PLUS POWERING THE RAAF EVOLUTION BY MINISTER FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRY MELISSA PRICE P.03 A NEW ERA OF RAAF WITH CHIEF OF AIR FORCE, AIR MARSHAL MEL HUPFELD P.07 RAAF TAKING AIR POWER TO THE MAX CENTENARY P.22 THEN, NOW, AND TOMORROW CHRISTIAN ‘BOO’ BOUCOUSIS ON A look at the past and a glimpse into the future LIFE AFTER ADF of the Royal Australian Air Force P.58 Australian Surveillance Systems DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED IN AUSTRALIA FOR AUSTRALIA AVT Australia innovates gyro-stabilised EO/IR imaging systems for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) for airborne, land and maritime domains. AVT Australia is a leader in the field of small gimbal design and manufacture, delivering the highest performance systems for the lowest size, weight and power. www.ascentvision.com.au Welcome EDITOR’S LETTER The way in which militaries around the world approach air warfare is undergoing a once in a lifetime technological transformation. This statement isn’t a cliché simply to entice you to read Defence Connect’s Air Special Edition. It’s a fact The symbiosis of manned and unmanned aircraft, the broadening of capabilities such as new electronic war fighting equipment, coupled with improved ISR technology that allows surveillance satellites to take accurate photography to within one centimetre of the ground, have thrust the air fighting domain into a new era. Each one of these technological changes has revolutionised the way that air warfare is to be conducted, but they are the tip of the iceberg of the current technological revolution. Indeed, Australia and our allies do not have a monopoly on this technological progress. It is incumbent upon our leaders to ensure that we equip our military with the most technologically advanced and sophisticated gear to gain a competitive edge over our adversaries. As such, I implore all our readers to keep an open mind when reading Defence Connect’s Air Special Edition. There may be new weapons systems, strategies and names that are presented to you that may end up playing a huge role in Australia’s defence. The release of this edition coincides with the 100-year anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force. As such, we begin with a submission by the Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price, regarding the centenary of the RAAF and the history of the service from 1910 through to today. Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, then discusses the critical role that the RAAF continues to play in the defence of Australia, as well as the historical advancements in the RAAF’s air fighting capabilities. Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand’s chief executive, Joe North, and director, F-35 international business development, Steve Over, then discuss the new era of air fighting, showcasing Australia’s F-35s as part of the government’s Joint Strike Fighter program. We continue with an examination of the ongoing role that the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet plays in Australia’s defence, and unpack Boeing’s new readily updateable Block III innovation. We present two case studies into modern air fighting, assessing the recent Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict, as well as the changing nature of ISR among drones, and rotor and fixed wing aircraft. Last but not least, Christian ‘Boo’ Boucousis, a RAAF fighter pilot who transitioned and created his own business having been diagnosed with a degenerative autoimmune disease, reflects on overcoming adversity in his journey to where he is today. We hope that you enjoy the Defence Connect Air Special Edition. Thank you to everyone who contributed, both those mentioned above and everyone who has worked so tirelessly behind the scenes. We hope that this has been thought provoking and we would love to hear your opinions. Liam Garman deputy editor, Defence Connect www.defenceconnect.com.au - 01 - Air Special Edition For more than 20 years, Nova Systems A SOVEREIGN has invested in and grown a sovereign Test LEADER IN and Evaluation (T&E) capability, supporting the unique requirements of the TEST AND Australian Defence Force. We will continue to develop an Australian EVALUATION owned and controlled T&E capability by maintaining a stable, highly skilled local workforce and building a sovereign training system to ensure we can grow and hold this critical capability for the nation. Follow us on social media to learn more about how we are delivering Australian sovereign capability. novasystems.com From the Minister Melissa Price, Minister for Defence Industry POWERING THE RAAF EVOLUTION This year, the Royal Australian Air Force commemorates 100 years of serving Australia and its national interests n celebrating its centenary – from modest beginnings in 1921 – I am proud and honoured to join my fellow Australians to honour the 350,000 people whose courage, I sacrifice and dedication helped build one of the finest air forces in the world. As Minister for Defence Industry, such an occasion provides an opportunity to acknowledge Australia’s defence industry: the many workers and owners of large companies and small businesses that have delivered our capabilities and supported our airmen and airwomen for a century. The story of our nation’s Air Force cannot be comprehensively told without homage to the endeavours of industry. Australia’s first tentative steps into the aerospace industry achieved varying degrees of success. In 1910, well before the outbreak of the First World War, then minister for defence, West Australian senator George Pearce, announced a £5,000 competition for the design and construction of a wholly Australian aircraft suitable for military use. www.defenceconnect.com.au - 03 - Air Special Edition From the Minister The Hon Melissa Price MP visited RAAF Base Pearce accompanied with Wing Commander Simon Ashworth. Photographer: CPOIS Damian Pawlenko At the time, it was a prescient initiative – too prescient perhaps for a technology that had been around for a decade. The reward was never paid as the scheme did not attract any viable designs. But in 1922, a year after the birth of our Air Force, those early steps into the aviation industry soon became confident strides forward when the Sydney- based Australian Aircraft & Engineering Company was contracted to build six Avro 504k trainers. Although the company liquidated due to lack of further orders, Australia had proved its aircraft manufacturing credentials – a remarkable achievement for a country barely into its 20s. Shortly after, Air Force would establish and run the Experimental Aircraft section, charged with developing original Australian aircraft designs. The commanding officer of that section, Squadron Leader Lawrence Wackett, known for his engineering ingenuity, would go on to lead a consortium of Australian industrial powerhouses under the banner of the Commonwealth Aircraft Company (CAC). The CAC was formed in 1936 and not a moment too soon. Australia would soon receive a call to arms for a second and more deadly world war – one in which battles in the sky would not only be pivotal but change the character of warfare forever. In the dark days of the Second World War, as Australia witnessed enemy forces’ inexorable advance south in the Pacific, the CAC dauntlessly churned-out aircraft. Air Special Edition - 04 - www.defenceconnect.com.au “But in 1922, a year after the birth of our Air Force, those early steps into the aviation industry soon became confident strides forward when the Sydney-based Australian Aircraft & Engineering Company was contracted to build six Avro 504k trainers” It produced the Wirraway – not competitive as a fighter but an aircraft that played a crucial role in training Australian pilots. Testimony to our budding industry, more than 750 Wirraways were produced on Australian soil. Soon, CAC’s Boomerang was coming off the assembly line – an Australian designed and built single-seat propeller-engine fighter with a range of 1,500 kilometres and maximum speed of 500km/h. Australian industry would go on to design, build or assemble many more aircraft for both our Air Force and air forces around the world. Aircraft such as the Woomera, Mustang, Winjeel, Hawke, and one of our most steadfast sentinels, the FA-18A/B Hornet. Today, Australian industry’s involvement in the air domain surges forward like never before. The 2020 Force Structure Plan outlines the government’s commitment to a program of future investment and opportunity for defence industry, further cementing the role of Australian industry as a fundamental input to capability. The plan reinforces the government’s commitment to build a resilient and internationally competitive sovereign defence industry. This is in addition to the vital role of industry in contributing to the Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities, many of which are integral to Air Force platforms, systems and broader capabilities. Investments in cyber, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, radar, communications and space-based capabilities and sensors offer the opportunity for Air Force to work with industry to strengthen Australia’s industrial base in these advanced technologies. Australia’s defence industry is growing, with over 4,000 businesses employing approximately 30,000 staff, many of which support Air Force. An additional 11,000 Australian companies directly benefit from Defence investment and, when further downstream suppliers are included, the benefits flow to approximately 70,000 workers. Involvement in global programs, such as the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, are providing new opportunities for Australian workers. To date, more than 50 Australian companies have directly shared in over $2.7 billion in F-35 production and support contracts. In fact, there are Australian-produced parts on every F-35 in operation around the world. This is an important part of the Morrison government’s commitment to building a robust Australian defence industry capability, and efforts continue as the program transitions into the sustainment phase.