News

2022-05-01

ADF Marches Ahead with Modernisation

Australia is increasingly defined by a changing geopolitical order and operating spectrum of cooperation, competition and conflict. The pace of urbanisation and regional competition in littoral environments is bringing its own form of complexity. These trends are a major factor in accelerating the speed and dynamism across diplomatic, informational, economic and military interactions between sovereign states and other actors.

The operating landscape is changing. Adversaries, including violent extremist organisations and state-based threats, can now control and influence all operating domains. The advent of rapidly evolving, easily accessed technology offers asymmetric capabilities to both established powers as well as non-state actors and even individuals.

The ability to sense and strike from long range as well as swarming low-cost technologies is increasing the vulnerability of major military systems. Future strike capabilities will not just be physical but also digital, executed often at the speed of a mouseclick. Sophisticated Anti-Access, Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities offer the ability to deny manoeuvre while distributed systems that are ‘smarter’ and smaller are becoming increasingly essential to survivability.

The capability to operate in the traditional air, sea and land domains is at risk of being debilitated from space and cyber yet there is also great opportunity in these domains for military advantage. The geopolitical context, changing threat, disruptive technologies and domain integration means that armies must prepare for an accelerating environment. Future warfare, in certain parts, will be fought at the speed of machines with success belonging to the side who can adapt the fastest.

Accelerated Warfare as a description of ‘how we respond’ means owning the speed of initiative to outpace, out-manoeuvre and out-think conventional and unconventional threats. It requires excellence in the art and science of decision making as well as deep thinking about Army’s role in understanding, shaping and influencing the environment.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the military organisation responsible for the defence of the Commonwealth of Australia and its national interests. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and several “tri-service” units.

The Australian Army mission, as an institution, is to prepare land forces for war. This presents a challenge, preparing for the contemporary environment – to be ready now and, at the same time, to become future ready – for an unknown future.

Being future ready means continuing ADF’s contribution to an open and fair international system, and being prepared for increasing volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity.

ADF is pushing to think in creative and unconstrained ways to ensure warfighting philosophy is appropriate and informs future capabilities.

AU$3.5 billion Commitment

The Morrison Government recently approved the accelerated acquisition of improved weapon capabilities for the ADF at a total cost of AU$3.5 billion.

Minister for Defence Peter Dutton MP announced that Defence will accelerate the acquisition of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER) for the Royal Australian Air Force, the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) surface fleet and maritime mines to secure Australia’s ports and maritime approaches.

Australian fighter jets and naval vessels will be armed soon with new long-range strike missiles to hold enemies at bay at ranges of up to 900km, under the new programme.

Precision Standoff Missile

JASSM is a long-range, conventional, air-to-ground, precision standoff missile. Designed to destroy high-value, well-defended, fixed and relocatable targets, JASSM’s significant standoff range keeps aircrews well out of danger from hostile air defence systems.

A 2,000-pound class weapon with a penetrator/blast fragmentation warhead, JASSM employs precision routing and guidance in adverse weather, day or night, using an infrared seeker in addition to the anti-jam GPS to find a specific aim point on the target. Its stealthy airframe makes it extremely difficult to defeat.

JASSM is integrated on the U.S. Air Force’s B-1B, B-2, B-52, F-16 and F-15E. JASSM-ER is integrated on the B-1B, the F-15E and is currently completing integration for the internal bay and wings of the B-52H, and F-16C/D.

Internationally, JASSM is carried on the F/A-18A/B and the F-18C/D aircraft. Future integration efforts will focus on the U.S. and international versions of F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft and other international platforms.

NSM Capability

Acquisition of the Kongsberg NSM to replace the Harpoon anti-ship missile in the ANZAC Class frigates and Hobart Class destroyers provides a significant enhancement to Australia’s maritime strike capability – more than doubling the maritime strike range of frigates and destroyers.

NSM provides superior operational performance and high survivability against all enemy soft and hard kill defence systems. The NSM is a very flexible system, which can be launched from varied platforms against a variety of targets on sea and land.

The airframe design and the high thrust to weight ratio give the NSM extremely good manoeuvrability. The Autonomous Target Recognition (ATR) of the seeker ensures that the correct target is detected, recognised and hit, at sea or on land.

Commencing 2024, ANZAC Class frigates and Hobart Class destroyers will have the NSM capability installed.

Maritime Security

The sea mine is a sea denial weapon. The laying of even a limited minefield in port approaches, in focal areas, or in choke points can deny an adversary free access. A known or suspected minefield will compel an adversary to either accept the loss of access and associated costs or commit resources to lengthy and costly mine countermeasures (MCM) operations. A mining threat will affect an adversary through disruption of plans, hindrance of maritime activity, lowering of morale, and disruption of national economy.

Australia is dependent on maritime trade, and mining an Australian port or its approaches would effectively close that port to shipping. Effective MCM assets provide the only practical means to reopen it. The defence of Australia requires an effective and balanced mine warfare force incorporating a combination of mine-hunting, minesweeping and clearance diving.

The advantages of employing the sea mine include engaging an adversary at minimal risk to own units; providing the possibility of delivering a pre-emptive defensive attack; engaging an adversary with a covert weapon that maintains a continuous threat; forcing an adversary to operate both military and commercial shipping in areas that make them more vulnerable to other weapons; forcing an adversary to maintain an MCM capability; and presenting an adversary with a significant psychological threat.

The sea mine threat may be described under two main categories. Moored mines are positively buoyant, attached to the seabed, floating at a pre-determined depth below the sea surface, and may be laid in depths down to 300m or greater. Ground mines are negatively buoyant, resting on the seabed, and are laid in water depths in excess of 200m. The planners of MCM operations need to consider a number of different approaches. MCM operations may be divided into offensive and defensive. Offensive MCM operations are carried out to prevent an adversary from successfully laying sea mines.

The ADF does not possess an offensive mining capability, and for the majority of ADF military operations some form of defensive MCM will be required. The Force Structure Plan 2020 announced Australia would improve its capability options through new investment in mine warfare capabilities to secure Australia’s maritime approaches.

SEA2000 aims to enhance mine warfare capabilities for the Australian Defence Force to secure Australia’s maritime approaches, using modern, smart sea mines.

Armoured Advancement

Australia’s Armoured Vehicle Division (AVD) was established on 21 January 2019 as a new division alongside Land Systems Division within the Land Domain of the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group. AVD subsumed the Combined Arms Fighting Vehicle Branch of Land Systems Division, which was renamed the Armoured Fighting Vehicles Branch.

AVD provides a coordinated, programmatic approach to the acquisition of Australia’s armoured vehicle capabilities.

Enhancements to the Australian Defence Force’s credible combat capability will be delivered by the government through the purchase of evolved Abrams tanks and combat engineering vehicles.

Battle Tank Upgrade

ADF is moving forward with Main Battle Tank Upgrade (LAND 907 Phase 2) and Combat Engineering Vehicle (LAND 8160 Phase 1) projects.

Australian Army will receive up to 75 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks, 29 M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles, 17 M1074 Joint Assault Bridge Vehicles and an additional six M88A2 Armoured Recovery Vehicles.

The Army’s operational fleet of Abrams is held by Army’s three Armoured Cavalry Regiments in Adelaide, Brisbane and Townsville. Vehicles for training purposes are also held at the School of Armour in Puckapunyal and the Army Logistic Training Centre at Bandiana.

The M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams would provide critical protection and firepower for the ADF in land operations. The Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 is an upgrade to the Army’s current MBT. The M1A2 SEPv3 is a tracked, land combat, assault weapon system possessing significant survivability, shoot-on-the-move firepower, joint interoperability (for the exchange of tactical and support information), and a high degree of manoeuvrability and tactical agility.

The ADF intends the M1A2 SEPv3 to enable the crew to engage the full spectrum of enemy ground targets with a variety of accurate point and area fire weapons in urban and open terrain.

Units equipped with the M1A2 SEPv3 enable Army combined arms teams to close with and destroy the enemy by fire and movement across the full range of military operations. The Army intends the M1A2 SEPv3 to defeat and/or suppress enemy tanks, reconnaissance vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, armoured personnel carriers, anti-tank guns, guided missile launchers (ground and vehicle mounted), bunkers, dismounted infantry, and helicopters.

The M1A2 Abrams will incorporate the latest developments in Australian sovereign defence capabilities, including command, control, communications, computers and intelligence systems, and benefit from the intended manufacture of tank ammunition in Australia.

Teamed with the Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Combat Engineering Vehicles, and self-propelled howitzers, the new Abrams will give ADF soldiers the best possibility of success and protection from harm.

ABV Addition

The 29 M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles contracted will be a new addition to ADF. The Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) is a single platform that will provide deliberate and in-stride breaching capability to the assault force. This combat engineering vehicle was specially designed to clear pathways through minefields, creating safe lanes for other vehicles. It allows assault units to move rapidly through obstacles, before enemy forces establish defences. The first prototypes of the ABV were completed in 2002. The Breacher became operational in 2008 and in 2009 it saw combat in Afghanistan.

The ABV is based upon the M1 Main Battle Tank chassis (without turret) and incorporates a number of subsystems, including a full width mine plow, dual line charges, lane marking system, remote control system, and protective weapon system. The integration of the Breaching Package onto the ABV, which uses the M1 tank chassis, shall require minimal modification to the chassis.

The ABV is a tracked, armoured engineer vehicle specifically designed for conducting in-stride breaching of minefields and complex obstacles. It provides crew protection and vehicle survivability while having the speed and mobility to keep pace with the manoeuvre force.

Major components of this system include a Full-Width Mine Plow (FWMP), two linear demolition charges (LDC), a lane-marking system, a remote control system, and weapon station integration on a modified M1A1 tank chassis. ABV can clear a lane of sufficient width and depth for the assault forces and is operated by a two-man crew with an option for remote control.

The ABV will also provide a deliberate assault breaching capability through minefields and complex obstacles. It will allow assault units to move rapidly through obstacles before threat forces have the full opportunity to mass fires or establish defences.

JAB Strength

The contract also involves 17 M1074 Joint Assault Bridge (JAB) Vehicles. The JAB provides Mobility Augmentation Companies supporting Armoured Brigade Combat Teams with a survivable, deployable and sustainable heavy-assault-bridging capability. The JAB provides gap-crossing capability to cross wet or dry gaps, and freedom of manoeuvre on the battlefield to keep pace with Abrams Heavy Brigade Combat Team operations.

The JAB is an M1A1 Abrams tank hull with heavy (M1A2) suspension integrated with a hydraulic bridge launcher system to launch the existing Military Load Class 85 Armoured Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB). The JAB improves force readiness, survivability, mobility and agility equal to the legacy force.

The JAB’s Centre of Gravity location improves overall system mobility, maintains chassis reliability, and in general minimises detrimental chassis impacts of previous assault bridge launch mechanisms.

JAB’s mature hydraulic system, born from Leonardo DRS’ experience with hydraulic driven systems such as the Tunner 60K Aircraft Loader, is thoroughly tested. The system incorporates proven industrial designs and hardware to improve safety, efficiency, reliability, supportability and cost.

Rapid launch/retrieve times, significantly better than the AVLB, minimise the JAB crew’s exposure to hostile fire, and improves the manoeuvre element’s ability to rapidly overcome obstacles. Battlefield proven Leonardo DRS video technology improves both the driver and commander’s situational awareness providing an unparalleled view during day, night, and conditions of limited visibility.

Exceptional vision through the vision blocks enables the Driver and Commander to better maintain situational awareness, and ensure timely mission accomplishment.

Power of Hercules

To support the Abrams, the ADF is procuring six more M88A2 Hercules (Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System) armoured recovery vehicles. The Hercules is a fully-tracked heavy armoured vehicle which performs hoisting, winching and towing as part of recovery operations and evacuation of heavy tanks and other combat vehicles.

With the lowest acquisition, operational and maintenance cost of any 70-tonne capable recovery system, Hercules answers the need for cost-effective, self-supporting heavy recovery performance.

It was the primary 70-tonne= recovery system during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The U.S. troops found a few other creative uses for its capabilities when they used it to pull down the Saddam Hussein statue in Baghdad on April 9, 2003. Hercules utilises a hull designed for the recovery. Stability and performance are unmatched by any alternate tank-based design.

The vehicle offers operational and logistics commonality with the existing M88A1 fleet, simplifying training and parts availability. Key upgrades include improved power-assisted braking, improved steering, improved electrical system and increased engine horsepower.

Hercules also features overlay armour protection, ballistic skirts, a longer 35-tonne boom, a 140,000-pound (63,504 kg) constant pull main winch with 280 feet of cable, and an auxiliary three-tonne winch to aid main winch cable deployment. The M88A2 Hercules is built and equipped to be the world’s recovery champion.

Vehicles on the Way

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Rick Burr AO, DSC, MVO stated that tanks and combat engineering vehicles were essential to Australia’s ability to contribute to a credible land combat capability integrated with joint and coalition forces.

“The main battle tank is at the core of the ADF’s Combined Arms Fighting System, which includes infantry, artillery, communications, engineers, attack helicopters and logistics,” Lieutenant General Burr said. “Because of their versatility, tanks can be used in a wide range of scenarios, environments and levels of conflict in the region. This system is the only part of the ADF that can successfully operate in medium to high-threat land environments.

“The M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams protection, accurate and lethal fire, mobility and situational awareness cannot be delivered by any other platform. There are no other current or emerging technologies - or combination of technologies - that can yet deliver the capability currently provided by a main battle tank.”

The first vehicles will be delivered to Australia in 2024, with the projects expected to achieve Initial Operating Capability in 2025.

Reference Pic/Text:www.army.gov.au , www.navy.gov.au , www.leonardodrs.com , www.lockheedmartin.com

Comments () Views (5020 ) Print

Send To Friend