The F-35 system development and demonstration (SDD) flight test remains on or ahead of plan for 2011, despite losing 15 days of testing after a ground mishap involving the Integrated Power Package (IPP) and natural disasters affecting the US Navy’s Patuxent River flight test centre.

The Diggers who deployed to Somalia in the early-1990s were easily recognisable to their Vietnam-era forebears. But recent improvements in communications, night fighting and armour technology have altered soldier equipment beyond recognition.

The ADF will borrow two Canadian systems for additional protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for Australian soldiers operating in Afghanistan.

The procurement of some 1,300 Protected Mobility Vehicles – Light (PMV-L) under Land 121 Phase 4 must be proving something of a headache to project staff tasked with progressing the various acquisition options.

Civilian research scientist Professor Salim Bouzerdoum from the University of Wollongong has been awarded the 2011 DSTO Eureka Prize, worth $10,000, for his work on radar imaging technology.

After a slow start the ADF has embraced UAVs enthusiastically and its inventory of operational system in Afghanistan is growing fast. So is the knowledge base underpinning the acquisition of a new long range system under Project Air 7000.

The experience of a specialist Melbourne SME highlights the critical contribution local industry can make to force protection, and the fragility of some of the industry capabilities directly supporting the ADF.

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare last month signed a Global Supply Chain Deed with the UK’s largest defence company, BAE Systems plc.

Haulmark Trailers in Rocklea, QLD has won a $31 million contract to provide 830 trailers to the Australian Army. Defence has also approved the purchase of 950 G-Wagon 4WD Drive vehicles under Phase 5 of Project Land 121 - Overlander.

The first keel block that will be used to construct the RAN’s first Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD), HMAS Hobart, has been delivered to ASC at Osborne, South Australia.

A revitalised Project Land 400 has seen separate requirements for cavalry and infantry capabilities combined into a single Phase 2 Land Combat Vehicle System as the main element of the Army’s Combined Arms Fighting System.

The Priority Industry Capabilities named in 2009 prompted many to ask how Defence would try to sustain and enhance them. The answer is through a PIC Innovation Program which gets under way this month.

Defence materiel minister Jason Clare delivered the keynote address at last month’s ADM Defence Skilling Summit. As well as talking about skills he also, importantly, highlighted critical structural issues in the defence market.

Defence has released the RFT for the sale of the Navy’s remaining Sea King Helicopters.

The Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith, and Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare announced last month the Government has approved four major Defence capability projects. They are:

Meggitt Training Systems has won a $29 million contract with ADF to operate and maintain its primary small and supporting arms simulation training centres known as WTSS (Weapon Training Simulation System) facilities.