July 3, 2014 by David Pugliese

A full-scale model of the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter will be used by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) to study the effects of electromagnetic compatibility and interference on the aircraft, the Australian Ministry of Defence said in a news release.

More from the release:

Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston said the Australian-built model, known as Iron Bird, would be tested under simulated electromagnetic conditions during the acquisition and through-life sustainment of the JSF.

“The United States Joint Strike Fighter Program Office asked the DSTO to undertake this research, based on its world class expertise in investigating electromagnetic environmental effects,” Senator Johnston said.

During a visit to the DSTO laboratory in Adelaide, Senator Johnston said the testing by the DSTO will ensure the JSF is protected against electromagnetic environmental effects such as those caused by lightning and broadcast transmissions which can impair the performance and safety of aircraft.

The JSF is a fifth-generation aircraft with highly complex electronics, sophisticated software and a structural airframe made of composite materials to ensure stealth. These features expose the aircraft to electromagnetic interference from both naturally occurring phenomena and man-made sources, including telecommunication transmissions, radar and lightning strikes.

“The impact of these interferences needs to be well understood and appropriately managed,” Senator Johnston said.

“The data captured during DSTO testing will help in providing potential reductions in the cost of owning the JSF fleet and enhancing the aircraft’s capability.”

The DSTO test methods provide a rapid, cost-effective means of assessing and monitoring the JSF’s ability to withstand electromagnetic exposure and minimise any impact on its systems and performance.

Senator Johnston said DSTO’s research would support the verification for compliance and airworthiness certification for the JSF aircraft.

The Australian Government recently committed to buying an additional 58 JSF aircraft, bringing the fleet total to 72. Australia’s first two F-35As are due to be delivered to a United States-based training facility during 2014aEUR’15 when Royal Australian Air Force pilot and maintainer training will begin on the aircraft.

Senator Johnston said because Australia had entered the program at the development phase, Australian companies have gained $357.6 million in production orders with only about 2-3 per cent of the production F-35A aircraft manufactured.

About 30 Australian companies are directly involved in doing business with JSF primes, with many more Australian companies as sub-contractors.

28 March 2014 army-technology.com

The Australian Department of Defence is investing up to $13m for development of future defence technology under Round 18 of the Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) programme.

Managed by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DTSO), the CTD programme enhances Australia's defence capabilities by offering local industry an opportunity to develop and demonstrate new technologies.

Australian Defence Minister Senator David Johnston said that seven technology proposals from Australian companies and universities have been selected to demonstrate possible defence applications in 2014.

"These proposals have the potential to advance defence capability, produce innovative products for defence and civilian use, and stimulate Australian industry growth," Johnston added.

The projects were submitted by GPSat Systems Australia, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, CEA Technologies, Adelaide Research & Innovation (University of Adelaide), EM Solutions, BAE Systems Australia and Lockheed Martin Australia.

The proposals include a new technology for improved detection of interference sources affecting GPS, a portable fuel cell to boost energy support to forward operating bases, software for rapid submarine communications, and a sound deadener to improve submarine stealth through reduction in exhaust noise from diesel engines.

Other proposals include the development of a portable global wideband satellite communications terminal suitable for smaller ships, technology to improve the processing performance of maritime radars, as well as a miniature radio frequency kit for next generation decoys that protect Australian Defence Forces (ADF) platforms from missiles.

Australian Assistant Defence Minister Stuart Robert said the department has invested $263m in 112 projects since the beginning of the CTD programme, half of which were proposed by small-to-medium enterprises.

"Of these, 96 projects have provided successful demonstrations to date, with 15 having entered service," Robert added.

The new CTD projects are scheduled to start in mid-2014, subject to satisfactory contract negotiations.

Oct 9, 2013 ASDNews Source : MoD Australia

Collaboration on maritime combat systems is the focus of a new strategic alliance signed today by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and Saab Systems.

The new bilateral alliance involves research associated with Saab’s 9LV Mk3 combat management system fitted to the Royal Australian Navy’s ANZAC ships.

Read more

May. 7, 2013 By NIGEL PITTAWAY  - Defense news

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — While Australia uses a variety of air-launched precision weapons it has not developed any such weapons beyond a wing kit for the GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), which are used on its F/A-18A/B Hornet and F/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighters.

The wing kit is manufactured in Australia and marketed by Boeing.

The wing kit was originally developed by Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) in 2006 under a government-funded capability and technology demonstrator program known as Kerkanya, an Aboriginal word for kestrel hawk.

Boeing Australia was selected to manufacture and market the product, now called the JDAM-ER, and the Royal Australian Air Force became the first customer in 2011.

On March 13, Boeing announced it had selected Ferra Engineering of Brisbane to manufacture the kits on its behalf.

“The first wing kits will be used for JDAM-ER flight tests scheduled to be conducted later this year,” said Mike Kelly, minister for defense materiel. “Initial production orders are expected to be completed by 2015 and this program provides potential for further worldwide sales and exports.”

JDAM-ER utilizes a strap-on wing kit that pops-out after separation, significantly increasing stand-off range. During trials with two weapons in 2006, both struck within 1.5 meters of their intended target after a 40-kilometer-plus glide.

Australia is also the only country in Asia-Pacific other than the United States to use both the Lockheed Martin AGM-158A Joint Air to Surface Strike Missile (JASSM) and Raytheon AGM-154C Joint Stand Off Weapon (JSOW).

JASSM was acquired to provide the F/A-18A/B Hornet force with a precision stand-off strike capability between the retirement of the F-111C/AGM-142 combination in December 2010 and introduction of the F-35A, now due later in the decade.

Australia also became the first US Ally to operationally test the AGM-154C JSOW, with the successful launch of missile from an RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet in December 2010. JSOW was acquired with the purchase of the 24 Super Hornets, again as a bridging capability between F-111C retirement and F-35A introduction, as it is a US Navy-standard weapon.

The upgraded AGM-154C-1is also being purchased for Australia’s Super Hornets, with final deliveries expected in 2014.