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25 Oct 19. Need a ride? US provides roadside repairs for RAAF Globemaster. A recently signed arrangement with the US has expedited the Royal Australian Air Force’s No. 36 Squadron getting one of its C-17A Globemasters back on mission.
The aircraft, which had suffered a cracked engine inlet during a mission to Alaska in late August, was repaired under the Aircraft Repair and Maintenance Service – Implementing Arrangement (ARMS-IA).
It allows C-17A technicians from the RAAF and US Air Force to work on each others’ aircraft. Even though RAAF and USAF C-17As are exactly the same, the maintenance workforces from both countries differ significantly in how they are qualified in their role.
Warrant Officer Pete Ranson, the Warrant Officer of Engineering for No. 36 Squadron, said the crack on the engine inlet was located on the anti-ice duct – the bare metal ring on the ‘lip’ of the engine housing.
“The jet arrived at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska on August 30, and the crack was detected as part of the post-flight inspection,” WO Ranson said.
The inlet repair marked the first time that USAF technicians have supported a RAAF C-17A ARMS-IA. Last July, technicians from No. 36 Squadron supported two USAF C-17As requiring maintenance in Australia.
The anti-ice area of the inlet ensures ice doesn’t form on the front of the engine housing while flying in moist air. Left unrepaired, a cracked inlet could have potentially catastrophic results for the engine housing and aircraft if it came apart in air. For No. 36 Squadron, the first order of business was to decide where the repair would need to be conducted.
Australia is a signatory to the Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program, which sources spare parts from the nearest warehouse – including in the US. While Elmendorf Air Force Base is home to a USAF C-17A squadron, the nearest replacement inlet was at McChord Air Force Base near Seattle in Washington.
Warrant Officer Ranson added, “Boeing released an engineering disposition to stop-drill the crack, and authorised a one-time ferry flight from Elmendorf to McChord. The amount of cracking was deemed acceptable enough to allow a short ferry flight.”
Once at McChord, maintenance personnel from the USAF’s 62nd Maintenance Squadron worked to change the engine inlet under RAAF supervision.
The engine inlet measures 1.99 metres in diameter and weighs 248.5 kilograms. While not regarded as a difficult item to remove and fit to the engine cowling, the inlet still requires a crane and a steady hand due to its size and weight.
The work was completed over three days in September and the No. 36 Squadron team was back flying on their mission.
“Without ARMS-IA, maintenance personnel would have had to be deployed from Australia to the aircraft’s location. No. 36 Squadron is often experiencing a high operational tempo, and the longer an aircraft is unavailable, the greater the impact on other missions we’re tasked in support of,” WO Ranson said.
Australia’s fleet of C-17A Globemaster III provide the Air Force with an unprecedented capacity for strategic airlift. It allows Australia to rapidly deploy troops, supplies, combat vehicles, heavy equipment and helicopters anywhere in the world.
Based at RAAF Base Amberley, all eight C-17As are operated by No. 36 Squadron and provide a logistics backbone for Australian Defence Force operations overseas. This has included operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan, as well as East Timor. (Source: Defence Connect)
24 Oct 19. Defence Ipswich Supply Chain Opportunities Symposium 2019. Ipswich City Council has announced their second Defence Ipswich event which will enable SME’s to pitch directly to Primes.
The Defence Ipswich Supply Chain Opportunities Symposium 2019 brings together defence and industry participants from government, industry and academia to exchange information and connect with key decision makers over networking and B2B sessions.
This presents a unique opportunity to:
- Promote defence and industry to connect
- Gain insights into project opportunities and strategies
- Attend formal one-on-one B2B meetings (based on eligibility)
- Build your business networks
This event is like no other. The morning sessions will feature renowned Primes presenting on a range of projects on Land and Air, opportunity and strategies that build capabilities, from the Department of Defence, Defence Industry Security Program (DISP). It also includes session on benefits of commercialisation through innovation and partnership.
The afternoon follows with B2B sessions, never seen before in Queensland. The B2B sessions involve a speed dating style, one-on-one timed-session to pitch your products and services to the Primes. This is your chance to speak directly to the Primes about your organisation and capabilities.
The Symposium will feature prominent speakers and B2B representatives including:
- Rheinmetall Defence Australia
- Lockheed Martin Australia
- Thales Group
- Boeing Australia
- Airbus
- Centre for Defence Industry Capability
- BAE Systems
The Defence industry in Queensland has increased over the past few years and more businesses are wanting to be a part of the increased Defence supply chain opportunities. This event will enable attendees to gain insight into upcoming Defence projects and discover how they can become part of the Defence supply chain opportunities. Each presenter will discuss different topics to empower attendees’ knowledge of upcoming projects and how their business can capitalise on these opportunities.
Thales Group’s Industry Engagement Manager for Australia, France/Europe David Peckham, based in France, will speak on how SME’s can engage with Thales Group and will showcase two success stories from Queensland as inspiration to attendees to learn best practice for preparation.
Lee Davis, General Manager Land 400 Phase 3/Head of Marketing and Strategy will provide insights on existing and the Land 400 Phase 3 contract and how it brings opportunities for defence ready SME’s to be part of the supply chain.
Christopher Hess, Head of Industrial Development from Lockheed Martin Australia, will discuss the importance of partnerships and becoming competitive in the global environment.
NIOA is a great Queensland SME success story and inspiration for all SMEs. Nigel Everyingham will speak on NIOA’s success and future plans.
Find out more at the Defence Ipswich Supply Chain Opportunities Symposium and purchase tickets here.
For further information on event, please contact
To get connected with Defence Ipswich, please contact at Office of Economic Development, Ipswich City Council. (Source: Defence Connect)
21 Oct 19. German MoD announces Bundeswehr vehicle maintenance will not be privatised. German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer announced that the Bundeswehr’s Heeresinstandsetzungslogistik (HIL) maintenance facilities will remain in state hands through 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on its website on 17 October.
The minister said, “We need highly capable maintenance, repair, and overhaul of land systems, which are also compatible with the requirements of territorial and alliance defence,” continuing the flexibility and autonomy of armed forces’ maintenance and retaining expertise.
Moreover, Kramp-Karrenbauer announced the investment of EUR160m (USD179m) in HIL facilities until 2032, without savings elsewhere, continuing to work together with industry, including medium enterprises. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
21 Oct 19. US Air Force Materiel Command executes funding for key projects. The US Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) has executed funding support for several projects under a portfolio of more than $66.6bn allocated in the fiscal year 2019 (FY19). The projects are focused on delivering significant capabilities to troops.
The AFMC directly manages $35.3bn of the total $66.6bn funding. The remaining $31.3bn is managed at the service acquisition level and caters to science and technology, investment programmes and testing.
More than half of the command managed funding, $18.4bn, is for Centralized Asset Management.
The funding is used to streamline ‘programming, budgeting and sustainment of airforce platforms and munitions’.
AFMC financial management director and comptroller brigadier general James Peccia said: “This is a team effort, all AFMC fund holders and functional partners at the centre, installation and headquarters levels worked diligently to ensure sound execution and accountability of airforce dollars.
“We had a number of challenges this year, ranging from natural disasters to high-priority airforce funding requirements and more; nevertheless we had a good year.”
Projects supported by the funding include a $2.6m airfield painting project at the 412th Test Wing, Air Force Test Center. It also supported advanced weapon and airborne testing for electromagnetic warfare.
Funding also comprised investment in a Telescope Boom Lift at Tinker AFB, Ohio, and a realignment of $539m for the F-22 MC-80 initiative.
A further $840m in funding allocated for projects such as B-1 Lancer fatigue testing, T-1 Jayhawk engine overhaul work, and KC-135 Stratotanker programmed depot maintenance needs.
A sizeable portion was also provided for construction projects, including the renovation of US Air Force Academy chapel, runway rehabilitation at Hill AFB, and a new air traffic control tower at Tinker AFB. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
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About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Defense is a leading provider of tactical wheeled vehicles and life cycle sustainment services. For decades Oshkosh has been mobilizing military and security forces around the globe by offering a full portfolio of heavy, medium, light and highly protected military vehicles to support our customers’ missions. In addition, Oshkosh offers advanced technologies and vehicle components such as TAK-4® independent suspension systems, TerraMax™ unmanned ground vehicle solutions, Command Zone™ integrated control and diagnostics system, and ProPulse® diesel electric and on-board vehicle power solutions, to provide our customers with a technical edge as they fulfill their missions. Every Oshkosh vehicle is backed by a team of defense industry experts and complete range of sustainment and training services to optimize fleet readiness and performance. Oshkosh Defense, LLC is an Oshkosh Corporation company [NYSE: OSK].
To learn more about Oshkosh Defense, please visit us at www.oshkoshdefense.com.
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