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08 Nov 11. The Australian Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, announced the Government has given first pass approval to the Department of Defence’s Centralised Processing Project to begin consolidating data centres. This is a significant Defence project and a critical part of the wider Strategic Reform Program, transforming the way Defence uses information and communications technology. It means the 280 locations in Australia currently used by Defence data centres will gradually be brought together into fewer than 10 modern facilities. This decision enables real progress on the Defence Information and Communications Technology Strategy 2009, and fulfils a promise from this Government. The project will lead to savings on support and equipment costs, enhancing delivery of information and communications technology services and reducing energy consumption, it is expected almost $250m in savings will be made over the coming decade. The Department of Defence will increase engagement with industry in order to develop the best solution and deliver the best value for money. The aim is for Defence’s data centres to be more sustainable, resilient and survivable in the long term, delivering increased efficiency and savings. It will match other information and communications technology investments across Defence, reducing the cost of ‘business as usual’ and enabling faster delivery of information, whilst decreasing risks within the existing systems. The project is expected to have positive industry outcomes, and reduce energy consumption in Defence. Investment in information and communications technology reform is critical to the Defence portfolio and this project will deliver the reliable, resilient infrastructure to support that reform.
08 Nov 11. ITT Exelis broke ground on a new 105,000-square-foot facility. The Panama City business has grown significantly since it began in 2005, starting with five employees and employing nearly 100 people today. The Exelis mine defense business, within the company’s Electronic Systems division, designs, builds and services integrated mine sweeping systems for U.S. and allied navies. These systems rapidly detect and clear underwater mines to protect littoral waters. Exelis will be the anchor tenant of the new VentureCrossings business park near the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. A ceremony, attended by Florida Gov. Rick Scott and numerous local officials, marked the occasion. The ITT Exelis Electronic Systems division provides innovative integrated solutions for the global defense, intelligence, information assurance and commercial aerospace sectors. As a leader in electronic warfare and communications, Electronic Systems (ES) leverages its experience and innovation to ensure the success of customers’ critical missions. ES’ technology leadership extends into the areas of airborne electronic attack, networked and satellite communications, counter-improvised explosive devices, airspace management, surveillance systems, airborne and shipboard radar, acoustic sensors, advanced composite structures and electronic weapons interfaces. (Source: Yahoo!/BUSINESS WIRE)
11 Nov 11. U.S. President Barack Obama will use a visit to Australia next week to announce that America will station U.S. Marines in Darwin, ministers indicated Nov. 11, in a sign of heightened concern about China. The Sydney Morning Herald said that the new permanent military presence had been under consideration for some years as Washington looks to boost its Pacific Command, and senior Australian politicians did not deny the plan. The U.S. currently has only a limited deployment in longstanding ally Australia, including the Pine Gap Joint Defence Facility spy station near Alice Springs, and the move represents a potentially significant geo-strategic shift. (Source: Defense News)
09 Nov 11. The complexities of modern warfare offer a bewildering array of threats, countered by