LAND FORCES: News in Brief 12 September 2024

AI technology is building new defence communications systems: The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub and EM Solutions are celebrating a successful collaboration using artificial intelligence (AI) to help deliver a multi-million-dollar naval defence contract. Together they’ve created a digital twin to speed-up the manufacturer of satellite communications (SATCOM) systems for the Royal Australian Navy. EM Solutions, renowned for its expertise in the development and manufacture of advanced microwave and radio frequency communication systems, was awarded a $150m contract to upgrade the Navy’s SATCOM systems across its existing fleet of vessels. The company is responsible for the manufacture, assembly, installation, and maintenance of the King Cobra SATCOM terminals, critical components designed to ensure continuous communication in all oceanic and weather conditions. A digital twin is a virtual representation or model of a physical object, system, or process. The model is designed to simulate the real-world counterpart in real-time, allowing for monitoring, analysis, and optimisation. EM Solutions VP Programmes John Logan said the company – which is a world-leading supplier of satellite communications systems for international naval ships – is trialling the digital twin to reduce testing time from one month to seven days.

Supacat contributes drive module to BAE’s ATLAS: BAE SYSTEMS launched the ATLAS Collaborative Combat Variant (CCV) platform at Landforces 2024, Melbourne, Australia today, featuring a drive module developed by Supacat on the back of its high mobility, high payload HMT vehicle. The ATLAS drive module has been developed by Supacat to BAE SYSTEMS specifications for the innovative ATLAS platform.  BAE SYSTEMS chose Supacat to develop the drive module, based on the existing HMT platform, to maximise the commonality of supply chain and support offered by Supacat and minimising the developmental risk, given the commonality of platforms. The ATLAS CCV has been optimised for high levels of autonomy, providing both on-road and off-road mobility that aligns with crewed counterparts, including infantry fighting vehicles and main battle tanks. The intent was to develop a vehicle effectively utilising existing, proven technologies, delivering a cost-effective capability that is adaptable to varied missions and can be easily re-rolled in response to emerging technologies and threats. Its ease of deployability, speed, and mobility allow it to operate alongside existing armoured vehicles, functioning as an actual combat counterpart for the defence force. The choice of Supacat as the preferred developer of the drive module, recognises its world class capabilities in developing high mobility, high payload drive systems and its agility and responsiveness in the rapid development of new and innovative products.

Hanwha Defence Australia taps Rohde & Schwarz for vehicle deal: Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA) have chosen a Rohde & Schwarz designed and built EMC test solution. This capability is part of Stage 2 of the H-ACE facility where HDA is building the LAND 8116 Phase 1 Huntsman vehicles and LAND 400 Phase 3 Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles. “Our test solutions within the Hanwha E3 capability provide crucial electromagnetic interference/compatibility assurance, mitigating the impact of a contested and congested electromagnetic environment on the operational capability of military equipment, systems, and platforms and ensuring they are fully prepared for battlespace operations,” said Managing Director Rohde & Schwarz Australia Gareth Evans. “Rohde & Schwarz understands the complexity of modern combat platforms, where multiple integrated systems must work seamlessly to protect the platform. Even the slightest undetected interference between these onboard systems could profoundly impact a platform’s combat effectiveness,” Evans added. Custom built with a bespoke turntable for heavy vehicles, the E3 capability will be the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere, providing the means for H-ACE-built vehicles to be tested to internationally recognised standards. Rohde & Schwarz Australia will be responsible for all elements of supply, including the in-country coordination and delivery of the E3 capability, and will also train a highly skilled technical workforce to operate the facility. At the H-ACE located near Geelong in Victoria, HDA will build 129 Redback IFVs under LAND 400 Phase 3 while 30 AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzers and 15 AS10 armoured ammunition resupply vehicles will be built for LAND 8116 Phase 1.

MEMKO launches NIFTI for rapid, affordable and more flexible flight trials: MEMKO is pleased to announce the launch of its first product to the market; NIFTI, a Non-Intrusive Flight Test Instrumentation system. Initially developed in Australia by flight test crew, in close collaboration with the RAAF Air Warfare Centre (AWC) and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), NIFTI is a small, aircraft independent, wireless sensing system that collects environmental, acceleration and structural response test data using sensor nodes adhesively mounted to an aircraft’s interior or exterior structure. Contrary to traditional flight test instrumentation which requires unique and extensive fitouts to an airframe and aircraft systems, NIFTI offers a flexible and cost-effective solution with no interfaces to aircraft systems, allowing for rapid installation and removal of reuseable nodes on any aircraft, from a fast jet to an ultralight. NIFTI node operations can be set by setting a countdown timer, scheduling a capture start and stop time, or through wireless control, with multiple nodes capturing time -synchronised data, all within an easy-to-use Windows App. NIFTI is a culmination of MEMKO’s mission to support next-generation innovation within Australia’s aerospace and defence industry. Leveraging its in-house engineering capabilities, digital tools and industry know-how, NIFTI was developed using digital threads and Model Based Systems Engineering methodology from requirements capture through to concept development, including virtual manufacturability, additive manufacturing and physical prototyping.

Anduril Unveils Barracuda-M family of cruise missiles: Anduril unveiled the Barracuda family of air-breathing, software-defined expendable Autonomous Air Vehicles (AAVs) that are optimised for affordable, hyper-scale production. The Barracuda family of AAVs are compatible with a host of payloads and employment mechanisms, support a variety of different missions, and provide warfighters with an adaptable and upgradeable capability to counter evolving threats. Barracuda-M is the munition configuration that delivers a more affordable, producible, available, and adaptable cruise missile capability than existing options available to warfighters today. Barracuda features advanced autonomous behaviours and other software-defined capabilities, and it is available in configurations offering 500+ nautical miles of range, 100+ pounds of payload capacity, 5 Gs of manoeuvrability, and more than 120 minutes of loitering time.  The vehicle’s fast speeds, high manoeuvrability, and extended ranges are made possible by Barracuda’s turbojets, air-breathing engines that take in air to combust their fuel. The result is a highly intelligent, low-cost weapon system that is capable of direct, stand-in, or stand-off strike missions in line with existing requirements but rapidly adaptable to future mission needs due to its high degree of modularity and upgradeability. Barracuda brings unparalleled flexibility to the fight. It can be employed from a variety of different air, ground or maritime platforms to support a range of mission sets. Compatible with internal weapons bays of fifth-generation aircraft, external rails of fourth-generation fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, MFOM launchers and Common Launch Tubes (CLTs), surface vessels, palletised employment from airlift aircraft, and more, Barracuda provides theatre commanders with flexible employment options. Barracuda variants include Barracuda-100, Barracuda-250, and Barracuda-500. Each increment offers increasing size, range and payload capacity. Barracuda-M is the munition configuration. Barracuda-100M, Barracuda-250M, and Barracuda-500M are the most producible cruise missiles on the market today. A single Barracuda takes 50 percent less time to produce, requires 95 percent fewer tools, and 50 percent fewer parts than competing solutions on the market today. As a result, the Barracuda family of AAVs is 30 percent cheaper on average than other solutions, enabling affordable mass and cost-effective, large-scale employment.

Commonwealth support takes OWL B loitering munition into next phase: Innovaero announced the acceleration of development of Australia’s first sovereign precision loitering munition capability following a new agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia. The Perth-based aeronautical engineering company will move into a third phase in the development of the OWL B precision loitering munition with the manufacture, test, and evaluation of the capability to further refine its performance, reliability, and interoperability with existing Australian Defence Force (ADF) assets. Innovaero Chief Executive Officer Marcus Colman said the new OWL B contract underscored the Company’s commitment to establishing a world class, sovereign guided weapons capability. The contract award follows a series of live fire tests overseen by the Company, Commonwealth agencies and the Australian Army in 2023 and 2024, where the system completed successful flight tests and payload integration. “This new phase builds on these successful tests and positions us to deliver a combat-ready system that meets the evolving needs of modern warfare,” Colman said. The milestone represented a critical step towards operational readiness and would involve further development, manufacture, and rigorous testing of new units. “This brings us one step closer to getting this world leading capability into the hands of the operator,” Colman said. The OWL B system, designed to provide a tactical advantage in various operational scenarios, represents a significant advancement in the precision loitering munition technology. Its development aligns with the Commonwealth’s push for greater sovereign guided weapons and explosive ordnance capabilities and reduced reliance on foreign military technologies.

For Editorial Inquiries Contact :
Editor Kym Bergmann at kym.bergmann@venturamedia.net
For Advertising Inquiries Contact:
Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at simon.hadfield@venturamedia.net