at East Sale for new Live in Accommodation. Currently delivering more than $3 billion worth of Defence projects including:

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As managing contractor, Laing O’Rourke is delivering, for Australian Naval Infrastructure, the complex construction, refurbishment and modernisation of purpose-built facilities specifically designed to enable the most effective build of Australia’s Future Submarine fleet.

The project is showcasing Digital Engineering and a digital delivery platform, with the goal of creating the digital shipyard of the future.

Larrakeyah Barracks Redevelopment and HMAS Coonawarra Facilities Future of Defence Support to Naval Operations, NT

Laing O’Rourke is supporting Defence’s operations in the Northern Territory delivering both projects as managing contractor. The projects will provide upgrades and new facilities and infrastructure for Australian and visiting Defence personnel.

The base’s urban neighbours and sensitive marine environment requires a sympathetic approach through adopting modern methods of construction.

Defence projects Australia-wide. ASMTI Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Qld The Australian-Singapore Military Training Initiative (ASMTI) Facilities project at Shoalwater Bay Training Area is a critical element of the ASMTI program to maximise Australia’s and Singapore’s Defence capabilities. This has brought about the need to develop unique training areas and facilities.

Delivers certainty, adopting modern methods of construction to ensure Throughout the delivery phase, the project is targeting and on track to achieve 80% continuity of Base operations and Defence capability; local participation to create a lasting legacy in Central Queensland.

Provides transparency, confidence and delivery assurance through the implementation of a digital delivery platform; Battlefield Airlifter Project, Qld Ensures quality, productivity and effectiveness in stakeholder management The Battlefield Airlifter (BFA) Project is nearing completion reconfiguring RAAF Base with the use of Digital Engineering. Essentially building twice - first virtually, then Amberley to permanently house, maintain and operate the C-27J Spartan Battlefield in real life; and Airlifter aircraft. Through proactive stakeholder engagement there has been no unplanned disruption to base operations.

Champions local industry participation, ensuring a lasting legacy beyond the The squadron’s headquarters can be flexibly and efficiently reshaped to suit the physical construction, providing tangible benefits to local jobs, skills and the squadron’s profile throughout its lifecycle, reducing the facilities whole-of-life cost. regional economy.

AIR5428 Pilot Training Systems Facilities, Vic, WA, SA

New pilot training infrastructure and facilities have been completed at five RAAF bases across Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia. A key feature has been delivering a turnkey pilot training solution that integrates physical and synthetic training environments.

Our digital engineering led approach drove consistency in the facilities being delivered at each site, while accommodating the unique operational requirements for each base. And we minimised operational disruption though off-site manufacture and on-site assembly at East Sale for new Live in Accommodation. NAVY OUTLOOK

NAVY OUTLOOK CONTENTS

INTERVIEW WITH VICE NAVY BACK IN THE RACE ...... 33 RETENTION: THE PRODUCT MICHAEL NOONAN, AO, RAN ...... 09 Lieutenant Commander Nathan OF RESPECT ...... 50 From current projects to the plans for Lockhart was central to Navy’s A submariner by specialisation, the future, Michael Noonan return to the to Hobart in Commodore Matt Buckley, RAN, shares his thoughts. 2020 for the first time since 1998. assumed the position of Director General Navy People in December A STRONG AND GROWING NAVY ..17 COMMODORE MICHAEL HARRIS, 2019 after two years as DG Maritime Until recently, Chris Smith COMMODORE FLOTILLAS ...... 34 Operations and, before that, Commander was the Navy’s DG Littoral, a role that he Michael Harris, the Commander of Australia’s Submarine Force. So he is assumed in January 2019 after two years of Flotillas and Fleet Exercises, intimately acquainted with the importance as Commander of Navy’s Surface Force. tells how the Navy has continued of the human dimension in everything the He took the appointment of Deputy to work on its preparedness Navy does, an insight he has carried into Chief of Navy in September 2020. throughout 2020. his current job.

A NEW CHALLENGE OPERATION BUSHFIRE ASSIST BUILDING THE NAVY’S FUTURE LOOMS FOR REAR ADMIRAL MARK ENDORSES SEAWORTHINESS WORKFORCE ...... 55 HAMMOND ...... 23 JOURNEY ...... 38 Virginia Hayward, RAN, is the RADM Mark Hammond will The rapid mobilisation of Choules Navy’s Director Navy Workforce Strategy relinquish his position as Deputy and Sycamore and around 1,000 and Futures, working directly for CDRE Chief of Navy in September and personnel was the culmination of Anthony Klenthis, the Director General will then succeed RADM Jonathan several years of planning and change Future Navy Workforce. Mead as Commander Australian Fleet for Navy after the problems of Cyclone (COMAUSFLT) in November. Yasi in 2011. TRAINING TO FIGHT AND WIN AT SEA ...... 60 READY AND RESILIENT ...... 30 FOSTERING COLLABORATION FOR The Navy motto “Fight to Win at Sea” Fleet Commander Rear Admiral THE COMMON CAUSE ...... 44 has significant implications for training, Jonathan Mead describes himself of the Navy Deb according to Commodore Charles as “fanatical” when it comes to Butterworth says her goal over her Huxtable. It means that the mission of ensuring the fleet is seaworthy and three-year tenure is to “leave the place the training force is to “Train to Fight to ready for action. better than I found it”. Win at Sea”.

4 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 NAVY OUTLOOK

CERBERUS AT 100 LOOKS CURRENT AND FUTURE is due to arrive in FORWARD TO THE FUTURE ...... 63 NAVY CAPABILITY ...... 102 Western Australian waters in September Cerberus has long been the main The RAN is undergoing its largest for completion and fit-out, following centre for sailor training and celebrates expansion since the Second World War, construction by in Spain. its 100th birthday this year, along with thanks to the government’s National a $465 million upgrade. Naval Shipbuilding Plan, laid out in the NAVY’S PATHWAY TO 2016 Defence White Paper. ENHANCED ROBOTIC AND MAKING SHIPBUILDING A CAREER AUTONOMOUS CAPABILITIES ...... 121 OF CHOICE ...... 64 AEGIS AT SEA: HOBART CLASS AIR One of the keynote areas for future The Naval Shipbuilding College WARFARE DESTROYERS ...... 106 investment highlighted in the recent was established in 2018 to attract, The third and last Hobart class DDG to 2020 Defence Strategic Update is that develop, skill and retain an Australian be constructed in South Australia for the of robotic and autonomous systems. workforce to successfully deliver and RAN, HMAS Sydney, was commissioned sustain the Australian Government’s on 18 May 2020 and is now undergoing PLAN GALILEO: SUSTAINING THE continuous National Naval a period of test and evaluation which FUTURE FLEET ...... 127 Shipbuilding Enterprise. will ensure her crew’s proficiency in the The Royal Australian Navy is turning to operation of the cutting-edge Aegis a 16th century Italian astronomer for TH AHO 100 ANNIVERSARY combat system. inspiration, as it seeks to fundamentally CHARTING THE OCEANS GOES change the way in which it sustains its HIGH-TECH ...... 69 HUNTER CLASS : NAVY’S surface fleet. Commodore Fiona Freeman’s SILENT KILLERS...... 109 33-year career in the Navy The nine Hunter class frigates being ENGINEERING RISES culminated in her appointment as acquired under SEA5000 will represent TO THE CHALLENGE ...... 137 the first female commander Head of a step-change in anti-submarine warfare Navy Engineering is now at a point the Australian Hydrographic Office in capability (ASW) in the Indo-Pacific region where it is much better prepared to 2017, known as the Hydrographer when they begin entering service early meet not only the challenges of today, of Australia. next decade. but the challenges ahead, according to Rear Admiral Col Lawrence. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE GUARDING AUSTRALIA’S NORTH: AUSTRALIAN HYDROGRAPHIC ARAFURA OPVs ...... 114 CATCHING THE CURVE BALLS ...... 141 SERVICE ...... 74 Some of the first ships to be delivered After a career of notable firsts, Rear By Kevin Slade, PSM & John Perryman, CSM under the federal government’s Admiral Katherine Richards is set to become continuous naval shipbuilding plan are Head Navy Engineering in early 2021, the HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE: LOOKING 12 Arafura class Offshore Patrol Vessels first female officer to hold that position. TOWARDS THE FUTURE FROM (OPVs), now under construction in South THE PRESENT ...... 81 Australia and Western Australia. LOGISTICS THE KEY TO The Australian Hydrographic ENDURANCE ...... 148 Office has celebrated a number of MAINTAINING REGIONAL Well-executed logistics means ships can milestones and events this year, SUPERIORITY: COLLINS UPGRADE .117 be resupplied at sea, which maintains and is looking ahead towards According to the current schedule, combat readiness and extends the Navy’s future advancements. the first of Navy’s 12 new Attack class warfighting capabilities. submarines will be delivered in the BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE: early 2030s and, until then, the existing COMMUNICATING THE MESSAGE ...150 NAVAL SHIPBUILDING AND Collins class boats will need to maintain a In her role as Director General of Navy FLEET SUSTAINMENT...... 86 capability edge across the region. Communication and Coordination, Captain The period between now and Dee Williams is responsible for Navy’s at least the mid-2030s will be a SUSTAINMENT AT SEA: SUPPLY CLASS communication and reputation teams, a busy time for the Royal Australian REPLENISHMENT VESSELS ...... 119 remit that involves community engagement Navy in terms of shipbuilding The first of two 19,500-tonne underway and developing communication strategies and sustainment. replenishment ships (AOR) for the to meet Government outcomes.

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 5 Port Melville Strategically positioned as Australia’s most northern port

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INTERVIEW WITH VICE ADMIRAL MICHAEL NOONAN, AO, RAN CHIEF OF NAVY

the spirit of what we do. We have to as a Navy and a nation to ensure win because there are no prizes for Australia’s security and prosperity as coming second in our business. tied to the maritime domain.

What does Thinking, Fighting, The Navy has achieved its Australian Navy look and authorised strength, but behave like? apparently still needs to grow – why do you need a bigger Navy, For me, it is really about and how will you recruit and capturing that spirit of what we retain the essential manpower are and what we need to be into the that delivers it? future. We need to be a professional and sustainable group of Navy Clearly, the maritime domain and People who in the individual sense the role the Navy plays in Australia’s Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, are a reflection of Australian society, security and prosperity is growing. RAN, was appointed Chief of Navy of ordinary Australian people, About 97% by volume and 95% by on 7 July 2018 after 34 years at but when we come together, we value of Australia’s trade enters or sea and in a variety of command need to be extraordinary – and we leaves the country by sea. appointments ashore and afloat. are extraordinary. If you look at our future force, we’ve His job is to be the government’s got bigger ships, we’ve got more principal naval advisor and to What’s changing in Australia’s of them coming and government raise, train and sustain Australia’s strategic circumstances that’s expects us to be available. In the naval forces. His time in command focusing your attention? past, that has meant being ready has seen wide-ranging changes in when called upon, but for defined the Navy and the development of I think it’s well known that global periods of time. The things we new operational capabilities. Now competition, particularly in our near find ourselves doing today are less into the third year of his four-year region, has changed significantly defined in terms of their specific appointment, he spoke to Navy over the past few short years and duration. So, this gets to the heart OUTLOOK’s Gregor Ferguson. this is most definitely reflected in of my Headmark 2022 of being able the maritime domain. We’re in one to conduct sustained operations: Your slogan ‘A Thinking Navy, of the most dynamic regions in to do that, you need a bigger Navy A Fighting Navy, An Australian the world and even the term Indo- than we’ve had in the past. Navy’ looks good, but what’s the Pacific is a relatively new construct One of the challenges we’ve had thinking behind it? as it describes the coming together in the past 30 years is a degree of of the Indian and Pacific regions, the workforce hollowness, which means It’s pretty simple really – it really oceans, of which Australia sits right we’ve had a lot of empty billets in represents the tangible description in the middle. Ensuring we’ve got our ships and establishments. Our of what our Navy needs to be ready a rules-based global order in which uniformed workforce of 15,218, to do. It’s something that our Navy we can operate is really important. which is the highest since 1993, people understand and can relate As Chief of Navy, my focus is very reflects for the first time in a number to, and I think it also encapsulates firmly set upon what we need to do of years that we’re actually at our

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 9

NAVY OUTLOOK

authorised strength. But in order to come together to give us steady Ultimately, we’ve got to build a be strong and conduct sustained growth over the past two years. force that has depth and flexibility operations, all of the workforce to provide options to government. analysis we’ve done recently Does this provide a reliable But it is clear now that we are able makes it very clear that we need surge capacity? to multi-task the force and certainly a bigger workforce. We’ll grow by the flexibility and capacity the LHDs another 650 personnel by 2024, Yes. For a long period of time we’ve provide is enormous, and they really but the mechanism now exists to had a focus on deploying one ship are a game-changer when it comes increase our numbers beyond that to the Middle East, and then simply to any sort of humanitarian aid in the future. responding to events in the region. and disaster relief response, In terms of the workforce, the It’s quite different now. We’re still nationally or regionally. We now two keys are clearly recruitment maintaining our presence in the find ourselves at a point where and retention, and I’m delighted to Middle East, and we’re regularly the government sees itself and say that in both areas we’ve seen deploying Task Groups – not just the ADF, particularly the Navy, as record achievements: we’ve just single ships – into our region. being amongst the first responders seen the largest graduation from our The government’s southwest to national emergencies and that naval college in the Navy’s history Pacific step-up of 2018 has seen hasn’t always been the case. – 168 officers graduated a couple us maintain two or three ships of weeks back. We’ve maintained continuously there, and at the What did you learn from record intakes into our recruit school same time we’ve been regularly the RAN’s response to the over the past 12 months, and we’ve deploying ships into southeast and 2019-20 bushfires? got a current separation rate of northeast Asia. In fact, a five-ship 6.8%, which is the lowest in Navy’s Task Group will leave next week for In times of national crisis, and where recorded history. So all of that has a six-month deployment. a national response is required, the

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 11 PROCHEM

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government turns to the ADF with that’s something we’ve never done the expectation that we can do before, and never been capable of something and make a difference. doing before. One of the big things for me, One of the big lessons was the looking through the lens of OP resilience of our People and their High Pressure Valves & Fittings Bushfire Assist, was that we did adaptability, knowing that all this some things that we’d never done unfolded on New Year’s Eve – we had before – evacuating stranded to reconstitute our Ships’ Companies, Australians in bushfire-affected which were largely dispersed all over coastal regions, providing a safe the country. The average age of our haven for them, providing them people is about 24, most of them with assurance and confidence would have been getting ready for a that they would be looked after. big New Year’s Eve party, only to be We had three ships at sea doing recalled to their ships and sail. And exactly that: MV Sycamore, HMAS they did that without question. That’s Choules and HMAS . And pretty inspiring stuff. CuNi Products www.prochem.com.au Powering the world’s navies

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and Navy People involved in every aspect of that from the ground up. We’ve not had that before.

Does industry get all this at a strategic level? And is it coming along on the journey?

I’d say the answer is a simple ‘yes’, and I give you an example. Last year when we held our Maritime Environment Working Group (MEWG – a Navy-industry information forum) at ADFA there were over 550 industry participants. The previous iteration we had just 200. The willingness of people to come and talk to me and to the other Defence leaders is, I think, unprecedented. The big thing I’ve been pushing in our Industry and sustainment of our capability its medium/longer-term capability Engagement Strategy is that we’re and ultimately how much they see development? How has Navy’s moving the relationships from being themselves as being part of the approach changed in recent years? transactional to transformational Navy and the ADF. What I wanted and involving industry, not just to capture and really communicate, It is a different approach – we’ve as part of a FIC, a Fundamental celebrate and propagate, was a taken a long, hard look at the Input to Capability, but actually deeper relationship with industry – lessons of the past. As we emerge embracing them as a partner who something that really embraced the into the fourth generation of needs to succeed – because if they men and women of the Australian naval shipbuilding in Australia, we don’t succeed, if they don’t have a Defence Industry so they could feel understand the necessity to make viable business, if their employees that they are a deep part of what this an ongoing and continuous can’t see the importance of what we are, what we do and where industry, and that is reflected in the they’re doing and the importance of we’re going. And it really does investment that government has building quality defence products, reflect Outcome 2 of Plan Pelorus, made into shipbuilding facilities. we will all fail. which is all about planning and This is a very deliberately planned delivering future maritime systems. and executed strategy: it provides With all the changes happening The reaction from industry has been sovereign capability, it provides a in our strategic environment, very, very positive. There’s about strong industrial base and ultimately how are our relationships with $100 billion being invested in future it provides a very strong and traditional allies such as the US, maritime systems and platforms over sustainable Navy capability. For UK and France holding up? And the next 20 years, so it just makes Australian industry, it means that what about our other strategic good sense to be having those we will have one of the world’s relationships – with India, for conversations early. leading shipbuilding industries and example, or Japan, South Korea we shouldn’t underestimate the and Singapore? What are the implications capacity that we will have to build of the naval shipbuilding plan extremely capable ships in Australia I’d say they’re very good – last for the way the Navy conducts in coming years. We’ve got Defence week, I had a 40-minute telephone

14 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 NAVY OUTLOOK

conversation with Admiral very easily and transparently. with the Koreans, we will operate Karambir Singh, the Indian Chief We don’t always have to wait with the Singaporeans and the of Naval Staff. We’ve got each and book in a call to schedule Bruneians, and of course we will other on speed dial and we both things – we can do it much more operate extensively with the US spoke about our challenges and readily. In terms of the geopolitical Navy during that Exercise. India is our opportunities to cooperate environment, our friends and absolutely pivotal to what we’re – and that occurred before the partners face similar challenges, doing in the and conversation between our two similar threats, they seek to the Indo-Pacific; and again, we’re Prime Ministers. A couple of days understand our thinking and seeing unprecedented growth in later, I spoke to the new Chief of what we can do together. When I the activity, and the complexity Naval Operations of South Korea. talk about our Headmark as being of the activity, we undertake with I’m in regular contact with the able to deploy as part of a Joint the Indian Navy. I’m very grateful senior US leadership in PACFLT and Force and being able to put Task for the very strong relationship INDOPACCOM as well as the Chiefs Groups to sea, I never envisaged I have with Admiral Singh. He in Singapore, France, the UK and that, as being an Australian Navy absolutely gets it when it comes to New Zealand. only activity. As we prepare to the importance of working together There are a couple of aspects to deploy to RIMPAC next week, en and sharing information and I look all this: one is that the modern-day route we will operate with the forward to further developing those communications we have available New Zealanders, we will operate relationships in the remainder of to us allow people to communicate with the Japanese, we will operate my tenure. ■

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Until recently, Rear Admiral Chris Smith was the Navy’s DG Littoral, a role that he assumed in January 2019 after two years as Commander of Navy’s Surface Force. He took the appointment of Deputy Chief of Navy in September 2020 after a career that has seen him command a patrol boat, and LHD, with key staff appointments in the Directorate of Sailors’ Career Management and as Director of Navy Warfare Professional Requirements. He spoke to Gregor Ferguson just before his appointment to the role of DCN.

en years ago, RADM Chris Smith different aspect of maritime warfare. So, he tells Navy OUTLOOK. “And the was CO of HMAS Darwin, a what did the contrast teach him about different elements of our Fleet provide frigate with a good, old-fashioned himself and the job of the Navy and of different effects that can be employed Twar-fighting role. Five years later he the people who serve in it? independently or combined depending was CO of Navy’s first LHD, HMAS “It taught me lots! From the Navy’s on the mission. Canberra, and five years after that he perspective, at sea we are first and “What was apparent from my time in was appointed Navy’s Director General foremost mariners – we just happen Canberra was the strategic impact of a Littoral – each job exposed him to a to be the spear-chucking mariners,” big ship such as the LHD, it is a game-

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 17 NAVY OUTLOOK

changer,” RADM Smith believes, citing environment is complex: ships that’s been doing this seriously for a the enduring impact of the inaugural operate close to land in concert with long time was really positive.” deployment of HMAS Canberra to Fiji in a landing force; every decision has a 2016 after Cyclone Winston devastated collateral impact. DG LITTORAL TO DEPUTY CHIEF the country. “Witnessing the enormous “I think that operating more and OF NAVY capacity the LHD has in conducting more in the littoral is forcing us to As DG Littoral (at the time of interview), amphibious operations, in this case think about how we fight: how we use he is not very interested in simply providing humanitarian assistance, technology, how we leverage agile achieving a set benchmark for capability and the strong relationships that were processes to quickly adapt to changing and performance, he tells Navy fostered with the Fijian military and threats. In doing that, in a complex OUTLOOK. Navy is continually pushing government at the highest levels, littoral environment, we can very the boundaries of what its amphibious as a direct result of us being there, quickly take those ideas and concepts capability allows it to do and he believes highlighted to me that as a Navy we into our wider concepts of warfighting. the Royal Australian Navy is now a world have come of age in terms of our reach leader in a couple of areas: “And where and capability.” we’re not, we are very attentive students “We have also become a very and we make the most of our friends MASTERING AMPHIBIOSITY evidence-based organisation. and allies to learn where we can, and Unlike a frigate whose main For decades, we’ve been dealing that has helped us along the way.” armament is missiles and torpedoes, So, how has this career of contrasts the main armament of an LHD like with issues with little if any prepared him for the job of Deputy HMAS Canberra is its embarked improvement. Now, we’re Chief of Navy? troops and supporting elements taking a systems approach “Recent experience in the Fleet is a such as the hospital, which brings to issues, identifying the great help, both as a Force Commander a different set of challenges for the and prior to that in command of Captain: “You’re running a town – and root causes, doing the maths an LHD, so I have a contemporary you may command the platform, but and based on evidence we’re understanding of the fleet as it is and there are independent commands and making decisions to solve the challenges we’re working through a higher HQ also residing on board,” problems.” – and also the operational environment RADM Smith explains. “So you’re we’re operating in,” he tells Navy a landlord, you’re a CO, you’re a OUTLOOK. mariner, you’re the mayor of the town “I do think littoral warfare is the area He also credits Navy’s recent and quite often you’re the arbitrator that provides us the best opportunity leadership teams who have realised of issues and disagreements on board to be really innovative and agile in the that the best equipment in the world that you need to work through in terms way we do our war fighting – that will is useless without smart people using of the various priorities people are benefit us across the whole spectrum.” it and thinking about how to use it. dealing with.” And the ADF is becoming very good If everybody else can field high-tech Nevertheless, he adds, the RAN at amphibiosity, he adds: “I remember equipment, the RAN’s edge must come has absorbed and mastered this going to RIMPAC for the first time and from the quality and training of its new capability relatively quickly, landing a Battle Group plus equipment people, says RADM Smith. One of the consistently pushing the boundaries of over the beach in Hawaii, and having big challenges he will face in his new its use which is impressive and reflects the Commander of the Land Force, a job is building up the Navy’s manpower well on the men and women of the US Marine, call up and question us on and he praises the current leadership ADF. The LHD is a clear symbol of our ability to do it in the timeframe we team for everything it has achieved Australia’s growing ability to engage did. He invited himself over two days so far. Work still needs to be done to usefully across the region, as both a later when we recovered the landing bolster Navy’s deep, specialist expertise, humanitarian and a war-fighting force. force, just to see for himself how we he acknowledges; this will remain “Amphibiosity is a key enabler in the did it and his comment to us was, a challenge in his new role. But the region just by virtue of the maritime we do it differently but, wow, what response to this challenge will evolve nature of its geography,” RADM Smith we do is effective! So, to have that as the technology employed by Navy says. Amphibious warfare is complex, sort of compliment that early in our evolves – for example, robotics and he acknowledges, because the amphibious growth path from a nation autonomous systems.

18 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 NAVY OUTLOOK

Against that background, much has changed for the Navy in the way that it recruits, manages and nurtures its talent, says RADM Smith. The emphasis is less on establishing competition between peers vying for promotion and more on helping all individuals to achieve their full potential, “Because at the end of the day it’s in Navy’s best interests that everyone is successful as they move through the structure. I think that change in nuance, having responsibility for ensuring everyone has the opportunity to succeed, is a significant and positive cultural shift.” Navy wants its people to be the very best they can be, he says, especially in the fleet because they are the war fighters: “It’s really, really important that we get the absolute best out of them, because we are putting them potentially in some very trying conditions. We need to ensure they are well prepared for them.”

DIVERSITY Diversity is gradually transforming sat down and came up with a solution “Providing a diverse support system the Navy despite being decried by to a problem that was very much like that better caters for the individual some as ‘virtue signalling’. Doing the last one they faced, only to find that needs of our people will have a positive diversity right means giving Navy much they were beaten by a diverse group of impact on our officers’ and sailors’ greater access to talent and smarts people who approached the problem resilience and wellbeing and therefore in the community, RADM Smith says. from an entirely different perspective,” contribute directly to improved “Sending women to sea is far RADM Smith says. capability outcomes. and away the biggest impact I’ve “Diversity drives innovation, it “It is up to all of us to actively identify seen in my 30 years-plus in the Navy, drives different thought processes what are the ‘relevant diversity’ issues and the most positive thing we’ve and contributes directly to capability. in our workplace and take actions to ever done. We have outstanding One of the best recent examples address them. Diversity of thought women in all areas of our organisation of leveraging ‘relevant diversity’ in challenges you – and I think we should who bring a diversity of ideas and views. Navy is the establishment of the non- be challenged.” But that is only one pillar of diversity.” religious Maritime Spiritual Wellbeing Diversity embraces all aspects of Officer (MSWO) role. Identifying EMBRACING HIGH our lives; gender, ethnicity, education the legacy Chaplaincy Branch was TECHNOLOGY and socio-economic differences are no longer reflective of the diverse The people issue exists alongside Navy’s just some of the many discriminators Navy workforce, Navy broadened embrace of high technology, says RADM of Navy’s recruits and they all shape the Chaplaincy workforce to include Smith. Using autonomous mine counter- the way our people view the world, he religious representatives from a number measures (MCM) as an example, the says – done right, leveraging diversity of different faith groups and established temptation exists to explore every new becomes a game changer. a secular workforce of wellbeing technology that could be relevant. But “You only have to sit back and look professionals to provide non-religious that could lead to a capability based at some of the tragic failures of history, pastoral care and spiritual support to on an unsustainable agglomeration of where a bunch of like-minded people our people. science experiments, he warns.

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 19 NAVY OUTLOOK

“What we’re looking at is with equipment at the leading edge “Our people are our best asset in taking fielding a range of mature systems of technology. “We need to be willing these concepts and ideas forward, and where the innovation isn’t necessarily in to try new things and accept that if we don’t do it right they’re probably the system itself, but how you sometimes we will fail. We need to our biggest anchor in terms of stopping use it.” RADM Smith cites the example identify what is important for us to have us moving forward. So, we need leaders of Australia’s offshore oil and gas as a sovereign capability and support who can make adapting and being agile industry and its proven ability to Australian industry accordingly; where the norm. We need agility and evolution remotely control complex maintenance to invest our R&D dollars to achieve of our training and processes and tasks on offshore pipelines from a the best bang for buck; and where systems as part of the norm.” comfortable office in : “That’s we should leverage industry, allies RADM Smith wants an environment really, really exciting. This kind of and partners. where people can put up a really good technology is already out there and “To achieve the agility we require in idea and others do not try to prove they being used.” the future battle space, we need to be are wrong, but look at it and improve on “The continuous managed more actively engaged with innovative it. “That, to me, is a thinking introduction of leading-edge small and medium Australian industries, Navy where we collaboratively move technology into a mature baseline reducing the overhead for them to forward. It’s not a single individual’s capability will ensure we achieve a engage with Navy and build mutually responsibility to have a good idea Resilient, Reliable and Repeatable beneficial partnerships.” and carry it forward through a series of operational outcome while remaining decision points – it’s about everyone agile to the changing threat.” PREPARING FUTURE LEADERS adding to it and cumulatively coming RADM Smith encourages a more So, to exploit that background, how up with better and better ideas. Our experimental and adventurous approach will Navy prepare its future leaders? leaders, at all levels, are crucial to to capability development especially “Leadership is key,” says RADM Smith. enabling that level of collaborative

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behaviour and agility – that is what will doing the maths and based on evidence prioritise, but more importantly they are make us a thinking Navy.” we’re making decisions to solve genuinely interested in understanding Looking back, what are the changes problems,” RADM Smith explains. why they are doing things – no one in the service that his predecessors of “Organisationally, this is a significant wants to waste time and effort. So, a generation ago or more would be shift and our rapid growth in personnel culturally in the Royal Australian Navy surprised to see? numbers over the last few years we’ve always had to spend a little more “Although technology has and significantly improved platform time explaining to our sailors why we advanced rapidly, I don’t think that availability across the Fleet are a direct are doing things, and I don’t think has fundamentally changed the result of this approach. that’s a weakness. It forces leaders to nature of service,” says RADM Smith. “One of the things that I love about understand what everyone in the team “The big change for me has been the Australia and the Australian Navy is that is doing and why, and as a result we focus on people factors; by nurturing our structure is often very flat. When move forward efficiently, and get the and developing your people you get compared with other navies, which intended outcome.” much better results than by putting still often observe a very hierarchical RADM Smith is looking forward to them under enormous pressure the structure, our people are different: even his new job but has no doubts it will be whole time and seeing which ones the most junior will ask questions, and challenging: “RADM Mark Hammond don’t break. that is a strength,” he says. [the DCN at time of interview – see “We have also become a very “It makes us a very effective and p.23] has done a fantastic job of evidence-based organisation. For professional organisation. I learned very building the Navy and getting the decades, we’ve been dealing with early on, and especially in command, efficiencies that we have. Stepping into issues with little if any improvement. if you tell one of the sailors to go and those very big shoes will be a challenge Now, we’re taking a systems approach do something, they’ll ask you, ‘why?’ as he’s built a great legacy, but one that to issues, identifying the root causes, Because they’ve got lots on and need to I really look forward to.” ■

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NAVY OUTLOOK

A NEW CHALLENGE LOOMS FOR REAR ADMIRAL MARK HAMMOND

RADM Mark Hammond will relinquish his position as Deputy Chief of Navy in September and will then succeed RADM Jonathan Mead as Commander Australian Fleet (COMAUSFLT) in November. He assumed the role of DCN in March 2018 and as Navy’s Head of People, Training and Resources, has seen the service through some significant changes in how it designs and nurtures its workforce during a period of significant growth in operational capability. He spoke to Navy OUTLOOK’s Gregor Ferguson.

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 23 NAVY OUTLOOK

eight years; from an enterprise or ‘business’ perspective we’ve probably put a million dollars’ worth of training, housing and salary into somebody by that point, so having 500 people choose to stay in the Navy who would otherwise have left is half a billion dollars’ worth of investment that we’re continuing to derive capability from. “From a humanistic leadership perspective though, recognising that we’re successfully motivating our people to continue to serve in today’s very demanding and challenging environment, that’s extremely rewarding.”

NAVY SET FOR FURTHER GROWTH The workforce changes are timely: on 1 July Defence released its Force Structure Plan (FSP) which committed Navy to further growth – another 650 personnel will be added to the workforce by 2024 whilst the wo years in the position of DCN And what about his own contribution service continues to grow its Naval have passed very quickly – what as the Navy’s Head of People? Construction Branch and reorganise its are the biggest changes RADM “Being part of our team focused manpower management. TMark Hammond has seen in the Navy on contemporising our policy One of Navy’s ongoing priorities is in that time? suite, problem solving through now to transform the Training System “Outside of improved operational ‘systems-thinking’, and growing to achieve a more efficient and availability and reliability, we’ve made and retaining our future leaders has effective output that is tailored to the significant progress transforming been a real highlight. Investment in needs of the Fleet in Being, Future from a Navy that has been focused and engagement with deck-plate Fleet and the Future Workforce, RADM predominantly on platforms and leaders such as Leading Seamen and Hammond tells Navy OUTLOOK. systems into one that is more acutely Lieutenant rank undoubtedly has “That’s something we have started focused on achieving results with been one of the most personally and work on and I’ve already spoken to and through our people,” he tells professionally rewarding experiences,” CDRE Smith about (see p.17). He will Navy OUTLOOK. he says. inherit our early work, as well as the “Today’s Navy talks about a The past two years have seen a fall in challenges to training arising from ‘Workforce in Being’ and a ‘Future the Navy’s separation rate from 10.5% COVID-19, and we’ve hopefully set Workforce’ focus, and we have to 6.6% and Navy has grown from him up for success (and not just set invested accordingly. The establishment less than 13,700 to more than 15,400. him up!).” of Director General Future Navy The result, says RADM Hammond, He hands over to CDRE Smith in Workforce in mid-2019 provides the is retained talent and experience, September, is taking a short break structure to make this achievable, and improved ability to sustainably crew between postings and then takes the new Maritime Human Resource our units, and an enhanced return on over from RADM Jonathan Mead in workgroup has animated that people- investment in training those officers November. While Navy People will centric vision. That, to me, has been and sailors. not be his direct responsibility for too the biggest change in the people “The average separation point much longer, RADM Hammond’s new governance space.” [in a naval career] is about seven or role as COMAUSTFLT will still expose

24 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 NAVY OUTLOOK

him to the problem of manning and adapt to the environment – at the and challenges to ensure we provide sustaining – and operating – ships, speed of relevance – will become timely, professional advice to Defence submarines and aircraft. increasingly important to our ability and government about how best to to operate safely and to achieve the employ our Naval capabilities in the THE OUTLOOK FOR tactical advantages that underpin contemporary environment.” SUBMARINES war-fighting success,” says RADM Submarines will be a more prominent Hammond. SURFACE FLEET OUTLOOK part of the Indo-Pacific (and RAN) Adding to that complexity, on What does that mean then for the strategic environment in the future, so current trends, by 2050 around half of Navy’s surface fleet? what has changed about submarine all of the world’s submarines will be “The implications are the same warfare in that time, and what major concentrated in Indo-Pacific waters, for our submariners, aviators and changes is RADM Hammond, a 30-year adding to strategic uncertainty. Will our surface crews. It means we submarine service veteran, anticipating that trend continue? have to be strategically aware in the future? “I can’t see it not continuing given and tactically proficient ‘naval “The maritime domain is increasingly our current strategic context, unless master mariners’ – in all respects. congested. There are more large the global economy suffers markedly Ultimately, our ships, submarines and ships, fishing vessels and submarines due to COVID-19. If that occurs, then I aircraft are transportation and life- at sea in our region – and more guess some nations may be forced to support systems designed to deploy strategic competition for resources and slow or defer some acquisition or build and deliver a ‘naval power effect’ in influence – than when I first deployed programs,” replies RADM Hammond. the national interest, as part of the into the Indo-Pacific in the 1980s. The Indo-Pacific’s geo-political as Joint Force. And whether that effect is “Development of remote and well as physical environment continues presence, international engagement, unmanned vessels – employed by to be dynamic, congested and combat power or reconnaissance, our both ships and submarines – will contested and this will shape how the potential to achieve that effect is further complicate the environment RAN is employed. always shaped to some extent by the and compound the challenges. “The environment is dynamic operating environment,” he tells This has implications for submerged and certainly not what it was five Navy OUTLOOK. submarine safety that we have to years ago. It’s pretty hard to crystal- He adds, “Modern surveillance constantly be prepared for. Overall, ball what it might look like in another technology has led to the above-water I expect to see more complexity and five years’ time. Regional Naval environment being more transparent. ambiguity in the environment, and activities are under the spotlight, so Couple this with the increased the ability to quickly decipher and we have to be alert to the changes naval force and fishing vessel congestion in the region, we must assume our deployed ships will likely be detected, tracked, sometimes shadowed and potentially ‘held at risk’ by other forces. “So, we’ve got to take an aggregated view of what the demand signal for Naval power looks like and then apply prioritisation and risk management frameworks to understand where and how we should be applying resources to achieve best effect in the prevailing strategic and tactical environments, while maintaining the security and safety of our people and platforms.” This has changed the way Australia applies sea power, believes RADM Hammond. “Today the Navy doesn’t

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choose or conduct independent amphibious (through the LHDs and it is great to have all three in the fleet deployments or port visits. We their embarked troops) and warfighting and to be pushing them through their haven’t really for about five years. (through the DDGs) capabilities. How paces. As an enterprise we are at an Navy prepares maritime power are these bedding down and what are early level of competency in terms of for employment by a Joint Force they teaching Navy, and Australia’s understanding and employing their Commander where, and when neighbours and allies? full capabilities. directed by Senior Defence and “The LHDs are now a mature “A significant difference between Government leadership.” capability, providing us with an the DDG and our other vessels is the Navy is still deploying multi-ship task unprecedented level of sealift capability and complexity of the Aegis groups regularly into the region whilst capability, and a presence effect that combat system. It is an extraordinarily to ensure the first line of defence maintaining its commitments in the can’t be replicated by anything else capable system, but there is an Middle East – how can it sustain this in our fleet,” says RADM Hammond. overhead in operating and supporting level of activity while simultaneously Their capability and flexibility make it, and a lot of that overhead falls on the assure the ensuing certification. growing its manpower pool and the LHDs a valuable regional shoulders of our workforce and some introducing new and upgraded ships engagement tool. They can embark very junior operators. We need to make and submarines? troop elements from multiple sure we get the settings right so we can to the warfighter. The tool provides “The short answer is, by countries and exercise a broad range sustain and optimise that capability for design,” says RADM Hammond. of military effects from disaster relief full effect and optimise our ability to “You can be anywhere, but you to amphibious operations. “They animate the Hunter Class frigates.” can’t be everywhere. In order to are impressive ships, but equally Final thoughts on taking over as sustainably deliver an effect, importantly the LHDs have been the future Commander Australian whether it’s a human resource pivotal in bringing our Navy, Army Fleet (COMAUSFLT)? effect or an operational presence and Air Force together ‘at sea’ “It is a real pleasure to be serving iterative design process defines personnel to spend less time finding effect, you’ve got to understand the through a series of exercises, in today’s ADF. It’s not lost on me that building blocks that enable it to be international engagement activities the Fleet is operating in a complex successfully deployed, optimise them and regional transit and presence environment that is demanding on our and to fight and win at sea. where you can, and then prioritise movements. In this sense they have people. My job as the Commander your resources and operations. We’ve helped harmonise some elements of of the Australian Fleet is incredibly been improving at this over the past our contemporary Joint Force, while meaningful, and my focus working for two years.” shaping a Joint and ‘internationalist’ them will be to make sure that I do mind-set in many of our current and everything humanly possible to set the AMPHIBIOUS CAPABILITIES future leaders.” conditions for their success. I’m really The current COMAUSFLT, RADM The DDG is still emerging as a looking forward to that challenge, and Jonathan Mead, was probably the first capability, he says. “We are not at full frankly, I am honoured to be entrusted to enjoy Navy’s substantially upgraded operational capability (FOC) yet, but with such an important role!” ■

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 27 THE DEFENCE STATE

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hile many industries have been struggling with the W impact of COVID-19, Australia’s defence industry has been fortunate and by working closely with Defence was able to minimise supply chain disruption to defence capability. In fact, for at least one global defence company, their Australian operation was the only one working anywhere in the world over several weeks. BAE Systems Australia The sovereign capability within the Australian defence industry has been The new Line Zero Facility at It allows defence primes, strongly supported by the Australian Tonsley Innovation District is a shining researchers, SME suppliers and Government, which continues to keep example of how South Australian technology partners to collaborate the work and funding flowing through industry, academia and government and accelerate the introduction of the primes down into the Australian are committed to collaboratively new capabilities across a range of supply chain. increasing our national defence supply Industry 4.0 concepts, including As we begin a post COVID-19 chain capabilities. 3D printing, robotics, scanning, economic recovery, our nation’s This unique facility, aninitiative wearable technology, virtual reality reliance on international supply chains of BAE Systems Australia’s augmentation, machine learning and will come under question, and to subsidiary, ASC Shipbuilding and cyber secure data systems. address vulnerabilities, adaptable Flinders University, provides the The facility includes a shared sovereign capability will become ever supply chain with a production- collaboration space to attract more critical. based sandpit for developing investment from industries more Defence was able to swiftly respond new and emerging shipbuilding broadly and internationally to to the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis technology in collaboration with access equipment and researchers thanks to its inherent ability to cope primes and researchers. to support acceleration of new with the unexpected. Local industry The full-scale industrial test cyber-physical advancements into was also able to pivot quickly and environment allows local companies manufacturing facilities. assist by manufacturing personal to test cyber physical tools and Despite the challenges facing many protective equipment and critical techniques, which is key to businesses, the defence industries in medical equipment. transitioning new production concepts South Australia and across the nation Our defence industry, particularly from the lab into the commercial adapt and continue to grow in these in South Australia, is renowned for shipyard environment. uncertain times. The industry is driven being at the forefront of innovation The line provides a secure by innovation, and initiatives such as and technological development. The environment to trial, refine, validate Line Zero will ensure the continued defence supply chain continues to and train the workforce on new success and sustainability of the sector. increase its onshore capability and its advanced concepts and core capacity with industry is developing elements of the digital shipyard Visit www.defencesa.com to find new and improved manufacturing, before they deploy into the Osborne out more about South Australia’s testing and construction facilities. Naval Shipyard. defence industry. NAVY OUTLOOK

READY AND RESILIENT

That has never happened before,” says Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead describes RADM Mead. The pandemic restrictions have himself as “fanatical” when it comes to ensuring the meant significant changes to fleet fleet is seaworthy and ready for action. He tellsLachlan preparedness as Navy balances Colquhoun how Navy has improved in this area, and the risk to its personnel with operational needs. about the exceptional circumstances for personnel living HMAS Sirius is resupplying all of and working through the COVID-19 pandemic. the ships with both fuel and food, with extra fridges and freezers installed in preparation. ustralia regularly participates in the nearly 1,500 Navy personnel have Bandwidth capabilities have been the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) been living and working in isolation and increased on the ships, so personnel exercises with the United States quarantine, creating what Rear Admiral can communicate with their families, Aand other nations, but this year’s Jonathan Meads calls “our own little while the onboard reverse osmosis RIMPAC in August was like no other. maritime eco-system”. plants are working overtime to make Because of the restrictions brought “All up, our men and women can sure there is an adequate supply of on by the COVID-19 pandemic, expect to do around 120 days at sea fresh water for drinking and washing. Australia’s four participating ships and without any type of liberty onshore. Fresh food has only been taken

30 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 NAVY OUTLOOK

onboard twice, in Guam and Hawaii. Navy’s preparedness was found “That doesn’t happen overnight Additional spare parts have also wanting during Cyclone Yasi in 2011. and doesn’t happen by itself. We have been taken onboard with Navy “A number of years ago the been on a long journey towards this personnel performing repair tasks often operators believed they were first level of seaworthiness, not only with undertaken by commercial contractors. among equals. We learned the hard our people but across the enterprise “The crews are getting very good way in 2011 that this was not the with CASG and other agencies.” at board games, physical training case,” he says. Navy, says RADM Mead, works sessions and running beard growing “You cannot sustain any capability, to rigorous seaworthiness and competitions,” RADM Mead jokes. seaworthiness or battleworthy levels battleworthiness readiness targets, “But seriously, this has been an without engineering and logistics and rotates assets through a unbelievable learning experience for us. support, communications and industry. scheduling cycle of maintenance I think that of all the nations involved, “If you don’t have them all lined up, and workup to full availability our fleet has travelled the furthest you are going nowhere.” and readiness. distance and will spend the longest Since then, Navy has had a HMAS Canberra, for example, time at sea. critical focus on seaworthiness, and is at sea in 2020 but will go into “We have tried to make life as normal its improvement was on display maintenance once the second LHD for the fleet as we can, but we are during Operation Bushfire Assist in HMAS Adelaide completes hers. asking a lot of our people and have had January 2020. The Navy’s next generation of ships, to introduce several new concepts to “The year started on 31 December, says RADM Mead, will improve the be able to operate at sea like this.” when I called up the Commanding fleet readiness even further, because From the RIMPAC 2020 experience, Officer of HMASChoules and said even though they are larger ships, RADM Mead says, will come new ‘get your ship’s company together, they will be easier to maintain. insights which will help improve because we need you to deal with the “They will have more standardisation Navy’s resilience and preparedness for bushfires,” says RADM Mead. and more automation. We will have the future. “I said we don’t know the location, commonalities in the systems that will In addition to all the ships at sea – we are unsure of the duration, but bring better efficiencies,” he says. not just in the RIMPAC operation but you need to leave tomorrow, New “This year, we commissioned on other duties – another 800 naval Year’s Day.” HMAS Sydney and next year we will personnel are deployed with Operation While Choules was already fuelled commission the first Arafura Class COVID-19 Assist with other Defence and provisioned as the Navy’s patrol vessel and NUSHIP Supply, so personnel and police to manage designated Humanitarian Aid and these are very exciting times for the COVID-19 restrictions in Australia, Disaster ship, the ship’s company were naval shipbuilding plan. living and working under challenging on short leave. They rushed back to “Navy is now very well positioned to conditions near state borders in Sydney to embark. provide options to Government.” ■ addition to some other tasks. “In 15 hours they got 200 people “It’s only in these difficult situations together from around Australia, that you can truly stress test the and the rest is history,” says organisation,” he says. RADM Mead. “You will always find some “That typifies the agility and the weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and we resilience of Navy people, their are learning from these, and that will flexibility and what we can do.” drive improvement. HMAS Adelaide was also involved in “But I have to say our staff are always Bushfire Assist, sailing four days after stoic, professional and cheerful, and I Choules with civilian contractors on am in awe of them.” board who were reinstalling the ship’s gas turbine engines. FLEET READINESS “We took the contractors to sea, RADM Mead describes himself as and they rebuilt that gas turbine and “fanatical” on the concept of fleet Adelaide went down to Eden and readiness, and says Navy has made provided fantastic support,” says major advances in this area since RADM Mead. Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 31 Harwood Marine

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In putting together two crews, Lieutenant Commander Nathan Lockhart was central one to sail in the race and the second crew to sail back to Navy’s return to the Sydney to Hobart in 2020 for the to Sydney, Lockhart says the first time since 1998. He spoke to Lachlan Colquhoun mandate was to create teams about this year’s results and plans for future races. with diversity. “We didn’t want it to be a boys’ club at all, it wasn’t necessarily n an article in The Australian mental health issues and got back about getting the best or most newspaper in 2018, the skipper of into competitive sailing for his own experienced sailors to win – it was the Army Sailing Club’s entry in personal reasons several years ago, all about diversity, teamwork and Ithe Sydney to Hobart race boasted and found returning to the sport personal development,” he says. that his crew always defeated the after many years was positive for Ultimately, Navy One came Navy, because the Navy did not his state of mind and resilience. inside the top 100 finishers enter a boat. When the idea came for Navy to after a dramatic last stage in the That article, and its not-so-subtle enter a boat, Navy explored the Derwent River when it passed dig at Navy, was partly behind Navy idea of leasing a boat, but then eight other boats on the final returning to the iconic race in 2019, the search focused on a boat Navy night before arriving in Hobart and not only defeating the Army already owned and which was kept at 5am. boat Gun Runner but also taking down at HMAS Creswell. “What was also fantastic was out the coveted Oggin Cup, given to The Beneteau First 40 crossover the reaction we got from other the fastest boat crewed by military racer and cruiser had already Navy people who had tracked our personnel on corrected time. competed in the Sydney to Hobart progress, and from all the people But while happy with that under the name Lunch Time who came down to congratulate result, Navy Sailing Team Captain, Legend in 2011, and came in 12th us, and that included Navy Lieutenant Commander Nathan on handicap. families and ex-Navy people as Lockhart, says the achievement of The cost of refurbishing the well as the public,” says Lockhart. the boat, Navy One, was not just boat, says Lockhart, was the same While the COVID-19 pandemic about beating Army or even its as leasing a boat for one year but is making preparation for 2020 finishing position in the race. the advantage was that Navy One difficult, the idea for future “We are never going to push for could then continue to race in Sydney to Hobarts is to have a line honours or anything like that subsequent events. new person as skipper, and bring because it defeats the purpose of Support from Navy suppliers and in fresh crew and give more Navy what we are trying to achieve and contractors Serco, Thales, ASC, personnel a chance to experience that is to represent the most people Verizon and Telstra also helped the event. in the Navy who want to take part,” bring the boat up to a competitive Having been integral to the says Lockhart. standard, and the crew started program, Lockhart plans to “For us it’s about building training only four months before take more of a mentoring and resilience and teamwork in our the race. planning role over the next few people, and one of our mandates in “It was a very short lead time, years as others take their turn on building a team is diversity in ranks, and we had to build teamwork very the water. genders and experience.” fast,” says Lockhart. “The initial crew of 20 are so Lockhart was central to Navy’s “Some of the crew had never close, we are like a little family return to the Sydney to Hobart in sailed, some had done Sydney to within Navy, and the idea is that 2020 for the first time since 1998. Hobart while others had been in other people can also have that He says he went through some Transatlantic sailing.” positive experience,” he says. ■

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 33 NAVY OUTLOOK

INTERVIEW WITH COMMODORE MICHAEL HARRIS, COMMODORE FLOTILLAS (COMFLOT)

more than 2,000 personnel. FCP20 demonstrated Navy’s ability The exercise was a high-end to project power at sea, to maintain warfighting exercise, designed to freedom of manoeuvre and open sea certify that participating ships and lanes and protect Australia’s borders their crews were ready to deploy. and national interests abroad. Participating units were HMA Ships It also reaffirmed that Australia Canberra, Hobart, Stuart, Arunta, has adaptive and sustainable Sirius, Diamantina, Huon, Collins and maritime task groups capable of Farncomb, and embarked Flights, accomplishing the full spectrum of with military aircraft from Australia, maritime security operations. the United States and New Zealand also involved. Has the COVID-19 pandemic This exercise was led by caused any modifications to your 2020 has been a year Commodore Flotillas (COMFLOT), schedule of planned exercises? the RANs Deployable Commander, of disruptions for Navy as the CTG/OTC supported by his The COVID-19 pandemic has exercises due to the Maritime Component Command dominated the focus of navies implications of the Element (MCCE) from the Fleet across the world. In Australia, Battle Staff (FBS) with Commander our Fleet activity was reduced to COVID-19 pandemic. Maritime Task Group (COMMARTG) Essential Activity, which impacted a Even so, Commodore supporting the task group warfare number of exercises. Michael Harris, the organisation; the exercise construct In 2020 the RAN was to have proving the RAN C2 model for participated in the Ex Bersama Commander of Flotillas maritime operations which supported Shield, Sea Explorer/Raider, Exercise and Fleet Exercises, a highly successful exercise. Trident with Singapore and Exercise tells how the Navy has Key competencies tested across Keen Sword in Japan. a range of scenarios included high- We have also cancelled our major continued to work on end warfighting in the blue water international maritime exercise, its preparedness ocean environment, amphibious Exercise Kakadu 2020. This was throughout 2020. operations, anti-submarine warfare not an easy decision, as Kakadu and lessons learned from Operation has traditionally provided a high- Bushfire Assist. end engagement opportunity for The first main exercise for the The Australian Clearance Australia’s valued maritime year was the Fleet Concentration Diving Team One also conducted partners. We will still conduct a series Period. Can you outline that very shallow mine countermeasures of bilateral at-sea activities with exercise and the purpose it served operations. partners where we can, to for Navy? This was the first FCP that a Hobart keep our interoperability and Class destroyer had participated in, friendships strong. A Fleet Certification Period 20 with Hobart notably acting as the Air & (FCP20) was conducted in waters Missile Defence Commander (AMDC) What can you tell me about the of Bass Strait over four weeks in and achieving a 12-hour period straight RPD20 passage exercises? This did February and March and involved of ASW Towed Sonar (Tail) operations. go ahead from July 2020?

34 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 NAVY OUTLOOK

The ADF deployed into Southeast Asia and the Central and Western Pacific for a three-month deployment as part of routine operations prior to participating in Ex RIMPAC. The Joint Task Group consists of HMA Ships Arunta, Stuart, Hobart, Sirius and Canberra, approximately 600 Army personnel, 4 x MH-60Rs, 1 x MRH-90, 4 x Army Tiger ARHs and RAAF P8A, as well as a vast RAAF contingent of E7 Wedgetail, F18 Super Hornet and KC30 tankers based in Guam. The deployment demonstrates Australia’s enduring commitment to the Indo-Pacific and our partners in Southeast Asia. military-to-military engagements an at-sea-only exercise in order to The deployment encompasses a throughout the Indo-Pacific, which demonstrate likeminded navies wide range of activities, including are conducted each year. coming together to operate ships, bilateral and multilateral naval Australia values the essential role submarines and aircraft during manoeuvres and military training that ASEAN plays in the security and crisis. The exercise events will serials with regional partners. stability of our region. take place during daylight only, The Australian Joint Task Group and currently will not include any conducted exercises with the Has the RIMPAC exercise social events ashore. Continued Indonesian navy, the Republic of been modified and what form planning will remain flexible as Navy Singapore Air Force and with naval will it take? leaders monitor and assess evolving forces from the USN and JMSDF circumstances. during a RAAF Supported Air The Australian Defence Force Defence exercise out of Guam, with has deployed four ships (HMA Pacific Vanguard (PACVAN) is further regional activities planned Ships Arunta, Stuart, Hobart and another Navy exercise which has before the deployment’s completion. Sirius) to take part in Exercise Rim a slightly different focus. Can All activities are conducted in of the Pacific in waters off the coast you describe the exercise and accordance with protocols that of Hawaii. its goals? mitigate COVID-19 related risks. This year, Australia’s attendance at This includes the capacity to RIMPAC is part of a wider Regional Exercise PACVAN involves Australia, contribute to regional contingencies Presence Deployment through Japan, the Republic of Korea and the that may arise during the Southeast Asia to strengthen our United States, four likeminded liberal deployment such as humanitarian longstanding security partnerships democracies and alliance partners of assistance missions. across the region. the United States working together The deployment is part of the Due to the ongoing COVID-19 to support our shared view of a free, Australian Defence Force’s regular pandemic, RIMPAC 2020 will be open and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 35 NAVY OUTLOOK

INTERVIEW WITH COMMODORE MICHAEL HARRIS, COMMODORE FLOTILLAS (COMFLOT)

Cooperative maritime activities, The annual STX program includes One of the biggest advantages of like Exercise PACVAN, increase our Ocean Horizon, and Fleet Synthetic synthetic exercises is the ability to ability to contribute to the peace Training – Joint (FST-J), which are immediately play back the operation and stability of the region. Task Force and Task Group level post-mission in data-driven slow Exercise Pacific Vanguard training events whereas the Viking time. We can break down any lessons will enhance interoperability Series which includes Viking Raider into the causative factors. This allows and strengthen practical and Shield Maiden are designed significantly faster remediation to cooperation between key regional to deliver SAG level training as occur when the simulated adversary defence partners. indicated above, with Shield Maiden is getting ahead of us. Australia is committed to the being an indigenous version of stability and security of the Indo- Viking Raider. Are there any relevant innovations Pacific region. This deployment in the exercise program you’d like is an opportunity to enhance our I’m interested in the role of to highlight? interoperability with key partners, simulation. Is it replacing the need and is not in response to the to exercise or just making Navy An area of progression in coming activities of any specific country. more prepared and better trained months is mine warfare, with Exercise Pacific Vanguard will for real exercises? the certification of the Mine enable the Royal Australian Navy to Countermeasures Squadron’s advance interoperability with Japan, Synthetic training complements (MCDSQN) deployable staff and Task the Republic of Korea and traditional exercises as it enhances Group (MCMTG). the United States by practising training outcomes when conducted The certification event will test maritime manoeuvres as a in conjunction with and as extension the MCDSQN and MCMTG under multilateral task group. of traditional at-sea training. a multi-domain threat. Certification Simulation removes the is important in that it provides an Navy also conducts simulated restrictions of the real world by opportunity to mentor and mature exercises such as Viking Raider. allowing for increases in scale, key staff and processes important in Can you describe that exercise and density and complexity of the waging war at sea. its goals? training environment. These It also acts as a yardstick to confirm extensions complement operations where the organisation is at in being Exercise Viking Raider, held twice in a real world environment which able to undertake such taskings. yearly, is a Synthetic Training Exercise cannot be simulated. Mine warfare is also an element (STX) with the . Simulation has, however, replaced of warfare the RAN will have to Viking Raider is a Surface Action some individual training activities negotiate and when we consider Group (SAG) level exercise designed at sea, in particular in the areas of the threat that it poses to both civil to increase Unit, and SAG skills as Anti Warfare and Maritime Strike and military operations in our area of well as develop interoperability with and Interdiction, in order to provide strategic interest, it therefore must the USN. higher-quality, cost-effective training. be exercised. Viking Raider sees USN assets in Synthetic exercises also allow Blue Additionally, like all other warfare Japan connect to ADF assets in Fleet Force elements to execute a wider skills, mine warfare has some very Base East, Fleet Base West, RAAF range of training scenarios with niche perishable skillsets that if not Williamstown and HMAS Watson to negligible real-world implications if regularly tested become redundant. deliver high-quality training in the they are unsuccessful, as opposed to Mine warfare is undertaking a Synthetic environment. committing resources at sea. number of innovations through

36 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 NAVY OUTLOOK

the introduction of systems and with regional partners such as These exercises support equipment that include improved the United States, Japan, Korea, the development of capability C2 and situational awareness to Singapore and . These and understanding of our the use of unmanned autonomous exercises develop common regional partners, to help systems. These will increasingly be Tactics, Techniques, and underpin the development of a incorporated into Navy exercise Procedures, the ability to share Rules Based Global Order in the events as these systems capabilities information (and data), and Maritime environment. are matured and understood. importantly the understanding of Singaroo in October is a bilateral the authorities required to conduct biennial activity with Singapore Some exercises are clearly about Combined operations. hosted alternatively; this year sees its preparedness for war fighting, Regardless of the size or 25th anniversary and it is the major but others also have a diplomatic complexity of exercises, overall bilateral high-end maritime warfare dimension, while others are about diversity helps built a well-rounded exercise between AS and SG. working with regional allies. It force capable of interoperating with Ex Lumbas is a bilateral biennial would appear there is a range of our partners and better placing us activity conducted with Philippines; different exercises with different to respond to whatever the Fleet this year Lumbas will be conducted goals and benefits? may face. as a PASSEX during RPD 20. We seek whenever possible to Bilateral exercises provide Yes, you are correct. Training contribute to or enhance regional opportunities for interoperability, is conducted for Raise, Train security and maintenance of sea war fighting capability and tactics and Sustainment (of capability), lines of communication. We seek to development allowing shared Interoperability, or International ensure ongoing regional access and interests of a secure maritime Engagement (IE) purposes. freedom of navigation, including trading and a stable Indo-Pacific Firstly, we need to ensure that we countering area-denial activities environment to collaboratively are generating and certifying force where appropriate. be developed. elements across the full spectrum of Working with partner navies maritime warfare to contribute to and There are also two separate demonstrates that Australia supports enable the ADF to manoeuvre across biennial exercises with regional a global rules based order and the five domains of Land, Maritime, allies – Singapore and the recognises that secure sea lines of Air, Space and Information. Philippines. I’m interested communication are crucial to world Our Fleet Force Generation in learning more about our economic prosperity. Directorate is structured to focus collaboration with allies and how By working with our partners, on these domains and develop Navy works with partner navies. even during difficult times such respective training outcomes. as COVID, we demonstrate that Sometimes that’s through exercises Engaging with our regional Australia is a trusted friend in good with a single area we want to neighbours is one of Navy’s times and bad and that the Royal develop or it could be through large highest priorities. Australian Navy is professional and multi-focused events like the Fleet The RAN exercises with many of gets the job done. Certification Period. our partners both here in events Significant maritime deployments Exercises such as Talisman Sabre, such as Kakadu and Dugong, and such as the RPD demonstrate our FST-J, Bersama Series, Pacific abroad in exercises like AUSTHAI, leading edge capabilities and that Vanguard and RIMPAC support AUSINDEX and Paradise to name a we stand ready to lead or respond development of our interoperability very few of many. to crises. ■

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 37 NAVY OUTLOOK OPERATION BUSHFIRE ASSIST ENDORSES SEAWORTHINESS JOURNEY

plan evolved as it was at sea. The rapid mobilisation of Choules and Sycamore “We had the ships brought to and around 1,000 personnel was the culmination immediate notice not really knowing where the task would be, but we were of several years of planning and change for Navy pre-empting things and just trying to be after the problems of Cyclone Yasi in 2011. ahead of the game,” says Commodore By Lachlan Colquhoun. Darren Grogan, who had only recently settled into his new position as Director General Maritime Operations (MAROPS) in December 2019. CDRE Grogan had been co-ordinating Navy helicopters, largely from HMAS Albatross in Nowra, in the early period of the bushfires but as the situation became more serious it became clear that some form of shipborne assistance may be required. “The logic we were using was that we would prefer to have them ready to sail and turn them off against not being ready,” says CDRE Grogan. “And then once we got the request to go south we didn’t have the details about Mallacoota but we knew it was down that way. “We didn’t have the task at that point, but we suspected that the worst case was that we were going to have to get some people out of there, and we were prepared for that, no matter where it was.” Choules was the designated HADR ship for Navy, but the smaller Sycamore with its shallower draught was more versatile and could be used, if necessary, as a ‘ferry service’ to link up with Navy RHIBS and other small ships to pick up people and take them to the larger ship. hen HMAS Choules left Choules was fuelled and victualled In the conditions at Mallacoota, Sydney on New Year’s and ready to go, and the ship’s with its large sand bank, this versatility Day 2020, the ship’s only company were rapidly recalled from proved invaluable and the ships worked Winstruction at that point was to pass leave with other Australian Defence as ‘sisters’. through the Sydney heads and then Force personnel. The rapid mobilisation of Choules and turn right. Along with the versatile support and Sycamore and around 1,000 personnel As the Navy’s designated humanitarian escort vessel MV Sycamore, Choules was was the culmination of several years of and disaster relief (HADR) vessel, directed to sail south and the operational planning and change for Navy after the

38 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 NAVY OUTLOOK

problems of Cyclone Yasi in 2011, when Navy had no amphibious capability available to respond. CDRE Grogan says those events prompted a transformation in Navy’s approach to seaworthiness, to ensure that the problems of Yasi never occurred again. “Back in 2011 our people were ready but the ships weren’t, and that was really disappointing for us,” says CDRE Grogan. “But we proved how far we had come since 2011 during Operation Bushfire Assist.” While Choules and Sycamore were moving south, and it became clear that the task would be to evacuate people Today, the Navy has the “right classes everything as well as we could”. from the beach at Mallacoota, a decision of ships, and we are ready to respond in “The fact that we haven’t changed our was made to mobilise the LHD HMAS a timely fashion”. approach to this upcoming fire period for Adelaide despite the ship being in a The dramatic success of Bushfire Assist the end of 2020 is an indication of our maintenance period working on one of has been well documented. Images assessment,” he says. her gas turbine engines. of Choules and Sycamore evacuating CDRE Grogan says the Navy’s role “We looked at her material state people from the beach at Mallacoota in Bushfire Assist is now a source of and did our comprehensive went all around the world, and the pride for Navy personnel, giving them a seaworthiness checks, and we agreed exercise was hailed as a major success. “spring in their step”. that she could safely proceed to sea” Choules completed two “There was also a tremendous desire says CDRE Grogan. evacuation voyages from Mallacoota, among Navy people to help their fellow “Under those conditions the civilian taking on more than 1,000 people and countrymen,” he says. maintenance personnel sailed with her around 150 pets, including a rabbit. “During the operation I was and completed final set to works on the The newly completed galleys in the continually inundated with offers of help engines as she was en route.” ship were able to deliver 4,000 meals from Navy people, either wanting to Unlike the ship’s company for Choules, to hungry evacuees. volunteer or to deploy their capability Adelaide’s crew were called up from their In the aftermath, CDRE Grogan says to assist. end-of-year holidays on no notice, but Navy has evaluated and assessed the “I had people knocking down my such was the enthusiasm among Navy operation, and is “satisfied we did door, and now that it’s over people are personnel that the crew were on board still talking about how good it felt to and the ship was sailing south less than a make a contribution and help.” week behind Choules. As for HMAS Choules, she has “Agility is not a word which is often made several return trips to Mallacoota used to describe Navy, but in this case and has “become a part of the I think the operation showed our agility community there”. and flexibility,” says CDRE Grogan. “She’s a very capable ship that has “Choules and Sycamore are very always worked hard and done amazing different ships, but were able to things; you could affectionately call her complement each other and work well the ‘hardworking ute’ of the Navy,” together operationally. says Grogan. “Then the LHDs are a very different While Choules might always be type of ship and played a very different remembered for her role in the role, working with the other services and Mallacoota evacuation, she remains agencies to co-ordinate logistics and at the ready to help people again if health services.” Commodore Darren Grogan required, wherever they are.

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 39 NAVY OUTLOOK

CHOULES AT THE READY The implicit knowledge, extensive this incredible feat.” Long before HMAS Choules had a experience and sovereign developed Atlantic & Peninsula Australia’s interim starring role in Operation Bushfire Assist capabilities have enabled Atlantic & maintenance contract was established in January 2020, she was known as RFA Peninsula Australia to keep Choules well soon after HMAS Choules’ arrival in Largs Bay, and provided the same critical prepared for action, as shown by the Australia. This contract was enhanced support to the UK government and their response to Cyclone Debbie in 2017. to a full In-Service Sustainment and allies, alongside her three sister vessels, “We had a tip-off on Friday afternoon Support Contract in 2015, and the all maintained by A&P Group in the UK. that there was a chance Choules might scope of this contract was later A&P Group has been supporting have to sail. This was soon confirmed increased to include the Capability Bay Class landing vessels operated by and Saturday lunchtime we were Assurance Program (CAP) for HMAS the UK Ministry of Defence and the informed that Choules was required Choules in 2019. since they entered ASAP and was already scheduled for The CAP consists of 44 Capability service in 2005. departure first thing Monday morning,” Enhancement Areas and over 70 The company later assisted says Scott Willey, Managing Director of discrete engineering upgrades which throughout the sale and transition of Atlantic & Peninsula Australia. will ensure that Choules is capable RFA Largs Bay when she became HMAS “We were in the middle of an annual and supportable until her planned Choules and entered Australian Navy maintenance period, and despite the withdrawal date in 2031. The CAP also service in 2011. A&P Group played a short notice we managed to stop all includes “Australianising”’ systems key role in the early support for Choules work and put her back together ready and support methodology as well and soon Atlantic & Peninsula Australia to sail safely and at full capability by as capability upgrades for the ship, was established as an enduring presence 1800 hours on the Sunday. Our team, including for self-defence. within Australia with all the capabilities our suppliers and the ship’s crew worked Atlantic & Peninsula Australia for long term In-Service Support. endlessly over the weekend to achieve is responsible to the ACSSPO for

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managing the design and installation useful during Operation Bushfire Assist, ship as much as we do. There is a great of the upgrades and effectively when it provided more than 4,000 meals culture surrounding Choules and this integrating this with ongoing to 1,000 civilian evacuees. is seen with the ship’s crew and Navy/ sustainment activities and the overall In total, Choules evacuated 1,117 CASG personnel alike.” logistic support of the platform. people, 135 dogs, four cats and one Choules is scheduled for a major As part of the CAP, the company rabbit from the bushfires in Mallacoota in refit and dry-docking in 2021 when upgraded the ship’s galley during the Victoria, as well as making a number of most of the CAP upgrades will be intermediate docking in mid-2019. This urgent deliveries to other affected areas. installed. Willey says the company early intervention meant that Choules During the eight years of working on would soon be issuing a call to industry was better equipped and prepared to Choules, Atlantic & Peninsula Australia to develop additional supply chain respond immediately to the bushfire has worked with local Australian options and commence engagement emergency in early 2020. companies and built up a strong supply for this work. “We received the call from our SPO chain which keeps Choules prepared While Atlantic & Peninsula about Bushfire Assist on New Year’s Eve for action. Australia’s focus has been firmly on and were able to confirm that there was “Much of our success has been Choules since 2011, the company’s no outstanding work or defects and that in building relationships and this is Australian operation, and its supply she was 100% ready to go as the first particularly so with our suppliers where chain, is well positioned to play an responder. Choules sailed on New Year’s we have developed a mature, flexible ongoing role in supporting other Day and we were proud that the work and resilient network,” says Willey. “Our platforms in the Navy’s new era of we had completed throughout 2019 had suppliers are happy to take a phone call shipbuilding and sustainment. prepared her for the role she and her and be on the ship that day, working Atlantic & Peninsula Australia is owned crew fulfilled so well,” says Willey. whatever hours are needed to get the by Atlantic & Peninsula Marine Services The new galley came in particularly job done – I think the suppliers love the which also owns A&P Group. ■

DELIVERING SUCCESS TOGETHER.

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SCOTT WILLEY MANAGING DIRECTOR [email protected]

ARJUN VASANTHAN WWW.AP-AUSTRALIA.COM.AU BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER [email protected] General enquiries +61 1300 648 100 | [email protected] The Northern Territory has a long The Northern Territory history as a strategic location for Australia’s defence from which to mount, deploy and sustain military Australia’s Forward operations. More broadly, Northern Australia has Operating Base played an important role in the defence of Australia given its geographic location and support of the ‘Forward Defence’ policy – there is scope for great strategic collaboration across the north.

These roles take on a heightened ability to test fifth-generation platforms importance given the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and the Australian Government’s focus on the Indo-Pacific ranging from the north-eastern Indian Ocean, through maritime and mainland Pacific makes it a focal point not only for South East Asia to and the South West Pacific. With the introduction of next generation defence technology and equipment, such as the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter and MQ-4C Triton, Northern Australia will remain the ‘tip of the spear’ to ensure a safe and secure Australia. The Northern Territory will support these efforts by growing a professional fibre links that will connect Darwin and workforce, nurturing a cutting-edge STEM ecosystem, delivering world-class force’s ability to effectively employ fifth- maritime maintenance and sustainment through our Marine Industry Park and South East Asia. These fibre links are sovereign ship lift capability, developing a space industry across the north and supporting enhanced training range There is also a planned fibre link to span requirements. The Territory is positioned the Indo-Pacific regions, providing the as a digital hub in the Indo-Pacific first subsea route to directly connect region, able to support defence and national security data requirements. of fifth-generation capabilities is likely to significantly in the coming years.

The ADF is making significant for the development of an Indo-Pacific defence.nt.gov.au investments into future warfighting

Asia-Pacific region, prepositioning of

Image: © Commonwealth of Australia 2020, http://www.defence.gov.au/Copyright.asp NORTHERN AUSTRALIA: TIP OF THE SPEAR

he strategic importance of and anti-submarine aircraft. new training ranges. Australia’s north to national We are also likely to see an increased It is feasible, therefore, that the Tand regional defence has long move to unmanned platforms, such as Northern Territory could become the been recognised by government and the Loyal Wingman drone and the ORCA defence and national forward operating policy makers. Extra Large Unmanned base for Australia because of the Since the Second World War, Undersea Vehicle, which are able shortage of world-class training locations northern Australia has been a critical to engage in electronic warfare and and support facilities, including the contributor to Australia’s security as intelligence, reconnaissance and ability to test fifth-generation platforms well as a key stakeholder in the regional surveillance missions. and systems over specialised ranges far security architecture, including the In addition to new platforms, the from population centres. Government’s focus on the Indo-Pacific Australia-US Alliance. ADF will also become more reliant on However, to support all of these The north’s proximity to the Asia- an integrated communications activities, data connectivity and security Pacific makes it a focal point not only for architecture and network. As we become are critical. Australia’s military security, but also in increasingly dependent on networks and To address this capability gap and the South West Pacific. areas ranging from energy and natural access to the electromagnetic spectrum, in the north, Darwin will transform resources to trade and border controls. reliance on data, data assurance, to a digital leader in the region Building on its long history as a processing and low-latency transmission, through the development of a highly forward operating base for the Australian accuracy and deception will become secure, high-speed terabit network. Defence Force (ADF) allies and partners, critical to future operations. Using existing infrastructure with as well as border security agencies, the The Northern Territory has unique additional installations, the network north is well positioned to maintain this characteristics that will help support will support the needs of government role as we move into the next generation the basing, forward operating, training, and defence. of warfare. data support, and maintenance and A project is underway with planned these efforts by growing a professional Military supremacy in the sustainment for the ADF, US and other fibre links that will connect Darwin and 2020-2050 era will be dictated by a partner nations in this new environment. Port Hedland to Indonesia, East Timor force’s ability to effectively employ fifth- These include established electronic and Singapore, providing contemporary generation capabilities, such as the Joint and traditional warfare training ranges, high-speed, low-latency links through Strike Fighter and Triton, throughout low to nil electromagnetic interference, South East Asia. These fibre links are the battlespace as we face an ever more established US training presence, expected to be commissioned in 2020 complex and challenging proximity to Asia and the equator, and be operational by the end of 2022. strategic environment. abundant natural resources and large, There is also a planned fibre link to span The global geopolitical sparsely populated land mass. the Indo-Pacific regions, providing the as a digital hub in the Indo-Pacific environment is becoming more complex, In addition, given developments in first subsea route to directly connect and so too is warfare. The introduction US strategic thinking, the importance Darwin, Singapore, Indonesia and the of fifth-generation capabilities is likely to of the north could well increase United States. see potential combat spread across all significantly in the coming years. All these exciting developments the domains of land, sea, air, space and Leaders in the US Congress, echoing lead the way to the Northern Territory cyber. regional policy specialists, are calling becoming the forward operating base The ADF is making significant for the development of an Indo-Pacific for Australia’s defence and the location investments into future warfighting Deterrence Initiative. This would see of choice for our key allies and regional capabilities, including 72 F-35A Lightning the addition of more US troops in the partners, such as the United States, II aircraft, MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, Asia-Pacific region, prepositioning of Japan, South Korea and Singapore. long-endurance unmanned aerial system equipment, increased missile defence for the Royal Australian Air Force, capabilities and new ISR assets. It would defence.nt.gov.au manned P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol also see the requirement for more and Phone: 08 8999 6421 NAVY OUTLOOK

FOSTERING COLLABORATION FOR THE COMMON CAUSE

anting to be challenged and seeking adventure” Warrant Officer of the Navy Deb Butterworth says her were the reasons an goal over her three-year tenure is to “leave the place “18-year-oldW WO-N Deb Butterworth better than I found it”. She tells Lachlan Colquhoun gave for joining the Navy in 1989. Three decades later, her naval how she thinks this can be done: through building up career has culminated in a significant the capabilities of individuals and making them stronger honour: her appointment as the contributors to Navy’s strategic goals. first female Warrant Officer of the Navy, making her Navy’s most senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of

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Navy and a member of the Senior Leadership Group. Her appointment as Navy’s ninth Warrant Officer, following the tenure of now-Commander Gary Wight, came after a distinguished career in naval logistics, serving on HMA Ships , Success, Manoora, Newcastle and also Parramatta. As a Chief Petty Officer, she was awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal in 2006 in recognition of her service on HMAS Newcastle during Operation Catalyst, the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq. A bar was added to her CSM in 2014 in recognition of her service as Ship’s Warrant Officer on HMAS Success, which during her time in the role deployed to Operation Southern Ocean, and later to the Middle East. She also served in the joint ADF humanitarian mission to Timor Leste. “I have been really lucky and humbled to have had many different postings in Australia and to be deployed overseas numerous “I am focused on a collaborative Warrant Officer group which can times in logistics roles, so yes, promote understanding at every level of Navy on how people I think my original ambitions about contribute, and how they can support and managers.” being challenged and seeking adventure have been fulfilled,” says WO-N Butterworth says that while people I’ve worked with, from WO-N Butterworth. she may not have been a leader as understanding what worked for them Asked for highlights, WO-N the 18-year-old who joined the Navy and I learned from leaders – both Butterworth nominates the “to get out of Western Australia”, good and bad – and that is where I Timor mission as part of a United leadership was something which picked up my skills and attributes.” Nations operation, and also her evolved and developed along with contribution to improving the culture her Navy experience. on HMAS Success. “When you are a young sailor “I was very proud to have joined you are very much about getting a Success as the ship’s Warrant Officer job done, and as you build through and at the time the ship had material the leadership framework you start and cultural concerns. We did a growing people and teams around successful Middle East deployment you to support you and your role,” and achieved a lot as part of a she says. multinational taskforce, so I think that “I think that leadership evolves as would be one highlight,” she says. you find your own style and character, “But every posting has been and it comes from your confidence a challenge and I honestly think in your ability to back yourself, and that my highlight would be the I think a lot of that comes from the people I’ve met and worked people you work with as you develop alongside, the people who make up your skills. this organisation.” “I’ve learned so much from the Warrant Officer of the Navy Butterworth

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NAVY HAS CHANGED FOR position in 1993, which reflected the level of Navy on how people THE BETTER beginning of a change in thinking contribute, and how they can support Navy today, she says, is a very about the role of the enlisted sailors. commanders and managers,” different organisation than it was WO-N Butterworth’s focus is on she says. when she joined and the change has fostering collaboration throughout “Warrant Officers contribute to a been positive. Navy and driving individual and group depth of experience. They are subject “I’m really proud of the Navy I am in contributions to the strategic Plan matter experts, the highest rank in today,” says WO-N Butterworth. “It’s Pelorus to improve Navy’s agility, their categories and have a balanced agile and innovative. It is a disciplined capability and resilience. perspective they can contribute to the organisation and we value our WO-N Butterworth has her own whole of Navy effort. individuals. perspective on leading the enlisted “I want to be a leader in an “We invest in our people and personnel, and with a personal motto organisation where sailors understand develop them, and are committed of “leaving the place better than I when they go to work in the morning to their personal and professional found it”, her focus is on an approach exactly how they are contributing to development.” that is two-way – both as the voice the Navy motto, ‘to fight and win Part of the change has been the of the sailors and as a conduit at sea’.” evolving role of the Navy’s enlisted for Warrant Officers to the senior A key focus, she says, is on men and women, who comprise leadership team, and empowering providing “clarity and context” where around 75% of the Navy headcount of them to understand how their work this may be lacking. around 15,000. fits with strategic vision of the Navy. “I’m very much of the belief that if This evolution was recognised, and “I am focused on a collaborative you understand why you are doing an also given momentum, by the creation Warrant Officer group which can activity, even if you are not happy with of the Warrant Officer of the Navy promote understanding at every it, if you understand the intent behind

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it and have that full clarity then you will be able to perform and lead your team better.” In achieving her goals, WO-N Butterworth recognises changes in Navy culture over her three decades, and how those changes are positive both for the careers of enlisted personnel, and also ultimately for the capability of Navy. “Navy has reflected societal change, and the real shift has been valuing our people and the contributions they all make to a successful mission,” she says. “The shift has been about getting the people piece right and the way we lead and develop our people, and if we do that right then the operational success will come. “Our platforms are so complex the shift was essential to focus on investing in the people who

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133 166 | [email protected] www.wormald.com.au operate the platforms and get the feedback on what the core issues are missions done.” at the waterfront.” The ethos of the modern Navy, she THE MOST says, is more collaborative than in the A MORE DIVERSE AND past, and the most junior workforce FLEXIBLE NAVY are encouraged to bring forward Another cultural change in Navy has DIVERSE their own perspectives to the task been towards inclusivity, and this in hand. also plays into the empowerment of MANUFACTURER This, in turn, has helped foster personnel through recognition agility and innovation and WO-N and respect. IN THE Butterworth cites recent activities, “It does not matter what like Navy’s contribution to Operation background someone has or what WORLD! Bushfire Assist, as an example still ethnic group or any aspect of fresh in the public’s minds. diversity, whichever way you look at “If 2020, with bushfires and now it they all bring their own skills and COVID-19, has taught us anything it attributes,” says WO-N Butterworth. is about resilience and adaptability in “It’s about bringing everyone on the Engineering Solutions to changing environments,” says same journey and valuing everyone’s Empower Your Ideas WO-N Butterworth. perspectives, because that will She spoke of a sailor at HMAS ultimately make us a far more high- Albatross who had completed his performing team. Since 1988, Amiga Engineering Pty Ltd officer training on holidays waiting “If you don’t bring everyone on that has been an industry leader in for pilot training, but asked to be inclusive journey they are not going implementing the latest technology & recertified so he could “get back on to feel valued, and the organisation is manufacturing techniques available. the tools” and help during going to be missing out on a different perspective and that will be to the To date, Amiga is proudly the most the bushfires. “This example shows a real clarity detriment of the whole.” diverse manufacturer in the world with of purpose and that is typical of our The culture in Australia’s Navy, the largest install of Metal & Polymer people, when they come together says WO-N Butterworth, has always 3d Printers. for a mission they demonstrate the tended towards a “more casual Complimented with in-house CNC, amazing things we can do in a very leadership style” than some other fabrication & 3D Scanning capabilities. short space of time.” services, and this is often a positive Amiga proudly manufactures the only “Our people are really amazing and on operations. Australian Made industrial gearbox. can adapt, and part of that is that In East Timor, for example, she These gearboxes have been adapted they are happy to speak up and tell says it enabled easier and better into Navy applications. us when we are not getting it right, connections and relationships with and we are happy to listen to that – local civilians and local government www.AmigaEng.com.au just because you have rank, it doesn’t authorities, all contributing to a better mean you have all the answers.” operational result. WO-N Butterworth, who is based “The Timor mission was a whole- in Canberra, has also depended on of-government operation with the this collaboration with her colleagues United Nations, and it went right [email protected] during the pandemic disruptions through engaging with the local 03 9330 0688 which have restricted normal Timorese where we would go on a movement around the country. humanitarian rice run to someone in “I reach into my group on a daily the islands,” she says. “So it was a lot basis because I need to understand of different levels of engagement but what is going on throughout I think it is our casual and open nature Navy and it’s hard to do that from which makes us successful in many of Canberra,” she says. “So I rely on these situations.” my cohort to give perspective and WO-N Butterworth again cites

AS9100D ISO9001:2015 “The shift has been about getting the people piece right and the way we lead and develop our people, and if we do that right then the operational success will come. Our platforms are so complex the shift was essential to focus on investing in the people who operate the platforms and get the missions done.”

Operation Bushfire Assist as an of Hervey Bay when she received a example of modern Navy capability phone call about Bushfire Assist. at its best, with personnel through all “She pulled over to the side of ranks showing commitment, initiative the road, rang her parents and told and taking responsibility for their own them she was going back to Sydney roles but contributing to the team. because she was going to sea,” says “If you had said to me a year ago WO-N Butterworth. that we would be sailing warships on Another positive to come out New Year’s Day to evacuate Australian of Bushfire Assist was the citizens from a bushfire-affected seaworthiness of the ships, area I would have thought that was which were able to put to sea at a unique concept,” she says. “But a time of great need, reflecting we got those ships to sea in much the improved maintenance and less than their readiness times, and sustainment since Cyclone Yasi in we had so many people recalled in a 2011, when Navy was not able to short period of time to support the deploy an amphibious capability. Australian population, and they all “It demonstrated the hard work came together, they all knew what we have done on our seaworthiness they were doing and why they were journey since 2011, and we are at sea.” maintaining our platforms much WO-N Butterworth gives the better and the ships were available example of a sailor who was driving much faster,” says WO-N Butterworth. north to Hervey Bay in Queensland “That also comes down to a unified to spend Christmas and New Year effort with our industry partners, with her family. After a three-day road CASG and a whole-of-government trip the sailor was within 30 minutes effort to get those ships to sea.” ■ NAVY OUTLOOK

RETENTION: THE PRODUCT OF RESPECT

what the government asks of it. It A submariner by specialisation, Commodore Matt needs to crew a bigger fleet of ships and submarines; it needs to oversee Buckley, RAN, assumed the position of Director a continuous naval shipbuilding plan General Navy People in December 2019 after two and sustain platforms already in years as DG Maritime Operations and, before that, service; and it needs to be able to maintain a high operational tempo Commander of Australia’s Submarine Force. So he – much higher than a decade ago – is intimately acquainted with the importance of the almost indefinitely. Because that is human dimension in everything the Navy does, what the times demand, and that is what CDRE Buckley’s Navy People an insight he has carried into his current job. team must deliver. By Gregor Ferguson. 2020 FORCE STRUCTURE PLAN Defence’s new Force Structure Plan t the time this edition of not claim credit for what has been a (FSP) was released on 1 July; this Navy OUTLOOK was being years-long recruitment and retention commits to an increase in Navy’s prepared, the Royal Australian effort, but he has responsibility for numbers of 650 personnel by 2024, ANavy recorded a total uniformed what happens next. with the potential for further growth workforce of 15,218 personnel, its The Navy acknowledges it needs foreshadowed thereafter. Against that largest since 1993. CDRE Buckley does a robust workforce if it is to achieve background, CDRE Buckley was happy

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to explain how the Navy got to where it is now, and how it will nurture and shape its workforce in the future. “We’ve got the best retention figures in over two decades, which has allowed us to grow the Navy to the largest it’s been in more than 25 years,” he tells Navy OUTLOOK. Just two years ago that number was about 13,000 and refused obstinately to budge. Stronger recruiting has improved the annual intake and a reduced separation rate has been vital, he says. “It’s now between 6% and 7%, and has been throughout 2020. That’s a healthy figure.” However, even with a bigger workforce there are still some slightly ‘hollow’ areas where there simply are not enough qualified specialists for comfort, especially at the Leading Seaman, Lieutenant and Lieutenant DIRECTOR GENERAL vital input to capability – our humans.” Commander levels. Navy identified NAVY PEOPLE What did being a submariner teach about 800 specialist positions and has So how did his career as a submariner him about people? “Submarines are reduced this hollow cadre to less than and then DG Maritime Operations ultimately about Trust, Teamwork 400; that has helped recover some prepare CDRE Buckley for the job of and Tenacity,” he explains. Aboard critical categories. Director of Navy People? a submarine, every single human is “They’re people in critical trained “I’ve been very fortunate to work critical to the success of the group roles at sea on ships and submarines alongside some motivated and as a whole; success or failure affects and helicopters and Dive Teams, and professional people who had a everyone the same way. “The other so on,” says CDRE Buckley. “We’ve passion for their work,” he tells thing about submarines is the still got work to do there. For us Navy OUTLOOK. challenges you face require you to it’s about being very surgical and “The Navy’s also provided me think laterally and without recourse to targeting and generating specialists with some tremendous leadership the outside world, and almost always that are harder to get at. It’s now opportunities which have been about getting the right people in complemented by professional the right rank levels and the right education and development. As you work groups.” move through your career it becomes Personnel are also choosing apparent that the Navy prepares you to extend their service, says really well for your next challenge. CAPT Virginia Hayward, Director But in making the most of these Navy Workforce Strategy and opportunities, it’s really critical to Futures. “The median length of both believe in yourself and trust and service in 2007 was six years; at empower the people who work for the end of 2019 it was eight, and you – because as you climb the ladder what we want in 2035 is to have that of command it becomes clear the out to 12 years,” she says. “That experts are actually the folk who work covers all of those critical ranks and for you. So really, it’s about bringing categories and the recognition of how out the best in the people in your long it takes to grow leaders team. For this role, Director of Navy and experts.” People, it’s about stewarding this most Commodore Matt Buckley

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require great persistence in meeting The other side of the coin is that career we admitted women, and it them. I think these are really useful the Navy must recognise that service was profound to me just how much attributes to bring into something as and sacrifice, says CDRE Buckley: they enhanced the capability of the complex as our people capability.” “We need to help our people on submarine, just by bringing a different That is something he wants Navy to their journey, we need to provide the way of thinking about problems, right inculcate in its sailors, and especially appropriate support mechanisms for across the board. And maybe it also a new generation of would-be their families; we need to help them brought a more compassionate edge submariners, given that the submarine achieve their professional mastery; we to the organisation which was good workforce will need to grow quite need to provide them with assurance for everybody,” he adds. significantly, he says. and stability in their career cycles.” “You need the full range of diversity “That is part of the spirit of because that’s where you get those submarines – and in fact the Navy THE MATTER OF DIVERSITY ideas, that one or two per cent that more broadly. It’s about a genuine The two extremes of current fashion will make a difference. belief and trust that we have in one are to either demand diversity for its “People from different cultural another, it’s all about everyone doing own sake, at all costs, or deny its value backgrounds really do bring an their job to the best of their ability, completely and argue that recruiting asymmetric advantage to any force with professionalism every single step women and ethnic minorities is simply because they bring diversity of of the way.” a cynical move to boost numbers thought. That allows you to be agile “I think fundamentally, people join and pay lip-service to the concept and adaptive, which is what you need the Navy because they want to serve. of diversity. However, the Navy is an to be as part of the fighting force. And They want to serve their country evidence-based organisation that has at sea you’ve got a finite amount of and they acknowledge – and we talk developed a very practical approach human capital, so you want to make about that right up front – with service to diversity based on its own history, sure that you’re not missing out on comes sacrifice. And we see that every something with which CDRE Buckley those important ideas. Those ideas day from our people, especially those has personal experience. need to germinate from within the who are at sea and separated from “When I joined submarines, we ship or submarine or task group. So, their families and friends, and they do didn’t have women. When I was we’re not doing this for the sake of it again and again in many cases.” about half-way through my submarine doing it: we’re doing it because it

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actually makes us a better and more don’t think it will ever go away. The separation rate for Navy’s effective organisation.” “We’re recruiting high-quality female workforce is below 6%, which Navy’s indigenous Australians sailor and officer candidates. Some of is very pleasing, CDRE Buckley says. bring an additional dimension, CDRE our technical and officer categories “There’s been a huge amount of work Buckley adds. “We’re on a journey are more challenging to fill, and go into that area with our women’s now, understanding that Australia’s that’s indicative of our broader adviser and our women’s development naval history goes back thousands social environment – if you’ve got and mentoring program, so that’s of years, not just two hundred years; people with high STEM skills it’s a a real success. We have indigenous understanding the bonds that our tight market and many employers participation up to 3% now, which is indigenous people had with the sea are after those,” he acknowledges. really good, and we’re trending in the and weaving those stories and threads “We’re also focusing really heavily on right direction there as well.” into our organisation and culture.” getting that diverse mix of female and What will success ultimately look like? male candidates and extending the “We want to grow our people HOW TO ATTRACT AND breadth of our cultural and linguistic to be the best they can be, both RETAIN TALENT backgrounds. And we’re doing pretty professionally and personally, Something that matters to the Navy, well in that space, with the ultimate irrespective of how long they stay and to CDRE Buckley personally, is aim of having a genuinely completely in the Navy,” says CDRE Buckley. that the service mirrors the fabric of “That, to me, is success. It’s about Australian society: “We are there to “When I was about half-way those factors that deliver a really serve our government and our people, professional and motivated workforce. so when people look at the Navy they through my submarine career Because if people are being well need to see themselves. It’s absolutely we admitted women, and it was looked after, and they’re motivated essential that we’re not an outlier.” profound to me just how much and they’re getting the training, they’ll But the hard yards are never far they enhanced the capability of normally stay.” ahead. In practical terms, Navy the submarine, just by bringing The often-hostile maritime must continue to attract and retain a different way of thinking environment faced by sailors remains high-quality people from across unchanging. How do you maintain Australia. How? about problems, right across time-honoured professional standards A younger generation of Australians the board.” while introducing a culture that values expects to be treated with dignity, diversity? “It’s got to be about respect fairness and equality, and valued diverse workforce that is reflective of and professionalism,” says CDRE for their professionalism, says CDRE the broader society.” Buckley firmly. “These things are Buckley. “I think that’s the key to it,” Part of the secret is making sure going to be important to everybody in he tells Navy OUTLOOK. “We’ve just that young women and people from the Navy, it doesn’t matter what your got to make sure we can convince diverse cultural backgrounds see demographic or background is. a broad enough spectrum of the the Navy and the ADF more broadly “One of the things about Navy is community that they’re the sorts of as the sort of environment where that we serve at sea and we’re all things they can expect when they join they can thrive and be successful. equally and personally invested in the the Navy – both as an attractant to They need role models – successful success of the mission. You’ve got to join, and also to stay.” women and successful people who rely on one another to be professional. Luckily, human nature does have worked their way through the We have learned over time that to not change: the spirit that drives system, says CDRE Buckley. “We’ve be compassionate and supportive of youngsters to join the circus or run found that our women’s leadership one another when we’re a long way away to sea still exists, he says. “The and mentoring program has been the from home for extended periods spirit of adventure has not diminished single most important aspect of our actually enhances our resilience. We over time, I don’t think, and each retention because it’s helped many of are more resilient when we’re more generation steps up. Some people our young women see where they can diverse and more compassionate and always seek that road less travelled. be 10, 20 years down the track with understanding. We just have to remind We are always looking for people in a career in the Navy, through our people that it’s all about having the Navy more broadly who have that mentors and guides and leaders a positive and inclusive culture. And spirit of adventure. It’s still there and I and coaching.” from that you will derive strength.” ■

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 53

NAVY OUTLOOK

BUILDING THE NAVY’S FUTURE WORKFORCE

workforce and the human resources Captain Virginia Hayward, RAN, is the Navy’s Director capabilities and culture that make it Navy Workforce Strategy and Futures, working directly sustainable without impacting the day- to-day operations of Navy people. for CDRE Anthony Klenthis, the Director General Navy’s has some hard yards ahead Future Navy Workforce. Her Directorate was formally to plan for the future workforce, activated on 1 January this year; she re-joined the CAPT Virginia Hayward tells Navy OUTLOOK. Guided by Plan Pelorus’s Navy in September 2019 after 10 years out of the Outcome 4 – “Effectively Lead and service working in emergency management, disaster Manage Our People and Culture”, her team developed the Workforce resilience, security and human resources for the Transformation Campaign Plan 2035 territory government. She is now one of the most which was approved by the Chief senior of Navy’s brand-new cadre of Maritime HR of Navy (CN) in February this year. To ensure Navy is able to meet the Officers (MHRO). By Gregor Ferguson. deliverables of the Campaign Plan, a yearly Passage Plan outlines the hy does Navy need a Future the building of a new fleet of bigger immediate priorities. Workforce branch when ships and submarines, as well as to On 1 July this year, Defence it already had a Director conduct sustained operations. And it released the new Force Structure Plan WGeneral for Navy People? Navy has needs to be more agile, diverse and (FSP) that committed to increasing a lot of growing to do over the next asymmetrically superior than it has ever Navy’s workforce by 650 personnel couple of decades: it will need a bigger been. Part of CAPT Hayward’s job is to by 2024, with potential to grow workforce to both crew and oversee undertake that planning for that new considerably thereafter.

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 55 NAVY OUTLOOK

The driver for this fundamental foundations and making sure that change process into the future. workforce change is the realisation the changes to come are all planned, The fifth Line of Operation, that unless the Navy undertakes integrated and synchronised. ‘Transform the Workforce’, is about the successful workforce transformation, it Line of Operation 3 is “really about cultural and employment changes that will not be able to crew all of its future attracting and securing our talent and appeal to future generations. “That’s ships and submarines. winning societal support”, she tells about the future Australian sailor and The Transformation Campaign has Navy OUTLOOK, acknowledging about committing to valuing and career- five Lines of Operation: that this is a significant and enduring long investment in our people,” says Line of Operation 1 – Achieve Support communications and growth challenge. CAPT Hayward. Line of Operation 2 – Set the Conditions “It’s an external line of operation and Under Plan Pelorus, the Deputy Chief for Success it’s basically ensuring that we’ve got of Navy (as head of Navy People) has Line of Operation 3 – Win in the Market support for Navy and a preference four workforce priorities: Stabilise, Line of Operation 4 – Counter Threats to join Navy. It’s about ensuring that Recover, Grow and Transform. Navy is Line of Operation 5 – Transform mums and dads and aunts and uncles through the Stabilise phase, working the Workforce support Australia’s Navy. It’s about our through Recovery and has entered reputation as a desirable employer and the Grow and Transform phases: “The According to CAPT Hayward, this making sure people prefer to join and Grow phase is about shaping the Campaign will set up the Navy for stay in the Navy.” FSP Outcomes, increasing our Raise, success. “Line of Operation 1 is about ‘Counter Threats’ goes to the heart Train, Sustain capacity and shifting the committing to enduring change, to of Navy’s purpose says CAPT Hayward: culture. The Transform piece – that’s a well understood, transformative “It’s about Navy’s ability to scale and our Campaign Plan where we want approach to ensuring the Navy is shape and attract the right people for to ensure we have an engaged and enhanced and ready for the future.” war fighting.” This is the goal of Navy’s professional workforce ready for the ‘Set the Conditions for Success’ workforce transformation and therefore future fight. These are being planned is about building the organisational includes protecting and sustaining that in the face of some stiff headwinds:

56 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 NAVY OUTLOOK

strategic uncertainty and demographic To support Maritime Personnel trends. There is also the changing Community operations, CDRE Klenthis’s nature of work and career expectations Branch is also continuing to invest in – we are in the war for talent. And the Athena workforce modelling and we’re planning for the young boy or planning system, which will be available girl in Year 1 – what is military service, in October, CAPT Hayward confirms. or service in the Navy, for them in 15 Athena will allow a more sophisticated years’ time? How do we ensure ongoing modelling approach to workforce support for a profession that they want structures and career development: to join and stay with? a comprehensive, systematic analysis “Under the Campaign Plan that CN of Navy’s workforce needs and approved, we are well underway with the requirements. highest two workforce priorities which The Director of Navy People, CDRE are, first, making a positive difference to Buckley, agrees: “I think success for me the lives of our sailors and their families; is that we deliver a workforce generation and secondly, to contemporise and system that actually gives predictable transform the training system to meet and sustainable deployment for our future requirements,” she says. Captain Virginia Hayward people: that’s what they’re asking for “We’ve also formed a Navy People – particularly people in that first phase Capability steering group which works Personnel Community, includes the of their career, that first 10 years or as a subordinate group to the Navy creation of the Maritime Human so,” he tells Navy OUTLOOK. “The Capability Committee.” This steering Resource Officer (MHRO) workgroup, next part of success will be delivering group is responsible for implementing and the transfer and alignment of next generation career management, the Campaign Plan and also ensuring the Maritime Logistics – Personnel providing people at all levels with a that the interests of all parts of the Navy sailor workgroup to the Maritime career management adviser they can are considered as well. Its members Personnel (MPO) sailor workgroup. talk to and a career development are the Warrant Officer of the Navy, This community was approved by the plan that addresses professional and who represents the non-commissioned Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal personal development.” workforce; Director General Navy and established in March this year. People, CDRE Buckley; CDRE Klenthis as At the time of writing it employed 47 NAVAL ENGINEERING CAREER the Chair; Navy’s Commodore Training, people who had transferred across from CONTINUUM CDRE Charles Huxtable; and the Heads previously fragmented HR-related roles One of the other catalysts for change, of Profession and Heads of Community within the service. The MHROs will grow particularly in Navy’s Engineering across the Navy, encompassing all of to 102 by the end of 2024, according to Branch, has been the continuous naval Navy’s people from diverse careers CAPT Hayward, and most of those new shipbuilding program and the need ranging from engineering to warfighting personnel will be at foundation level in to establish a Naval Construction to chaplaincy. fleet-facing positions. Branch. CAPT Hayward acknowledges One of the biggest challenges is Apart from a couple of senior officers, that Navy is now competing to some to keep a complex future workforce the MHROs will be employed across degree for the same talent as the naval planning environment connected, says Navy at the Unit, Group, Force and industry – but the divide between the CAPT Hayward. “My role is not only to HQ levels to provide enhanced HR and service and industry is not what it was, manage and govern the Passage Plan career support to Navy people, explains she says. “We’ve got to support them, and Campaign Plan, but to integrate CAPT Hayward. They will have AHRI because they’re supporting us to deliver and coordinate people, plans and (Australian Human Resource Institute) the capability. It’s really got to be a projects that are going on across Navy, certification qualifications. “They’ll collaborative approach. But if we to bring them under the umbrella and be at sea and ashore, basically to know exactly what we need, and where to connect them.” ensure the workforce has a greater and we need to grow so that we’ve got relevant understanding of the maritime suitably qualified and experienced MARITIME PERSONNEL context and to design and implement personnel, then that puts us in a very COMMUNITY contemporary HR policy and practices, strong position.” Navy’s newest community, the Maritime and advice to commanders.” Part of this process involves creating

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career planning systems, according you an idea of which positions you need naval architecture during their third to CMDR Leigh Benning, Deputy to go through to gain the experience to and fourth years, starting in 2022. Director Navy Workforce Management fill that position.” They will still go to sea because all – Engineering. To identify both skills navy engineers need quality sea time and shortfalls and help direct effort to NAVY CONSTRUCTION BRANCH to progress their careers, but exactly ensure everybody’s qualified for the job The Navy Construction Branch how much sea time a naval architect they do, Navy has introduced a Naval stood up in 2018 under CDRE Steve needs is still being determined. The Engineering Career Continuum (NECC); Tiffen, CSC, RAN; a part of Defence’s new Branch will be based principally a similar Maritime Logistic Career Capability Acquisition and Sustainment in Adelaide with a team at Henderson, Continuum is now up and running and Group (CASG), the new Branch WA, and should mature in time for the will be followed soon by one for comes under First Assistant Secretary construction of the Hunter Class to Warfare Mastery. Ships, Ms Sheryl Lutz. Personnel who begin; its pioneers have cut their teeth The Career Continuum is not linked worked on the Hobart Class DDGs on the Hobart Class DDG and the new in any way to an individual’s promotion (the so-called Air Warfare Destroyers) Arafura Class patrol vessels. prospects, says CMDR Benning. It is at ASC Shipbuilding’s Osborne yard in designed to help personnel and the Adelaide are transferring across and WORKFORCE service itself map their future careers, more will follow, says CMDR Benning. GENERATION SYSTEM he tells Navy OUTLOOK. “So, if you The new Branch has spawned To provide a more predictable career want to grow a future HMS – Head of changes in the professional education path and better work-life balance Maritime Systems at CASG – what are of Navy engineers. Navy announced generally, Navy has also adopted some of the pathways you could follow this year that students beginning their a Readying, Ready and Re-set to get there? Do you want to be a Chief Mechanical Engineering Degree at employment cycle. The aim is to create Engineer on a boat or a ship? It can give ADFA would be able to specialise in a new workforce generation system,

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supported by a Crew Support and To provide a more predictable career path and better work-life Readying Groups, to provide suitably qualified and experienced people in balance generally, Navy has also adopted a Readying, Ready and seagoing and deployable roles, as well Re-set employment cycle. The aim is to create a new workforce as improved health and wellbeing for generation system, supported by a Crew Support and Readying everybody. It is also supported by next Groups, to provide suitably qualified and experienced people in Generation Career Management and Training Force innovations. seagoing and deployable roles, as well as improved health and The potential benefits are significant, wellbeing for everybody. says CAPT Hayward: “The readying phase means that when individuals Navy Capability Committee last year Navy needs to continue its reform, and are posted to their ships, command and will be implemented in the Patrol to do that it needs to bring its people has a more ready, trained and stable Boat, Submarine and Aviation Force on the journey while attracting new workforce. The benefits to individuals Element Groups (FEG) by the end of generations. “We have a lot to offer is more flexibility to weave in family this year; it will also be implemented because it’s an amazing Australian and personal requirements to meet for the surface combatants’ Aegis organisation with a very highly both career aspirations and seagoing combat system workforce, and then to energised, palpable leadership that I requirements. Navy benefits by other force elements in Navy. wanted to be part of again. using the total workforce system to On personal reflection of her Both my brothers joined the Navy; I generate, support and sustain new return to Navy, CAPT Hayward says it left for a while and did other things, capabilities. So, it’s providing a degree is not many times in your career that and came back because I knew it was of organisational discipline.” you can join an organisation and do a my spiritual home. That’s the reason This model was approved by the job that has never been done before. I’m back.” ■

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TRAINING TO FIGHT AND WIN AT SEA

hen Commodore Charles The Navy motto “Fight to Win at Sea” has significant WHuxtable took up the role of Commodore Training for implications for training, according to Commodore the Navy earlier in 2020, he came to Charles Huxtable. It means that the mission of the the role with the mantra “deliver training force is to “Train to Fight to Win at Sea” and content to mariners”. CDRE Huxtable was no stranger that ultimately means delivering the course content to training after previous roles as the needed to enhance the skills of all mariners, with Commanding Officer at HMAS Creswell online delivery a key component. with time also spent at HMAS Watson, but says he understood that the new By Lachlan Colquhoun. job as head of Navy training was a much wider and all-encompassing remit.

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As Commodore Training, CDRE Huxtable is responsible for delivering specialist individual training to all sailor categories and officer specialisations. He is also responsible for the delivery of collective training to Navy’s ships. Not only that, but the categories have become more specialised, training has broadened to embrace leadership and cultural training, and the way it is expected to be delivered has also evolved. The new generation of Navy personnel now often receive their training wherever they are, either on land or at sea, not just in the classroom. The mantra “deliver content to mariners”, says CDRE Huxtable, boils down his mission into an approach which is flexible enough to be relevant revisit it. might consolidate those contracts to to every aspect of Navy training, “We are moving to online learning, provide a more scalable and sustainable and also defines the essence of what but we need to it much more, and model,” he says. training is. delivering blended learning, combining “In this service delivery model, it “We are growing Navy and that is a face to face with online is vital to allows me to move Navy people into big challenge for the training force,” he improving the delivery of our training.” developing course content and using says. “So we need a lot more innovation Part of that vision is to deliver the innovation to deliver it. in our approach to training to make sure training to where the mariners are, “This will help ensure that the content we can expand the capabilities of that so they do not necessarily have to is relevant and accurate because it has workforce on an ongoing basis, and that physically leave their homes or jobs been developed by people who have has been central to my role.” if the training can be appropriately been to sea recently and have that accessed remotely. requisite knowledge.” TRAIN TO FIGHT TO WIN AT SEA “There is a time and a place for A second project is around digital The Navy motto “Fight to Win at Sea” face-to-face training, and of course you transformation, and this is focused on has significant implications for training, can’t build teams online, but we want to a better understanding of the training says CDRE Huxtable. It means that ensure that we add value by making the pipeline and making it more efficient. the mission of the training force is to right courses available online and make “Train to Fight to Win at Sea” and that that more efficient and accessible,” says ultimately means delivering the course CDRE Huxtable. content needed to enhance the skills of “If people are at sea, it can make all mariners. sense for them to access the training Online delivery is one key to this, and there, rather than make time to come a major part of CDRE Huxtable’s vision. down to Creswell or Cerberus and leave “My ambition for Navy is that their ports or homes when they come everyone has an ADELE account, which back to land.” is our learning management system,” CDRE Huxtable has also identified he says. a number of reform projects in a new “They should have this account from Training Force Improvement Program, the day they join and it should store all the first of which is around commercial the training they ever do, so they can innovation. look back on their training and there is a “I currently have about 70 contracts record of all course material, a library of for outsourced delivery, and that is a their learning so they can go back and large number, so I’m looking at ways we Commodore Charles Huxtable

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 61 NAVY OUTLOOK

“I need to reduce the amount of time date with technology so we can keep “LEADERS IN THEIR it takes for people to get from civilian on advancing, and that means using OWN ROLES” life to delivering capability at sea,” says technologies such as augmented CDRE Huxtable has had a three-decade- CDRE Huxtable. reality,” he says. long career in the Navy, and says The third principle is workforce agility, “Simulation, for example, is becoming that in addition to the technology and which is about finding better ways to very important and the bridge the ability to deliver online, the nature focus critical workforce skills towards simulators at HMAS Watson are a great of the training has also changed in high priority tasks. model for other areas of Navy. that time. “I’ve got some work groups that are “There you have a contracted Today there is more emphasis, he short of people, so I need to be able solution which is delivering training very says, on leadership and management at to address that,” says CDRE Huxtable. effectively to maritime warfare officers, all levels of the organisation. “And we also need to be able to update and it is efficient in terms of the quality Training in these areas which was training faster, because the platforms of training and their time, but also in once delivered largely to officers is now are changing, and for me that means terms of cost.” available much more broadly, based on the ability to move workforce into The bridge simulation, says CDRE the principle that Navy personnel are priority areas and have greater control Huxtable, is one example of how leaders in their own roles. on where we move our resources.” training has changed. In his day, islands “You don’t need to have the title This pillar ties into the fourth in the simulator were “yellow triangles commanding officer to be a leader in project, which is around organisational the modern Navy, we are all leaders at design and restructuring training different levels and our training reflects force headquarters to provide a “You don’t need to have the that,” says CDRE Huxtable. “stronger centre” for directing training “Once people get an understanding force resources. title commanding officer to be a of leadership roles, and are exposed “At the end of the day, I don’t leader in the modern Navy, we to Navy’s training, there is a thirst for train for the sake of training, I train to are all leaders at different levels increased leadership knowledge at deliver people to the fleet which is my and our training reflects that.” all levels.” customer, and as their needs change I While the number of Navy categories need to be able to change, match and has not markedly increased, a big respond,” says CDRE Huxtable. on the horizon”, while now they are in change has been the increased “So this means I need greater full detail and provide great realism. technological complexity within the workforce ability and an ability to This improves training quality, most categories which requires greater change in my organisation, and that so that people can earn their certificates professionalism in the workforce, and means a stronger ‘centre’ which gives us on the simulator and be ready to for people to become deeper subject- more control about where we allocate work on specific platforms when they matter experts. resources, and that is something we will go to sea.” This also has implications for training, do as we do a redesign. CDRE Huxtable’s remit includes which needs to be more ongoing. “We need to make sure we are not just individual training, but also “In the old days you were selected adapting to the latest technology and collective training in sea training groups. for promotion and would do a course, using things like augmented reality, “This is where individual training perform at that rank for four or five because no training organisation can meets ship training, and it all comes years and then get another promotion,” exist without looking forward to the together to deliver our capability,” says CDRE Huxtable. future, and what worked for me when he says. “That was too long between training, I started my career is very different to “The Chief of Navy’s strategy requires and we need to look at training as an what will work for the young men and Navy to be able conduct sustained ongoing, never-ending, journey towards women of today.” combat operations as part of a joint professional mastery. The final project, says CDRE Huxtable, force, and we are critical in providing “And this goes back to delivery, is workforce development to ensure that the people to conduct those operations. and why the online environment is so Navy’s training force keeps “evolving “And for us it’s about having a whole important as a way for our people to our people”. process and pipeline which delivers access training at shore and sea, and “We need to make sure they don’t those people today, tomorrow and into keep developing the skills we need to get stale, and that they are up to the future.” deliver Navy capability.” ■

62 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 NAVY OUTLOOK CERBERUS AT 100 LOOKS FORWARD TO THE FUTURE

Up to 1,500 new recruits enter the book full of rules, he says, but we are Navy through HMAS Cerberus in 10 better off to give them a moral compass intakes each year. On completion of and ethics.” their recruit training at the RAN Recruit The $465 million upgrade will further School, the majority of them remain modernise the nature of the training. at Cerberus to conduct their specialist In addition to new sewerage, category training. Cerberus is the electrical and ICT infrastructure, the home to the vast majority of the Navy’s redevelopment includes a new Logistics initial sailor specialisation training and Precinct, a new School of Survivability a significant proportion of initial officer and Ship Safety, and a new Survival at specialisation training. Sea training facility which will be a Cerberus is proudly ADF, but world first. Cerberus has long been unashamedly Navy. The ADF School “The survival at sea facility will be a 25 of Catering, ADF Physical Training metre pool where we will teach people the main centre for sailor School and ADF Dental School are all how to abandon ship in a controlled training and celebrates its housed at Cerberus and are just some environment,” says Captain Oborn. 100th birthday this year, of the tri-service training that is now “We will be able to darken the conducted there. building, making it into night and along with a $465 million “Most sailors under training don’t look add wind, rain, thunder and waves to upgrade. By Lachlan too fondly on Cerberus because they simulate a storm. Colquhoun. are indeed trainees, and the training can “There will also be a crane holding a be tough,” says Captain Oborn. “But RHIB which will capsize on purpose and when they come back to Cerberus as a teach sailors how to escape, and that will aptain Mike Oborn, the staff member or for further training, it be fantastic real-time training.” Commanding Officer at HMAS is amazing to see how they fall in love The infrastructure upgrades are phase CCerberus Cerberus , says that any sailor with the place. is an incredible one of the project, and were completed who went through the base for their place and has a formative influence on in 2020, while the other facilities are set training in the past will be amazed if they the next generation of sailors.” to be completed by 2023. ■ visit the base when the new renovations The weather on the Mornington are complete. Peninsula might be severe and volatile, “I think their jaws would drop because but that also teaches the positive value of the changes,” he says. of resilience, Captain Oborn explains. “You walk into the front of the base He says that while it retains much of and there is a whole new precinct there, the traditionally tough physical training, and some of the new facilities we are basic training for sailors also includes putting in will be world firsts.” new elements which reflect the changing Cerberus, which takes its name from culture of the Navy in recent years. a warship purchased by the colony of “We need them to go from imposed Victoria in 1871 and later incorporated discipline to self-discipline, and that is into the Royal Australian Navy, has long what our training is all about.” been the “Cradle of the Navy”, where Modern training, he says, is also more ever sailor starts their naval career, and focused on values than on rules. celebrates its 100th birthday this year. “It’s all very well to give sailors a big Captain Michael Oborn

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 63 NAVY OUTLOOK

MAKING SHIPBUILDING A CAREER OF CHOICE

ur vision at the Naval of the Enterprise are: The Naval Shipbuilding OShipbuilding College is to • 12 Attack Class submarines to be secure our nation through constructed by Naval Group Australia College was established continuous naval shipbuilding and at the Osborne shipyards in South in 2018 to attract, our mission is to develop the world’s Australia develop, skill and retain most advanced naval shipbuilding • Nine Hunter Class frigates to be workforce. constructed by BAE Systems Australia an Australian workforce Australia’s Shipbuilding Enterprise at Osborne to successfully deliver encompasses over $90 billion of • 12 Arafura Class Offshore Patrol and sustain the Australian investment in capability for the Royal Vessels to be constructed by Luerrsen Australian Navy. It comprises both the Australia and CIVMEC at Osborne Government’s continuous construction of advanced new naval and the Henderson Maritime Precinct National Naval vessels and also the sustainment, in Western Australia Shipbuilding Enterprise. upgrade and modernisation of the • Life of type extension of the existing existing RAN fleet. The four major new six Collins Class submarines to be construction projects forming the core undertaken by ASC Pty Ltd

64 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 NAVY OUTLOOK

Also included in the Enterprise is a billion-dollar investment to create the world’s most modern, innovative and technologically advanced shipyards. Located at the Osborne Precinct in South Australia and the Henderson Maritime Precinct in Western Australia, the shipyards will embrace state-of- the-art manufacturing processes and possess the capacity to evolve with new technologies. The successful delivery of the Enterprise will ensure the Royal Australian Navy will have a regionally superior capability to fight and win at sea, enhance our national security and deliver humanitarian assistance and disaster relief across the globe. The projects are the largest capital investment undertaken in our country’s “The projects are the largest projects to advance our work in the maritime history and represent the areas of development and retention of greatest regeneration of Australia’s capital investment undertaken skilled Australian workers. naval capabilities since World War II. in our country’s maritime To assist in offsetting the workforce They will embrace an unprecedented history and represent the risks, the College and six naval technical and industrial complexity. greatest regeneration of shipbuilding Prime contractors – Critical to this unrivalled technology of ASC, BAE Systems Australia/ASC design, manufacturing and sustainment Australia’s naval capabilities Shipbuilding, Lockheed Martin processes will be Australian workers since World War II.” Australia, Luerssen Australia, with highly specialised skill sets. Naval Group Australia and SAAB In collaboration with all spheres of Australia – became signatories to government, industry, Defence and which reflects Australian society and the Naval Shipbuilding Industry training and education providers, we are actively encouraging and Strategic Workforce Plan. This plan the College is leading the creation, supporting women, indigenous, encompasses a four-step workforce delivery and sustainment of a cost- culturally and linguistically diverse planning model which includes effective naval shipbuilding workforce (CALD) peoples and Defence veterans, Defining Requirements of Industry, for Australia now and into the future. among others, to pursue careers in this Analysis of Training Needs and Supply, It is estimated around 15,000 exciting industry. Design of the Workforce and Delivery. workers will be required. Employees on these programs It is a commitment to develop The workforce will be the driver of will have the opportunity to gain a cost-effective Australian naval innovation, ingenuity, resourcefulness training and qualifications across shipbuilding workforce capable of and the repository of the new many high-end skills which will allow delivering current and future maritime learnings, skills and information. It them to perform at the top of their acquisition and sustainment programs. will be one of the most skilled and chosen profession. Together, as a united industry technologically advanced naval Developing this skill base will working towards a common goal, shipbuilding workforces created in take time and require a new level of we are documenting the skills and our country’s history and result industry collaboration. knowledge areas which currently in careers with long term, stable We will use the learnings and exist in the Australian workforce employment and outstanding challenges from previous large-scale and identifying any gaps in capacity opportunities for advancement. naval projects in Australia, including or capability. The College is committed to the Air Warfare Destroyer, Anzac The College is also working building a culturally diverse workforce frigates and Collins Class submarine closely with the Defence Science

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 65 NAVY OUTLOOK

units – Training and Development; Communications and Engagement, Industry Skilling and Assurance and Workforce Planning. The College’s Training and Education Provider Network constitutes the ‘spokes’ in the model. This network encompasses VET and higher education providers with representation in every state and territory in Australia and will assist with the upskilling of existing workers in the industry and ensuring future candidates can obtain the skills and qualifications underpinning the identified jobs across the Enterprise as required by industry. Together we are determining the appropriate training and skilling needs to maintain a progressive, national “Retaining our skilled employees and positioning naval workforce and to provide clear shipbuilding as an aspirational career of choice for Australians educational and upskilling pathways. The College is working with our now and into the future will be crucial for Australia to maintain a providers to identify and endorse continuous naval shipbuilding capability.” current course offerings which meet the needs of the shipbuilding industry and Technology Group and the the industry can be connected with in quality and consistency. Royal Australian Navy to identify the appropriate education and training By working together to contextualise critical knowledge areas for naval providers across Australia that will courses to the needs of the industry, shipbuilding, where it is essential enable them to become ‘job ready’. the College is ensuring there will be a that Australia possesses sovereign All candidates receive weekly pool of job-ready candidates with the capability for protection of our nation updates on available Enterprise- required skills and training who are and region. related jobs across Australia. ready and able to contribute to the As an Enterprise, we will need to The register is approaching 3,000 naval shipbuilding industry. know when to buy technology and when candidates – from secondary school This criteria for endorsement may to develop it ourselves to create and students to experienced workers – include curriculum, competence sustain a national shipbuilding capability. who have registered their interest in of trainers, engagement with the training and employment within naval shipbuilding industry, access NATIONAL WORKFORCE the industry. to specialist guest trainers/lecturers, REGISTER Each of these potential candidates work placements and tailoring of their Central to the sourcing of skilled is supported by an expert Candidate courses for naval shipbuilding focus. Australian workers, the College Engagement Consultant who works As the Enterprise is continuous, created and operates the national one-on-one with the person to identify industry must look to the future while Workforce Register. their current skills, what they want to keeping one eye on the present. The Register is the first port of achieve in their employment future call for people contemplating a and supply them with training and EDUCATION AND CAREER career within Australia’s naval education pathways to reach OPPORTUNITIES shipbuilding industry. their goal. Retaining our skilled employees and First-time entrants, people The College operates as a positioning naval shipbuilding as transitioning from adjacent industries ‘hub and spoke’ model with the an aspirational career of choice for or those wishing to upskill within hub represented by five business Australians now and into the

66 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 NAVY OUTLOOK

future will be crucial for Australia considering a career within the naval to maintain a continuous naval Enterprise, or those who may have an HOW THE NAVAL shipbuilding capability. interest in better understanding naval SHIPBUILDING COLLEGE We are developing strategies which shipbuilding in Australia. WAS FORMED will assist the industry to retain our The course provides information on n 2016, the Australian skilled workers while also elevating the Australia’s Naval Shipbuilding Plan, Government called for tenders naval shipbuilding industry as a career current naval shipbuilding projects, I to create and operate a Naval of choice for future generations. introduction to common shipbuilding Shipbuilding College in Australia. The College has partnered with terminology, production processes and The College would take the online careers education platform roles within the Enterprise. lead, in collaboration with industry Work-Ready to engage with educators Through this introductory course, and the training and education and secondary school students across the College is reaching a diverse sectors, to develop and sustain an Australia about the future career audience including secondary and Australian workforce with the skills opportunities available in our industry. tertiary students, workers from required to successfully deliver Through the Work-Ready program, adjacent industries, ADF veterans, the Australian Government’s $90 educators and students will be able to career guidance counsellors and the billion continuous National Naval access high-quality, industry-specific general public, to build awareness Shipbuilding Enterprise. learning at no cost. of the Enterprise and promote The lead contract for the The College is also delivering shipbuilding as a career of choice Naval Shipbuilding College was a National Naval Shipbuilding for Australians. awarded and managed through Scholarship Pilot, supporting 20 The College is also currently the National Naval Shipbuilding Office, a part of the Department students from the Queensland developing bridging courses which can of Defence Capability and University of Technology (QUT) and help accelerate the transition of skilled Sustainment Group. 15 students from the Royal workers from adjacent industries into The ultimately successful Institute of Technology (RMIT). naval shipbuilding to strengthen our tenderer for the College was the The scholarships will help the tertiary skill base. Naval Shipbuilding Institute (NSI), students achieve their academic With momentum now on our a joint venture created between goals studying engineering and other side, Australia is positioning itself to the largest naval shipbuilder in naval shipbuilding-related programs successfully create and sustain a world- the United States – Huntington with a focus on priority disciplines leading naval shipbuilding Enterprise Ingalls Industries – and global including computer software systems, and place ourselves within an elite engineering, procurement and mechatronics, mechanical, electrical group of nations which possess the construction company Kellogg and electronics, providing crucial capability to design, build and sustain Brown & Root (KBR). workforce development at the initial their own naval vessels. The NSI established phase of supply to the Enterprise. There has never been a more subcontracts and agreements Funds supplied in the third and exciting time to join the naval with key stakeholders including fourth years of study can cover course shipbuilding industry. ■ Manpower Group, TAFESA and tuition, student living and educational SMTAFE in WA to support the College’s operations. material costs. The scholarships also The Naval Shipbuilding College include a paid 12-week industry The first half of 2020 has seen was officially opened at its work placement. registrations in the Workforce headquarters at the Osborne The College has also pivoted quickly Register increase by 50% compared Naval Shipyard in South to lessen the impact of COVID-19 to 2019 and there is on average Australia on 3 April 2018 by then by bringing forward our plans for 150 job vacancies a week available Australian Defence Minister, digital and remote learning education across the Naval Shipbuilding Christopher Pyne. to support people impacted by the Enterprise. The College has expanded its pandemic. operations to include offices in In collaboration with our education Join the national Workforce Register Western Australia and has plans and training partners, the College has to learn more about the exciting to open a further office in New developed an online ‘Shipbuilding opportunities and create your future South Wales. Taster Course’ aimed at anyone who is shipbuilding career today.

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 67 INCREASE OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY

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CHARTING THE OCEANS GOES HIGH-TECH

invaluable experience and insights into Commodore Fiona Freeman’s 33-year career in the the function of Australia’s hydrographic Navy culminated in her appointment as the first female responsibilities which she has been able commander Head of the Australian Hydrographic Office to use in her current role. Today, CDRE Freeman is Navy’s in 2017, known as the Hydrographer of Australia. She senior officer at the re-named Australian tells Lachlan Colquhoun about her career, and how data Hydrographic Office, which since 2016 is playing an increasingly important role in hydrography, is now under the Australian Geospatial- Intelligence Organisation, part of the both for strategic use by Navy and the civilian community Defence Intelligence Group. which the AHO also serves. While the AHO conducts regular projects in Antarctica, CDRE Freeman’s busy role sees her largely confined ommodore Fiona Freeman the summer, but that was the year that to the organisation’s headquarters in Chas always wanted to go to the situation in Timor Leste broke and I Wollongong, where she heads a staff of Antarctica and thought she had got sent there instead,” she says. around 150. her chance about 20 years ago when, “Sadly that opportunity has never Of that group, roughly 120 are as a younger officer, she did her first come up again, even though I’ve spent civilian public servants comprising posting to what was then called the the last 12 months, whilst in this role, cartographers, hydrographic surveyors, Hydrographic Office RAN. trying to find an excuse.” geospatial analysts and support staff. “I’d been posted to the Office and Her previous tenure in the Then there are around 30 naval was hoping to go down to Antarctica in Hydrographic Office, she says, gave her personnel who deal with the defence

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 69 SPECIAL FEATURE: AUSTRALIAN HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE 100TH ANNIVERSARY

component of the AHO’s mandate. survey ships and four survey motor A major part of warfare has always been There are also AHO staff in Canberra, launches, and a number of deployable the search for the best and most efficient fully integrated into AGO and regularly teams which can embark and operate edge that can make the difference when liaising with all other aspects of the from other Navy ships and platforms it really counts. Defence leadership. as required. “That is the strategic and competitive “The role of the office sits under “So in addition to the products that edge the Navy needs. In the Second the Commonwealth Navigation Act we create for the civilian and commercial World War you wouldn’t be landing where we, on behalf of Defence, are maritime industry, there is a second a ship on a beach without having the national representative producing category of products we deliver, and done some environmental research maritime safety products,” explains these are for Defence and for Navy,” and information collection, and it’s no CDRE Freeman. “These are charts, says Freeman. different today, but the way we are able tide tables, any critical product that the “The resources of the AHO are largely to do it is more efficient.” mariner uses to go to sea. focused on meeting our requirements The combination of these two “We have historically, for 96 years, under the Navigation Act, but there is remits, for civilian and military use, is been part of the Navy but in 2016 that also a highly strategic element in what part of what gives CDRE Freeman her changed when we joined the Australian we do.” job satisfaction. Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation in a CDRE Freeman is proud of the “value “I love the fact that we are producing separate group in Defence.” add” the AHO makes to Defence really tangible products which are used While the organisation is under and Navy’s capabilities. This spans by everyone from the yachtie who might Defence Intelligence, Defence’s fleet of environmental information to data used only sail out of the harbor on a weekend ships – which are based in Cairns in Far in combat systems and new technology through to a big merchant ship bringing North Queensland – remain with and are on ships which require a full suite of in thousands of cars, to a submarine operated by Navy. information to ensure they are able to deployed into an area for defence CDRE Freeman, as head of the AHO, perform at their best. work,” she says. is responsible for generating tasking “That value add ensures that our “I think that is the thing that keeps me for these ships which provide data back warfighters have the best information motivated every day.” to the office, but the ships themselves at hand and that extra edge, and that is remain a capability in the Navy fleet. what we are trying to provide,” she says. MODERN-DAY HYDROGRAPHY They comprise two hydrographic “This is certainly not a new concept. Hydrography, says CDRE Freeman, is

70 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 SPECIAL FEATURE: AUSTRALIAN HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE 100TH ANNIVERSARY

a science but it is one that is always “These are about what data is evolving due to the influence of collected and how it is collected,” she technology. says. While the first charts of Australia’s “The first is a national project and oceans date from the late 18th century, we are doing that in collaboration with the work of the Australian Hydrographic leading data management providers and Office is very different to the pioneering the maritime industry.” work of forebears such as Matthew The second component is around data Flinders and Nicolas Baudin soon after collection for military purposes, and this European settlement. is being considered through the lens of As CDRE Freeman explains, today’s the larger Navy shipbuilding project. hydrographers rely not only on surface “The volume of data we collect ships but are increasingly taking their is extraordinary and one of our key information from growing constellations challenges is managing the volume of of satellites orbiting the earth. this data and making sure that it is used This enables them to not only deliver to best effect,” says CDRE Freeman. digital information to mariners, but to “It is much more real-time than it Commodore Fiona Freeman move towards the ability to update it ever was historically with paper charts, in real time. and is becoming increasingly so as no doubt that we will be producing The AHO moved largely from paper- geospatial and positioning technology products predominantly based on based to electronic charts several years develops further.” remote sensing.” ago, and this move has enabled more Information collected from space, says frequent updating of charts as new data CDRE Freeman, provides valuable early MODERN-DAY CHALLENGES is collected and analysed. information which can help in managing The good news, says CDRE Freeman, This is a major safety improvement the survey fleet efficiently. is that today’s oceans are now a much for mariners who know they are working “Rather than just heading out and safer place for mariners than in the past. off the most recent information, rather continuing to go up and down around Mariners have more detail and than a paper chart printed on the basis an area, we can be better focused,” increasingly updated information to of information collected some years ago. says CDRE Freeman. “And in time act upon, but as the maritime industry Time is now a major factor to we’ll be doing more with robotic and grows and needs to put larger ships consider, as is the need to check the autonomous remote systems, which is into “tighter areas” to meet new time quality of data being collected against an exciting cutting-edge area that will frames, developments always present historical data. become more important, and I have new challenges to hydrographers and “There is definitely that element of time, which demands that we ensure that the most accurate data is being promulgated,” says Freeman. “Then there is also our ability to put more detail into the electronic products, and that reflects the fact that now, within ports and along major shipping routes, there are larger ships able to do more over a longer period of time, and that has implications for us.” The underlying enabler in virtually everything the AHO does is data – and lots of it. Today, CDRE Freeman says the AHO is involved with a major data project with two components: one to support civilian charting products and the other for Navy and Defence.

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female officers. Over her career she has had a particular link with hydrography, commanding two hydrographic vessels – a Paluma Class survey motor launch and a Leeuwin Class hydrographic ship – in addition to serving as the executive officer in a landing craft whilst on operations in East Timor. CDRE Freeman was also on the HMAS Jervis Bay which was deployed to Somalia in the early 1990s in a humanitarian role during that nation’s conflict, and has participated in border protection operations around the North- West Shelf area of Australia. On land, she has spent time in Navy’s career management agency, in the joint place new demands on their work. headquarters are in Europe. Australia operations command headquarters, and “So while our work is always has always been very active and as chief of staff to the Vice Chief of the developing and improving, the maritime continues to be a major contributor in Defence Force. environment is becoming more this space.” The AHO role, says CDRE Freeman, is sophisticated and we need to make sure an unusual role in that it is “very much we are ahead of these developments all A THREE-DECADE NAVY CAREER a dual-hatted role” with most of the the time,” says CDRE Freeman. CDRE Freeman came to her role at the resources devoted to a national role, Fortunately, the AHO is up to the AHO after a three-decades-long career while there is still a significant military challenge. Over its 100-year history in the Navy. Originally from Brisbane, component and she still wears a Navy it has acquired international respect she commenced a teaching degree after uniform. for its capabilities and is a significant completing her secondary education but “This has certainly been the pinnacle contributor to the efforts of the never worked as a teacher. of my career in terms of promotion into International Maritime Organization. “I was originally going to go to the Navy’s senior leadership group,” says Australia, after all, is a major maritime Defence Academy, and at the time – CDRE Freeman. nation surrounded by three of the as a 19-year-old – I thought I’ve just It is a long way to come for someone world’s largest oceans, and hydrography had 14 years of sitting in a classroom, who joined the Navy for excitement has played a significant role in the do I really want another three years and travel after a childhood spent with nation’s development. of that at university?” she says. “So I a father who was a keen recreational “Australia is very well regarded in changed my mind and decided to look fisherman. what is effectively world hydrography’s at other options, and I was offered the “My father was a really keen fisherman parent body, the International chance to join what was then called the and I was always out on the boat Hydrographic Organization, which is Supplementary List. This was a short with him, so there was definitely that a body providing guidance and policy service commission and they said background,” says CDRE Freeman. advice about all things hydrographic you can go straight to officer training “You could say that I grew up being and navigation safety,” says CDRE at HMAS Creswell and find yourself at no stranger to water.” Freeman. sea doing a job in nine months’ time. CDRE Freeman is due to complete her “In conjunction with the IHO we “I gave that a go, not really knowing post at the AHO at the end of 2020 and contribute a great deal to setting what I was entering into, and here I am does not yet know what the next step international standards, maintaining 33 years later and I’ve loved almost will be in her distinguished career. standards and improving standards in everything I’ve done.” There are no immediate plans to go these international forums. In the 1980s, CDRE Freeman was to Antarctica, but perhaps there will be “There are 93 countries which are one of the first female officers to go to an opportunity in the future to complete members of this organisation and the sea, paving the way for many of today’s that life-long ambition. ■

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NAVY OUTLOOK

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE AUSTRALIAN HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICE

ydrographic surveying in By Kevin Slade, PSM & John Perryman, CSM Australia began with Lieutenant James Cook’s first charting Hof the eastern seaboard in HM Barque This article was written in collaboration with the late Lieutenant Commander Endeavour. Kevin ‘Shotgun’ Slade, PSM, RAN (Retd). Cook’s work was followed by voyages It was not intended to be a collaborative piece but when he passed away of exploration around the Australian suddenly on 21 January 2020, I was approached as one of his many long- coastline conducted by Matthew time friends, to review and complete the work. Flinders, Nicolas Baudin, Phillip Parker Shotgun’s experience in the RAN ranged from active service in Vietnam King, John Wickham, John Lort Stokes, as a young sailor in HMAS Sydney (III) to serving in areas as far-flung as Francis Blackwood, Owen Stanley, Antarctica and the Pacific as a member of the RAN’s Hydrographic Branch. William Bligh, James Grant and others His enthusiasm for capturing and recording the history of the ‘droggies’ until, by the mid-19th century, the shape was unbridled and his contribution over many years has helped to cement of the Australian continent and most of the role of the hydrographers in the annals of the RAN. its coastal waters was known. A commemorative service for Kevin Slade was held at Bulli, NSW on The story of the Australian Tuesday 4 February 2020 – hardly surprisingly there was standing room only for those who came to pay their respects. Rest in peace old friend. Hydrographic Service from those - John Perryman early beginnings to the internationally respected organisation it is today is

74 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 SPECIAL FEATURE: AUSTRALIAN HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE 100TH ANNIVERSARY

one of resourcefulness and persistence, department came to a head in the concerning increasing survey spurred on by the strategic and 1919 Naval Defence Report, which operations, having regard to safety of economic interests of our island nation. provided the Australian Government navigation, cost and the period over with alternative models on which to which survey work would have to be ORIGINS OF THE RAN base a hydrographic service – be it spread. HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICE naval or civilian. It was subsequently With a possible war looming, Before federation, the Australian decided that the RAN would form its conditions in England required colonies contributed to the conduct of own Hydrographic Service, funded from all services to be committed to hydrographic surveys and from 1908 the within the naval budget. rearmament and the Admiralty could Commonwealth Government paid the The RAN Hydrographic Service was offer little assistance. Moresby at that half of the cost of surveys officially formed on 1 October 1920, time was fully engaged on strategic carried out in Australian waters. Those with Captain John F. Robins, RAN, surveys and if this important work was to surveys were later supported by staff in being appointed its first hydrographer continue, Australia would have to come the Admiralty Chart and Chronometer and Mr Cyril Woodhouse its first up with other solutions. This would see Depot first established in Sydney in cartographer in January 1921. By that a variety of RAN vessels and craft taken 1897 and later taken over by the Royal time, Fantome had resumed surveying up from trade and take on surveying Australian Navy in 1913, at which duties, complemented by the sloop duties in the ensuing years, including a time it became known as the RAN HMAS Geranium. number of Bathurst Class minesweepers Hydrographic Depot. In 1922, the Hydrographic Office and Harbour Defence Motor Launches. was re-located to Victoria Barracks, WORLD WAR I Melbourne, and for the next five years WORLD WAR II At the outbreak of World War I, the the Admiralty maintained a Royal Navy When the Pacific War erupted in Royal Navy surveying ship on the surveying ship in Australian waters, with December 1941, the Allies possessed Australian Station was HMS Fantome. HMS Herald replacing Fantome in 1926. very poor chart and map coverage of Her surveying duties ceased in In response to calls for a modern strategic areas including the Solomons, November 1914 when the ship was survey of the Great Barrier Reef, HMAS New Guinea and Northern Australia, transferred to the RAN, armed and Geranium was tasked to proceed to where large areas remained unsurveyed. detached for blockade and patrol Queensland waters in February 1924. Rapid hydrographic surveys would service operating chiefly in the Bay of The strategic and commercial value of be vital to making these reef-strewn Bengal, the Andaman and this task was of great importance to waters safe for warships and this work Nicobar Islands. Australia and to aid in the assignment was entrusted to various hydrographic In the absence of Royal Navy the ship was modified to carry a small and topographic units. In the South survey ships on the Australian Station, Fairey IIID aircraft for the purpose of West Pacific, the task of surveying very little survey work was undertaken aerial reconnaissance. She was later New Guinea was given to the Royal by the RAN, an exception being a joined by HMAS Moresby, another Australian Naval Surveying Service. survey conducted by HMAS Una of former Royal Navy sloop, commissioned By then, Moresby was back in service Sewa Bay at Normanby Island, New in the RAN on 20 June 1925. performing escort duties, but at times Guinea in 1915. In 1927, Geranium was paid off she resumed her old trade, carrying Following the Great War, but Moresby continued the survey out surveys of the Great North East the Admiralty informed the until the end of 1929, at which time Channel, Great Barrier Reef openings, Australian Government that “no she was placed in reserve following Blanche Bay and Rabaul Harbour. increase in the Admiralty Surveying drastic Defence cuts owing to the In July and August 1942, Service in ships or personnel can be Great Depression. With few vessels hydrographic information provided hoped for and the immediate need conducting surveys in Australian waters, by the small surveying tender HMAS for work in Home Waters renders it it was hardly surprising that growing Kwato enabled ships to move into impossible to divert vessels for further dissatisfaction among commercial Milne Bay while preliminary surveys by surveying in the Dominions”. shipping circles led to Ministerial HMA Ships Whyalla, Stella and Polaris intervention. were to prove invaluable during the THE INTER-WAR YEARS In 1937, the Ministers for Defence Buna campaign. The question concerning the creation and Commerce appointed a technical As Allied armies advanced during of an Australian hydrographic committee to make recommendations 1943, RAN surveying ships were formed

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 75 SPECIAL FEATURE: AUSTRALIAN HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE 100TH ANNIVERSARY

At MMA Offshore, we specialise in providing a comprehensive suite of marine and subsea services to the maritime industry into Task Group 70.5, part of the US German U-Boat torpedoed and sank Seventh Fleet, and the Australian HMAS Parramatta in the Mediterranean Hydrographic Service was designated on 27 November 1941. Their loss the charting authority for Allied naval was deeply felt across the fledgling forces in the South West Pacific. surveying community. During 1944, Australian surveying Despite its small number, Australia’s vessels undertook several daring surveying service received an impressive exploits as part of forces conducting list of awards and decorations during initial operations preceding amphibious World War II, including two Order of the landings. The corvette HMAS British Empires (OBE), 13 Distinguished Shepparton surveyed a channel Service Cross (DSC), four Distinguished through the Japanese-controlled Service Medals (DSM), 14 mentions in Dampier Strait prior to the landing at despatches, as well as United States Cape Gloucester. For the occupation Legion of Merit awards. In addition, of the Admiralty Islands, HMAS Commander KE Oom, OBE, RAN, Benalla accompanied the invasion was awarded the Gill Memorial Award force undertaking a survey of Seeadler by the Royal Geographical Society Harbour while it was still partly in enemy of London in recognition of the RAN hands. In the landings that followed, Surveying Service’s contribution to surveying vessels routinely formed part the geographical knowledge of New of mine-sweeping flotillas, marking Guinea waters. cleared channels and undertaking By 1945, the Royal Australian Naval important preliminary surveys. Surveying Service comprised the RAN The Australian Hydrographic Service sloops Warrego and Moresby; the also participated in landings at Morotai, frigate Lachlan; the corvettes Benalla,

As a member of the HydroScheme Leyte Gulf, Lingayen Gulf, Subic Bay, Shepparton, Horsham, Echuca and Industry Partnership Program, MMA Zamboanga, Mindanao, Tarakan, Brunei Castlemaine; the trawlers Stella, Polaris Offshore (formally Neptune Geomatics), has extensive experience in delivering Bay and Balikpapan. It conducted and Winter; the lighthouse tenders hydrographic survey programs surveys across Australia’s northern Cape Leeuwin and Bangalow; and three waters and through the Timor and harbour defence motor launches. Arafura Seas, including waters largely unsurveyed since the days of the early THE POST-WAR ERA: MMA Offshore's subsea expertise navigators. This work provided a swept 1946 TO 1960 enables us to deliver navigational route for battleships The Australian Federal Cabinet a wide range of transiting from the Indian to Pacific considered the future of the Australian tailored services to Government and Oceans, and the mine sweeping and Hydrographic Service in 1946, Defence, including: survey operations through the restricted determining that the RAN would remain - Hydrographic - Geophysical waters of Torres Strait enabled ships of the charting authority for hydrographic - Geotechnical all sizes to safely use it by day or night. surveys of Australian waters and of - Commercial diving - Inspection & repair Three notable hydrographic surveyors Australian spheres of influence in the - Asset integrity were killed in action during 1941 and Pacific. Cabinet also endorsed a 25-year 1942. Commander W.H. Martin, RAN, program to achieve this purpose. was lost when HMAS Perth was sunk HMA Ships Warrego, Lachlan and during the Battle of Sunda Strait. Barcoo were employed as survey ships Lieutenant Commander R.W. Rankin, between 1946 and 1948, surveying the RAN, was killed at his post while in southern Great Barrier Reef, Spencer command of HMAS Yarra when she was Gulf, Bass Strait and the north-west engaged by overwhelming Japanese coast of New Guinea. Three years later, naval forces while escorting a convoy manning and other difficulties forced south of Java; and Lieutenant G.W.A. the RAN to reduce the surveying ships’ Langford, RAN, was killed when a complements but harbour surveys mmaoffshore.com SPECIAL FEATURE: AUSTRALIAN HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE 100TH ANNIVERSARY

continued from ships immobilised Trench, it is believed to be the deepest at Sydney. recorded water in the Indian Ocean. In 1947, the RAN Hydrographic Service commissioned the unusually RAPID CHANGE: 1961 TO 1973 named HMAS Wyatt Earp to Discoveries of large mineral deposits support Antarctic exploration. Under led to a dramatic increase in Australia’s Commander K.E. Oom, RAN, she export earnings during the 1960s and sailed from Hobart on 26 December early 1970s. It also changed the type for Antarctica. Her objectives included and size of shipping used to transport a reconnaissance of the coastline of Australia’s export commodities. The King George V Land, to evaluate the opening of new ports and a rapid prospects of establishing an Australian increase in the tonnage of shipping was base in the Commonwealth Bay to shape the work of the AHS for the area. However, while to the south of next 15 years. Macquarie Island, she was plagued HMA Ships Barcoo, Warrego and with mechanical defects and ordered Paluma subsequently conducted surveys back to Williamstown, Victoria. She of new deep draft shipping routes sailed again on 8 February 1948, through the Great Barrier Reef, Torres carrying out a running survey of the Strait and the Gulf of Carpentaria and of Balleny Islands. On her return voyage the approaches to the new mineral ports she called at Macquarie Island, of Weipa, Port Hedland, Dampier and rendezvousing with HMA LST 3501 Gove. The commissioning of that was landing an expedition on the HMAS Moresby (II), Australia’s first island. purpose-designed survey vessel, For three years, no progress was replaced Barcoo and Warrego in 1964. made on the national survey but in By 1992 she had attained an impressive 1952 surveying was resumed by HMA 1 million nautical miles in the course of Ships Warrego and Barcoo. In 1958, her surveying duties. HMAS Paluma commissioned, joining In 1966, the RAN Hydrographic them in this important endeavour. School was established at HMAS On 22 June 1959, the river Penguin, Mosman, NSW. Today it is Class frigate HMAS Diamantina known as the Maritime Geospatial recommissioned as an Oceanographic Training Centre and it continues to train Research Ship, under the command naval officers and sailors to international of Lieutenant Commander Bruce D standards. Gordon, RAN. Over the following During the 1960s, the face of two decades she undertook hydrographic surveying changed oceanographic survey duty, mainly off with the fitting of Decca, LAMBDA the Western Australian coast and in and HI-FIX electronic position fixing the Indian Ocean and Java Sea. During systems to survey ships. These systems those surveys she carried scientists replaced visual and radar position fixing, from the Commonwealth Scientific remaining in service until the late 1970s. and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and assisted the Australian NEW TECHNOLOGY AND Army Survey team on the north-west OPPORTUNITIES: 1973 TO 1993 coast of Australia. By the mid-1970s, the surveys of main In February 1960, scientists aboard deep draught shipping routes and Diamantina discovered a fissure in the approaches to key mineral ports around ocean floor west of Cape Leeuwin Australia had been completed to that dropped to depths of over 4,000 modern standards, clearing the way for fathoms. Now known as the Diamantina increased usage. SPECIAL FEATURE: AUSTRALIAN HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE 100TH ANNIVERSARY

On 27 April 1973, a new hydrographic in the years that followed and the In relatively clear coastal waters, survey ship (small) HMAS Flinders Autochart System entered service in LADS proved to be highly effective. commissioned in the RAN as a 1978 for the production of nautical Its productivity and area coverage replacement for HMAS Paluma. Named charts. The Global Positioning System was so good that surface units were after the famous Royal Navy navigator (GPS) replaced other electronic position routinely not tasked to these areas. In and cartographer, she was to spend fixing systems in the late 1980s. regions of poor water clarity, LADS was much of her service life surveying the Complementing the work of the a complementary capability to surface Great Barrier Reef, Papua New Guinea RAN’s hydrographic ships was the survey units. More than 26 years after and the Coral Sea. In 1974 she was the oceanographic research ship HMAS the first experimental laser flew, this first RAN ship to enter Darwin following Cook. Commissioned in the RAN on Australian-designed system remained at the devastation caused by Cyclone 28 October 1980, she replaced HMAS the forefront of both laser-based systems Tracy, clearing the way for seaborne Diamantina in the oceanographic and hydrographic survey systems in relief efforts. research role. Cook was the first general. In total, the LADS Flight flew Transit Satellite Navigation systems RAN ship specifically designed for more than 3,000 sorties, conducting entered service in 1973 for offshore oceanographic duties, remaining 186 surveys and covered an area of surveys, followed by shore-based in commission until 1990 having more than 50,000 square kilometres. systems to establish geodetic control. undertaken a number of important It was withdrawn from service on 6 LAMBDA and HI-FIX were replaced scientific deployments. November 2019. by Cubic Western ARGO with thermal A Laser Airborne Depth Sounding In 1979, the Australian Government generation power supply, Motorola Mini- (LADS) capability was introduced in instituted a program to establish a Ranger became the new short range 1993. The system used the difference hydrographic capability in the Solomon electronic position finder with wind and between the sea surface and the sea Islands under the Defence Co-operation solar power generation, and new shallow floor as calculated from the aircraft’s Program (DCP). This saw a Chief Petty and deep water echo sounders replaced altitude to generate hydrographic Officer Survey Recorder (CPOSR) systems which had been in use for data. Initially, a modified Fokker F27 posted to the Solomon Islands Marine 30 years. aircraft, supported by a ground-based Division (SIMD) in Honiara. The AHS also The Hydrographic Logging and processing and validation unit, was used. chartered a Department of Transport Processing System (HYDLAPS) was Later the system was refitted to a Hawker vessel, MV Cape Pillar, and with a small installed in RAN hydrographic ships De Havilland Dash 8 in 2010. contingent of hydrographic personnel

78 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 SPECIAL FEATURE: AUSTRALIAN HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE 100TH ANNIVERSARY

embarked, conducted surveys in the HMA Ships Leeuwin and Melville, of water. This enabled the aircraft and waters of the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu commissioned in Cairns in 1999, and the remains of those on board to be and Samoa from 1982 to 1989. along with the survey motor recovered. Melville’s crew was among A similar program operated in launches, LADS flight and Deployable 107 ADF personnel whose efforts were Vanuatu from 1987 to 1995, while in Fiji Geospatial Support Team (DGST), recognised through the award of a several hydrographic officers assisted in they assumed responsibility for the Meritorious Unit Citation later presented supporting that country’s hydrographic hydrographic survey of Australia’s area of by the USMC. program during the 1980s. Australia charting responsibility. On 16 October 2017 the Defence also assisted South West Pacific Throughout the first two decades Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 was countries by providing hydrographic and of the 21st century, the Australian passed, receiving Royal Assent to cartographic training at the Hydrographic Hydrographic Service continued consolidate the Australian Hydrographic School in Sydney. conducting frequent surveys around Office into the Australian Geospatial- In 1985 the AHS resumed Antarctic the Australian coast and in the South Intelligence Organisation (AGO). Later operations, conducting survey Pacific. At times its ships and personnel that year, in December, Commodore reconnaissance at various Australian have also contributed to constabulary, Fiona Freeman, RAN, was appointed the Antarctic stations. The Hydrographic humanitarian and military operations. first female Australian Hydrographer. Office Detached Survey Unit (HODSU) Between October 2008 and December Today the Australian Hydrographic commenced annual deployments in 2009, one of the Hydrographic Branch’s Office is responsible for providing 1987, which continued for 15 years using most senior members, Commodore Australia’s national charting service under the Survey Motor Boats Deliverance Bruce Kafer, AM, CSC, RAN, was the terms of SOLAS and the Navigation and Wyatt Earp. When not on Antarctic appointed in command of two combined Act 2012. This role duties, HODSU conducted surveys task forces, CTF158 and CTF152, in the requires provision of nautical throughout Australia, deploying on Arabian Gulf. There he was responsible charting and associated services active service during the INTERFET for the coordination and execution in support of maritime safety, the Operation in East Timor in 1999-2000. of maritime security and interception coordination and determination of policy From 1989 to 1990, four new survey operations in the Middle East Area of and standards that cover motor launches (SML) HMA Ships Operations. He was later appointed the both hydrographic surveying and Paluma, Mermaid, Shepparton and commandant of the Australian Defence charting, as well as contributing to Benalla were commissioned in the Force Academy from 2009-2013. the coordination, exchange and RAN. Designed for operations in the Several of the RAN’s hydrographic standards related to maritime geospatial shallow waters of northern Australia, ships performed important border data in general. they generally operate in pairs with their protection duties in support of Operation The AHO is also responsible for twin hull design providing good stability RELEX. Others rendered assistance providing direct support to the Australian in most conditions. Each SML carries to the civil community in the wake Defence Force (ADF) the latest in survey and computerised of natural disasters such as Cyclone by providing hydrographic, hydrographic data processing Debbie that crossed the coast of charting, oceanographic and equipment and is fitted with the latest Queensland in 2017. In other maritime meteorology services. navigation aids. operations, hydrographic ships have Over the last 100 years, the actively participated in a number of RAN’s hydrographic personnel 1994 TO PRESENT major exercises, proving their worth have contributed significantly to In 1994, the Australian Hydrographic in simulated minefield lead-through preserving maritime security in peace Office moved to its current location in operations and other specialised tasks. and war. Their work often takes place Wollongong. It remains a repository for On 6 August 2017, HMAS Melville was in the remote far reaches of Australia hydrographic information in Australia, instrumental in locating the wreckage of and its surrounds, well out of sight of preserving many original surveys, a United States Marine Corps (USMC) the many who make use of the charts hydrographic and oceanographic MV-22 Osprey aircraft that ditched in and other important navigational data data and archival copies of published the vicinity of Shoalwater Bay during produced by them. When warships of Australian and British Admiralty charts. exercises killing three US Marines. Using the RAN fleet deploy, they do so In 1997, HMAS Moresby the ship’s Towed Lightweight Side Scan confident in the navigational data decommissioned and Flinders followed Sonar, the wreck of the aircraft was provided by the ships and personnel soon after in 1998. Two new vessels, discovered in short order in 59 metres of the Navy’s survey fleet. ■

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 79

SPECIAL FEATURE: AUSTRALIAN HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE 100TH ANNIVERSARY HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE: LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE FROM THE PRESENT

Civmec in the joint venture, the The Australian Hydrographic Office has celebrated Australian Maritime Shipbuilding and Export Group (AMSEG). a number of milestones and events this year, and is looking ahead towards future advancements. 20TH ANNIVERSARY FOR HMAS LEEUWIN AND HMAS MELVILLE Currently, the AHO operates two ships, efence is currently preparing the Project SEA2400 Phase 1, or the HMA Ships Leeuwin and Melville, which proposals for Government Hydrographic Data Collection Capability, both celebrated their 20th birthdays regarding the delivery of new a new ship will be constructed at in 2020, at the same time as the AHO Dcapabilities to support the conduct of the Henderson shipyards in Western turned 100. Military Survey activities. These activities Australia. A potential candidate for a Both vessels have had distinguished will provide invaluable environmental vessel to undertake this role is a variant careers, and this was acknowledged data to the AHO to continue to support of the Arafura Class OPV. The Arafura by Melville’s Commanding Officer, Defence operations, activities and Class ships are based on the PV80 Commander Michael Kumpis, as he exercises in the Australian maritime design and will be built in Australia marked the 20th anniversary milestone. operating environment. Originally by German shipbuilder Luerssen in “The last 20 years has seen these announced by MinDef in 2018 as partnership with Australian company vessels take on a greater role within

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 81 SPECIAL FEATURE: AUSTRALIAN HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE 100TH ANNIVERSARY

a Meritorious Unit Commendation for their role in the location and recovery of a US Marine Corps Osprey Aircraft which tragically crashed and sank off the Queensland coast. Blue Crew were also awarded the Duke of Gloucester’s Cup – recognition as being the most effective and efficient ship in the entire Navy fleet – for 2017 by HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, for a series of multi-discipline activities around the Australian coastline and through the SW Pacific and SE Asia. Both Leeuwin and Melville have been deployed internationally as part of the Enhanced Regional Engagement Program across the South-West Pacific and South-East Asian regions, undertaking valuable relationship- building work with Australia’s neighbours. “The Leeuwin Class Hydrographic “Our supporting role is to collect, decipher and disseminate to Ships have provided outstanding service across a wide range of changing and those who require it for decision making purposes, either in real expanding roles over the last 20 years, time or the traditionally known methodical surveys.” including non-core roles in Border Protection and Regional Engagement,” Navy, shifting from a primarily national border protection operations Relex said Captain Bryan Parker, Commander charting focus towards border protection, and Resolute, in addition to other Mine Warfare, Hydrographic and Patrol enhanced regional engagement and bespoke tasking. Boat Force. the provision of maritime military For their core hydrographic role, the “The adaptability of their crews geospatial information in the operational specialised survey ships give the Navy to meet these challenges with success environment,” Commander Kumpis said. fleet a significant capability across a has been of great credit to them and Initially painted white, the Leeuwin number of disciplines, either operating to Navy.” Class ships were built by NQEA in alone or as part of a task group. Cairns, North Queensland, where they “The Leeuwin Class, with a world’s WORLD HYDROGRAPHY are also currently based. best hydrographic sonar system and DAY 2020 At the time of entering service, the the ability to deploy Scaneagle (the World Hydrography Day was held on Leeuwin and Melville were a significant unmanned aerial vehicle built by 21 June and HMAS Melville marked the advance in terms of their ability to Boeing subsidiary Insitu), added to occasion at sea performing ongoing gather high quality hydrographic the multidisciplinary versatility of the survey operations in the vicinity of information at a much faster rate than platform, makes the Hydrographic Shoalwater Bay. the ships they replaced. Survey vessel a valuable fleet asset,” Melville’s work will improve the quality Due to their versatility, size and said Commander Richard Mortimer, of charts and strengthen the knowledge endurance, they proved themselves Commanding Officer of the of local tide dynamics, information which capable of an impressive variety of HMAS Leeuwin. is crucial to the continuing understanding maritime tasks, and reflected their The ships have proved on several of the environment. respective ships’ mottos “I Shall occasions that they are more than The work will also have a practical Maintain” for the Leeuwin and “With surveying platforms. application for naval operations, with Determination” for Melville. During Exercise Talisman Sabre in Exercise Talisman Sabre conducted every During their service, both 2017, the Hydrographic Survey ‘Blue two years in the same area. ships supported whole-of-government Crew’ on HMAS Melville were awarded “With a foremost understanding of the

82 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 SPECIAL FEATURE: AUSTRALIAN HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE 100TH ANNIVERSARY

surrounding space above and below the scenario-based assessment, which the AHO as part of the HIPP,” said water, the war fighter can take advantage delivered insights and skills which Mark Sinclair, Director of Hydrography of the information provided both Lieutenant Taylor said would be for Fugro in Asia-Pacific. “Long-term tactically and strategically, to allow them invaluable for his work on HMAS Melville. strategic partnerships help support to gain the edge over an opponent,” “Course highlights included innovation, such as our USV for faster Melville’s executive officer, Lieutenant the opportunity to work with my data acquisition, and contribute to Commander Adrian Eddy, told Navy Army geospatial colleagues and developing an enduring national Daily in June. visit several civilian geospatial hydrographic industry.” “Our supporting role is to collect, organisations,” he said. The nautical charts of the Gulf of decipher and disseminate to those who “It provided a valuable insight into the St Vincent and Investigator Strait that require it for decision making purposes, role of Geospatial Officers in the wider support marine traffic, fishing, tourism, either in real time or the traditionally Australian Defence Force.” recreational boating and environmental known methodical surveys.” management currently consist of In 2019, Melville first deployed three AHO INDUSTRY PARTNER TO historical data of varying reliability, some Slocum Gliders as part of the SEA2400 SURVEY GULF ST VINCENT going as far back as Matthew Flinders trials, to collect oceanographic data from Survey and geotechnics company Fugro and Nicolas Baudin in the early 1800s. the sea surface to depths approaching has been selected to chart the waters 1,000m over a four-week period for use of South Australia’s Gulf of St Vincent US OCEANOGRAPHER IN in better understanding and exploiting and Investigator Strait as part of the APRIL VISIT the marine environment. Australian Government’s HydroScheme Rear Adm. John Okon, Commander, These UAV were deployed once Industry Partnership Program (HIPP). Naval Meteorology and Oceanography again on World Hydrography Day, The 998km2 survey will be conducted Command (NMOC), travelled to in keeping with the 2020 theme of on behalf of the Australian Hydrographic Australia in March for an engagement autonomous technologies. Office (AHO), which will use the data and familiarisation visit with the AHO, The benefits of a better understanding to update nautical charts for safer the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence of the marine environment are two-fold: navigation. Data will also be shared Organisation (AGO) and Royal Australian they allow for a significantly increased with scientific agencies, including Navy (RAN) Meteorology-Oceanography understanding of the risks for maritime Geoscience Australia and the national (METOC) activities. units entering questionable or unfamiliar AusSeabed community. It was the first visit by the head of waters, allowing them to operate more This area within Gulf of St Vincent and the United States Navy’s operational safely and efficiently, while at the same Investigator Strait is the major waterway meteorology and oceanography time it provides Navy and Defence an for the approach to Port Adelaide and command in more than 20 years. incredible strategic, operational and features adjacent marine parks and “RAN/AGO and Fleet METOC are tactical advantage over an adversary to habitat protection zones of national great friends. Our partnership is critical maximise the effectiveness of weapon environmental significance. because we cannot, and should not, systems and warfighting manoeuvre. Fugro will deploy a new uninhabited go it alone sensing, collecting data and surface vessel (USV), Fugro’s Autonomous predicting the physical battlespace. We NAVAL OFFICER IN GEOSPATIAL Surveyor-900 (FAS-900), to expedite data must leverage each other’s capabilities TRAINING collection – the first time this technology to build a stronger partnership and The second Navy participant in the has been deployed in Australia for maximise our combined resources,” Army’s Geospatial Officers’ Course the AHO – and a demonstration of Admiral Okon said. graduated from the Defence Force the innovations being developed to Commodore Fiona Freeman, School of Intelligence in Sydney in improve the safety and efficiency of data Hydrographer of Australia and Director- June 2020. collection in the marine estate. General Hydrography and METOC, Lieutenant Andrew Taylor, a Maritime Fugro will also utilise other offered the invitation after Royal Geospatial Officer – Hydrography – who technologies developed in Australia, Australian Navy and AGO visits to United is posted to HMAS Melville, completed including remote operations centres States Naval Oceanography commands the eight-week course which covers (ROCs) and Back2Base data transfers, to highlighted opportunities for further geospatial theory and products in achieve significant environmental, safety collaboration. addition to capability and command. and efficiency gains. Rear Adm. Okon’s four-day trip The course culminated in a four-day “Fugro is proud to be supporting included visits to the AHO, Fleet Base

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 83 SPECIAL FEATURE: AUSTRALIAN HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE 100TH ANNIVERSARY

East in Sydney, Australian Defence of the new HydroScheme Industry AHO HOSTS SOUTH-WEST Headquarters in Canberra, AGO and Partnership Program. PACIFIC PARTNERS HMAS Cairns Naval Base. Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Shaping strategic policy in the He was able to visit the lead Noonan, AO, RAN said that through the fields of hydrography, nautical ships of two Classes of Navy’s program, industry will be able to use the charting and related navigational Hydrographic and Oceanographic latest hydrographic techniques and state- safety was the focus of the South West survey ships: HMAS Leeuwin (A245), of-the-art equipment to deliver quality Pacific Hydrographic Commission lead ship of the Leeuwin Class of deep hydrographic data to Defence, which Meeting, held in Wollongong in ocean hydrographic survey vessels, and charts and disseminates this information. February 2020. HMAS Paluma (A01), the lead ship of the “The HydroScheme Industry Members of the South West Pacific Paluma Class shallow coastal Partnership Program is a $150 million Hydrographic Commission worked survey vessels. government investment in Australia’s together to improve maritime safety “These vessels are impressive and commercial hydrographic industry through hydrographic capacity building agile. The professionalism of the crews over the next five years,” Vice Admiral and forging strong connections as a and the capability are world-Class,” Noonan said. maritime community. Okon said. “This is the first step in an ongoing Commodore Fiona Freeman, RAN, partnership with Australia’s commercial Hydrographer of Australia, hosted HYDROSCHEME INDUSTRY hydrographic industry.” the event and said it presented an PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM Under the International Convention opportunity for delegates to discuss COMMENCES for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974, developments in surveys, charting and A long-term partnership between the Australian Government has an maritime safety information. Defence and members of Australia’s international obligation to provide “The Australian Hydrographic Office is hydrographic industry was announced hydrographic services covering the the nation’s official hydrographic agency, in February with the commencement Australian Charting Area. responsible for meeting Defence’s

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obligations for provision of nautical PROPULSION UPGRADE investigation to determine if the PMR charts, products and services under ON HMAS MELVILLE could be cooled more effectively, thereby the Navigation Act,” Commodore Engineering innovation by technical allowing the ship to operate its drive train Freeman said. sailors onboard HMAS Melville has at higher speeds. “Defence, through the Australian resulted in an increase in the maximum A broad cross-section of the Hydrographic Office, is working with propulsion power available to support ship’s technical department was involved its counterparts to strengthen the the ship’s involvement in task group in thermographic mapping, airflow analysis South West Pacific region’s operations while improving the and ambient air monitoring in order to hydrographic capability and safe use normal operating conditions for prototype enhanced ventilation systems for of the maritime environment, which are essential machinery. the compartment using resources available important to the region’s security and The Propulsion Motor Room (PMR) on board in innovative ways. economic development. in hydrographic ships houses the ship’s Following testing and refinement “Australia is a maritime nation, and main motors and gearboxes. of the enhanced ventilation system, we share a reliance on the Pacific Ocean This equipment generates heat analysis showed that the enhanced with our neighbours in the region. through its normal operation and the ventilation design reduced the localised The South West Pacific Hydrographic maximum propulsion output of the build-up of hot air around sensors and Commission meeting provides us with ship has previously been defined when drive equipment. a unique opportunity to engage as operating in tropical climates by how This allowed the ship to achieve partners in this vitally important area. effectively this heat can be dissipated. greater performance from its drive train, “I welcome the government, Under the leadership and allowing Melville to travel at higher international organisations and industry technical guidance of Petty Officer average speeds while giving the added representatives from 15 nations as we Marine Technician (POMT) Ryan benefit of reducing the load on the work together to optimise the safe use of Schweitzer, the technical department propulsion train when operating at the maritime environment.” in Melville undertook a technical lower speeds. ■ NAVY OUTLOOK BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE: NAVAL SHIPBUILDING AND FLEET SUSTAINMENT The period between now and at least the mid- 2030s will be a busy time for the Royal Australian Navy in terms of shipbuilding and sustainment. By Nigel Pittaway.

86 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 NAVY OUTLOOK

t the present time there are shipbuilding plan, a recent step office under Andrew Byrne is one of no fewer than five onshore has been the creation of the position four divisions within the overarching build programs underway, with of Deputy Secretary, National Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise, which Aanother two vessels shortly to arrive Naval Shipbuilding within the also includes the Ships Division, in Australia for completion and fit-out. Capability Acquisition and which looks after the acquisition of In addition, Navy has recently taken Sustainment Group (CASG). Navy’s surface fleet and headed by delivery of its third and last Hobart The position was created in 2018 Sheryl Lutz; the Submarine Division, Class destroyer, HMAS Sydney, and its on the recommendation of the responsible for both the acquisition Anzac Class frigates are undergoing Naval Shipbuilding Advisory Board, of the Attack Class boats and Collins significant capability upgrades. under the current leadership of Class sustainment and upgrade, under The National Naval Shipbuilding Chairman Don Winter, which provides Greg Sammut; and the Maritime enterprise is currently overseeing independent advice to government Systems Division, led by Rear Admiral construction of five differentClass es on naval shipbuilding matters. The Wendy Malcolm, which is responsible of vessels for the RAN, Australian present Deputy Secretary Naval for all of Navy’s current surface fleet Government and Australia’s Pacific Shipbuilding is Tony Dalton, who sustainment activities. neighbours. These include Attack explains the organisation was initially “Clearly, there is a very close Class submarines at Osborne in South formed within Defence to provide relationship between the Ships Australia; Hunter Class anti-submarine a higher level of focus on the warfare (ASW) frigates at Osborne; enterprise, before being moved Arafura Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) across into CASG. at both Osborne and Henderson in “I am responsible to Secretary of the Western Australia; and Guardian and Department of Defence Greg Moriarty Cape Class Patrol Boats at Henderson. for the delivery of the National In addition, the first of two Supply Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise, and Class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment that includes the delivery of Hunter, (AOR) ships will arrive in Western Arafura, Attack and Success Class Australia later this year for completion vessels. I am also responsible for and fit-out, following construction by the sustainment of the current fleet Navantia in Ferrol, Spain. and the maintenance of the policy Against this backdrop of framework that enables it,” he says. shipbuilding activity, the current fleet “The National Naval Shipbuilding needs to be adequately sustained office was set up in the centre of to ensure it is capable of meeting the enterprise to act as the policy its days at sea requirements while organisation and co-ordinator across Tony Dalton the new ships and submarines enter all the different activities within service. To achieve these parallel the enterprise. It is a means of requirements, Navy’s partnership with standardising our approach to industry defence industry is of paramount across what is quite a diverse range importance and even beyond the of activities. There are currently a current COVID-19 restrictions there lot of differences between the way are significant challenges ahead. One we conduct some of our activities major challenge involves growing a between different Classes of ships and skilled workforce capable of sustaining submarines, across both acquisition the drumbeat of ships and submarines and sustainment.” entering the water while ensuring The standardised approach aims sustainment levels meet current and to both reduce complexity across the future fleet requirements. organisation and reduce costs which may in the past have transferred to NATIONAL NAVAL SHIPBUILDING industry because of different strategies ENTERPRISE used to achieve similar outcomes. To oversee the national naval The National Naval Shipbuilding Rear Admiral Wendy Malcolm >> Continued on pg.91

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 87 Steel in… Ships out at Osborne Naval Shipyard

The Osborne Naval Shipyard (ONS), formerly known The OSDP comprises four new industrial halls: a Steel Fabrication as Techport, has expanded significantly over the past Hall, Block Assembly Hall, Blast and two years, now stretching across 109 hectares of the Paint Hall and Ship Consolidation and Lefevre Peninsula in South Australia. Erection Hall. The new full-service Steel Fabrication Hall, fitted with the latest in steel ormed in March 2017, Australian Odense Maritime Technologies (OMT) handling, manufacturing and fabrication Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd (ANI), – for a generic shipbuilding production equipment from around the world, Fa Government Business Enterprise, facility. Lendlease was appointed by including fully-automated robotic was tasked with providing state-of-the- ANI as the managing contractor for the welding stations, enables end-to-end art shipbuilding infrastructure to facilitate construction of the OSDP following a Steel in… Ships out capability for the the build of major surface combatant competitive tender process soon after, first time at the ONS. vessels and submarines in support and OMT and its Australian designer The Block Assembly Hall facilitates the of the Federal Government’s Naval partner, Aurecon, were appointed to assembly of large blocks up to 400T and Shipbuilding Plan. ANI has acquired continue their project involvement under substantially increases the capacity and the existing shipyard, surrounding a novated agreement. production capability of the southern lands and buildings, and Common User The desired outcome was to expand yard overall. The Blast and Paint Hall, Infrastructure, and has commenced the the existing southern shipyard to much larger than the existing facility, can expansion and modernisation of the enable ‘end-to-end’, fully integrated now accommodate blocks up to 400T newly rebranded ONS into a world-class shipbuilding capability using the latest and operates in five modes. shipbuilding precinct. in automated and high production At 50m high, 180m long and 90m The first expansion project – the equipment and systems. The wide, the Ship Consolidation and Osborne South Development Project outcome has been achieved, and the Erection Hall was built in sections on – commenced in late 2017 when ANI new southern yard now supports a the ground, then rotated and lifted was handed a 90% design – developed continuous build program for future into place using strand-jacking. This by Capability and Sustainment Group vessels up to a 10,000T displacement, methodology minimised the need for (CASG) and Denmark designers, such as Destroyer class vessels. working at heights, improving safety outcomes, and provided significant In November 2018, delivery of Early productivity benefits towards ensuring Works (Phase 1) of the Osborne North the project was delivered on time. Development Project (ONDP) – a Assembly and installation of two massive bespoke submarine yard designed 200T overhead gantry cranes in this and constructed to suit the specific facility supports construction of vessels production needs of the Attack class under cover, compared to previous submarine program – commenced. open, dry berth consolidation and ship The Early Works comprise two erection construction at the yard. new land-based test facilities, a HV The ability to construct vessels substation and fire pump station inside these halls provides extensive constructed on the northern section gains in productivity through installed of the proposed Future Submarine Site manufacturing and lifting equipment, at Osborne. reduced exposure to weather, and the Planning and design of the Main ability to implement extended shifts for Works (Phase 2) is also progressing, and increased production if required. Early Works and site preparation for this Other buildings constructed as part Phase of construction has commenced. of the OSDP include a new canteen The Main Works comprise production with a large, fully equipped commercial support halls, a main assembly hall kitchen, modularised change room and supporting ancillary buildings buildings with solar and recycled water, and workshops. This northern yard is and sound-proofed offices and staff significantly larger than the OSDP and amenities attached to each of the will also provide end-to-end Steel in… new halls. Subs out capability. Completed on time and within The majority of these works are being budget, the OSDP has now been delivered through ANI’s appointed handed over to ANI’s Operation Team managing contractor, Laing O’Rourke, and a staged handover to shipyard and design lead KBR, working in a operator, BAE / ASC Shipbuilding has collaborative manner with our future since commenced. Prototyping for submarine yard operator, Naval Group the Hunter Class Frigate Program is Australia and CASG. scheduled to commence later this year. The largest ever infrastructure The next stage of development for investment of its type in Australia’s the southern yards is the modernisation history, this is a revolutionary program of the existing facilities, and the first of works at the ONS that supports the building is scheduled for refurbishment Government’s commitment to building and repurposing into a pipe workshop a strong, sustainable and innovative from September 2020. Australian naval shipbuilding industry. Papua New Guinea Tuvalu

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>> Continued from pg.87 new facility at Henderson and all Dalton explains that, while the naval subsequent vessels will be built in shipbuilding enterprise is being led Division, which is acquiring surface Western Australia. by Defence, it is actually a whole-of- ships, and Maritime Systems Division, SEA5000 Phase 1 will oversee government activity. Overseeing the which is sustaining them,” Dalton construction of nine highly capable program is the Secretary’s Committee adds. “RADM Malcolm has parts ASW-optimised frigates, to be built for Australian National Naval of her team embedded with the at Osborne by ASC Shipbuilding. The Shipbuilding Enterprise (SCANNSE), acquisition organisation, because you reference design for the Hunter Class currently chaired by the Secretary of need to have sustainment people on ships is BAE Systems’ Global Combat the Department of Prime Minister and the ground from the very beginning.” Ship (GCS), which also forms the basis Cabinet, Philip Gaetjens. for ships under construction in the “The committee includes the EXECUTING THE NATIONAL United Kingdom for the Royal Navy Secretaries of the Departments of NAVAL SHIPBUILDING PLAN (Type 26) and in Canada for the Royal Finance and Defence, the Chief of the From a Navy perspective, the three Canadian Navy (Canadian Surface Defence Force (CDF) and it picks up major shipbuilding programs are the Combatant). Prototyping construction all the principal areas fundamental to Arafura Class OPV under SEA1180 of hull blocks is due to begin at the success of the enterprise, such as Phase 1, Hunter Class ASW frigates Osborne in December and steel is industry, employment and education,” under SEA5000 Phase 1 and the expected to be cut for the first ship in Dalton says. Attack Class submarines, being December 2022. “So, we have a mechanism which acquired under the overarching Twelve large, regionally superior has proven very effective in setting SEA1000 program. conventional submarines will be the framework for the success of SEA1180 Phase 1 is acquiring 12 delivered by SEA1000 to replace the enterprise and, while it is not a OPVs based on Lürssen’s OPV80 Navy’s six Collins Class boats. The risk-free environment, it does mean design to replace Navy’s ageing Attack Class submarines will be built we have whole-of-government Armidale Class Patrol Boat (ACPB) at Osborne by ASC, in partnership engagement.” fleet. The first two vessels are under with Naval Group Australia and work is construction by ASC Shipbuilding at continuing on the preliminary design. MANAGING THE RISK Osborne and the lead vessel, HMAS Construction work on the pressure Balancing Australia’s diverse and Arafura, is expected to enter service hull of the first boat is expected to complex shipbuilding programs in 2021. Assembly of the third ship commence in 2024. comes with significant risk and the has now begun at Civmec’s huge From a governance perspective, task has not been made easier by the

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 91 impact of COVID-19 and associated manage their risk, we need to consider restrictions. However, Dalton says it from an enterprise perspective as all the major programs are currently well. The largest strategic risk to the executing as expected. enterprise is the workforce risk and a “What we’re seeing right now is lot of effort has been put into what our that COVID-19 is not having a huge workforce demand is, particularly at impact on our shipbuilding program, the prime contractor level.” we’re doing a lot of work with the While the shipbuilding enterprise industry primes to look at supply chain has traditionally competed with other vulnerabilities,” he explains. industry sectors, such as mining, the “At this point in time, while some of impact of COVID-19 on workforce the international logistics processes security may possibly work to have become more challenging, they Defence’s advantage in the long term. are all still working and the good news “It might actually be that we will is that the long-lead items we need go from an environment where it typically don’t come to Australia by air was difficult to attract individuals to freight. While the biggest impact on shipbuilding, to one in which the our logistics chain at the moment is a long-term surety of a Commonwealth- reduction in air freight, sea freight is backed series of projects becomes still continuing.” more attractive than it might once Beyond COVID-19, an enduring have been,” Dalton adds. challenge is to raise and sustain a “As a result, some of our risk skilled naval shipbuilding workforce to calculations are changing, based on sustain five different and simultaneous how the employment environment Extreme reliability for air- shipbuilding activities focused in is changing in response to the cooled heat exchangers Osborne and Henderson, but which pandemic.” also have activities across Australia. SUSTAINING THE Keeps critical infrastructure The Federal Government has created the Naval Shipbuilding CURRENT FLEET operating at high efficiency College (NSC) at Osborne, managed In parallel with the largest naval even in harsh conditions by the Naval Shipbuilding Institute shipbuilding program in Australia’s (NSI) – a joint venture between history, the current fleet needs to Reclaims lost efficiency on Kellogg Brown & Root and Huntington be sustained at a level to ensure degraded air heat exchangers Ingalls Industries. The college is fleet units remain available to meet responsible for the co-ordination sovereign tasking requirements. In Reduces deposits of salt on of education and training of addition to the ongoing operational fins - superhydrophobic personnel, beginning in 2018 with the sustainment activities, several major establishment of industry workforce units, including the eight Anzac Tested to ASTM B117 requirements. Class frigates and six Collins Class 10,000 salt spray hours “Through the college we engage submarines, are the subject of current with the tertiary institutions that and/or future upgrade programs. Water-based acrylic low VOC support our professional workforce As a result, the sustainment activities and the vocational educational are subject to similar challenges to Easily applied in the field on training system that supports our blue- that of the shipbuilding enterprise new or degraded equipment collar workforce. We also pick up the and rely heavily on partnerships with unions, the industry primes and our industry to meet Navy’s requirements. sub-contractor base and we regularly Recently, these challenges have engage with them,” Dalton says. also included restrictions imposed Distributed by “We’re managing a number of on society by COVID-19 but, as the PROMEK high-risk activities and, while each of person responsible for the ongoing Technologies the projects has strategies in place to upkeep of the fleet, Rear Admiral CALL 1300 782 761 www.promektechnologies.com.au [email protected] pArtechsys.com SMART ELECTRONIC SOLUTIONS FOR THE

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Partech Systems provides Australia's leading repair solution for mission critical Wendy Malcolm, Head of Maritime sustainment space occurred prior electronics. Using the leading edge LM STAR Systems Division, says fleet availability to COVID-19, when the Australian automatic test system, we have enhanced has seen no interruption. Defence Force was called upon to our customer's operational effectiveness, by: Underlining this was the departure support local communities during the of seven ships from severe 2019/2020 bushfire season. * Increasing spares availability in Sydney and Fleet Base West in The Navy’s amphibious warfare * Reducing repair Turn Around Times (TAT) Western Australia in June, for a ships were deployed at short notice * Eliminating No-Fault-Founds (NFF) series of post-refit trials and training to support threatened communities activities. Some of those ships are also in southern and due to participate in the multi-lateral eastern Victoria in December 2019, as Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise part of the ADF’s Operation Bushfire off Hawaii, in what is planned to be Assist. an extended deployment without a HMAS Adelaide, one of Navy’s two port visit. LHDs, was undergoing a maintenance “Right now, there has been no period alongside at Fleet Base East interruption to Navy availability at all, when the call came. The ship was our assets deployed as planned. We on 72 hours’ notice to put to sea wanted to make sure we had as many and in the final stages of having ships available and ready to sail as one of her GE LM2500 gas turbine possible, so we tried to do as much of engines replaced and distribution the planned or ongoing maintenance fans repaired, with the assistance as possible,” RADM Malcolm adds. of personnel from General Electric With two decades of experience across the “We needed industry’s help with Marine and Shadbolt Group. Despite most advanced electronic technologies, our that but we also looked within our this, the ship was required to sail to team has worked on key components of the own supply chain to see how we can participate in Bushfire Assist within 48 ANZAC communications upgrade for get repairable items out into industry hours of the call. SEA1442, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) more quickly or make part-payments Although the maintenance work had for Northrop Grumman and continues to in order to help to have those repairs not been completed, HMAS Adelaide support the MRH90 helicopter for Airbus. done more quickly. Industry has been sailed through Sydney Heads on task very supportive, and they are working as directed, with the industry team Partech is 100% Australian owned. hand-in-glove with us. We have seen still aboard and assisting their Navy a really positive approach by both colleagues, to ensure engineering and sides to deal with the challenges of technical support was maintained. The COVID-19.” six contractors remained aboard for M AIL @ PARTECHSYS . COM the duration of the LHD’s assistance to INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS Bushfire Assist and earned the praise A recent example of industry’s close of Adelaide’s Commander Engineer, partnership with Navy in the fleet Commander Tom Doherty. Protecting Australia’s future.

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“Both GE and Shadbolt have “We really want to try and use those best-of-class lessons across the fleet, provided professional, reliable and consistent quality technical support,” but the biggest challenge for me, as we start building those new ships, is CMDR Doherty commented after the that we’re ready with well-understood and consistent approaches and we operation. “They have integrated bring those ships into service as seamlessly as possible.” well with the Marine Engineering Department and they are treated as THE FUTURE OF FLEET decades will assist this approach, as part of the team in the ship.” SUSTAINMENT will technological advances such as After the deployment, the The sustainment methodology digital design and digital shipyards, contractors were personally for each class of ship has traditionally both of which are features of the thanked by Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral been a bespoke approach, but Hunter class and which provide Michael Noonan and Minister for the recently announced Plan Galileo opportunities to embed sustainment Defence Linda Reynolds. “It is a really seeks to take the best-of-class and logistics specialists early in the great example of how we work hand lessons from each of the individual design process. in hand with industry,” RADM Malcolm activities and bring them together in “We are utilising what we are comments. “Industry was just as keen a consolidated approach to future learning out of the shipbuilding to support us and make the ship fleet sustainment. space and we are looking to take operational as our Navy personnel “We really want to try and use that into the sustainment space. were. They took great pride in doing those best-of-class lessons across We’re looking at gathering data that and they were an integral part the fleet, but the biggest challenge for asset management, in terms of of the success. Industry are often our for me, as we start building those onboard monitoring of components silent partners in keeping the fleet new ships, is that we’re ready with and systems,” RADM Malcolm adds. at sea and it was great to see them well-understood and consistent “There are also some great in this case get the recognition they approaches and we bring those opportunities in the area of additive deserved, they did a terrific job.” ships into service as seamlessly as manufacturing for example, and Other recent examples include possible,” RADM Malcolm says. we’re looking at how we might industry contractors flying to the “I am working closely with (head of improve our supply chains, where Middle East to assist with technical Ships Division) Sheryl Lutz to make we have vulnerabilities. There’s a lot issues aboard one of Navy’s Anzac sure we have learned those lessons of work going on and we’re looking frigates and others are supporting the from the past and we are ready.” to maximise the efforts that have Pacific and Guardian class Patrol Boats The replacement of much of Navy’s gone on in shipbuilding from that operated by Papua New Guinea. surface fleet in the coming two perspective.” ■

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 95 NAVY OUTLOOK FUTURE COMBAT SYSTEM target prioritisation and launch the probability of detection. One unmanned vehicles are appearing optimisation. It expects the CMS example has been integrating which all require integration with the DEVELOPMENT IN AUSTRALIA to feed it the necessary tactical intelligence data with track CMS to optimise the display and data to calculate its response. That correlation functions. For instance, utilisation of their valuable data in a sounds great except that due to the when multiple sensors detect a way that is seamless to the command proprietary nature of the algorithms potential threat it is automatically team. Increasing levels of autonomy in the decoy system, Saab has identified as a hostile fighter with through artificial intelligence drive worked closely with its suppliers to a known specific search radar and similar challenges for the CMS in fully understand how their systems work weapons. The CMS automatically understanding the likely behaviour or so they are integrated to provide the initiates a response ranging response of any unmanned system to best solution. from electronic countermeasures the tactical situation. So how will the CMS deal with to long-range engagement to The next generation of warships emerging threats, such as hypersonic neutralise the adversary before it and their combat systems will see missiles, railguns and swarming can become a threat. Currently Saab even greater advances in utilisation drones? One way to counter is developing an extension of this of high bandwidth networking such these is to reduce the visible and response capability to Force Level that the CMS will be a node within electromagnetic visibility of the Coordination of force assets across that network. This will revolutionise platform. A weapon that cannot all warfare domains. This includes interoperability and the exchange of see the target is ineffective. Future Force Planning, Intelligence, Task tactical data and communications in warships will need to be very Group C2 and Force Operations. general. stealthy and the CMS will need to Integration of unmanned systems Saab Australia continues to work is also a high priority for CMS closely with the Royal Australian detection against every type of development. Unmanned systems Navy and the Defence Science and hen most people think provide a 9LV based situational then? The major shift in combat sensor under real-time environmental can dramatically extend the sensor Technology Group, its supply chain of how a naval platform awareness system for the new system integration has been the conditions. Saab has had success and weapon footprint of a warship and academic partners to explore Wfights, the first thoughts Arafura class offshore patrol vessels. evolution of the systems being in integrating sensor performance and offer great tactical advantage in and further develop these and other are of guns, missiles and radar. These The Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of interfaced. In the past the sensors models, which provide real-time littoral operations. New generations capabilities to meet the rapidly elements form part of the platform’s nine Future Frigates and the three and weapons had custom physical data on the performance of both of air, surface and subsurface evolving threats in naval warfare. combat system and they are essential upgraded Air Warfare Destroyers will interfaces requiring complex ownship and hostile sensors in the to achieving any navy’s mission to be equipped with US Navy’s Aegis hardware and software. They also current geographic location and fight and win at sea. At the heart of combat management system, with had limited functionality and simply environmental conditions. the combat system is the combat an Australian interface developed by ‘did what they were told’. The new New generation CMS will also management system (CMS), which Saab Australia. When commissioned, generation of systems have digital incorporate Game Theory, using integrates sensor information and this commonality will provide the interfaces and have a much higher mathematics to model human provides situational awareness and RAN with unique advantages in degree of built-in intelligence, which decision making in competitive decision support to the war fighter in training, operation and support of both simplifies and complicates the situations. It is ideally suited for both defensive and offensive action. the fleet. integration task. analysing military situations because This technology must be flexible Saab has built a solid reputation An example would be a decoy it depicts the realistic situation in and adaptable to enable rapid and formidable presence in Australia countermeasures system. In the past which both sides are free to choose integration of new technologies to on the back of 9LV CMS delivery and the decoy simply fired its rounds on their best ‘moves’ and to adjust meet evolving threats. performance. The company has the command, with the optimisation of their strategy over time. The ship’s Saab’s 9LV CMS is the core of the in-country capability of developing the deployment of the rounds done combat capability on board the Royal a range of new applications and by the CMS, taking into account such probabilities and optimise the ship’s Australian Navy’s current Anzac class features to evolve the 9LV system to factors as threat type, the current course, speed, emission state and frigates and Canberra class LHDs meet the current and future unique tactical picture and location of high sensor settings for both individual and will soon enter into service with requirements of the Australian value units. The latest generation assets and an entire task group. the new Supply class replenishment customer. of decoy countermeasure systems Removing the fog of conflict will ships. Saab has been selected to What can we expect in the future do their own threat processing, also play a major role in reducing

96 NAVY OUTLOOK 20202018 NAVY OUTLOOK

target prioritisation and launch the probability of detection. One unmanned vehicles are appearing optimisation. It expects the CMS example has been integrating which all require integration with the to feed it the necessary tactical intelligence data with track CMS to optimise the display and data to calculate its response. That correlation functions. For instance, utilisation of their valuable data in a sounds great except that due to the when multiple sensors detect a way that is seamless to the command proprietary nature of the algorithms potential threat it is automatically team. Increasing levels of autonomy in the decoy system, Saab has identified as a hostile fighter with through artificial intelligence drive worked closely with its suppliers to a known specific search radar and similar challenges for the CMS in fully understand how their systems work weapons. The CMS automatically understanding the likely behaviour or so they are integrated to provide the initiates a response ranging response of any unmanned system to best solution. from electronic countermeasures the tactical situation. So how will the CMS deal with to long-range engagement to The next generation of warships emerging threats, such as hypersonic neutralise the adversary before it and their combat systems will see missiles, railguns and swarming can become a threat. Currently Saab even greater advances in utilisation drones? One way to counter is developing an extension of this of high bandwidth networking such these is to reduce the visible and response capability to Force Level that the CMS will be a node within electromagnetic visibility of the Coordination of force assets across that network. This will revolutionise platform. A weapon that cannot all warfare domains. This includes interoperability and the exchange of see the target is ineffective. Future Force Planning, Intelligence, Task tactical data and communications in warships will need to be very Group C2 and Force Operations. general. stealthy and the CMS will need to Integration of unmanned systems Saab Australia continues to work know precisely the probability of is also a high priority for CMS closely with the Royal Australian detection against every type of development. Unmanned systems Navy and the Defence Science and provide a 9LV based situational then? The major shift in combat sensor under real-time environmental can dramatically extend the sensor Technology Group, its supply chain system integration has been the conditions. Saab has had success and weapon footprint of a warship and academic partners to explore fights, the first thoughts Arafura class offshore patrol vessels. evolution of the systems being in integrating sensor performance and offer great tactical advantage in and further develop these and other are of guns, missiles and radar. These The Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of interfaced. In the past the sensors models, which provide real-time littoral operations. New generations capabilities to meet the rapidly nine Future Frigates and the three and weapons had custom physical data on the performance of both of air, surface and subsurface evolving threats in naval warfare. combat system and they are essential upgraded Air Warfare Destroyers will interfaces requiring complex ownship and hostile sensors in the to achieving any navy’s mission to be equipped with US Navy’s Aegis hardware and software. They also current geographic location and fight and win at sea. At the heart of combat management system, with had limited functionality and simply environmental conditions. an Australian interface developed by ‘did what they were told’. The new New generation CMS will also management system (CMS), which Saab Australia. When commissioned, generation of systems have digital incorporate Game Theory, using integrates sensor information and this commonality will provide the interfaces and have a much higher mathematics to model human provides situational awareness and RAN with unique advantages in degree of built-in intelligence, which decision making in competitive decision support to the war fighter in training, operation and support of both simplifies and complicates the situations. It is ideally suited for both defensive and offensive action. the fleet. integration task. analysing military situations because This technology must be flexible Saab has built a solid reputation An example would be a decoy it depicts the realistic situation in and adaptable to enable rapid and formidable presence in Australia countermeasures system. In the past which both sides are free to choose integration of new technologies to on the back of 9LV CMS delivery and the decoy simply fired its rounds on their best ‘moves’ and to adjust meet evolving threats. performance. The company has the command, with the optimisation of their strategy over time. The ship’s Saab’s 9LV CMS is the core of the in-country capability of developing the deployment of the rounds done combat team can analyse tactical combat capability on board the Royal a range of new applications and by the CMS, taking into account such probabilities and optimise the ship’s Australian Navy’s current Anzac class features to evolve the 9LV system to factors as threat type, the current course, speed, emission state and frigates and Canberra class LHDs meet the current and future unique tactical picture and location of high sensor settings for both individual and will soon enter into service with requirements of the Australian value units. The latest generation assets and an entire task group. the new Supply class replenishment customer. of decoy countermeasure systems Removing the fog of conflict will ships. Saab has been selected to What can we expect in the future do their own threat processing, also play a major role in reducing

NAVYNAVY OUTLOOK OUTLOOK 2020 20182017 97 OBSERVATIONS WORKING WITH SMEs

In particular, my perspectives will around Earned Value Management By Mark Purcell AM cover the cultural differences in (EVM) and the Australian Standard project controls between European AS 4817:2019 which is based on the primes and Australian requirements; International Standard ISO 21508:2018. provision of services vs products for Now, before you nod off to sleep, there Defence; SME engagements with is an important point to be made in the primes and industry associations; the context of the programs being delivered Maritime Environmental Working Group in Australia which goes to a cultural (MEWG); opportunities for improved difference between how projects are collaboration between Defence and delivered in Australia and Europe. Industry through the sharing of key EVM has its genesis in the US concept documents during the needs Department of Defense and while the phase; improving future procurement Australian programs are working to the visibility through AusTender; and some US DoD and International Standard, recommendations as to how these outside of the US and Australia, the areas could be improved. formality of EVM is rarely adopted to There is no doubt that the 2017 Naval the same scale. For example, a typical AUSTRALIAN SOVEREIGN Shipbuilding Plan, Plan Galileo and US/AU frigate construction program INDUSTRIAL CAPABILITY the subsequent 2020 Force Structure may have a Contract Master Schedule he 2018 Defence Industrial Plan have created a massive demand with 40,000 individual line items, while Capability Plan signalled a to grow the Australian Maritime sector, a similar frigate construction program new era in the engagement laying the foundations for a prosperous in Europe may have a contract master Tbetween Defence and Industry, with next century. As a result, there is an schedule with just 600 line items. increased engagement not only with opportunity for Australian Industry to Both types of programs have large companies, but also with small engage in this sector and become part demonstrated success in delivering ships to medium enterprises (SMEs). Since of the national endeavour. In order to on budget and on schedule, but they are that time, a shift in the engagement achieve this, collaboration between different approaches. So, imagine if you with Australian Industry has been quite Defence and Industry is imperative. will that you have a European shipbuilder visible, with a real focus on Australian working to Australian requirements in content, technology transfer as well PROJECT CONTROLS AND an Australian shipyard with an Australian as industry development – all of CULTURAL DIFFERENCES supply chain – the difference in approach which have proven to be prudent WITH EUROPE may not be fully appreciated and could given the current environment we find Project controls and some of the metrics become an underlying cause of tension. ourselves in with travel and workspace of project success include elements distancing restrictions. such as cost and schedule performance, SME ENGAGEMENT PRODUCTS In this article, I would like to discuss delivery on budget and on schedule, and VS SERVICES some personal perspectives after the delivery of the required capability. SMEs in Australia deliver a range of having worked in the Defence delivery These have been the subject of multiple products and services and it is no groups of CASG and CIOG, and now reviews over many years and go to the different in the Defence sector. A having spent time in Industry working heart of transparency in the planning and range of supporting activities from with both large and small organisations delivery of Defence capability. organisations such as the Centre for which are seeking engagement on For complex capability projects, the Defence Industry Capability (CDIC) are Defence programs. controls used in CASG projects revolve good at assisting Australian businesses in becoming ‘Defence-ready’ and and Industry need to work together into 4. Prime contractor COVID-safe Industry helping them build the networks the future, particularly given the reset collaboration – products and services. required to win work on Defence outlined in the 2020 Force Structure 5. Project controls (cost and schedule – programs. However, I propose that the Update. Earned Value Management) Next Generation Technologies Fund Some potential workshop areas that a. EU primes have culturally different and the Defence Innovation Hub could the future MEWG could support include: approaches to project controls gain greater relevance across the • Operational concept industry b. Australian and CASG requirements Australian supply chain if, in addition collaboration; Pacific support vessel, are inherited and enhanced from US to the traditional base of product multi-role sealift and replenishment DoD suppliers, they were more inclusive of ships, mine countermeasures and c. Australian SMEs available to link Australian service providers. hydrographic survey vessels, and between EU and Australian programs. In light of COVID restrictions, • Logistic support concept industry traditional engagement through trade collaboration; Arafura class, Hunter ABOUT MARK PURCELL AM shows is now severely limited. While the class and Attack class. A former Rear Admiral in the Royal delivery of online industry development Australian Navy, Mark Purcell AM, is improving, some method of CONCLUSION & INDUSTRY specialised in Naval Engineering and engagement is still required to market COLLABORATION Information and Communications yourself and your capabilities to Defence SUGGESTIONS Technology. Mark’s last appointment in and the prime contractors. Now is an exciting time to be involved Defence was as the Head of Maritime These prime contractors should in the Maritime Defence sector. The Systems in the Capability Acquisition also have a similar consideration Government has set a clear demand and Sustainment Group. with the advertising and awarding signal for the volume, scale and Mark has also held senior executive of work packages through their own complexity of future capability programs, and project management positions portals and those such as the Industry as well as the intention to utilise within the Defence Materiel Capability Network. When accessing the Australian Industry to deliver and support Organisation and the United Kingdom opportunities on the relevant industry this capability over the long term. Defence Equipment and Support. As portals, I see limited opportunities for Collaboration is essential for Defence the Head of the Rizzo Reform program, professional services, yet they remain an and Industry to be jointly successful Mark re-invigorated Navy's engineering essential component of any capability in this national endeavour and this and maintenance practices. He also delivery program. With engagement collaboration is underpinned by the 2019 served as the Head of Navy Engineering through trade shows now limited, some Navy Industry Engagement Strategy. and the Chief Architect and the Director prime contractors are doing well in Some suggestions for greater Defence General of Sourcing Reform, in the Chief remaining engaged with the industry and Industry collaboration include: Information Officer Group. base, while others are limited in their 1. Establish the MEWG in a COVID-safe Since his separation from Defence ongoing engagement. online forum including workshops and in 2016, Mark has worked as an seminars. independent contractor undertaking MARITIME ENVIRONMENTAL 2. Collaboration between Defence, Navy a number of ICT and Engineering WORKING GROUP (MEWG) and Industry (Defence could release consultancy roles in Australia and New The reimagined MEWG got off to great documentation as ‘draft subject to Zealand. During this time, Mark began promise in 2020, with the stand-up of change’) working as a Defence Specialist for TBH the new Navy Industry Engagement a. Operational concept (Pacific (Tracey Brunstrom & Hammond), an Strategy. It goes without saying that it support vessel, multi-role sealift Australian project delivery consultancy has been a year of exceedingly high and replenishment ships, mine with over 55 years’ experience Op Tempo which I suspect has countermeasures and hydrographic delivering defence projects. To find constrained the ability for the MEWG to survey vessels) out more about TBH, please visit engage, but demand remains high for b. Logistic support concept (Arafura tbhconsultancy.com. ■ details on current and future programs class, Hunter class, Attack class). and how Industry can get engaged. Now 3. Defence Annual Procurement Plan – is a great opportunity for a COVID-safe foreshadow 2020 Force Structure Plan MEWG to host online seminars and projects’ Approach to Market (ATM) workshops to explore where Defence activities. EM SOLUTIONS DISCUSSES SEA CHANGE IN DEFENCE INDUSTRY POLICY

Defence Innovation Hub project, to and tests the entire satellite shipboard develop a future maritime satellite system – including the power systems, communications terminal that far modems, terminals and switches. surpasses any existing capability. This sovereign, vertically integrated By working collaboratively with IP enables us to adapt our system to the Navy we have better understood quickly meet specific customer needs. their requirements and been able to We are then able to provide full through- include numerous innovations that life support and sustainment. will future-proof communications in The JP9102 program will provide its fleet. Through this, the Navy will a new Australian Defence Satellite achieve exceptionally resilient and Communications System as part of a $7 fast communications from a sovereign billion investment in sovereign space supplier, and EM Solutions has benefited communications capability, and we by developing and fielding leading-edge envision our terminal segment will fit technology that is globally competitive. perfectly into a future where all elements of satellite communications can be What has EM Solutions achieved in the under sovereign control and offer past few years? common sparing and support right Interview with across the ADF. Rowan Gilmore, Following Navy’s sponsorship of the Cobra terminal certification for access What export success have you had? CEO, EM Solutions to the Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) network, the Cobra system has been EM Solutions has historically derived The Australian Navy announced its installed on both the Border Force’s and approximately 60% of its revenue from Navy Industry Engagement Strategy RAN’s Cape class vessels, the RAN’s exports, and this success still continues. in 2019. How is that working for you two new Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment In our earlier years we delivered on- so far? supply class ships, the Anzac frigates, the-move land terminals to the Spanish and in 2019 it was announced that this Army and to Japan, and RF systems to The Chief of Navy’s vision through the system will be installed in the Arafura customers in the US and Europe, but Navy Industry Engagement Strategy class offshore patrol vessel. We have just our exports really accelerated after the is for Navy, industry and academia to completed factory acceptance testing of Australian Navy adopted our Cobra become trusted partners with deep these first three ship sets. terminals and sponsored their WGS transformational relationships so they can certification. In early 2020, we received seize an unprecedented opportunity to How has this resulted in improved our largest ever export orders from contribute to nation building. The goal sovereign capability? three European NATO navies and a is for all stakeholders to build a maritime Middle-Eastern navy, and this in turn is capability that can underpin the long- EM Solutions design, develop, generating intense interest from other term security and prosperity of Australia manufacture and support our terminals allies. There is no doubt that support in and our region. entirely from our Brisbane factory. our home market has proven a boost It’s a real encouragement to Customers buy our terminals because to exports. Australian industry. EM Solutions’ we achieve operability across multiple EM Solutions and the Royal Australian engagement with the Navy began in frequency bands and certification on Navy are a great example of industry and 2014 with a Capability and Technology multiple satellite systems, which offers Navy working together for the long-term Demonstrator (CTD) project that resilience and higher communications security and prosperity of Australia. resulted in the first Cobra tri-band availability. We are the only terminal maritime satellite communications manufacturer that designs and builds terminal trials on the Cape class patrol its own antennas and feeds, RF boat. Six years later we have a growing components, transmitters and receivers installed base and are collaborating on a specially developed stabilised even more closely through a new platform, and then assembles, integrates Delivering world leading wideband satellite capability and resilience at sea to Australia and its allies COBRA MARITIME TERMINAL

Global communications across multiple satellite constellations

PROVEN, SOVEREIGN, TRUSTED TECHNOLOGY

EM Solutions is a trusted technology developer of innovative microwave and on-the-move radio and satellite systems that help to deliver high speed telecommunications anywhere in the world. emsolutions.com.au NAVY OUTLOOK CURRENT AND FUTURE NAVY CAPABILITY

Together with the current National Naval Shipbuilding Plan, the 2020 Defence Strategic Update (DSU) and 2020 Force Structure Plan (FSP) released in July will oversee a planned capability investment in Australia’s maritime capabilities of approximately $75 billion over the next decade.

DSU AND FSP The DSU advises Australia’s strategic environment has deteriorated more rapidly than forecast by the 2016 White Paper and notes the Indo-Pacific region is in the midst of the most consequential strategic realignment since the Second World War. The document calls for strengthening of engagements while deepening the already close alliance with the US, but directs Australia must also be capable of projecting military power and deterring actions against it. The update therefore provides The RAN is undergoing its largest expansion since three new strategic objectives: to the Second World War, thanks to the government’s shape Australia’s environment, deter National Naval Shipbuilding Plan which will deliver actions against Australia’s interests and respond with credible military force. new patrol vessels, surface combatants and The plan reaffirms the government’s submarines over the next three decades. To find commitment to 12 regionally superior out more about proposed enhancements to Navy Attack Class submarines, nine anti-submarine warfare-optimised capability, Nigel Pittaway recently spoke with Head Hunter Class frigates and 12 Arafura Navy Capability, Rear Admiral Pete Quinn. Class OPVs. In addition, it forecasts acquisition of capabilities such as maritime strike and advanced surface avy has recently taken In addition, two large underway to air weapons systems, including delivery of its third, and last, replenishment vessels, built in Spain long-range anti-ship and land strike Hobart Class destroyer and but completed in Australia, will join the weapons, advanced lightweight Nreplacements for its Armidale Class fleet in the next 18 months to replace and heavyweight torpedoes and patrol boats, Anzac Class frigates and Navy’s fleet oiler, HMASSirius and the participation in directed energy Collins Class submarines are now either now decommissioned Auxiliary Oiler weapon development. in their design or construction phases. Replenishment vessel, HMAS Supply. From a shipbuilding standpoint,

102 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 NAVY OUTLOOK

it forecasts local construction of understandably the subject of a lot of a replacement for Navy’s Hobart attention, but for me the key for Navy’s Class destroyers on completion of future will be how we continuously the Hunter build program; design evolve our sensors, weapons and and construction of two multi-role combat systems, remote and sealift and replenishment vessels to autonomous systems, and our cyber, replace the Landing Ship Dock, HMAS electronic warfare and communications Choules; life extension of Australian systems, to keep pace with an Defence Vessel Ocean Protector, increasingly demanding operational acquisition of an ice-rated replacement environment. vessel; and enhancements to Navy’s “These are the things we’ve been mine countermeasures and tactical doing a lot of work on and there are hydrographic capabilities through several key proposals Navy will be acquisition of up to eight locally built taking through the approvals process ships, potentially based on the Arafura over the next couple of years, that will Class OPV. lay out our roadmaps and capability plans for these areas.” Rear Admiral Peter Quinn, Head of Navy Capability FUTURE NAVY CAPABILITY An example will be the transition The FSP notes this expanded from the current Raytheon SM-2 programs. The first is Navy’s Maritime future maritime force will provide medium-range surface to air missile, Tactical Unmanned Aerial System “greater capability for ASW, sealift, to the SM-2 Block 3C weapon, which (MTUAS) capability being delivered border security operations, maritime features active terminal homing; and under SEA129 Phase 5 and the other is patrol and reconnaissance, air the planned acquisition of SM-6, which the future mine countermeasures and warfare, area denial, sea control and can provide terminal defence against tactical hydrographic capability to be undersea warfare”. ballistic missiles, a long-range anti-ship delivered under SEA1905. To find out more about proposed capability and extended range air and “In the future we will see a much enhancements to Navy capability, missile defence. greater use of autonomous systems, including the upgrade of the Collins “We have a significant focus on particularly for roles such as mine Class submarine until it is replaced increasing our offensive lethality. We warfare, hydrography, communications by the new Attack Class boats in the have some excellent defensive systems relay and electronic warfare. We will next decade, Navy OUTLOOK recently – such as Nulka missile decoys, RIM- adopt a rolling development approach spoke with Head Navy Capability, Rear 162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile and to autonomous technology because Admiral Pete Quinn. SM-2, but we are concentrating on it is the only way we will be able “The FSP is a deliberate exercise long-range offensive strike capability, to keep up with rapidly occurring undertaken every four years that in accordance with the deter and advancements in those technologies conducts a holistic review and respond objectives of DSU,” RADM and the threats they will be designed evaluation of everything Defence Quinn adds. to counter. Strong, long-term industry has planned. FSP reaffirmed that “What we are doing for guided collaboration will be essential,” RADM the key elements of future Navy weapons is transitioning from Quinn says. outlined in the 2016 Defence White individual projects into a long-term “We’ve already embarked on rolling Paper remained sound and fit for maritime guided weapons program, the development approach for our purpose for the changing strategic via which we will obtain program-level combat systems and I expect you’ll environment, including the transition approvals for enhancements of Navy’s see a broader range of key Australian from the Collins Class to Attack Class surface, above water and undersea industry players in the tent with submarines, the Anzac Class frigates combat capabilities. Obtaining Navy, CASG and DST – to assist us to the Hunter Class ships and approval for this new program in defining our future direction, then Arafura Class OPVs replacing the approach is a near-term objective.” delivering future maritime capabilities Armidale Class patrol boats,” One of the key technologies in a much more integrated partnership RADM Quinn says. highlighted in FSP is that of arrangement than we’ve seen in the “The continuous naval shipbuilding uninhabited and autonomous systems, past. It really will need to be a ‘Team program is foundational and it is and RADM Quinn highlights two Australia’ effort.” ■

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 103 RHEINMETALL OFFERS SOVEREIGN NAVAL WEAPON CAPABILITY FOR AUSTRALIA

heinmetall will manufacture and sustain its Millennium 35mm Gun Rin Queensland under its offer to the Commonwealth of Australia to deliver a single weapon system to meet current needs of the Royal Australian Navy fleet as well as future-proof against emerging self-defence and mission requirements. While the Millennium Gun system – currently in service with nations including Indonesia and Denmark – is currently designed and manufactured in Switzerland, Rheinmetall has proposed to transfer technology from Europe to its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Redbank, Queensland as part of its offer to the Commonwealth. Millennium is a highly flexible and powerful weapon that is unique in its capability for effective self-defence Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence, Anti-Submarine Warfare capability against threats to own ship at close the facility is purpose-built for design for Millennium, particularly when range. In particular, the ability to manufacturing with test infrastructure submarine optronic mast exposure is engage a broad spectrum of air and including an EMC chamber, small likely to be high when operating in surface threats from high speed Anti- calibre (up to 35mm) firing tunnel and littoral waters. Ship Missiles to UAVs, fighters, rotary prototyping workshop. Integrated with a number of combat wing aircraft as well as small, highly Capability across the new precinct systems and associated radar and manoeuvrable fast inshore attack craft. runs from heavy manufacturing to a electro-optic sensors, Millennium is A proven ‘multi-tool’ like the clean room for Rheinmetall’s Electronics proven and in service at sea today. The Millennium will significantly aid in the Division as well as a sophisticated 35mm Millennium Gun requires no survivability of the platform in any multi- armour manufacturing shop, featuring a deck penetration. It offers a range of threat scenario. Millennium’s accuracy state-of-the-art press that will produce versatile mounting options including and high rate of fire delivers superior an array of composite ballistic materials; the ‘containerised’ ISO Mount option, fire power, lethality and cost-per-kill in short, a self-protection production which allows deployment of Millennium ratio compared to others in the 20- capability for ballistic protection for as a mission module on almost 40mm calibre bracket, with a significant ships and vehicles. any class of ship without any major range advantage over in-service Millennium’s unique AHEAD air burst structural alterations. 20mm CIWS or 30mm based surface ammunition will also be produced in Delivering anti-surface and anti-air effectors and at comparable ranges to Australia, delivering critical sovereign capabilities in one inner layer self any 40mm system. capacity. Precise programming for each defence system, the Millennium system Rheinmetall’s new facility in individual AHEAD round maximises will directly support the primary surface Queensland is the cornerstone of the hit probability and energy on target at combatant role and afford superior company’s commitment to building extended ranges to enforce a keep- protection for Amphibious and Afloat Australian Industry Capability (AIC) out zone around a vessel. AHEAD Support platforms particularly in and is designed to produce military sub-projectiles also have a significant light of the increased breadth of the hardware for the Australian Defence destructive effect on electro-optic contemporary and evolving threat Force and for export. Also known as the sensors, which provides for a tertiary spectrum. SUPERIORLETHALITY ENTERPRISE-WIDE SELF DEFENCE SOLUTION PROVEN. IN SERVICE. AT SEA. OERLIKON 35MM MILLENNIUM® NAVAL GUN

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AEGIS AT SEA: HOBART CLASS AIR WARFARE DESTROYERS

Head Navy Capability, RADM Quinn The third and last Hobart Class DDG to be says the Hobart Class will form the core of air defence capability for Navy as it constructed in South Australia for the RAN, HMAS continues the transition to integrated Sydney, was commissioned on 18 May 2020 and maritime task group operations. is now undergoing a period of test and evaluation “Navy commissioned HMAS Sydney at sea off the coast of New South which will ensure her crew’s proficiency in the Wales, which is something we haven’t operation of the cutting-edge . done since the Second World War. We did that in the light of the COVID-19 restrictions, and it shows that, in spite ased on Navantia’s F-100 design Technologies’ SM-2 missile system, of a global pandemic, Navy remains in service with the Spanish Navy provides Navy with an advanced air ready to deploy maritime capability as the Álvaro de Bazán Class, defence system, capable of protecting whenever required by Government,” Bthe 7,000-tonne Hobart Class ships a surface task group out to ranges in RADM Quinn says. are optimised for air defence but also excess of 100km. “The ship was delivered earlier have a range of advanced capabilities, All three ships were built at in the year and the finish of it is including anti-submarine warfare (ASW) Osborne in South Australia by the superb, the number of deficiencies capability. In this regard they are, Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance under was tiny in comparison to early in the and will remain, Navy’s most capable Project SEA4000. The lead ship program, which shows how Australia’s surface asset, until the introduction of HMAS Hobart (D39) was launched shipbuilding capability has rapidly the Hunter Class ASW frigates in the in May 2015 and commissioned in matured over the past few years.” early 2030s. September 2017, followed by the Before Sydney was delivered, the At the heart of the ship’s design is the second vessel, HMAS Brisbane (D41), modifications required to operate the Lockheed Martin Aegis combat system which was commissioned in October Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk maritime and AN/SPY-1D(v) phased array radar 2018, and finally HMASSydney (D42) combat helicopter were incorporated. system which, together with Raytheon in May 2020. These modifications, including changes

106 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 NAVY OUTLOOK

to the ship’s flight deck, hangar, magazine and external lighting systems, had been incorporated into HMAS Hobart and HMAS Brisbane in a retrofit process after delivery. “We took the opportunity to use the skilled-up workforce in Osborne to incorporate those changes, which has helped us to advance when the ship will be fully functional,” RADM Quinn adds. Both of the earlier ships have enjoyed a busy operational period over the last 12 months, with HMAS Brisbane deploying to San Diego to perform her combat systems sea qualification trials, which proved the functionality of the Aegis combat system, and Hobart conducting a successful deployment to Asia. More recently, HMAS Hobart joined a group of Navy warships in July on a deployment for exercises in South the Aegis combat system has out to the US Navy. East Asia, before sailing to Hawaii, been quite a step-change in Navy’s “The work we do to implement where they will take part in the US operation of those high-end units,” the [Saab Australia] Australian Navy-led Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) RADM Quinn explains. interface in the Hobart Class will multi-lateral exercise. “There is a lot of pre-planning you effectively be the same work we’ll “It will be quite a lengthy need to do before you go to sea, to be doing in the Hunter,” RADM deployment and it is the intent that make sure your systems and people are Quinn adds. “We’re going to take an they will be at sea for almost all the ready, and the right information and integrated combat system approach time they are away,” RADM Quinn intelligence is available to complete across the both Classes.” explains. “They will conduct at-sea, the mission successfully. In the future RADM Quinn points out the self-sustaining operations, both within we will continue to see big changes in DDG’s capabilities should not be Task Group resources and with allied Navy, as we develop increased maritime considered in isolation, but in the replenishment vessels. The Task Group and land strike capabilities, in addition context of other high-end capabilities is demonstrating that the impacts to extended air and missile defence now being introduced into Australian of COVID-19 will not stop Navy and [with the future introduction of Defence Force (ADF) service. “Other from continuing to deploy into the the Hunter Class frigates] an all-Aegis key joint force maritime capabilities will region and collaborate with our allies surface combatant fleet. include Air Force’s F-35A, which will and friends as a stabilising regional “We will learn a lot of lessons over achieve Initial Operational Capability presence” RADM Quinn explains. the next few years which will set us (IOC) this year, the Wedgetail airborne The DDG capability is now fully up very well as we transition to a 12- early warning and control platform, integrated into Navy’s surface fleet and ship Aegis fleet, which will also be Poseidon, Growlers and other is a key component of the task group the largest Aegis fleet outside the US capabilities in the future,” RADM capability. Final Operational Capability Navy, when we introduce the Hunter Quinn adds. (FOC) is expected to occur in 2021, Class frigates.” “The Hobart Class is Navy’s key once Sydney has completed her own Looking to the future, the Hobart component in developing the deployment to San Diego to qualify her Class Aegis combat system will be connected future force, where the combat systems. upgraded to the latest Baseline 9 integration of maritime platforms, “All in all, we have a great capability configuration, which is the same sensors and weapons will see the ADF with the destroyers in the fleet now and capability as the Hunter Class frigates evolve into a truly fifth generation the advantages they bring; in particular, and is also the version now being rolled defence force.” ■

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The nine Hunter Class frigates being acquired under SEA5000 will represent a step-change in anti-submarine warfare capability (ASW) in the Indo-Pacific region when they begin entering service early next decade.

he ship is designed to be block manufacture scheduled to begin completed; however, some of the final ultra-quiet when it is hunting in December. Steel for the first ship is site acceptance tests of the complex submarines, but more than expected to be cut in December 2022 shipyard machinery imported from Tthat, the Hunter Class frigates will and the program is currently on track Europe have been delayed by travel also be delivered with a world- for it to be delivered at the end of restrictions to Australia caused by the leading air defence capability, the 2020s. COVID-19 pandemic. However, these thanks to the combination of an “The development of the ship is delays have been mitigated and all advanced CEAFAR2 phased array going well, but it is a challenging equipment will be operational by early radar, developed by Australia’s CEA project,” says Head Navy Capability, October. Technologies, Lockheed Martin’s RADM Quinn. “The first Type 26 for “We’re also on track to commence Aegis Baseline 9 combat system and the UK won’t be launched until 2021 the build of the first ship at the end of an Australian interface developed and we’re seeking to incorporate 2022. ASC Shipbuilding is growing its by Saab Australia. changes to the reference design, workforce for the program, but there is The Hunter is based on BAE with the CEA radar, Aegis Combat risk associated with the key skills sets Systems’ Global Combat Ship System, Saab Australian interface, the that are difficult to find in Australia design, which also forms the basis MH-60R maritime combat helicopter – complex project managers, naval for the UK’s Type 26 now under and different weapons, to meet the architects for example – but excellent construction, and it was the Royal demanding requirements of Australia’s support is being provided Navy’s requirement for a high-end operating environment. by the Naval Shipbuilding College to ASW replacement for its Type 23 “We’re also doing it to a tight help Australian industry incrementally frigates – regarded by some as the schedule. We’re learning a lot and grow those core skill sets,” RADM quietest ASW ships in the world there’s a lot of work to do to keep it Quinn says. today – which drove the need to on track, but we are on schedule to In October 2017, the federal be stealthy. begin those prototyping activities later government announced an enterprise The Australian ships will be built this year.” approach to combat systems in three batches of three vessels The Hunter Class ships will be development and for major surface by ASC Shipbuilding at Osborne in constructed in a purpose-built shipyard combatants – comprising Navy’s South Australia, with prototype hull at Osborne which has recently been current Hobart Class DDGs and Hunter

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 109

NAVY OUTLOOK

Class frigates – it is the vessels under SEA1905 will also be Defence Force Structure Plan released Aegis/Australian interface combat able to be integrated within the Hunter in July forecasts that $75 billion will system combination. Class mission bay,” RADM Quinn be spent on maritime capability in “That will form the basis of our adds. “Hunter is very well designed to the next 10 years, and up to $2.4 enterprise approach to combat accept different modular systems.” billion will be spent in the 2030s on system development and we’re well Because Navy has adopted the the design of a future destroyer to advanced on forming those long- batch build approach to the Hunter replace the Hobart Class DDGs. The term partnerships with industry, and Class, as technology advances FSP predicts the new ships will be built in particular with ASC Shipbuilding, and lessons are learned, the ships’ following the completion of the Hunter Lockheed Martin Australia and Saab capability will evolve over the life of build program, to sustain Navy’s air Australia, to be able to do that work,” the construction program. warfare capability while continuing the RADM Quinn explains. “As we add capabilities we will also national naval shipbuilding program. “That’s moving ahead well; there be concentrating on the maintenance “There will be a decision on whether is a new branch within the Capability of the material margins of the design the Hobart replacement is a derivative Acquisition and Sustainment Group – the weight margins, electrical power of the Hunter Class or a new design, known as the Combat Management and cooling systems and the like – to but that decision likely won’t be made Systems and Payload System Branch, support future weapons capabilities until well into the 2020s or perhaps the and they are working very closely with like directed energy weapons, early 2030s,” RADM Quinn says. Navy and industry.” additional robotic and autonomous A further feature of the GCS systems, and new weapons we may DESIGNING AND BUILDING design is a large mission bay, which is employ from the Mk.41 Vertical Launch THE HUNTER fitted with lifting equipment, electrical System,” RADM Quinn details. From an industry standpoint, ASC power and cooling systems to “Some platform changes will occur Shipbuilding Managing Director Craig accommodate a range of capabilities, as the batches are built. We intend to Lockhart says that after the completion including future integration of modular lock down a number of improvements of the new shipyard at Osborne and autonomous air, surface or or technology inserts for each batch, and the process to build a skilled undersea systems. incorporate those changes and begin workforce, the next phase is to enable “Many of the mission packages the process again for the next batch.” the supply chain to support the build. we’re developing for the Mine Beyond the nine Hunter Class ships “That’s going well; we’ve let the Countermeasures and Military Survey delivered under SEA5000, the 2020 first contract to Blue-Scope Steel

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Ultra’s new generation of VDS is a single in-line active-transmit and passive-receive array. In its full specification it can include: an active horizontal projector array, a towed low-frequency source, a flexible, towed torpedo acoustic countermeasure Multi-static body and a directional receive array. Processing

Ultra’s ASW multi-static processing capability uses multiple sonobuoys for detection, classification and localisation of submarine and torpedo threats and can be extended by combining a Hull Mounted Sonar (HMS) and Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) to provide an integrated and distributed multi-sensor sonar processing capability. NAVY OUTLOOK

recently and we’re on target to deliver everything we set out to do in mobilising that supply chain. If we deliver on everything that’s in the pipeline at the moment, measured across materials and labour, we’ll be in excess of 90% Australian Industry Content (AIC) across prototyping alone,” Lockhart says. “I have huge confidence in the Australian supply chain, and we are seeing great engagement from the small to medium enterprise (SME) community in terms of their involvement in the Hunter program. They’re basically handling everything we’re throwing at them at the moment.” The prototyping work will see the construction of five hull blocks at Osborne, with the first two being the UK Type 26 design as constructed by Torpedo Defence BAE Systems in Glasgow, allowing and classification capabilities in a broad ASC Shipbuilding to start with known range of marine conditions. It combines design entities. The other three will be Hunter blocks of increasing complexity ASW capability and an integrated torpedo and the concept is to prove and certify defence capability. system and expendable countermeasures the workforce, shipyard and work distribution to cooling systems and “My role is to make sure this ensures survivability of ships and submarines processes ahead of steel being cut on how that works from a whole-of-ship all comes together and that the ship the first ship in December 2022. perspective,” Lockhart details. is fit for purpose and she absolutely The Hunter design program is “We’re into the depths of agreeing meets the performance criteria that continuing in parallel with preparations upon all of the key decision points in we set out at the start, in terms Variable Depth Sonar for construction and Lockhart says the combat management systems line, of speed, range, durability, Ultra’s new generation of VDS is a single in-line active-transmit ASC Shipbuilding is working closely which is on the critical path, as well as interoperability, damage control, and passive-receive array. In its full specification it can include: with Navy, CASG and key industry getting all the early ASW requirements seakeeping and all of those things – partners such as CEA Technologies, agreed with partners such as Thales and there’s nothing at the moment source, a flexible, towed torpedo acoustic countermeasure Multi-static Lockheed Martin and Saab. This initial and Ultra Electronics. We’re working to to challenge those design marks,” body and a directional receive array. work is due to conclude with a Systems clarify US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Lockhart adds. ocessing Definition Requirements Review requirements around the Aegis system “I am comfortable that, with the in March 2021, where the mission and then integrating the agreed design changes we are working systems specifications will be agreed requirements against the whole-of-ship through with the customer, we have capability uses multiple sonobuoys and set. considerations.” more than enough design margin to for detection, classification and “That will allow us to release into the Because the Australia-specific be able to do that. The Hunter Class localisation of submarine and Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and changes differ in size, power, frigate will at least be the equal of, if torpedo threats and can be extended progressing with spatial design, really cooling requirements and weight not better than, the reference design. by combining a Hull Mounted Sonar looking into the details of how we to the GCS reference design, the The CEA radar capability is world- (HMS) and Variable Depth Sonar bring this ship together. An example need to remain within the material Class, Aegis is a well-proven plug and (VDS) to provide an integrated and of this from a design perspective is design margins of the Hunter design play capability and as far as ASW is distributed multi-sensor sonar the mast, in terms of establishing the is of critical importance to retaining concerned, the platform is equal to processing capability. capability requirements, which means the performance characteristics of that of the UK’s Type 26. It is a very we consider everything from power the ship. capable platform.” ■

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 113 NAVY OUTLOOK

GUARDING AUSTRALIA’S NORTH: ARAFURA OPVs

he Arafura OPVs are being the Saab Australia 9LV combat system, a Some of the first ships acquired under the $3.6 billion helicopter flight deck and the ability to to be delivered under Project SEA1180 Phase 1 and embark and operate Unmanned Aerial Twill replace Navy’s ageing Armidale Systems (UASs). The 80-metre vessels will the federal government’s Class patrol boats (ACPBs) and Cape be capable of speeds up to 20 knots and continuous naval Class patrol vessels from 2021, with will have a range of over 4,000 nautical shipbuilding plan are 12 primary roles of border surveillance miles (7,400km). The main armament is and protection of Australia’s northern an OTO Marlin 40 (40mm) gun. Arafura Class Offshore approaches. The prime contractor is Luerssen Patrol Vessels (OPVs), In November 2017, Luerssen was Australia in partnership with shipbuilders now under construction announced the winner of the SEA1180 ASC in South Australia and Civmec in tender process with a 1,640-tonne vessel Western Australia. The first two vessels, in South Australia and based on its OPV80 design, similar to the HMAS Arafura (OPV1) and HMAS Eyre Western Australia. Darussalam Class patrol vessels recently (OPV2), are currently under construction constructed for the Royal Brunei Navy. at Osborne by ASC, and construction of The Navy’s new OPVs will represent the third vessel, HMAS Pilbara (OPV3), a significant increase in capability over has now begun at Civmec’s facility at the older Armidale ACPBs, including Henderson. All subsequent ships will be

114 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 NAVY OUTLOOK

Civmec shipbuilding hall at Henderson, under a combined program, which is which is one of the largest of its kind in likely to retain the SEA1905 title. The the southern hemisphere, and that ship new program is valued up to $5 billion is also on track,” explains Head Navy and will run between now and 2035, to Capability, RADM Quinn. replace the Navy’s current Huon Class “We haven’t seen a significant impact Minehunter Coastal (MHC), Leeuwin on their construction throughout the Class Hydrographic Survey Vessels (AGS) COVID-19 pandemic to date, because and Survey Motor Launches (SML). right from the very beginning Luerssen, “In essence we will be proposing ASC and Civmec immediately put to Government that we take a new into place some very sensible social approach, which will join the mine distancing measures, which has enabled warfare and the military survey them to hit their milestones on schedule. component of the hydrographic tasks We are seeing some impact on our together in a single project,” RADM global supply chain for these vessels, Quinn details. “It will focus on the use but this is being well managed by the of robotic and autonomous systems, industry team.” combined together into a ‘toolbox’ The OPVs are being built to a tight of capabilities.” drumbeat, which has precluded a batch Under the concept, each of the approach to design and all 12 will modular role-specific systems – and be delivered to Navy in basically the their operating specialists – can be same configuration. “The 12 Arafura regarded as a mission ‘brick’, allowing Class OPVs will all effectively be the the individual capability to be operated same, other than the regular system from one of the multi-role Mine updates we will undertake over the Countermeasures and Military Survey built in Western Australia by Civmec. next decade to the ships’ combat and vessels or other Navy ships such as the Speaking at a ceremony in Perth communications systems, and any work Hunter Class frigates – which will feature to acknowledge Luerssen Australia’s that might be done to continue to a large mission bay – and even ashore. 100 small to medium enterprise (SME) improve AIC,” RADM Quinn explains. “The Mine Countermeasures suppliers in January, the company’s CEO One of the key strategies announced and Military Survey vessels, like the Jens Nielson noted that when it signed in the Defence Strategic Update and Arafura’s, are being designed to be the SEA1180 contract on 31 January 2020 Force Structure Plan in early multi-role vessels that can take different 2018, Luerssen Australia committed to July was the acquisition of up to eight containerised systems to perform a an Australian Industry Capability (AIC) of vessels for mine countermeasures and range of different roles. We’re intending 60%. “Today the company has achieved tactical hydrographic operations, which to build very flexible platforms,” RADM 62.7% but it will not stop us from will be built in Australia and potentially Quinn says. continuing to achieve more,” he said. based on the Arafura OPV design. The A further advantage of this modular Construction of OPV1 began in additional vessels will be capable of strategy using a single hull design is November 2018 and a keel laying accepting role-specific modules, which that it will reduce the number of ship ceremony was conducted at Osborne will allow operational flexibility while Classes operated by Navy across the in May 2019, followed by the joining of based on a single hull design. patrol vessel, mine countermeasures the two halves of the vessel in May 2020. “If design work is successful, we and hydrographic roles from five down Construction of OPV2 began at Osborne intend to build the Maritime Mine to potentially just one, with the benefit in June 2019 and the first steel was cut Countermeasures and Military Survey of somewhat simplifying future fleet on OPV3 at Henderson at the end vessels in parallel with the Arafura Class commonality, training and sustainment. of March. OPVs,” RADM Quinn explains. Studies into the suitability of the “We now have two vessels under If approved by Government, the basic Arafura design to be adapted for construction in South Australia and new strategy will replace Navy’s current the new roles are ongoing and RADM they are on track. Earlier this year we Maritime Mine Countermeasures Quinn says he anticipates a decision on commenced construction of the third (SEA1905) and Hydrographic Data whether or not to proceed by the end of ship in Western Australia, at the new Collection Capability (SEA2400) projects the year. ■

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 115 ALPHA BRAVO COLLINS

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MAINTAINING REGIONAL SUPERIORITY: COLLINS UPGRADE

straps over the last three years or so, development programs. According to the current as the full Coles Review reforms were “The first boats are now being schedule, the first of implemented. Indeed, for the last fitted with their new sonar system, couple of years the Collins Class has so all the ‘wet end’ components Navy’s 12 new Attack consistently exceeded our benchmark are being replaced and we’re Class submarines will availability and they are deploying performing a full communications consistently into the region – it is a upgrade and they’re all going well,” be delivered in the early huge change from five years ago,” RADM Quinn explains. 2030s and, until then, RADM Quinn explains. “We’re also continuing with the the existing Collins “That increased availability we’re evolution of key systems through our getting from the new usage upkeep co-operative program with the US Class boats will need cycle as a result of the reforms we’ve Navy. Last year we entered into a new to maintain a capability undertaken in partnership with ASC and memorandum of understanding (MOU), edge across the region. others, has allowed us to support the which extends collaboration on the building of our workforce.” combat system and Mk.48 torpedo for RADM Quinn says Navy’s submarine another 15 years.” his will mean that at least five, workforce is now slightly ahead of its Five, and possibly six, of the Collins and possibly all six, Collins Class planned numbers and is on a trajectory submarines will undergo an additional submarines will undergo a life to over 950 submariners by 2025, to full cycle docking activity which will also Textension activity from 2026, but Head begin transition to the Attack Class. extend the life of each boat by a further Navy Capability, RADM Quinn says the “We’ve come from around 400 10 years and ensure transition to the fleet is currently performing extremely submariners five years ago to over Attack Class submarines is de-risked. well and has come a long way since it 800 today, which is really an excellent “We need to underpin the excellent was a Project of Concern. He says the capability increase,” he adds. capability we’re getting from the turnaround in availability of the fleet has From a capability standpoint submarine and we need to ensure it largely been due to the implementation the Collins fleet is currently going remains reliable and supportable for of a range of recommendations from through a major docking cycle, that additional 10-year period,” RADM the Coles Review, which began in which will upgrade the submarine’s Quinn says. 2012 and resulted in the removal of sonar and communications systems, “That will assure our ability to Collins from the Projects of Concern list in conjunction with combat system maintain our current impressive level in 2016. and Mk.48 Advanced Capability of submarine availability as the Attack “The Collins Class has really hit its (ADCAP) heavyweight torpedo spiral Class transitions into service.” ■

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 117 Keeping capability alive and ships at sea.

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half of 2021, which will position us to be SUSTAINMENT AT SEA: able to pay-off HMAS Sirius. But we’re planning for contingencies and if Sirius needs to run on, we’ll do the required SUPPLY CLASS REPLENISHMENT VESSELS maintenance to extend her.” RADM Quinn says the two new vessels will deliver capabilities the Navy has not enjoyed to the same level with its earlier replenishment ships. “They have twin hangars, a large flight deck, they can carry munitions and vast quantities of stores and fuel, including aviation fuel,” RADM Quinn says. “Because they are based on the Cantabria ships, they are well designed to operate with both the Navy’s Hobart Class DDGs and Canberra Class LHDs, both of which are also based on Navantia designs, but also provide improved support to the Anzac Class FFHs. Due to their common design with the DDGs and LHDs, they will be part of an enlarged support system beyond either Sirius or Success.” As part of this step-change in capability, the new vessels will also Class ships, the new vessels are being be fitted with the Saab Australia 9LV The first of two acquired under SEA1654 Phase 3, the combat system, in use in the Anzac Class 19,500-tonne underway contract for which was signed in May frigates and LHDs. This will be common 2016. Both ships will be completed in across all Navy surface vessels in the replenishment ships Western Australia before joining the fleet future, including the Hobart Class DDGs (AOR) for the Royal in 2021 and 2022 respectively. and the Hunter Class frigates, which will Australian Navy is due NUSHIP Supply was launched in Ferrol have a version of the Saab system as in November 2018, followed by NUSHIP their Australian interface. The Supply to arrive in Western Stalwart in August 2019. Although Class ships will also have Rafael Typhoon Australian waters the arrival of the first vessel has been 25mm weapons and the latest Phalanx in September for delayed by the restrictions imposed by Block 1B Baseline 2 Close in Weapons COVID-19, Final Operational Capability System (CIWS). completion and fit-out, (FOC) is planned to occur on schedule “They are well-equipped ships, following construction in 2022. in terms of capability, which is by Navantia in Spain. “We’re expecting to see Supply something we really haven’t had in delivered to Western Australia around our tankers before, except perhaps September, which is a delay of a few for the short time we fitted Success he two vessels, to become HMAS months, and we’ll be doing more of with CIWS during the first Supply and HMAS Stalwart, will the production work in Australia than in 1990/1991,” RADM Quinn adds. respectively replace Navy’s current we’d planned to, including integration “This will be a much more integrated Tfleet oiler (AO) HMAS Sirius and the of some of the combat system and solution than we’ve ever had aboard a recently decommissioned support ship communications elements,” explains support ship [and], with a proper combat (AOR) HMAS Success, providing a step- Head Navy Capability RADM Quinn. management system. We’re eagerly change in capability for the surface fleet. “She’s tracking towards an Initial anticipating bringing the Supply Based on the Spanish Navy’s Cantabria Operational Capability (IOC) in the latter Class online.” ■

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 119

NAVY OUTLOOK NAVY’S PATHWAY TO ENHANCED ROBOTIC AND AUTONOMOUS CAPABILITIES

surface and undersea domains already Navy from Marine Tech Systems facilities One of the keynote underway and it has a strong legacy of in Perth. sponsoring trials and demonstrations, Under SEA1778, Navy is acquiring areas for future such as its rolling Autonomous Warrior General Dynamics Maritime Systems investment highlighted program starting in October 2020 and Bluefin-9 and larger Bluefin-12 AUVs, in the recent 2020 linked to Navy exercises such as Kakadu together with Steber International 11.6 and RIMPAC. metre support vessels – of which some Defence Strategic In the surface and undersea domains, will be configured as Unmanned Surface Update is that of robotic Navy is conducting several projects Vessels (USVs). Additional technologies and autonomous which will harness the application being developed include the long- of robotic and autonomous systems endurance Bluebottle USV, developed systems. in day-to-day use. These include by Australia’s Ocius Technology. SEA1770 (Rapid Environmental “We’re introducing our first AUV and Assessment), SEA1778 (Deployable USVs into the fleet through SEA1770 he document specified the Mine Countermeasures) and SEA1905 and SEA1778 now,” Head Navy greater use of such systems to (Maritime Mine Countermeasures and Capability, RADM Quinn explains. “And ensure Australia has a “potent, Military Survey). we’re sponsoring new technologies Tnetworked force able to undertake a Under SEA1770, Navy has acquired including multiple Ocius Bluebottle wide range of activities across huge Hydroid (BlueZone) Remus 100S long-duration USVs to develop teaming distances”. It is also perhaps worth Autonomous Underwater Vehicles technologies and concepts.” noting that almost every future major (AUVs) for hydrographic charting quality, RADM Quinn says Navy’s next major platform acquisition program will seabed search and mapping, and it has step into autonomous systems will have some element of autonomy also acquired Slocum Glider AUVs for be under SEA1905. “The heart of associated with it. oceanographic observations for up to 60 remote mine warfare is autonomous Navy is aiming to embrace the days. The Slocum Gliders are currently surface vessels, operating within mine autonomous revolution, with major operating north-east of Cairns in the danger areas towing, or launching or acquisition programs in the air, Coral Sea and being remotely piloted by recovering other advanced systems such

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 121 NAVY OUTLOOK

as side-scan sonars, influence sweeps Classes of crewed platforms to improve Shot). This STaR Shot will develop above and AUVs. The autonomous surface the effectiveness, capacity and reach of and below water sensors, information vessels are likely to be fairly large units missions in the undersea domain – the processing, communication and data – we’re talking about 12-15 metre boats key challenge will be to mature these fusion systems for remote surveillance weighing up to 20 tonnes to deploy the systems through research, development for undersea environments. sorts of capabilities we need,” he says. and experimentation. Navy plans to This activity aims to progressively In the medium term, Navy will lead invest in these activities to identify and demonstrate sensor technology, data the development of an integrated explore opportunities for enhanced science and distributed integration that undersea surveillance system, to provide undersea warfare, which will de-risk can provide wide area undersea domain persistent undersea surveillance of our future projects. situation awareness. northern approaches and proximate Follow-on investment in appropriate Successive outcomes would see an sea lines of communications. When UxS technologies linked to the undersea increase in system complexity towards delivered, this will enable Defence to combat and surveillance mission will an autonomous surveillance network better detect, deter and respond to ensure Defence maintains a capability that can provide an agile, persistent submarines and other undersea threats, advantage in the undersea domain. and resilient wide area undersea as well as improve our contribution to The new capabilities will likely require operating picture that supports superior regional anti-submarine warfare. organisational changes and new skill decision-making. This project will augment existing sets that will build on the knowledge In the air domain, Navy already and planned ADF forces through the base of submarine operations, wide operates both fixed and rotary-wing delivery of an enhanced command area surveillance and operations of UxS unmanned systems, in the shape of and control system and dedicated across the Joint force. Insitu Pacific’s ScanEagle and the undersea surveillance platforms and As an activity primarily intended to Schiebel S-100 Camcopter, which sensors. The makeup of these systems, de-risk and support the delivery of an are flown by 822X Squadron at platforms, sensors, support facilities integrated undersea surveillance system, HMAS Albatross. and delivery schedule will be defined as Navy will work closely with Defence The ScanEagle conducted First of the project is initiated and developed. Science and Technology personnel on Class Flight Trials (FOCFT) aboard the Uncrewed systems (UxS) are expected the Remote Undersea Surveillance STaR amphibious warship HMAS Choules in to complement current and future Shot (Science, Technology and Research 2016 and deployed to the Middle East

122 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 NAVY OUTLOOK

for the first time aboard the guided methodology for many of our future consideration for us, but one thing missile frigate HMAS Newcastle the programs, where we will continue the COVID-19 pandemic has taught following year. Most recently, ScanEagle to evolve the technologies, starting us is that it is now crucial to have a has been conducting trials over Jervis with the small things first. We will be sovereign logistics support and training Bay, using hyperspectral imaging developing our artificial intelligence (AI) capability. While Schiebel Pacific is part technology developed for a range capabilities and intend to evolve to an of the Schiebel group of companies, of operations. Australian Common Control System and, we want to show that it is an Australian Both platforms are operated by 822X when we have those foundational things company, which uses Australian know- Sqn to inform future maritime AUV established, we will be well-positioned how to produce Australian equipment acquisition to be made under SEA129 to build up to whatever capabilities we for Australia.” Phase 5. Deployment of the rotary will require in the future.” Schiebel has recently developed and wing Camcopter has up until now been From an industry perspective, certified its in-house S-2 engine for delayed by the development of a heavy Managing Director of Schiebel Pacific the S-100, which uses heavy fuel and fuel engine, but this work has now been Fabian Knechtl says his company is therefore optimised for shipboard completed and the S-100 system began has been supporting Navy’s S-100 deployments. Operational trials with FOCFT aboard the Anzac Class frigate Camcopter operations under Navy the new engine have been conducted HMAS Ballarat in mid-2020. Minor Project 1942 since the platforms at Jervis Bay Airfield, paving the way “We have developed a different were delivered in 2017 and it is also for the successful FOCFT aboard HMAS strategy to deliver SEA129/5 but we interested in SEA129 Phase 5 (Maritime Ballarat in July. hope to make a broader approach to Tactical UAS) and Army’s LAND129 Beyond the 3.11 metre, 110kg S-100, industry in the second half of 2020, Phase 3 (Tactical UAS) programs. Knechtl says Schiebel is considering with the particular aim of gaining a “We are committed to increasing our a larger platform, which he says may better understanding of exactly what local footprint and we are committed be of interest to Navy for SEA129 and capabilities Australian industry is to establishing a production line and Army for LAND129. “We know there’s currently able to deliver,” RADM Quinn engineering presence in Australia,” a demand across the world for a larger explains. Knechtl says. “Australian Industry platform with a longer endurance and “We’re very keen to develop as much Content has always been an important more payload,” he says. ■ capability in Australia as possible, so we’re going to do some more work with industry to see how we can assist them to develop applicable capabilities for a maritime UAS for about midway through this decade.” Navy is experimenting with the ScanEagle and S-100 today and while RADM Quinn predicts the next tranche of UAVs to be acquired will most likely be enhanced versions of those sorts of platforms, or similar types, the future is likely to offer a lot of different capabilities to choose from. “We are planning to have a program which incrementally takes up new technologies in an agile way and meets the evolving operational circumstances. SEA129 will be a good example of that; we will continually evolve capability in tranches, getting the right capabilities to the fleet at the right time,” RADM Quinn adds. “We have a rolling development

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 123 AUTONOMOUS MINE COUNTERMEASURES: THE LONG GAME

ver 20 years ago a discussion began between Navy, Thales Oand other organisations within the defence industry around the potential use of unmanned and autonomous platforms – a revolutionary method of force multiplying the Navy’s fleet. Analysis conducted by Navy and independent parties all agreed that these ideas, if put in place, could give Navy significant strategic and operational advantages. Two projects were commissioned by Navy as a result of this analysis – SEA1778 and SEA1770 – that aim to bring capabilities utilising autonomous systems into service, centring on mine countermeasures (MCM) and hydrographic survey. R&D Projects Manager for Thales Underwater Systems (UWS) Daniel Dent says that when the first acquisition program came into play, the idea was to develop deployable MCM that could be explored and serve as a basis for specifying future capabilities. “SEA1778, Deployable MCM, was always about informing future capabilities to be acquired by Navy,” he says. “It is about testing a basic level of autonomous systems in preparation for the generational change that is to come.” Business Development Manager and former Mine Warfare and Clearance to initiate these conversations, and there are always going to be obstacles Diving Officer Gavin Henry says that then to follow them through with to overcome in order to achieve the Navy is to be applauded for taking SEA1778 Phase 1 as well as those desired operational outcome. These this approach. major projects now on the horizon may include integrating autonomous “You have to admire Navy for such as SEA1905 and SEA2400,” and unmanned technology having the courage and foresight Henry notes. “With any new concept challenges, existing acquisition and sustainment practices, redefining force “Today, that technology has defence, have impressively delivered operational structure and training, and revolutionised the way we live; what a mature mission and support defined concepts of operation and risk was once a mere idea is something system for MMCM Stage 1, that profiles to name but a few. In the long society may now find difficult to live importantly incorporates a number of run, however, the benefits to Navy without. The evolutionary nature of Fundamental Inputs to Capability (FIC) will be immense, de-risking MCM technology requires investment in elements, underpinning the capability. activity and providing a serious force not only research and development, Thales will leverage the enormous multiplier effect – they will be truly but also in the next generation of investment expended on the game-changing.” engineers. It’s important to foster development of this system of systems The last significant change to mine countermeasures was during the early 1990s when the first of six Thales-built “Today, that technology has revolutionised the way we live; what fibreglass hull minehunters, which was once a mere idea is something society may now find difficult were also fitted with Thales sonars, to live without. The evolutionary nature of technology requires came online. Prior to that there was investment in not only research and development, but also in the little change in the technology in use following the Second World War with next generation of engineers.” the aluminium coastal mine-hunting vessels and later, Mine Hunter Inshore this new wave of thinkers as they’ll when shaping its truly sovereign (MHI) vessels. likely be the ones who shape its solution here in Australia to ensure “Turning technology into capability future direction. interoperability, value for money and is an ongoing evolution,” says Dent. “We’ve brought on young, vibrant, most importantly, trust. “Over time the technology has innovative engineers from a variety “We really believe in where this continued to develop, and rather than of disciplines who are bringing their technology is going, and what it will replacing the fleet with newer versions expertise and a new way of thinking do for Navy. For this reason, we’ve of the same type of vessel, Navy is to mine countermeasures solutions. been engaging academia to establish moving towards autonomous MCM They have been educated, and foundational research within Trusted capabilities to not only do the work acquired their skills, in a period of Autonomous Systems Defence the minehunters were doing, but to unprecedented technological change; Customer Research Centre (TAS enhance their operational capabilities. perfectly equipping them to respond DCRC) and other R&D projects. This is a significant change for to customer needs and the evolving “This process won’t just the force, and it will take time for landscape with ease now and into happen in an instant. Navy, everyone involved to figure out the the future.” with ongoing support from best way to do it.” Thales is also investing globally in industry, will have to trial solutions Dent says that this new type of mine countermeasures capabilities, and figure out how it will work for technology is a generational change notably in the Franco-British Maritime particular mission sets. There’ll be akin to other game-changing Mine Countermeasures (MMCM) adjustments made, further research, technologies we have seen evolve program. This program, the first of advancements in technology and over the years. its kind in the world, develops an requirements, all of which will “Take for example the smartphone,” end-to-end solution for detection go towards introducing the new he notes. “Isaac Asimov predicted the and neutralisation of sea mines and operational capability. There is use of smartphones back in the early underwater improvised explosive no doubt that this is a complex 1980s – a time when computers were devices. undertaking for Navy; however, extremely big and bulky. The idea “This is an ambitious, potentially they aren’t in it alone with industry, that one day people would be able revolutionary project that our academia and a whole host of others to use them in the palm of their hand European colleagues have embarked working to support their efforts. was unheard of. But a few scientists on, as an enterprise with their We’ve been a trusted partner of Navy and forward thinkers believed it was respective defence organisations,” for decades now on critical projects, possible, despite the technology not Henry adds. “Their collaborative and we’ll be here to continue this being around at the time. efforts, as capability partners to collaboration for the long game.” Engineered for success. At Babcock, we believe in creating partnerships and solutions that are enduring. We work with you from contract to delivery and beyond, putting your priorities first. Our approach sets us apart in providing an efficient, high-quality rvice.se We are a partner you can trust.

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PLAN GALILEO: SUSTAINING THE FUTURE FLEET

and Sustainment Group (CASG), Rear The Royal Australian Navy is turning to a 16th century Admiral Wendy Malcolm, in May, Plan Galileo aims to develop a nationally Italian astronomer for inspiration, as it seeks to integrated sustainment environment fundamentally change the way in which it sustains its by 2025. It will transition fleet surface fleet. By Nigel Pittaway. sustainment from the current model, where each class of vessel has a bespoke system of sustainment, to an first. Our approach sets us apart in providing an efficient, high-quality rvice.se amed after Galileo Galilei, who sustainment, moving from a culture integrated approach which supports changed the way humankind where sustainment is an end in itself, the National Naval Shipbuilding Plan viewed the universe by to one which exists only to ensure that and aligns with Navy’s ongoing Plans Nsuggesting that the Earth revolved the Navy can fight and win at sea in Pelorus (Navy Strategy) and Mercator around the Sun and not vice-versa, future conflicts. (Naval Engineering Strategic Plan). Navy’s Plan Galileo will seek to Launched by Head Maritime Key to the rollout of Plan Galileo will change current thinking about fleet Systems of the Capability Acquisition be the establishment of a number of

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 127 BIG BIGGER

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Regional Maintenance Centres (RMCs), them, we’ve looked upon it as its acquire – there are over 100 complex located around the country to support own platform and developed a systems in their own right integrated fleet units based or operating locally. bespoke approach to supporting and together in the Anzac-class frigate, It also aims to build on Australian maintaining those vessels. Over time for example – and the typical service Industry Capability (AIC), by providing our SPOs have very much focused life of a vessel is seldom less than 30 incentive for defence industry to build inwards on how they maintain their years, so sustainment costs over the regional and local capacity as it seeks particular platform and we haven’t life of a platform are many times that to develop a fleet-based perspective tended to learn the good lessons of their original acquisition. which will drive commonality across those SPOs and how we The new ships being delivered across sustainment activities, while might use them across the Division,” under the National Naval Shipbuilding minimising duplication of effort across she says. Plan have been described as the the maritime domain. RADM Malcolm adds that, with largest naval regeneration since the Sustainment of the Navy’s new some exceptions, the Division has Second World War and will provide a Arafura-class Offshore Patrol Vessels not made the most of a cross-class ‘step-change’ in capability, complexity (OPVs) now under construction at approach to sustainment to recognise and acquisition cost. With this in mind, Osborne in South Australia and and leverage commonality across the RADM Malcolm says there is now Henderson in Western Australia will various SPOs. a perfect opportunity to transform be the proof of concept for the Plan “For instance, if you were to walk maritime sustainment for the future. Galileo strategies when they enter aboard four different ships at Fleet “The aim of Plan Galileo is that service in 2021. Base East, they each might use the in 2025, Defence will operate in same pump, provided by one of our a national integrated sustainment CURRENT SUSTAINMENT suppliers, but you might find four environment that consistently provides MODELS different ways of paying for spare affordable, reliable and fit for purpose There are currently 15 System Program parts and labour for those pumps, systems and ships to Navy,” she Offices (SPOs) within the Maritime or four different ways of looking after explains. “That means ensuring we Systems Division to look after the fleet them. One of the key issues is that’s can provide certainty and work for our on a platform by platform basis and difficult for industry, they have four uniformed personnel and industry, as RADM Malcolm explains that, over the times as many things to consider we need them working co-operatively, years, each has developed its own way and four times as many contracts,” continuing what they do, and helping of sustaining the platform for which it she says. to prepare our Navy for the new ships is responsible. Modern warships are very complex that will be delivered in an era of “When we’ve built ships or bought platforms and expensive platforms to continuous shipbuilding.”

130 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 NAVY OUTLOOK

PLAN GALILEO IN A NUTSHELL Support Unit with the industry prime The National Naval Shipbuilding contractors, local small to medium Enterprise will fundamentally change enterprises (SMEs) and suppliers and the way Navy conducts its ship each will have the ability to sustain acquisition programs and, from the several different classes of Navy’s sustainment perspective, Plan Galileo surface fleet. aims to achieve three key objectives Each RMC will leverage the local by 2025. ecosystem that has been built Firstly, it aims to build a new up around it and, while the SPOs approach to integrated Capability will remain in place, they will be Life Cycle Management; secondly it responsible for contacting the will leverage new technologies and centre to inform them of what work concepts to improve productivity and needs to be done and how it is to also to foster innovation, collaboration be completed. and the sharing of knowledge across “The SPO still has a role to oversee the maritime domain; and lastly, Plan that asset management through life Rear Admiral Wendy Malcolm Galileo plans to raise and sustain a and will ensure that this will continue, workforce with the necessary skills to it will rework Navy’s concept of but we recognise that you don’t just meet the fleet’s requirements. sustainment to adopt a fleet view, need to have that happen within the “Sustainment has often been to drive commonality and minimise SPO. Even now we outsource the driven by opportunity or in response duplication across the fleet. maintenance to local companies, but to problems in the past, rather than A further focus of Plan Galileo is to that work is split up by platform,” a systematic approach to getting grow and support Navy’s technical RADM Malcolm explains. the best approach for our systems. and logistical capabilities and this “For instance, if we were to We’re trying to look at how we can will include the ongoing involvement consolidate the maintenance make things easier for industry, how of Fleet Support Unit (FSU) repair activities in Sydney into one Regional we can get better bang for our buck and maintenance organisations Maintenance Centre, it gives it the across those systems and across our across the country in the delivery of ability to cross-level resources and warships, how we learn those good ship maintenance activities and the better manage the maintenance lessons from our SPOs and also development of Maritime Logistics schedule. It still needs to meet Navy’s have a more easily understandable, personnel to support supply chain operational requirements, but we less-bureaucratic approach to how development and management. want to get industry to help us do that we maintain our warships,” RADM “We’re still going to have our more efficiently.” Malcolm adds. SPOs and they will still ensure the One of the key considerations is “We have also looked at how other asset management over the life of the desire to avoid a return to earlier navies conduct sustainment, including the platform, but we’re going to practice, which could often result in the US Navy, the Royal Navy and the consolidate where we can and use every maintenance availability contract Royal Canadian Navy, and we’ve tried best practice in our commercial being put out to tender. The Plan to find that sweet spot or the best models to drive better support Galileo concept will take a longer- mix of how we contract, what are the and more effective and efficient term view of these maintenance core skills we want to make sure are processes,” RADM Malcolm says. requirements or opportunities on a retained in Navy and what are the “And we want to centre those in the regional basis, which will allow the important skills we want to grow various regions where our ships are industry primes to foster enduring in industry.” home-ported, principally for us in the relationships with the local SMEs and Plan Galileo takes a whole-of-life maritime sustainment space in Perth, provide them with the opportunity to concept to sustainment, beginning in Darwin, Cairns and Sydney.” plan ahead for several years. the design phase of the vessel, and “At the moment we still have the as a result the Capability Life Cycle REGIONAL MAINTENANCE situation where many companies Management of the platform as an CENTRES don’t really have an insight into what underlying principle is considered Each Regional Maintenance Centre work they may have in a few months’ from the very outset. Defence says will consolidate the Navy Fleet time and we want to try to encourage

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 131 NAVY OUTLOOK

“The aim of Plan Galileo is that in 2025, Defence will want to make sure that when these operate in a national integrated sustainment environment that shiny new and capable ships are delivered we can sustain them, and we consistently provides affordable, reliable and fit for purpose can sustain them with a capability that systems and ships to Navy.” is inherent in the country.”

BUILDING AUSTRALIAN greater visibility and transparency and such as Austal, BAE Systems Australia, INDUSTRY CAPABILITY also investment in those areas, so we ASC and Raytheon and a number of RADM Malcolm says it is important can grow those smaller companies and supporting SMEs. While the RMC to note that much of the support for make sure they have that certainty as in Darwin may not be as large as Navy’s surface fleet today is already well,” RADM Malcolm adds. Henderson, it will grow a scaled eco- provided in Australia, by Australian An example of the eco-system which system around it to support activities companies, although some systems has grown up around a Navy home- in Australia’s Top End. and weapons support will always need port is the Henderson strip in Western “We are really trying to build from to be done by overseas companies. In Australia, located across Cockburn where the continuous shipbuilding the case of US Foreign Military Sales Sound from Navy’s Fleet Base West. plan is taking us and maximise (FMS) or International Traffic in Arms Henderson is home to a Common User opportunities and we have to be ready Regulations (ITAR) requirements for Facility, which allows various maritime for those new ships to come,” RADM example, that work is required to be companies to conduct work within Malcolm explains. “Also, it is very performed by US citizens. its boundaries. It is also the home to important for Navy and the nation “If I take the current Anzac ships as Civmec, manufacturer of the majority to maximise those opportunities for a good example, they already drive an of Arafura-class OPVs, industry primes Australia on a number of fronts. We AIC approach through the sustainment NAVY OUTLOOK

contracts and the maintenance of Australian industry to do that.” example, are required in each those ships over the past 10 years or To support these goals, Maritime area and work is underway to so has resulted in almost 90% of the Systems Division is also working determine what needs to be support base and input actually being closely with state governments to constructed and/or upgraded. provided by Australian companies. determine how they can partner to “The workforce piece is also very We want to make sure we keep that develop the Regional Maintenance important and we’re leveraging the going and actually further incentivise Centres, particularly in Western great work being done by the Naval Australian companies to grow,” RADM Australia and Queensland, to foster Shipbuilding College to make sure Malcolm explains. local industry and also to ensure we’re building the workforce skills “This is one of the key approaches competition for infrastructure, in those state regions to support that we want to drive, through resources and workforce with other continuous sustainment,” RADM Defence Industry Policy and CASG, to industrial sectors does not have Malcolm adds. really incentivise, motivate and grow an impact. “Also our Navy people and public further development and investment Infrastructure is a critical element service and all the people that make and have that work done by Australian to the success of Plan Galileo, which the enterprise work, a good example companies. We want to incentivise will consider what will be needed out is we don’t have nearly enough Naval that to happen quickly in key areas we to a horizon perhaps decades from Architects in Australia at the moment want to ensure we have in place for now, and already there is significant and we need to make sure we will the future – those sovereign capability investment being made in the have enough to support the future of areas like combat systems, looking RMC locations, in terms of wharves shipbuilding and sustainment of Navy after our hulls and how we integrate and underlying services. Similarly as we move forward.” complex systems. We recognise that maintenance infrastructure, floating RADM Malcolm’s Division is also this work is important, and we want docks, cranes and ship lifts, for engaging closely with industry, via NAVIGATING UNCERTAIN TIMES REQUIRES UNWAVERING COMMITMENT, TEAM WORK AND DELIVERY EXCELLENCE. AT NORSHIP THESE VALUES DEFINE US, AS WE PROUDLY SUPPORT AUSTRALIA’S FRONTLINE MARITIME SERVICES

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“At the moment we still have the situation where many across ship classes, across regions companies don’t really have an insight into what work they may of Australia and, where possible, have in a few months’ time and we want to try to encourage greater for extended periods. It is one thing to build a regional base for visibility and transparency and also investment in those areas, so shipbuilding, but it must provide we can grow those smaller companies and make sure they have that return on investment for Navy, and certainty as well.” this may result in the establishment of centres of excellence in one location, for example to ensure surety a series of workshops and design delivered under the continuous and longevity of combat systems laboratories to seek input on how the naval shipbuilding plan will be the management and development, RMCs would work. While this work has Arafura-class OPVs and they will rather than trying to replicate work in been hampered to some degree by form the ‘proof of concept’ for Plan each RMC. the COVID-19 restrictions, the physical Galileo. Defence has recently released “I want to reassure people that roadshows have been replaced by a tender to industry for the Arafura what we’re doing is trying to take the online forums, webinars and virtual Capability Lifecycle Management best concepts, procedures and ideas design laboratories. contract and the RMC tender is from all our SPOs and putting those in “I want to reassure industry that we expected to follow later this year. place,” RADM Malcolm concludes. will continue to consult with them and “They are the proof of concept “We have learned a lot from new invite their feedback and participation, strategies, looking at how we will contracts we have recently put in but we’ll probably be doing that in do this work in the future and, if place for patrol boats in Darwin and a different way to what we originally necessary, tweaking it to make sure we for the (Canberra-class) LHDs for envisaged. It’s something we’re get it right,” RADM Malcolm explains. example. In some ways, people will concentrating quite hard on at the A key aspect of this is the recognise a lot of what they will see moment,” RADM Malcolm says. consideration of the supply in this new approach. This is taking a chain and making sure that best-of-breed approach and it is an TRANSITION TO GALILEO contracts are suitable for the evolution rather than a revolution in The first new class of ship to be maintenance of components sustainment.” ■

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 135 “ …I came off ‘the tools’ and set an example for my team”

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exciting decade ahead. “We’ve certainly come a long ENGINEERING RISES way since the Rizzo Report, and we had to because the continuous shipbuilding program is a completely TO THE CHALLENGE different challenge to the one we faced in 2011,” says RADM Lawrence. “The Rizzo Report highlighted Navy Engineering is now at a point where it is much inadequate maintenance practices better prepared to meet not only the challenges of within the Navy due to many factors. today, but the challenges ahead, according to Rear “There was poor whole of life asset management, organisational Admiral Col Lawrence. By Lachlan Colquhoun. complexity and blurred accountability, inadequate risk s he prepares to complete programs, and that engineering management, poor compliance and his tenure as Head of Navy was not immune to the criticism assurance, and a hollowed-out Navy Engineering, RADM Col that Navy had historically focused Engineering function.” ALawrence can be satisfied that Navy on operational outcomes at the These fundamental issues have Engineering has come a long way. expense of the technical integrity of taken almost a decade to address, He freely acknowledges that its platforms. and Navy Engineering is now at the 2011 Rizzo Report, Plan to The upside of that, he says, is a a point where it is much better Reform Support Ship Repair and new and refreshed approach which prepared to meet not only the Management Practices, exposed has improved seaworthiness and engineering challenges of today, but significant problems with Navy’s availability across the Navy, and set the challenges ahead. maintenance and sustainment up processes and doctrine for an “Ten years ago, we were focused

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with the outcomes of the Rizzo Reform Program. This was followed by a second five-year plan with six key themes. The plan included a “complete rewrite” of Navy Engineering doctrine, policy and procedures, right down to class-level publications which are a “major and fundamental improvement”. Among the themes was a requirement that Navy Engineering be fully embedded across the Capability Life Cycle. To this end, Principal Engineers are now appointed in all sustainment offices and acquisition projects, and Centres of Expertise technology cells are now delivering warranted engineering advice focused on Capability Manager requirements. “The biggest change has been in how engineering authority and accountability is delegated out throughout the Navy,” says RADM Lawrence. “Three years ago, we on regenerating our ability to the asset management lifecycle completely changed our system and keep the fleet at sea,” says RADM identified by the Rizzo Report. now we have a structure where there Lawrence. “Right now, in addition, Rizzo found that during the is clear accountability delegated we are supporting three new ship planning and acquisition of new through our engineering workforce. acquisition programs, all of which capability, there was a tendency to “Even three years ago, we will be constructed in Australia. focus on delivery above all else. were very inconsistent about how By way of example, the future “The intense political, media and engineering was organised across submarine program could become leadership attention on acquisition the Navy, now the outputs are the most complex engineering means that there is a focus on much more consistent and the program our country will undertake. schedule, budget and specification,” responsibilities are more clearly “And at the same time we are the report said. “As a consequence, understood.” going to build patrol vessels and this means that the project manager Naval Engineering, says RADM a highly complex future frigate has only limited options if pressure Lawrence, is a discipline. It is a body onshore, with an aim to also bring or constraints arise. As a result, of knowledge and practice that the design onshore so that we can sustainment is neglected in priority, delivers seaworthy materiel within a continue to design and build naval which leads to inadequate logistic culture that demands professional ships in this country. support products and increased behaviour and accountability. “All three of these programs are sustainment requirements, often The application of this discipline significant engineering undertakings, to the detriment of whole-of-life underpins Naval Engineering into and if we hadn’t sorted out our capability and costs.” the future including implementation fundamentals in the past decade, the Navy’s first response culminated of the Defence Seaworthiness future would be much more complex in the Naval Engineering Strategic Management System. than it already is.” Plan 2013-2017, which was a Authorised Materiel Seaworthiness Navy’s new strategic approach foundation to rebuild the Naval Delivery Organisations (AMSDO) addresses many of the issues around Engineering capability, consistent are now established throughout

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the Navy which, at their core, are “Historically we had quite an covering everything from platform, designed to bind engineering, adversarial relationship with industry, mechanical and propulsion systems, maintenance and support systems we saw industry almost like an aviation systems, through to high- together from very early in the opponent,” he says. end combat management and Capability Life Cycle right through “In my role as Head of the Navy warfare systems,” he says. until disposal. Engineering Community, we can’t “The range of technology the The Naval Materiel Seaworthiness afford to do that and it won’t Navy Engineering workforce has to Assurance Agency is providing deliver the results we seek. We support is phenomenal. assurance of materiel seaworthiness, have so much shipbuilding work “We have worked very hard with RADM Lawrence conducting coming down the pipeline that we to form and deliver a consistent monthly “deep dives” into the Navy have to look at our workforce as message over the last few years, and Assurance Management System an enterprise, whether our people this is setting us for what is a highly to confirm his confidence in the are in uniform or whether they complex undertaking so that Navy materiel seaworthiness of the fleet. are contractors or public servants, Engineering can deliver to Intrinsic in all of these activities, they all need to be focused on the the nation.” RADM Lawrence says, it is imperative Work has also commenced on the that the Navy Engineering next Navy Engineering Strategy, community accepts the responsibility laying the foundations for the next and accountability allocated to it for HNE, Rear Admiral Kath Richards the delivery of seaworthy materiel, through to 2025. safe and operationally effective RADM Lawrence’s message to maritime capability and responsible the Navy Engineering community environmental outcomes. moving forward is very concise: As HNE, RADM Lawrence’s “Navy Engineering empowers priorities have been to: the Navy with the technology to • Clearly define how Naval fight and win at sea, and values Engineering contributes to the innovation, collaborative leadership, definition and acquisition of professional excellence and seaworthy materiel. technical mastery”. • Optimise Naval Engineering Within the context of the Next

services for the effective and Rear Admiral Colin Lawrence Generation Navy (NGN) project, this sustained delivery of seaworthy message formally places people and materiel. outcome, that is the only way that culture at the forefront of the Navy’s • Promulgate Naval Engineering we will achieve the challenge that Engineering strategy and recognises policy for implementation across has been laid down for us. It will that Navy’s platforms are ultimately the Defence maritime domain. require a cultural change from objects that deliver capability • Organise the Naval Engineering both sides.” through its people. workforce to efficiently and The imperative, says RADM “Many of us within the engineering effectively support the sustained Lawrence, is that Australia is about community have served at a time delivery of professional to embark on “major programs that where there has never been enough engineering and maintenance will define our Nation”. The next qualified engineers and technicians functions. generation of Navy ships, across to support Navy capability,” says • Implement an effective Naval several classes, will be built in RADM Lawrence. Engineering operating model. Australia and will be maintained “By way of example, the Marine • Provide confidence in materiel and sustained in Australia. For this, Technician category has been seaworthiness through a risk-based Navy Engineering needs to be up to categorised as ‘critical’ since assurance program. the task. 1999. I am committed to changing “We have a large engineering this and I am fully supportive Another major change, says RADM and technical workforce, dispersed of the NGN reform agenda to Lawrence, has been the relationship all over the country, pocketed build a professional and inclusive between Navy and civilian contractors. away in all areas of the Navy, engineering culture.” ■

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CATCHING THE CURVE BALLS

“You can only understand the strengths you have when things After a career of notable firsts, Rear Admiral Katherine don’t go your way, and that helps you Richards is set to become Head Navy Engineering in learn to adapt and evolve and also early 2021, the first female officer to hold that position. to negotiate.” RADM Richards’ naval career has Ahead of taking up the role, she talked with Lachlan been a distinguished one almost from Colquhoun about her career and embracing resilience the moment she joined the Navy three as a driver of success. decades ago. She joined “in search of something different”, she says, in an era when t is impossible, says RADM Katherine sometimes adversity. girls with academic achievements Richards, for someone to overcome “When everything goes our way it’s usually chose either medicine or law. hurdles unless there is something for pretty easy to achieve success,” RADM “Also, it was the 1980s and it was a Ithem to jump over. Richards says. “But I think there are a few very materialistic period, when it was She uses the analogy to make a key traps in that, because that doesn’t help all about the individual and money,” point about her approach to life and you develop as a person and you can says RADM Richards. “That didn’t her career: resilience is only built and become quite brittle and fragile when really appeal to me, I found it quite created through facing challenges and you don’t have to overcome anything. hollow. I was more interested in the

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idea of service and working as part of the technique of “shortening time”. female commanding officer of HMAS a team, and that is what led me to On dangerous bombing raids, Cerberus and is currently the Navy’s the Navy.” Cheshire would give himself a Director of Engineering, after recently Her career began with a Bachelor of 15-minute timeframe, after which he completing a stint as Chief of Staff at Engineering with First Class Honours at would congratulate himself on still Navy Headquarters. the Australian Defence Force Academy being alive, and check in with his Looking at her naval career, it might which led – thanks to a telegram team. It managed his stress and fear, look like plain sailing but there were received when she was on duty in the and helped him get through. obstacles and barriers along the way. Southern Ocean – to a scholarship RADM Richards then adapted that As one of the first female officers, studying warship design at University technique to manage her sea sickness, she faced institutional barriers based College in London. and would break down a watch or a on her gender but was already familiar Operationally, RADM Richards has task into smaller time periods. with this from her mother’s career. Both been the engineer on the Leeuwin “I’d be proud of myself if I could of her parents were naval officers, but class hydrographic ships and also go into an engine room, complete a her mother had to resign when she the guided missile frigate HMAS set of rounds and come back out was married as this was the regulation Melbourne, and saw service in the again and not have vomited,” she back then. Solomon Islands and in the says. Later, she had to deal with As a , RADM Persian Gulf. extreme morning sickness while Richards was unable to join her She was able to serve with working through her pregnancies. male colleagues on a training cruise distinction despite suffering from Then there was a Master of to New Zealand because there were constant sea sickness, a condition Science in Marine Engineering and a no quarters for women, and had to she learned to manage with advice Master of Management in Defence train alone in Cairns. There, she had from celebrated British aviator Group Studies, where she “wrote 10,000- to sleep in the sick bay because Captain Leonard Cheshire, famous word theses while looking after three there was not a cabin which could for flying in the Dam Busters raid on small children”. accommodate a woman. German dams in World War II, who RADM Richards has received a Later, she was not able to serve visited ADFA in the early 1990s. Conspicuous Service Award for on the Charles F. Adams class of From him, RADM Richards learned outstanding achievement as the first destroyers to study the steam turbines,

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but was still required to pass all of “I really respect that many of our the examinations. female veterans see my promotion as Today, RADM Richards says these part of their legacy, because they were barriers have been “blown away” in denied the ability to advance in the the Navy of 2020, and not only is that past,” says RADM Richards. “For many an advance for gender equality, but of those women the fact that there is a it is also an advance for the ultimate female admiral is an absolute cause for capability of the Navy. celebration, and I respect that because “Removing those internal barriers in some ways my achievement is also has created an organisation which is an acknowledgment of what built more capable, and made us better the Navy. warfighters,” she says. “Then there are younger women “Removing barriers gives people who are serving today, and for them freedom to develop and grow, and it gives them encouragement that doesn’t artificially constrain the system, when those curve balls come their and if you can give people that way, there is someone who looks like Rear Admiral Kath Richards freedom you can be amazed at what them and has been able to catch those they can produce.” our teams,” she says. “We can’t always curve balls and still get there, so I am These have not been the only get more people in terms of numbers, sensitive to that and am striving to barriers or “curve balls” that RADM but we can upskill the people we do deliver to these expectations.” Richards has been thrown. have in terms of their technical ability, On the subject of engineering, Her husband is Army Colonel Bernie their profession of arms and skills as RADM Richards sees the Navy as Richards, who was diagnosed with a warfighters.” being “underpinned by technology serious brain tumour back in 2018, This helps deliver the “thinking and by people”. beginning an anxious family journey of navy” where people do not sit still in “If you don’t understand the treatment and care which has seen him developing their professional mastery, technology and don’t respect the emerge with a positive prognosis. because the nation “demands that we people you can’t get to where Navy “It taught me all over again that you are at the top of the game to deliver wants to be,” she says. develop skills when hurdles come your a warfighting effect”. “Engineering itself is really a human way,” says RADM Richards. Within the context of being a team endeavour, but it’s about how you “I had to learn new skills as a player, RADM Richards says she has take the language of mathematics middle-aged woman I’d never thought always “run her own race” in life and is and apply the rigour of the scientific of, such as dispensing medication, committed to running the best process to develop solutions to being a patient advocate and how to race she can. problems, and that is an amazingly really care for someone. She is committed to the idea of rewarding profession to be a part of.” “If you don’t have those hurdles in being a “servant leader” who uses Good engineering, she says, is front of you then you just don’t grow.” her leadership skills and position as about knowing and understanding The only response, she says, to a way of maximising the success and the design of our ship, understanding these curve balls is to catch them and capabilities of those under its maintenance requirements and keep going, “because that is what life her command. liabilities, and the strengths and requires of you”. While she makes no claim herself weaknesses of the supply chain. RADM Richards then segues this for the significance of being the “When you bring that together, you back into making a point about first woman in her new Head Navy have the solid foundation to upkeep, Navy, and how ongoing professional Engineering role, she understands that upgrade and update your fleet, and education is not only a personal it is significant for other people. She that is really what naval engineering investment, but functions as a has run her own race, but that race has delivers to the Chief of Navy,” says “multiplier” for Navy’s capability. been important to other people. RADM Richards. “Keeping on with education and When her promotion was “To be Head Navy Engineering is a training is about investing in our announced, for example, she was profound privilege, and I will acquit human capital, and continually driving deluged with congratulations to the it with all of my energy and hope to our people to realise the potential of point that her email inbox crashed. deliver these results.” ■

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 143 Faircount’s “OUTLOOK” series is a set of professional industry publications, each title covering a specifi c industry sector or organisation. These titles are highly respected and regularly read by professionals within each of the specifi c sectors and organisations they speak to.

2020 2020-2021 EDITION TH ANNIVERSARY DEFENCE S&T FOREWORD 100 SENATOR THE HON STRATEGY 2030 LINDA REYNOLDS CSC OF THE AUSTRALIAN MINISTER FOR DEFENCE OPENING INTERVIEW HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE PROFESSOR TANYA MONRO CDRE FIONA FREEMAN CHIEF DEFENCE SCIENTIST AUSTRALIAN HYDROGRAPHER NATIONAL NAVAL SHIPBUILDING ENTERPRISE TONY DALTON FEATURES DEPUTY SECRETARY, NATIONAL RADM JONATHAN MEAD NAVAL SHIPBUILDING, CASG COMMANDER AUSTRALIAN FLEET RADM WENDY MALCOLM RADM MARK HAMMOND STAR SHOTS COMMANDER AUSTRALIAN FLEET-DESIGNATE HEAD MARITIME SYSTEMS THE FIVE DOMAINS DIVISION, CASG RADM PETER QUINN AI/ROBOTICS – ETHICS & PROTOCOLS HEAD NAVY CAPABILITY HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING CENTRE RADM COL LAWRENCE SUPPORTING CURRENT AND FUTURE DEFENCE CAPABILITY HEAD NAVY ENGINEERING PARTNERSHIP WITH INDUSTRY, ACADEMIA & GOVERNMENT CDRE CHARLES HUXTABLE INTERVIEWS COMMODORE TRAINING DEFENCE’S S&T RESPONSE TO COVID-19 • DEFENCE STEM COUNCIL VADM MICHAEL NOONAN CDRE SIMON OTTAVIANO • NATIONAL SECURITY CHIEF OF NAVY DIRECTOR GENERAL LOGISTICS RADM CHRIS SMITH CDRE MATT BUCKLEY DEPUTY CHIEF OF NAVY DIRECTOR GENERAL NAVY PEOPLE CDRE DARREN GROGAN CDRE MICHAEL HARRIS DIRECTOR GENERAL MARITIME OPERATIONS COMMODORE FLOTILLAS WO-N DEB BUTTERWORTH WARRANT OFFICER OF THE NAVY > TEAM NAVY ALSO: NAVAL SHIPBUILDING COLLEGE > OP BUSHFIRE ASSIST > FLEET EXERCISES

Navy OUTLOOK navyoutlook.com.au Defence Science and Technology (DST) OUTLOOK dstoutlook.com.au Australian Space OUTLOOK australianspaceoutlook.com.au Visit each site for advertising and editorial information, and to subscribe to receive complimentary copies. For more information on Faircount Media Group in Australia, visit: FAIRCOUNT.COM.AU David Sanis, Managing Director Phone: 02 8063 4888 Email: [email protected] NAVY OUTLOOK SCHOLARSHIP WINNER DRIVES NEXT GENERATION SUBSEA CAPABILITIES each title covering a specifi c industry sector or organisation. These titles increasing role in future subsea and amphibious capabilities, such as mine- countermeasures, surveying, and anti- submarine warfare. specifi c sectors and organisations they speak to. “Automated launch and recovery is a known challenge in AUV operations and my work is to improve that to enable multi-platform autonomy, and to increase the flexibility in AUV operations in general,” says Keane. The first step of this is to work with the Defence Science and Technology Group to implement a solution for AUV homing. “The approach we are taking comes from a niche area of mathematics, but it has enormous implications for this capability and that is what I like about it.” ieutenant James Keane was hours in duration. Keane is also researching the L studying for his Naval Architecture With pre-programming, the operator implications of this work for Trusted degree at the Australian Maritime sets the AUV’s path for the entire Autonomous Systems as part of his College when one day a Canadian mission, including the exact location Masters of Systems Engineering (Test professor arrived with a “little yellow for surfacing and recovery, but this can & Evaluation) through the Australian submarine”, and stories of how he be risky as the mission is influenced by Defence Force Academy. He will be had been in Antarctica training changing factors such as the weather supervising an engineering student astronauts how to explore beneath the or threats. next year as they investigate whether ice with robots. Keane’s work is to use what he calls artificial intelligence could improve Keane was fascinated by the potential a “back seat driver”, which enables confidence in new AUV behaviours. of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles the AUV to respond to environmental The Holthouse scholarship is for (AUVs), and it has led him into an area changes, and “make its own decisions” a duration of two years; Keane was of research which saw him awarded while on the mission using a technology announced as the recipient at the with the Navy’s Holthouse Memorial called probabilistic robotics. PACIFIC 2019 event, and he will Scholarship. Before this scholarship, Keane had present his research at the same “I became really excited at the travelled to Iceland, Singapore and event in 2021. potential of robotics to improve the the US to further his research, and The scholarship encourages capability of the Royal Australian Navy, presented his work on AUVs at the US the development of professional and so that is my focus,” says Keane, Naval Undersea Warfare Center. engineering mastery to grow naval a Marine Engineer based at HMAS Trials had been planned over 2020 capability, and is named after Waterhen in Sydney. in the US, but will now take place in Rear Admiral David Holthouse, a AUVs are used in hydrography and Australia at Jervis Bay as a result of the distinguished naval officer who excelled mine warfare, and are typically pre- COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. in engineering and technical training. programmed to conduct their missions, Keane describes his work as an Rear Admiral Holthouse had a 43- which are in dynamic and unpredictable “evolution” in the capability of year career in the Navy and passed environments and can be up to 24 AUVs, which are expected to play an away in 2013. ■

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 145 NAVY OUTLOOK

THE ART OF THE POSSIBLE: WHY ENGINEERS NEVER STOP LEARNING Experienced, well-spoken

n the new decade, the Royal not change the need for a solid taking into account what may be Australian Navy will place more technical engineering background technically possible in the near Iemphasis than ever on building – rather, engineers will be involved future.” mastery in its engineering personnel. from start to finish to meet the Engineers fill diverse roles within customer’s requirements. Like it or LEARNING COMES IN ALL SHAPES the Navy, from maintaining ageing not, this puts communication at the AND SIZES ships and blending older technology core of the engineering process, Communication skills, the ability to with new systems, right through to including the ability to work with learn and critical thinking: these are pushing the boundaries of what is people to solve problems. all skills that take work to master. possible with the new Attack class Dr Bronwyn Evans is the CEO Working on these skills might submarine fleet. of Engineers Australia, the peak look like work experience in As modern engineering transitions membership body for engineers in another department or group, from an industrial focus to a cyber- Australia and a strong partner in to gain the technical expertise physical systems focus, it has developing Navy’s engineers. Dr to move you forward. It might expertise, Chartered builds your The Chartered qualification never been more vital to curate Evans knows the value of building also look like staying connected the skills and abilities that keep an teams with strong abilities to with organisations like Engineers engineer curious. In a navy career communicate, consume information Australia, where professional experiences that you might not get and beyond, staying relevant while and flexibly apply their knowledge. development is part of the culture. moving forward requires the mindset “Retaining the ability to learn has In the demanding environment of a lifelong learner. become the one skill every engineer of the military, this focus can slide must develop. Whatever we know to the back burner. But to stay proficiency, a level of competence, WE ASK LEADERS: now and whatever environment we ahead, it is wise to demonstrate of expertise and in our own WHAT DOES TOMORROW’S operate in now, it will not be the your diversity of experience ENGINEER LOOK LIKE? same in 10 or 20 years’ time,” says and leadership in your chosen The engineers of tomorrow will be Dr Evans. engineering field. One way to Engineer simplifies the process of skilled in both technical prowess and An engineer who is actively do this is to become a Chartered relationship building. But this does shaping Navy’s future is Gary Engineer. breadth of experience and a depth Swarbrick, Chief Technical Officer The Chartered Engineer at Naval Group Australia. Swarbrick credential is provided by Engineers and his team are working on Australia. Dr Evans describes it the Future Submarine Program, as “a mark of your excellence designing Australia’s new Attack as an engineer”. Reaching class submarines. Swarbrick views Chartered recognises that you have the engineer of the future as a demonstrated the skills required thinker and an integrator, able for the engineer of the future and to navigate a changing world committed to ongoing professional successfully. development. “Tomorrow’s engineer will need Engineers Australia works with more or less the same skills as each Chartered candidate to the engineers of today; to be gain the credential, with flexible able to translate the end user’s learning pathways and evidence requirements into a viable solution, requirements that do not interfere

Dr Bronwyn Evans HonFIEAust CPEng EngExec FTSE while harnessing the latest that with your Navy role. No matter DrCEO, Bronwyn Engineers Evans, Australia CEO, Engineers Australia. technology has to offer and your specialisation or area of

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Because of this status, towards building our own Defence Chartered is more than just a and manufacturing capabilities. nice idea; it is becoming a sought- Experienced, well-spoken after requirement for both civilian engineers will be in high demand, and naval engineers. What’s particularly those who already have more, Chartered is a globally the Chartered credential under recognised credential that their belt. can open the door to career Dr Evans agrees and says that from start to finish to meet the possibilities around the world. a strong network of engineering Engineers fill diverse roles within The Naval Civilian Engineer peers will continue to be an Development Program brings advantage for those who can look graduate engineers into Navy outside their current, focused work. engineering while building their “If you’re thinking about the competency to become Chartered future, get involved with Engineers Engineers. Engineers Australia Australia. We’re about much more submarine fleet. look like work experience in Gary Swarbrick FIEAust CPEng partnered with Navy to create the than Chartered – you can network, GaryAPEC Swarbrick,Engineer IntPE(Aus) Chief Technical Officer, program, integrating the pathway you can either be a mentor or be NavalChief Technical Group Australia. Officer, Naval Group Australia to gain the technical expertise to Chartered. mentored, and you can build new expertise, Chartered builds your The Chartered qualification skills that you wouldn’t otherwise portfolio to encompass the full is important to civilian have the opportunity to build.” range of modern engineering organisations as well, Swarbrick Swarbrick encourages experiences that you might not get notes. “I try and encourage all the engineers to meet the future and flexibly apply their knowledge. from a niche role. young engineers that work for me head-on with a vivid imagination. Navy is increasingly looking for to become Chartered. It shows “Our job as engineers should engineers to have proven their skill that you’ve reached a level of be to imagine how we can use set, particularly when it comes to proficiency, a level of competence, new technology in our own area advanced engineering roles, like and it should be the norm in the of expertise and in our own your diversity of experience combat systems engineers or warrant engineering industry.” application. I’d like to think that holders. Status as a Chartered we imagine the art of the possible. engineering field. One way to Engineer simplifies the process of TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE And I think that’ll be as true proving yourself across systems, a So, what does the future hold for tomorrow as it is today.” breadth of experience and a depth Navy engineers? The challenge of Swarbrick, Chief Technical Officer of competency. Chartered Engineers professional development is here Visit www.engineersaustralia. can get the job done. to stay as Australia’s focus moves org.au/Chartered as “a mark of your excellence

gain the credential, with flexible

NAVYNAVY OUTLOOK OUTLOOK 2020 20182017 97 NAVY OUTLOOK LOGISTICS THE KEY TO ENDURANCE

having to return to port. This maintains Well-executed logistics means ships can be combat readiness and extends the resupplied at sea, which maintains combat readiness Navy’s warfighting capabilities. In his role as Director General of and extends the Navy’s warfighting capabilities. Logistics, CDRE Ottaviano is responsible Lachlan Colquhuon spoke to Commodore Simon for all Navy logistics doctrine and policy, Ottaviano, Director General of Logistics, about this and also for articulating the logistics requirements for the current and future critical aspect. capabilities. This involves providing assurance to the Chief of Navy on the ithout its logistics operation, “We focus on everything from food operational capabilities, and that future says Commodore Simon to clothing, fuel, explosive ordnance, capabilities are logistically supportable Ottaviano, the Navy would medical supplies and every spare part and sustainable. Wstop functioning. in every ship and piece of equipment A naval officer for more than three “It is like oxygen and the air we we use.” decades, CDRE Ottaviano has made a breathe,” says CDRE Ottaviano, the Warships, says CDRE Ottaviano, are career as a logistics specialist, spending Director General of Logistics for the Navy. not only floating platforms for weapons time serving in Iraq and the Middle East “Logistics is the critical and driving factor but they are also “floating warehouses”. and in Hawaii with the US Pacific Fleet. in everything you do – before you deploy, Well-executed logistics means the Prior to his current role, he was the while you deploy and after you return. ship can be resupplied at sea, without Head of Acquisition and Sustainment

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for all Guided Weapons and Ordnance systems, not just in logistics but for Navy, Army and Air Force, a joint also for finance, human resources, defence role “and requiring a very engineering and maintenance. A key different skillset”. enhancement will be new business “You could say it is simply another automation processes. stock number but when you are dealing “This will provide an amazing with ordnance there is certainly more to awareness in areas such as the it than that,” he says. maintenance status of equipment on Another of CDRE Ottaviano’s current ships, so when there is a breakdown we roles is as the head of the navy logistics make sure a suitable person is assigned, community, a group comprising and we can locate the right stores,” says around 1,500 personnel in roles such CDRE Ottaviano. as Maritime Logistics Officers, Supply “It will give us complete traceability Chain Sailors, Support Operations from the able seaman to the admiral.” Sailors and the Navy’s Chefs. In understanding how logistics is “My position has been around for contributing to the Navy’s performance, 30 years or so in the Navy, and it’s CDRE Ottaviano says the key metric Commodore Simon Ottaviano about focusing on the people and their is “endurance”. Ships, for example, professional standards,” he says. have set endurances, so the task of the to help their fellow Australians,” says “It allows me to focus on making logistics community is to make sure the CDRE Ottaviano. sure we have sufficient people who are ship is operational within the tolerances “Many of our people deploy overseas, suitably qualified and trained. Because of that endurance level, from food right but having the opportunity to help at without the people, the stores and through to weapons. home was unique and very satisfying.” stocks are useless, no matter how much “These are things which people A third role for CDRE Ottaviano is as you have.” could take for granted but which are the Chair of the Navy’s Central Canteen Members of this community are critical factors in determining how long Board, guiding a unique institution employed everywhere in the Navy. that ship or submarine can do what within Navy which celebrates its 65th “Wherever you have ships, it needs to do,” he says. “And this anniversary in 2020. submarines, aircraft or a naval base, it also involves constantly monitoring In addition to managing 16 canteens has to be sustained and members of the training and proficiencies of our on 10 naval bases, the organisation our logistics community are there,” says workforce as well as our stock levels, functions as a welfare and recreational CDRE Ottaviano. and our ability to resupply, track services provider to naval personnel and “We have fleet logistics support all and stocktake.” their families. around the country, in Darwin, Cairns, All those capabilities were used The Board also operates two caravan in Garden Island WA, in Sydney and at in a humanitarian role in Operation parks and owns holiday apartments Nowra at our Naval Air Station.” Bushfire Assist in January 2020, as which are available to Navy families Technology also plays a role Navy personnel rushed back from for holidays. in naval logistics, and Navy leave and went to sea to assist people There is also a concert ticket service continues to automate its warehouses stranded by the bushfire crisis on the for theatre and music concerts. and look at the latest technologies in eastern seaboard. “We have provided $5 million to fund tracking and tracing and storage, such “In that humanitarian role, we needed Navy recreation grants over the last 10 as state-of-the-art human-free to make sure we had loaded everything years, and another $2 million towards air-conditioned environments for from blankets to stretchers and baby our own relief trust fund which offers free sensitive items. formula and pharmaceutical supplies, loans to people when they are in need,” Some of these facilities are shared and items needed for young children or says CDRE Ottaviano. across the Defence Force, which has a the elderly,” says CDRE Ottaviano. “We are a separate entity within joint logistics organisation delivering For naval personnel, there was Navy with our own board, and are a from a central point in most states. personal protective equipment and not for profit organisation which A new enterprise resource planning flame retardant uniforms. means we invest back into the welfare of (ERP) system is set to be rolled out “It was a big challenge but everyone I Navy personnel, past and present, and to replace most legacy information spoke with felt an overwhelming desire their families.” ■

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 149 NAVY OUTLOOK

COMMUNICATING THE MESSAGE

information, capturing imagery, In her role as Director General of Navy collecting content and coordinating Communication and Coordination, Captain Dee media access. CAPT Williams says the team is critical to such Williams is responsible for Navy’s communication high-profile activities. and reputation teams, a remit that involves “Navy communications was community engagement and developing responsible for sharing that story with Australians – to give the Australian communication strategies to meet Government community a chance to see what Navy outcomes. She spoke to Lachlan Colquhoun. does and the capabilities we have. “It’s our responsibility to champion the stories of the Navy to the avy communications is about unable to leave as bushfires had cut Australian people, so that they, in turn, allowing Australians to see Navy’s off means of support and evacuation. have an understanding of what we do. capability ashore and afloat. Medical support, technical assistance “As we all know, the media NThroughout 2020, the Defence Force and Humanitarian and Disaster Relief landscape is constantly changing, with has been active in our community in (HADR) stores were provided before an expectation that organisations are ways many Australians may not have embarking in excess of 1,000 evacuees omnipresent across multiple channels,” experienced before, and CAPT Williams’ for transfer to Westernport on the CAPT Williams says. “The Navy is not role is to ensure that the story of the Mornington Peninsula. This evolution exempt from this expectation, and in Navy’s contribution is told. was the largest domestic amphibious a media-hungry world of the 24-hour During the 2020 bushfire crisis, Navy evacuation in Australia’s history. news cycle, it is a priority to ensure responded as part of the joint Australian The bushfire crisis rightly dominated we have communication experts, both Defence Force Operation Bushfire the news, not just in Australia but military and civilian, working together. Assist. HMAS Choules and Australian around the world. Public Affairs “This is achieved through our public Defence Vessel Sycamore assisted Officers were deployed on ships and affairs team, who act as a conduit, 4,000 tourists and citizens of Mallacoota at key locations onshore, relaying providing imagery and information

150 NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 NAVY OUTLOOK

from places most members of the games, which also falls into CAPT public will never go.” Williams’ remit. A really powerful example is the “You’ll see them doing exhibitions footage from HMAS Canberra, where in RHIBs, or we might have some the crew recently assisted in locating the helicopters on display to demonstrate three-person crew of a skiff that our aviation capability, and it’s an had been missing for nearly three days opportunity to talk to people and talk to in Micronesia. them about what it’s like in the Navy,” The men were found on August 2 in says CAPT Williams. good condition on tiny Pikelot Island, “These activities are partly about 190km west of where they had set off in building awareness and pride in the their seven-metre vessel on July 30. Navy, a chance to share the Navy’s Their SOS message outlined on message and show the public what we a beach was spotted from the air are about. They are also an opportunity by Australian and US aircraft during for those who might be interested in Captain Dee Williams the search. pursuing a career in the Navy to find “It was this story, captured by our out more.” “We are getting much better at people, that was shared around the “It is saying: ‘Here is our capability and coming up with new and innovative ways world and provided a poignant example here is what we do. Have a think about to engage,” says CAPT Williams. “For of our capability,” says CAPT Williams. our professionalism and pride, and example, there are virtual recruitment “Key to our success is our team understand what it is that you could do activities which stream into classrooms to approach. Navy communications is in the Navy’.” talk to students.” not just made up of military members One of CAPT Williams’ favourite When the engagement team at but also Australian Public Servants areas of the Navy Communication and HMAS Albatross at Nowra was invited who provide a depth of subject matter Coordination division is the Navy band. to participate in Ulladulla Careers Week, expertise. It is this combined use of “They are an incredibly talented group it had to investigate ways to support specialist skills that enables better of musicians,” says CAPT Williams. this activity while still adhering to social outcomes for Navy and Defence.” “They perform at parades, formal distancing requirements. Another part of CAPT Williams’ role is events, on Anzac Day and also smaller A photographic display was installed, managing the Navy’s public engagement engagement programs like visiting working with Navy Image Specialists to activities: leading a team of public affairs schools and retirement homes. They capture life in the Navy and work with and communication professionals who will also deploy overseas and perform the theme of Ulladulla High School inform and promote the Navy’s activities. in military tattoos, large regional Careers Week, which was “It’s never too “We would like the public to know exercises and for the public when we young to start exploring”. that we are a highly professional visit a foreign port. “The whole idea was to take Navy organisation, committed to Australia “The band shares our message in a to where people are and help them and our community and the region,” loud and proud way, to let people get appreciate the service that we offer,” CAPT Williams says, responding to a to know us through being entertained. says CAPT Williams. question on how she would like the It’s a way of extending hospitality and CAPT Williams also has a role Navy to be perceived. building relationships in a different managing internal communication, and “It’s not always an easy lifestyle in the fashion, in a way which appreciates she sees this as a key part of maintaining Navy. There is a lot of personal sacrifice different cultures through the Navy’s organisational effectiveness. Navy personnel make when they are international engagement activities the “We are a thinking Navy, a fighting at sea and ashore, and we rely on our band is involved in.” Navy and an Australian Navy. To be a families and friends to support us. This The Navy band has an active YouTube thinking Navy, we have to be sharing demonstrates we are committed to the channel where people can enjoy its information and encouraging discussion community we serve.” performances online, and CAPT Williams around that information,” she says. “We Community Engagement Teams says this is an example of how Navy is have to be receiving information back, around Australia are involved in many using new digital engagement channels, and developing a deep understanding public events where Navy is invited, such a trend enhanced by the disruptions of of our mission and the strategic as regional shows to rugby and football the COVID-19 pandemic. environment we are operating in.” ■

NAVY OUTLOOK 2020 151 ADVERTISERS INDEX

12thLevel ...... 26 Navantia ...... 118

Amiga Engineering ...... 48 Noetic Group ...... 40

ASC ...... OBC Norship...... 134

Atlantic & Peninsula Australia ...... 41 Northern Territory Government ...... 42

Austal ...... 90 Osborne Naval Shipyard ...... 88

Babcock...... 126 Pacific Maritime Lawyers ...... 32

Bestech Australia ...... 140 Partech Systems ...... 93

BlueZone Group ...... 68 Penske Australia ...... IFC

BSE Maritime Solutions ...... 128 Port Melville ...... 06

Charles Sturt University ...... 59 Precision Hydrographic Services (PHS) ...... 84

Collins Aerospace ...... 114 Prochem Pipeline Products ...... 12

Defence SA ...... 28 Promek ...... 92

DMTC Limited ...... 49 Pyrotek ...... 15

Downer ...... 58 Rheinmetall ...... 104

EGS Survey ...... 77 Rolls-Royce ...... 110

EM Solutions ...... 100 Saab Australia ...... 94, 96

ENGIE Axima Australia ...... 07 Schiebel ...... 120

Engineers Australia ...... 136, 146 Senetas ...... IBC

Eptec Marine ...... 133 SynQor ...... 16

HamIltonJet/Jetsynergy ...... 32 TBH ...... 21, 98

Harwood Marine Shipyard ...... 32 ...... 10, 124

Huntington Ingalls Industries ...... 54 Tidetech Marine Data ...... 80

Hygiene Labs ...... 132 Tropical Reef Shipyard ...... 85

Industry Capability Network (ICN) ...... 32 Ultra ...... 112

Intertek ...... 22 VEGA AUSTRALIA ...... 108 iXblue ...... 73 Vertech Group ...... 20

Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR) ...... 08 Wartsila ...... 13

Laing O’Rourke ...... 02 Wodonga TAFE ...... 46

MMA Offshore Limited ...... 76 Wormald Technology ...... 47 SUREDROP® + VOTIRO DISARMER ENCRYPTED FILE-SHARING WITH AWARD-WINNING ANTI-MALWARE

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