AllHII engaged in $567m contract modification for Columbia Class submarines
Photo: Defence Connect Huntington Ingalls Industries has been engaged in a $567.6 million subcontract modification for Columbia Class ballistic missile submarines construction from General Dynamics Electric Boat. HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division will provide long lead-time material and advance construction activities, according to a public statement made on 11 April. HII is […]
General Atomics tests AI pilots on MQ-20 Avenger UAV
Photo: Defence Connect General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has begun testing artificial intelligence pilots in live, tactical, and air combat manoeuvres on MQ-20 Avenger unmanned aircraft. General Atomics conducted collaborative manoeuvres between human and AI pilots using low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication on a collaborative combat aircraft, during testing on 6 April. The mission […]
Former NZ patrol ships sold to Irish Naval Service
Photo: Defence Connect The Royal New Zealand Navy has made transport arrangements for two former inshore patrol vessels sold to the Republic of Ireland’s Department of Defence for $42 million. The two vessels, Rotoiti and Pukaki, will be loaded aboard a large sealift vessel by crane at Captain Cook Wharf in Auckland this month and then sent […]
UNSW accelerator program launched for defence start-ups
Photo: Defence Connect Six local start-ups in the defence industry will be developed under a new Defence 10x accelerator program launched by the University of New South Wales Founders Program. Entrepreneurial experience, $350,000 each in seed investment, research and development capabilities, and access to expert networks will be supplied to Australia’s next generation of defence innovations. […]
ADF Chinook completes ‘fat cow’ refuelling of Abrams tanks
Photo: Defence Connect The Australian Defence Force has conducted a tactical refuelling of three M1 Abrams tanks by CH-47 Chinook in a manoeuvre hilariously named “fat cow”. It was the first time in five years that the ADF has been able to refuel the 2nd Cavalry Regiment vehicles with the 5th Aviation Regiment aircraft, […]
China, Australia political talks coincide with military exercises
Photo: Defence Connect The People’s Republic of China and Australia will hold a new round of political consultation talks this week, coinciding with the end of significant Chinese combat readiness security patrols encircling Taiwan. PRC Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu will visit officials in Australia and Fiji this week to extend dialogues between […]
Norwegian support ship to become new ADV Guidance
Photo: Defence Connect The Australian government has purchased the Norwegian undersea support vessel MV Normand Jarl in a deal worth $110 million. The 107-metre-long vessel was bought for the Australian Defence Force through a selection process led by an independent broker and is currently undergoing inspection and certification in Singapore. Once cleared, it will sail […]
Jittery defence industry warns against cost-cutting
Jittery defence industry warns against cost-cutting Andrew Tillett Political correspondent Opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie has warned the government against cannibalising existing military capabilities to pay for new weapons, as the head of the Defence Force confirmed the military was pursuing efficiencies. The Australian Financial Review revealed on Tuesday the Defence Department had ordered managers […]
Defence confirms undersea support vessel
Defence confirms undersea support vessel By Ben Felton | Canberra | 11 April 2023 Over the weekend Defence confirmed the acquisition of ADV Guidance, formerly MV Normand Jarl, to serve as a dedicated Undersea Support Vessel for the Royal Australian Navy. In a statement, Defence said that the vessel would be used to support trials […]
RAN joins NZ Navy autonomous underwater training
Photo: Defence Connect Royal Australian Navy personnel have taken part in a Royal New Zealand Navy “Exercise Anchorite” using autonomous underwater vehicles. The RAN Maritime Geospatial Warfare Unit (MGWU) was invited to train in conducting survey operations by lead planner HMNZS Matataua with the Military Hydrographic Group (MHG). MGWU attended multi-beam echo sounder operations in Port […]