Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates 2.0

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SammyC

Well-Known Member
Conroy unveils multi-billion GWEO blueprint

More information on the GWEO announcement. Ignore the army part but the below statement relates to Hobarts and Tomahawks. Aparently they will be fitted before Christmas for the first lot. That is faster than I had expected to be not just received but fielded.

As part of the announcement, Minister Conroy confirmed that the Royal Australian Navy's Hobart class destroyers would field the proposed 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles by the end of the year, providing an increase in the Navy's strike range by 10 times.
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I

iambuzzard

Active Member
SammyC said:
Conroy unveils multi-billion GWEO blueprint

More information on the GWEO announcement. Ignore the army part but the below statement relates to Hobarts and Tomahawks. Aparently they will be fitted before Christmas for the first lot. That is faster than I had expected to be not just received but fielded.
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Good news. They needed some positive press. Maybe they'll pull forward the down select. If it's 32 VLS on the GPF the the Spanish and Germans are out of the picture.
 
Going Boeing

Going Boeing

Well-Known Member
This transcript of Pat Conroy’s address to the National Press Club gives some good indication of the thinking behind these announcements and the direction that the government is taking. He seems to be getting the message across better than Defence Minister Marles (if you ignore the usual political waffle).

“Analysts believe we are now on the cusp of a new Indo-Pacific missile age.

In addition to the terrible damage missiles can wreak, they can also be used as tools of coercion.

In the language of strategy, they are persistent.

They pose a threat night and day, regardless of when or whether they are actually launched.

The modern missile age is defined by proliferation and by rapid technological advances – often accompanied by a lack of transparency or strategic reassurance.

In this world, we have a choice.

We can watch and wring our hands, or we can respond.

We can make sure that Australia can hold an adversary at risk through our northern approaches.

We can seek to deter conflict or attempts to coerce Australia by force and, in this way, contribute to regional security.

We can work closely with our ally, the United States, and with other key partners in the Indo-Pacific, such as Japan and the Republic of Korea – partners that share our concerns and are prepared to strengthen cooperation in support of shared interests.

WHAT THE NEW MISSILE AGE MEANS FOR AUSTRALIA

The Defence Strategic Review concluded that the rise of this new missile age – crystallised by the proliferation of long-range precision strike weapons – has radically reduced the advantages of Australia’s geography.”
 
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iambuzzard

Active Member
Going Boeing said:
This transcript of Pat Conroy’s address to the National Press Club gives some good indication of the thinking behind these announcements and the direction that the government is taking. He seems to be getting the message across better than Defence Minister Marles (if you ignore the usual political waffle).

“Analysts believe we are now on the cusp of a new Indo-Pacific missile age.

In addition to the terrible damage missiles can wreak, they can also be used as tools of coercion.

In the language of strategy, they are persistent.

They pose a threat night and day, regardless of when or whether they are actually launched.

The modern missile age is defined by proliferation and by rapid technological advances – often accompanied by a lack of transparency or strategic reassurance.

In this world, we have a choice.

We can watch and wring our hands, or we can respond.

We can make sure that Australia can hold an adversary at risk through our northern approaches.

We can seek to deter conflict or attempts to coerce Australia by force and, in this way, contribute to regional security.

We can work closely with our ally, the United States, and with other key partners in the Indo-Pacific, such as Japan and the Republic of Korea – partners that share our concerns and are prepared to strengthen cooperation in support of shared interests.

WHAT THE NEW MISSILE AGE MEANS FOR AUSTRALIA

The Defence Strategic Review concluded that the rise of this new missile age – crystallised by the proliferation of long-range precision strike weapons – has radically reduced the advantages of Australia’s geography.”
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It seems like Conroy knows what he's taking about. If he's put thought into his portfolio and this not just a speechwriter's words there's hope for us yet.
 
S

seaspear

Well-Known Member
Stampede said:
Glad navy are doing something in this space.

Quick search turned up this info from Flightwave.

www.flightwave.aero

Edge 130 Blue – FlightWave Aerospace Systems

Introducing the Edge 130 Blue - the ultimate military-grade tricopter for your long-range mapping, inspection, surveillance, and reconnaissance needs. With ... Read More
www.flightwave.aero www.flightwave.aero

Looks the same.

As spoz mentions, it looks like a toy in comparison to Schiebels offering.

That said, I assume its low cost and has a place across the fleet.
If it proves its worth I'd imagine it's cheap enough to buy in significant numbers to employ on every vessel from a Cape to a LHD.

Still see a place for a S-100 sized platform in conjunction with the above and also manned helicopters.

Cheers S
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With the Red Cat being so small compared to the previous Schiebel is it possible that a large number could be carried and launched from same ship and not just tier one ships ? certainly any action taken against a large drone would leave the ship without that ability a uav brings
 
Underway

Underway

Member
seaspear said:
With the Red Cat being so small compared to the previous Schiebel is it possible that a large number could be carried and launched from same ship and not just tier one ships ? certainly any action taken against a large drone would leave the ship without that ability a uav brings
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Your going to get way more flight hours with the Red Cat than the Schiebel. Less flight deck management issues and conflicts, easier to move in and out of the helo bay, takes up way less limited space onboard ship or in the helo bay, less maintenance and air safety concerns, less crew requirements and the platform is more attritable so you can risk it more readily.

Schiebel pulls techs away from helo feed and caring (its basically a baby helo). With limited spots onboard getting a non-aircrew pers to work the Red Cat is going to simplify small ship UAV flight evolutions and air ops management immeasurably.

I think that's probably a good tradeoff if you already have a helicopter embarked or if your crew is to small properly take care of a helo
 
M

Mikeymike

Active Member
Not a good sign, BAE in Barrow was on fire this morning. Not sure how this will impact the UKs submarine programme and any knock-on effects to SSN-AUKUS. Hopefully the impact will be minimal.
www.theguardian.com

Nuclear submarine shipyard fire at Barrow-in-Furness leaves two in hospital

Residents told to stay indoors but police say there is no nuclear risk from blaze at BAE Systems complex
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
 
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seaspear

Well-Known Member
Underway said:
Your going to get way more flight hours with the Red Cat than the Schiebel. Less flight deck management issues and conflicts, easier to move in and out of the helo bay, takes up way less limited space onboard ship or in the helo bay, less maintenance and air safety concerns, less crew requirements and the platform is more attritable so you can risk it more readily.

Schiebel pulls techs away from helo feed and caring (its basically a baby helo). With limited spots onboard getting a non-aircrew pers to work the Red Cat is going to simplify small ship UAV flight evolutions and air ops management immeasurably.

I think that's probably a good tradeoff if you already have a helicopter embarked or if your crew is to small properly take care of a helo
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Something that small might be carried even border patrol vessels perhaps?
 
S

Stampede

Well-Known Member
Mikeymike said:
Not a good sign, BAE in Barrow was on fire this morning. Not sure how this will impact the UKs submarine programme and any knock-on effects to SSN-AUKUS. Hopefully the impact will be minimal.
www.theguardian.com

Nuclear submarine shipyard fire at Barrow-in-Furness leaves two in hospital

Residents told to stay indoors but police say there is no nuclear risk from blaze at BAE Systems complex
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
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The fire is disappointing

it was stated in the article that some two hundred people were working the night shift.
With those sort of numbers that suggest quite a high level of activity with this project.

hopefully back on track soon

Cheers S
 
S

seaspear

Well-Known Member
SammyC said:
https://www.defence.gov.au/about/st...ralian-guided-weapons-explosive-ordnance-plan

If anybody wants to read the full GWEO plan, it is available on the above link. I suggest a big mug of coffee beforehand.
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I did note the acquisition of the Switchblade 300 why not the 600 which can be used against tanks certainly these articles suggest the greater payload and range plus acquisitional abilities seem superior to the 300 ,going forward the 300 may be surpassed
www.defensenews.com

Australia takes aim with US-made loitering munitions

AeroVironment's Switchblade 300 has a 3.69-pound (1.68 kg) warhead and 19-mile (30 km) range in its latest Block 20 variant.
www.defensenews.com www.defensenews.com
defensescoop.com

Switchblade 600 kamikaze drones in the running for Replicator mass production

Switchblade 600 drones are among the first set of systems DOD leadership and Congress are evaluating to be rapidly scaled through the ambitious initiative, multiple sources told DefenseScoop this week.
defensescoop.com defensescoop.com
www.twz.com

Switchblade 600 Kamikaze Drone Is The First Named Replicator Program Weapon

In addition to the Switchblade 600, the Pentagon is also looking to purchase drone boats and counter drone systems.
www.twz.com www.twz.com
 
S

SammyC

Well-Known Member
Volkodav said:
Greg Sheridan strikes again!

Apparently the government should continue upgrading the ANZACs so we have more platforms to take Tomahawk to sea.

F'ing idiot.
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Not quite sure where he thinks a Tomahawk would fit on an ANZAC. I think it would tip over if we tried.

I noted he also made an argument for Tomahawks on the Collins, which I suspect is equally difficult.
 
V

Volkodav

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
SammyC said:
Not quite sure where he thinks a Tomahawk would fit on an ANZAC. I think it would tip over if we tried.

I noted he also made an argument for Tomahawks on the Collins, which I suspect is equally difficult.
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That's a schedule issue rather than a platform limitation.

There is this "belief" that a heart, lung, kidney, liver transplant, combined with hip and knee replacements, can be done in the same time frame as we used to do minor dental work and a haircut.
 
O

old faithful

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Are there any details of the 8 proposed LCH ?
And are these also going to be operated by Army or Navy?
I have tried to find details, but can't find anything that says "this is what we are getting" type statement.
I have found some hazy details on the birdon LCM (18) ships, but they are also pretty vague.
 
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