Project Currawong SATCOM trailer. (Boeing Australia)

Australia’s defence industry is gearing up for a high-stakes competition to secure a contract worth potentially hundreds of millions of dollars to build and maintain the Army’s new battlefield communications network. This program, known as Land 4140, is being touted as “the biggest thing in town regarding comms” and is expected to shape the military’s communications infrastructure for years to come.

The Australian military is set to launch the formal competition early next year, with a request for tender anticipated by the second quarter of 2025. Industry heavyweights like Boeing Australia, Hanwha Defence Australia, L3Harris, Leidos, and Lockheed Martin are all closely monitoring the project. Boeing, known for its work on the Currawong tactical radio program, believes its experience gives it an edge. However, the competition remains fierce.

Hanwha Defence Australia is one of several companies actively tracking Land 4140. A spokesperson for the company acknowledged the significance of the program but offered no additional details. Despite the tight-lipped responses, it’s clear that defence firms are positioning themselves for a chance to secure this lucrative contract.

In June 2022, the Australian military released a request for information (RFI) related to Land 4140, also known as the Land C4 Modernisation Project or LC4 Program. The initiative aims to modernize and enhance communications and command systems, ensuring decision-making superiority and improving command and control, intelligence, sensors, and weapon systems across the Joint Land Force. Earlier this week, the military called on defence companies to express interest in Tranche 1 of the project, with technology delivery expected between 2025 and 2030.

Unlike traditional defence contracts, where a prime contractor designs and builds the system, the government is adopting a different approach for Land 4140. Due to the software-heavy nature of modern communications systems and the need to stay ahead of cyber and electronic warfare threats, the Australian military is seeking a “program integration partner.” This partner will work alongside a panel to manage continuous upgrades and ensure the system remains cutting-edge.

Boeing Australia’s senior IT and cyber executive, Darcy Rawlinson, emphasized the complexity and scope of the project, which spans all levels of communication from frontline soldiers to large-scale joint task force operations and field hospitals.

“They’re looking for a company that has the pedigree, the relationships, the right behaviours, the right experience, and the right capabilities to partner with them over the next 10 years to effectively build the next generation of networks,” Rawlinson explained.

With the competition still in its early stages, industry players are awaiting further details before committing to bids. However, one thing is certain: Land 4140 will be a defining program in shaping Australia’s military communications for the foreseeable future.

The US Navy expeditionary sea base USS Robert E. Simanek – US Navy

US NAVY MEDIA RELEASE

The U.S. Navy has officially taken delivery of the future USS Robert E. Simanek, a Lewis B. Puller-class Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB), during a ceremony held on Thursday, September 12, in San Diego, California. The ship is the fifth of its class, named in honour of Private First-Class Robert E. Simanek, a U.S. Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Korean War. Ann Simanek Clark, PFC Simanek’s daughter, played a significant role as the ship’s sponsor during its naming ceremony, which took place on May 4, 2024.

At 785 feet (239 meters) in length, the Robert E. Simanek is a formidable addition to the U.S. Navy fleet. Its design and versatility make it suitable for a range of critical missions, from counter-piracy and mine countermeasures to supporting special operations forces and providing humanitarian aid in times of disaster. Its diesel-electric propulsion system allows for a maximum service speed of 15 knots and an impressive range of 9,500 nautical miles, giving it the endurance needed for long-range deployments.

The ship features a flight deck with four landing spots large enough to accommodate V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, as well as a mission deck and a hangar, providing vital aviation support capabilities. The ESB’s design revolves around four key capabilities: aviation facilities, berthing for personnel, equipment staging, and command and control assets.

Beyond its military applications, the Robert E. Simanek is expected to play a vital role in disaster relief operations. Its large deck space and ability to operate helicopters make it ideal for delivering aid quickly to remote or affected regions. Additionally, the ESB can act as a command hub in coordinating large-scale operations, whether in military engagements or humanitarian efforts, underscoring its importance as a multi-mission platform.

In the realm of mine countermeasures, the ship is equipped to support missions to detect and neutralize naval mines, which remain a significant threat in strategic waterways. Similarly, its role in counter-piracy operations will help the Navy maintain the safety of vital shipping lanes, especially in areas like the Gulf of Aden and the Strait of Malacca, where piracy has been an ongoing issue.

Special operations support is another critical function of the Robert E. Simanek. The ship is outfitted to serve as a mobile base for special forces, offering them the ability to launch and recover small boats, helicopters, and other equipment needed for covert missions. The ship’s command and control systems also allow for efficient coordination of these operations, making it a valuable asset in both low-intensity conflicts and more direct military engagements.

The Robert E. Simanek marks a significant advancement in the U.S. Navy’s expeditionary warfare capabilities, continuing the legacy of its namesake while providing vital support to a wide array of operations around the world.

Gregor Ferguson talks us through the MQ-4C UAV in Australian service, as 9 Squadron is reformed to take on the UAV role in ISR missions.

ED: I have had quite a number of requests from members who didn’t see the Spotlight presentation 

With a proud lineage of military relatives, Heston Russell enlisted in the army at 17 and rose through the ranks to become a highly decorated officer with more than 10,000 hours of leadership in combat operations, including four combat deployments to Afghanistan and a fifth to Iraq to fight against ISIS. He proved fearless in battle, iron-willed in his personal convictions and prepared to put it all on the line. As a soldier, Russell led our troops into countless battles and when he retired, he kept fighting. He campaigned for the royal commission into veteran suicide, built charities for soldiers and even ran for a seat in the Queensland senate. But his toughest fight came several years after his discharge, when Russell became the target of a relentless attack launched by the investigations unit of the ABC alleging that he was the worst kind of soldier – leaving a trail of destruction in Afghanistan and involved in fraudulent behaviour back home. Russell’s battleground this time: the Australian Federal Court, where he spent almost three years fending off the ABC’s allegations of war crimes. So, is he a war hero or war criminal?

Launched on 14 February 1939, the German flagship and pride of the Kriegsmarine, Bismarck was launched. In the darkness of the early morning of the 19 May 1941, Bismarck slipped out of harbour on the Baltic coast and started making its way on its maiden voyage, Operation Rheinubung. The German Navy High Command’s plan was to disrupt and attack Allied merchant shipping, to starve Britain of precious materials and food. Prinz Eugen (the ship accompanying Bismarck) had a film crew on board – Bismarck’s first action was going to be filmed. Desperate to protect its Atlantic trade routes, the admiralty of the Royal Navy sent her best battleships, including the mighty HMS Hood to intercept the German sortie and sink Bismarck.

This is a definitive account of the Royal Navy’s ultimate success in sinking the Bismarck.

MEDIA STATEMENT

“The Brereton Report” – Failures and Consequences

The Royal Australian Regiment Association (RARA) is deeply concerned with the Government’s decision to revoke distinguished service awards from a number of young ADF officers named in the final Brereton Report (6 November 2020).

Of the Report’s 143 recommendations, some 139 have been actioned by the ADF, exposing a complete disregard for procedural fairness, given that the ADF’s Office of Special Investigations is still engaged in their investigations, with only one charge brought before the courts.

The RARA finds it inconceivable the Minister for Defence could decide to strip medals from the commanders of accused soldiers, without these allegations being subject to the proper legal process. Our concerns are based on failures to apply the rule of law, procedural fairness and the presumption of innocence.

As an Association, RARA advocates for the well-being and protection of our ADF Family (current and past serving persons and their families). We have a responsibility to support these young officers and others by promoting the rule of law in all Defence service matters.

This egregious  decision by the Minister not only lacks the required procedural fairness, it also lacks transparency in deciding how far up the “chain of command” this decision should apply. We believe it should go all the way to the top.  It would be the height of hypocrisy were it to be otherwise.

The Royal Australian Regiment, which has been at the front line of military actions since 1949, strongly believes that if any allegation of criminal conduct by ADF soldiers is the subject of charges, and proven in the appropriate court of law, the individual must face the consequences.  Until that occurs, the presumption of innocence must prevail.

The Government’s lack of sensitivity and common decency in announcing the Minister’s decision three days after the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Report was tabled is appalling. It is incumbent on the Government to reverse this decision.

Michael von Berg MC OAM

President

16th Sept 2024

Mobile: 0411 87 0055   Email:  [email protected]

Australia is enhancing its domestic manufacturing capabilities for precision guided munitions (PGMs) by integrating locally-produced rocket motors and warheads into U.S.-designed Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles. This initiative marks a major advancement in Australia’s journey toward self-reliant munitions production.

Announced at the Land Forces Expo in Melbourne, the agreement between Thales Australia and U.S. defence giant Lockheed Martin will see Thales manufacture key components—rocket motors and warheads—within Australia. This partnership builds on an earlier announcement that GMLRS missiles would be assembled locally using components exclusively sourced from the U.S., a move initially compared by critics to assembling flat-pack furniture. However, the decision is seen as a foundational step towards a fully integrated Australian PGM production capability.

Lockheed Martin is establishing GMLRS assembly operations at a defence facility in Orchard Hills, New South Wales. The first fully Australian-assembled missile is expected to roll off the line next year. The inclusion of Australian-made components, beginning with warheads and rocket motors from Thales plants in Benalla, Victoria, and Mulwala, New South Wales, is anticipated to be a game-changer for the country’s defence manufacturing sector.

Australian-made components will be gradually incorporated into the GMLRS production line, with the goal of full integration by the end of the decade. Initial production rounds will still feature U.S.-made components, but the development of Australian energetics is well underway, driven by prior successes like Thales’ production of BLU series bombs used by the U.S. Marine Corps.

This bold initiative follows other announcements about domestic production of advanced missile systems, including the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile and the Joint Strike Missile, signalling Australia’s commitment to a more self-sufficient defence industry.

ED: From my inbox – thanks to Troy Walsh RAA. Please remember everyone is welcome to contribute articles.

The artillery has played a pivotal role in Australian military history, with its origins tracing back to the colonial era. Over time, the Royal Australian Artillery (RAA) has grown into a versatile and essential component of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), providing key offensive support and ensuring battlefield dominance through indirect firepower, target acquisition, and air defence.

Artillery in the First World War

The First World War marked a significant expansion of Australia’s artillery capabilities. Sixty field batteries, twenty howitzer batteries, and two siege batteries were raised, alongside heavy and medium trench mortar units. These artillery formations were vital to the success of Australian infantry operations on the Western Front, providing long-range fire support, destroying enemy fortifications, and coordinating with infantry and armour to eliminate resistance.

The Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery

On 19 September 1962, a key moment in the history of the Australian Artillery occurred. Queen Elizabeth II granted the RAA the official title of “The Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery,” reflecting its stature and importance within the Commonwealth of Nations’ military forces. The regiment remains the only Commonwealth artillery regiment to have been presented with the Queen’s Banner, a prestigious honour originally presented on 1 August 1971, in honour of the regiment’s centenary. This replaced the King’s Banner, which had been presented by Lord Northcote, Governor General of Australia, in November 1904 in recognition of the RAA’s service in South Africa during the Boer War.

Artillery in the Second World War

During the Second World War, the RAA underwent massive expansion, with over 70 regiments of field, medium, anti-tank, and survey artillery raised, as well as over 200 anti-aircraft and coastal artillery batteries. Many of these units saw action in critical theatres such as the Middle East, Malaya, and the Southwest Pacific. However, the war also witnessed significant losses, with several artillery units captured by the Japanese in Singapore, Ambon, Timor, and New Britain, particularly those serving with the ill-fated 8th Division.

Post-War Developments

Following the war, Australia’s permanent artillery was a relatively modest force until the establishment of the Australian Regular Army in 1947. Prior to this, the artillery had been militia-based, with only a few permanent units such as ‘A’ Field Battery, which traces its lineage back to the New South Wales Artillery. By 1962, heavy coastal artillery, once stationed at strategic points around Australia’s coastline, was progressively phased out.

As warfare evolved, so too did the organisation of the RAA. In January 2011, the regiments and batteries underwent a significant reorganisation, with traditional terms such as “field” and “medium” being removed from their titles. Today, the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery continues to serve as a crucial component of the ADF’s combined arms approach, supporting operations with its sophisticated indirect fire capabilities, including long-range weapons designed to inflict casualties, destroy enemy equipment, and provide essential support to infantry and armoured units.

The School of Artillery

In 1998, the present School of Artillery was completed in Puckapunyal, Victoria, providing modern training facilities and acting as the heart of artillery education within the ADF. Co-located with the Australian Army’s Headquarters Combined Arms Training Centre, the School is supported by the 53rd Battery, Royal Australian Artillery, ensuring that Australia’s gunners receive the best training in the latest techniques and equipment.

Looking Forward

The Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery continues to play a key role in Australia’s defence strategy. Its mission is to maximise the combat power of the Australian Defence Forces through the coordination of offensive support, the provision of indirect firepower, surveillance, target acquisition, and ground-based air defence. By doing so, the regiment remains a vital part of Australia’s military capabilities, ready to defend the nation and support its allies in future conflicts.

Institute of Independent Studies

Is nuclear energy really double the cost of renewables? That’s what all the headlines say, but this soundbite doesn’t hold up under scrutiny – especially when you compare all the massive costs being paid by Australians now and in coming decades to support renewables. Watch the video to find out how fixing three key flaws in the CSIRO’s GenCost model shows that nuclear is cost-competitive with renewables.

The F-35A Lightning II, a fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter, is a crucial component of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) modernization efforts under Project AIR 6000. Australia has committed to acquiring 72 aircraft, with deliveries continuing through 2024. Officially entering service in 2018, the F-35A provides advanced capabilities in air superiority, strike operations, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare.

Key features include cutting-edge stealth technology, the AN/APG-81 AESA radar, and Distributed Aperture System (DAS), giving pilots unparalleled situational awareness. The aircraft carries a range of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, including the AIM-120 AMRAAM and JDAM bombs. With a top speed of Mach 1.6 and a combat range of 1,100 km, the F-35A is a versatile asset.

Operational squadrons include No. 3 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown and No. 75 Squadron at RAAF Base Tindal. The aircraft has been deployed in international exercises such as Pitch Black and Red Flag, showcasing its interoperability with allied forces.

Australian industry has played a significant role in the F-35A’s production, contributing components and supporting sustainment through facilities like the Asia-Pacific F-35 Sustainment Hub at Williamtown. Future upgrades and fleet expansions are expected as Australia continues to enhance its air combat capabilities.