News Story: Elbit and ST Kinetics introduce LAND 400 CRV contender Sentinel II

by Robert Nutbrown

Team Sentinel, primed by Elbit Systems of Australia, has shown off its offering for LAND 400 Phase 2 in Tasmania, where Elphinstone would manufacture the Sentinel II combat reconnaissance vehicle, if successful.

The 8×8 Sentinel II vehicle – complete with Tassie devil paint scheme – is based on the Singapore Technologies Kinetics (ST Kinetics) TERREX 2 hull and driveline as shortlisted for the US Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle Phase 1, Increment 1 (ACV 1.1) program. Also known as the TERREX 2-35, because it has a gross vehicle mass of 35 tonnes, the Sentinel II is fitted with an upgraded drivetrain and more powerful engine.

The Sentinel II is equipped with a variant of Elbit’s manned (but convertible) MT30 turret, fitted with a 30mm Mk44 Bushmaster cannon. This turret could be changed over to the unmanned UT30 configuration in four to six hours; for instance, such a decision could be made once a vehicle has been deployed. The UT30 Mk2 has been put on vehicles for Brazil, the Philippines and Israel.

Sentinel II is fitted with the latest generation of Elbit’s battle management system, integrated with the weapons systems and defensive systems to create Weapon Integrated BMS (WINBMS).

Read the full story at ADBR

AUS: Victorian company soaring in global Joint Strike Fighter program

Minister for Defence Materiel and Science, the Hon Mal Brough MP, today congratulated Victorian company, Marand Precision Engineering, on a stand out performance on one of Australia’s biggest Defence projects.

“Marand has been an industry leader and outstanding performer in the global F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program to date, with contracts for the vertical tail, engine trailer and production tooling,” Minister Brough said.

Marand is the preferred supplier of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter engine trailers globally. This innovation brings together 12,000 complex parts to provide a stable platform for the safe alignment, installation, removal and maintenance of the multi-million dollar F-35 engines.

Minister Brough said Marand is the only company in the world that produces this essential solution for the global Joint Strike Fighter program.

“In addition, Marand is a second source supplier of the F-35 vertical tails currently represents Australia’s largest export opportunity in the production phase of the global Joint Strike Fighter program,” Minister Brough said.

News Story: US Firms Expand Presence in Australia

By MARCUS WEISGERBER

WASHINGTON — As the Pentagon shifts its focus to the Asia-Pacific region, Northrop Grumman is expanding its footprint in Australia, which company officials want to make a hub for its logistics business.

Northrop purchased Qantas Defence Services in February. Through the purchase, the US-based company acquired the maintenance and logistics work already being done by Qantas, allowing it to diversify its program portfolio and expertise.

“There’s a couple of ways to survive in a global industry,” Steve Hogan, Northrop’s vice president and general manager for its Integrated Logistics and Modernization division, said May 28 at the National Press Club here. “You can try to bring a capability, one individual at a time. You can try to partner with a particular company or activity in a particular area of the country, or you can expand through acquiring capabilities in the areas you want to be in.”

Northrop inherited a Royal Australian Air Force contract to perform logistics work on Lockheed Martin C-130H transports, Airbus A330 tankers and Boeing 737 and Bombardier CL-604 VIP aircraft.

Moreover, Northrop is looking to expand its maintenance operations in Australia and throughout the region.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Australia Likely To Order More F-35s

By Bradley Perrett

Australia is likely to commit to buying 58 more Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightnings this month, setting aside the alternative of consolidating its combat aircraft squadrons on the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The decision will increase the country's total commitment to 72 F-35s and expand the Royal Australian Air Force's fast-jet fleet, counting a separate order for 12 EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft as additional to, not part of, the fighter force renewal.

The defense department has recommended the F-35 order, probably worth around $8 billion, and the proposal has the endorsement of a leading think-tank. The government shows every sign of accepting the recommendation, says a source closely connected to the authorities. Accordingly, Lockheed Martin has probably escaped the danger of losing one of its largest F-35 customers, one that has already backed away from an original requirement for about 100 of the stealthy fighters. Even the risk that Australia could trim its commitment a little further now looks low, although that option was suggested by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute think-tank.

Read the full story at Aviation Week

Industry: Marand Delivers First Australian Made Vertical Tails For F-35 Lightning II

MELBOURNE, Australia, Mar. 31, 2014 – A ceremony was held today at Australian company, Marand, commemorating the delivery of the first ship of Australian made F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter vertical tails.

The Honourable Dr. Denis Napthine, Premier of Victoria, and The Honourable Michael Ronaldson, Senator for Victoria representing the Defence Minister, were among the distinguished guests in attendance.

This delivery of the first major air frame components marks an important production milestone for Marand, BAE Systems and Australia, demonstrating the significant industrial benefits the F-35 program brings to the growing Australian aerospace industry. The work on the F-35 vertical tails is subcontracted to Marand by BAE Systems and is one of the largest planned manufacturing projects for the F-35 in Australia, with 722 ship sets anticipated.

Industry: Boeing Selects Lovitt and Marand as Suppliers for F-15 Fighter Jets

Sydney, January 14, 2014 - Boeing [NYSE: BA] is expanding its relationship with Australian industry by selecting Lovitt Technologies Australia and Marand Precision Engineering to make components for the F-15 multi-role strike fighter jet.

Lovitt and Marand are part of the Defence Materiel Organisation’s Global Supply Chain (GSC) Program, which works with the Boeing Office of Australian Industry Capability (OAIC) to match Boeing to the capabilities of Australian industry.

“Boeing continues to develop tremendous value in Australia by working with local defence industry partners to build capability and deliver products into our global supply chain,” said Ian Thomas, president of Boeing Australia & South Pacific. “Through the OAIC, Boeing has issued contracts totalling more than US$285 million to highly skilled Australian companies over the past five years.”