Greg Combet (Charlton, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I wish to take this opportunity to outline to the parliament how the Rudd government is enhancing the effectiveness of our national defence effort through science. In May the government tabled the Defence white paper titled Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030. In the white paper the government noted that the future operating environment of the Australian Defence Force will be shaped in large measure by changes in military technology and its employment. To this end, the government has placed increased emphasis on the ability of our Defence scientists to innovate and design new technologies and to apply and adapt existing technologies. In particular, we are developing a new role for our scientists in evaluating defence projects, analysing technical risk and designing risk management and risk mitigation strategies that will deliver increasingly robust defence capabilities.

Australia, of course, was one of the first nations in the world to recognise the importance of applied science and dedicated scientific research in sustaining a credible national defence effort. For more than 100 years, science has been an integral part of Australia’s defence. From beginnings that were built around the technologies of the day—principally explosives and munitions—Australia’s defence science now covers the spectrum of our national defence capabilities. From kinetics to electro-optics, from metallurgy to adhesives, from aeronautics to nutrition, our scientists are fundamental to the technological edge that is essential if our defence force is to deliver the level of security that the Australian people expect of government. With strategic responsibility for a disproportionate share of the earth’s surface, but with a small population, Australia has to be both agile and smart if it is to maintain an adequate defence capacity. Defence science provides the ultimate force multiplier. While our scientists are largely unseen, they are extremely important to our national security. Their contribution is critical.

The DSTO is the lead agency charged with applying science and technology to protect and defend Australia and its national interests. DSTO delivers expert, impartial advice and innovative solutions for Defence and other elements of national security. DSTO supports Australia’s defence by providing, amongst other things:

• support to operations;
• support to the current force;
• support to the Defence acquisition strategy;
• accident investigation; and
• enabling research.

DSTO’s capability also supports whole-of-government national security needs. Headed by the Chief Defence Scientist, Dr Robert Clark, the DSTO has an annual budget of approximately $400 million and employs more than 2,300 staff, predominantly scientists, engineers, IT specialists and technicians.

The DSTO has a presence across Australia. DSTO scientists also support the ADF on its deployments internationally, as well as working alongside our allies in their research establishments. At all times, DSTO works closely with CSIRO, as well as with the broader industry, scientific and technology community, to enhance its ability to support Australia’s defence and national security capabilities and to contribute to national wealth. Staying at the forefront of the technology is key to the ADF’s capability edge. DSTO contributes directly to maintaining that edge by exploiting, adapting and developing new technology, so that our fighting men and women have the best possible equipment and platforms at their disposal. Moreover, DSTO’s work on human performance enables the men and women of our defence force to deliver maximum effect from their physical and psychological effort. Demands on DSTO’s science and technology support are extensive and continuous. The increased deployment of Australian troops overseas, the current global security environment and the challenges that it represents, new advances in technology and the multi-billion-dollar Defence acquisition program continue to place pressure on science and technology. DSTO’s track record in rising to these challenges is impressive and I will go through a number of the achievements and the work that is currently underway and in prospect.

Firstly, in relation to support for ADP personnel in operations, with the increase in operational tempo over recent years DSTO has been responding to urgent operational demands by providing practical, life-saving solutions for the protection of Australian troops deployed around the world and by providing technology insertion, a key to the ADF’s mission. This direct support to operations has taken many forms—from embedding scientists within deployed units for immediate technical advice on mission effectiveness to developing customised camouflage uniforms. It also includes the provision of survivability kits and blast protection for ADF vehicles and sophisticated countermeasures to mitigate the effects of improvised explosive devices. This area of work in particular has contributed to saving the lives of ADP personnel.

Last month I inaugurated the upgrade to the Air Operations Simulation Centre and the Melbourne operations of the DSTO. This is a unique Australian research facility, capable of accurately simulating the full scope of flight operations and combat scenarios for a variety of military aircraft. The facility is designed to introduce a far more realistic experience for pilots and operators and allows Defence to test-drive aircraft and tactics without leaving the ground. By re-creating real-life situations in a virtual environment, this facility allows air combat operations to be rehearsed and evaluated at a significantly reduced cost and without putting ADF personnel in harm’s way—although from my own experience in a simulator it does leave one potentially slightly motion sick.

Importantly, DSTO provides extensive support to the current force. In providing essential technical support to every aspect of Navy, Army Air Force, intelligence and joint operations, DSTO both enhances existing capability and adapts it for Australia’s unique circumstances. DSTO also extends the service life and availability for use of these capabilities.

Today, more than ever, the ADF needs to extract every bit of value from the equipment it operates and to ensure that its people are able to carry out the demanding tasks of defence to the best of their ability. DSTO provides expert advice on reducing the cost of operating and maintaining that equipment and delaying the huge expense of replacing it by prolonging its effective performance. For more than 50 years, DSTO has been the indisputable world leader in testing airframes for metal fatigue and extending the lives of military aircraft, which was celebrated last month at DSTO’s Melbourne facilities.

Recently, DSTO’s rigorous testing of the fuselage centre barrel in the FA18 Hornet proved that the actual life of this critical component was 10 per cent greater than originally certified. This finding has effectively given the aircraft an additional two years of flying life, providing the fleet with sufficient fatigue longevity to safely reach its planned withdrawal date. As a result, fewer aircraft than previously identified will need to have their centre barrels replaced and consequently Defence stands to save an estimated $400 million—roughly the equivalent of DSTO’s annual budget.

A similar example is the recent completion of a fatigue test to ensure the structural integrity of the replacement wings fitted to the F111 fleet until their planned withdrawal date in the not-too-distant future. After nearly 38,000 hours of simulated flight tests without failure, DSTO was able to estimate the retirement life of the wings and recommend inspection intervals that minimise the burden of frequent maintenance.

Cost savings are not the only benefit of extending the life of aircraft components. Equally important, the platforms have been available for ADF use over longer periods of time instead of being grounded. This is vital in these days of increased operational requirement. We should also never forget that thorough testing of aircraft components contributes to the ongoing safety of our aircrews, and that is the predominant and overriding concern of the ADF.

DSTO’s support for Navy has been equally important. The recently published history of the Collins class submarine highlighted how DSTO’s scientific expertise was fundamental to the overall success of the project. DSTO developed the steel and welding technology for the hulls; it developed the anechoic tiles which make them inaudible to other submarines or ships; and when the submarine project ran into difficulties it was DSTO which helped solve many of the problems with the diesels, the generators, the propeller, the noise signature of the vessel and the combat system.

The result is that the Collins submarine is now acknowledged as a unique underwater platform operating at a ‘world’s best’ standard. In the book The Collins Class Submarine Story: Steel, Spies and Spin, the book’s authors summed up the DSTO contribution by saying that the scientists:

... grappled with and overcame the unexpected problems that inevitably arose when doing things for the first time. This effort demonstrated the importance of sustaining in Australia a body of technical knowledge, a mode of operation and links with industry and overseas colleagues and institutions to provide a range of options and answers.

The lessons learnt from the Collins submarine experience have been invaluable for DSTO, which is now undertaking research to support the future submarine project and the next generation of undersea warfare, including many advanced concepts such as the potential integration of unmanned vehicles within submarines.

DSTO is also conducting work to support our personnel through the development of new modern physical employment standards. DSTO has partnered with the University of Wollongong to establish a Centre of Expertise in Physical Employment Standards. This centre of expertise will assist the ADF to develop objective benchmarks for physical employment assessments to ensure soldiers have physical capacity commensurate with the performance of critical tasks, regardless of trade classifications, rank, age or gender. The Centre has been tasked to develop physical employment standards for the Army, with a view to later assessing requirements for the Air Force and the Navy.

Physical employment standards are physical fitness standards that accurately measure a person’s ability to physically perform the variety of jobs that make up the modern ADF. By defining a set of physical employment standards that represent the real demands of military tasks, Defence can ensure that all personnel have the appropriate physical capacity to safely and effectively carry out those tasks. Adoption of employment standards will also help guide recruits to occupations for which they are most physically suited and could also potentially facilitate access to occupations traditionally closed to particular groups on the basis of task physical readiness. Importantly, these new standards could also potentially contribute to significant savings for Defence as a result of lower healthcare and compensation costs by reducing trade related injuries.

The development of these new standards will also help inform the government on the appropriateness of a possible expansion of the roles that women can play in the ADF. A priority of the government is to improve the recruitment and retention of women in the ADF. Women already play a very important role, including on operations such as in Afghanistan at the moment. The government recognises that it is crucial to recruit and retain more women if the ADF is to meet its overall force requirements. Defence aims to provide all its members with the opportunity to progress based on merit, ability, performance and potential in a work environment that fosters personal recognition and job satisfaction. This work will help further inform the ADF about the suitability of all people, regardless of gender, age or rank, to serve in positions throughout the ADF.

It is perfectly valid to argue that all categories should be open to women. The only exceptions should be where the physical demands cannot be met, regardless of gender, according to criteria that are determined on the basis of scientific analysis rather than cultural assumptions. The government, in consultation with the broader Defence community, will consider the results upon completion in the context of possibly further expanding the roles that women can play in the ADF.

On the issue in relation to the support of the DSTO to the acquisition of military material, as confirmed by David Mortimer’s report into Defence Procurement and Sustainment, titled Going to the Next Level, DSTO’s role in supporting acquisition is also vital. In close partnership with Defence’s Capability Development Group and the Defence Materiel Organisation, DSTO advises Defence and the government on the full spectrum of technical issues associated with platforms and equipment and on solutions that offer the best performance and best value for money. This is an integral part of the acquisition process and the capability life cycle. DSTO’s assessments ensure the technical risks of acquiring new capability are minimised. Their independent and objective advice also provides a reality check on available options for government.

Within the capability development process, DSTO’s feasibility studies and operational analyses are essential early inputs in determining what sort of equipment the ADF needs, and why. For example, in the recent air combat capability review, DSTO compared the relative merits of current and future combat aircraft and their ability to carry out the mix of roles required for Australia’s air defence. The capabilities of our planned air combat systems were then assessed against the projected future threats in the Asia-Pacific region.

Just as important, DSTO also provides advice on how Australia can maintain its capability advantage through the development of leading edge technology that may not be available anywhere else in the world. Importantly, due to the risks that are associated with such developments, DSTO plays a very important risk management role in this process.

As it acquires next-generation technologies the ADF will be relying more heavily on DSTO’s expertise to reduce technical risk and integrate capabilities into the force structure. The establishment of the Systems Integration Technical Advisory unit by DSTO and DMO should go a long way towards addressing the challenges involved in integrating systems and reducing delays in the delivery of Defence projects and that is a high priority of the government.

DSTO also has built up high levels of forensic skill and sophistication in military accident investigation. This has helped provide support to investigations of historical and contemporary military incidents, which not only illuminate these but also help inform current ADF doctrine and practice. The most comprehensive accident investigation carried out by DSTO in the last 20 years was its investigation of the 2005 Sea King helicopter crash on the Indonesian island of Nias, which resulted in the tragic death of nine crew members.

The DSTO investigation team conducted an analysis of the accident, with their findings used to support the Board of Inquiry. This work helped contributed to the Board of Inquiry being able to provide a full account of this incident, which in turn helped provide information to the victims’ families.

This work in Indonesia was followed by another DSTO investigation resulting in the discovery three months ago of the Canberra bomber and the remains of the aircrew that went missing in Vietnam in 1970. The Air Operations Division of the DSTO provided crucial support for that investigation by analysing potential trajectories given the last known position, likely altitude and airspeed of Canberra bombers on the mission. This expertise and modelling work refined and prioritised the search area for the two missing airmen. The ensuing investigation resulted in the return last week of these two airmen, our last missing in action from the Vietnam War, to Australia.

More recently, DSTO’s contribution to the Cole Commission of Inquiry into the 1941 loss of HMAS Sydney was a key piece of evidence that reconstructed the final hours of the ship. The evidence was a computer generated simulation based on extensive scientific models, an exhaustive analysis of video imagery and photographs of the wreck site, as well as historical documents and photographs. The simulation and analysis were crucial in recreating the most plausible scenario to resolve the mystery surrounding Australia’s biggest maritime tragedy.

Some years earlier, DSTO also used its underwater investigation expertise to identify and photograph the wreck of Australia’s World War I submarine AE2 which had been scuttled in Turkish waters in 1915 during the Gallipoli campaign. It is clear from the evidence the importance of the DSTO in this field.

In order to continue to magnify the capabilities of the ADF, the DSTO invests in nurturing emerging technology and in developing new applications for existing technology. Through our white paper, the Rudd government has a forward-looking research program that focuses on a number of enabling technologies designed to deliver the maximum advantage to Defence.

The program is closely aligned to the ADF’s current and future operational priorities. This new program is designed to be flexible and adaptable so that promising technologies and innovative developments can be fast tracked and fielded systems can be deployed at the earliest available opportunity.

The enabling research program covers a portfolio of initiatives which span very significant research and development across challenging technology areas, including:

• cyber warfare;
• intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance;
• electronic warfare;
• over the horizon radar;
• antisubmarine warfare;
• systems integration;
• force protection and counter-improvised explosive devices;
• signatures, materials, power and energy;
• micro unmanned airborne systems;
• undersea warfare; and
• chemical, biological and radiological protection.

All of these are extremely important areas of research for Australia’s future national security.

To deliver on its research program DSTO continues to forge closer links with industry and the science and technology community both here and overseas. These links enable industry to better support the capabilities needed to defend Australia.

The Capability and Technology Demonstrator Program and the related Extension Program, both managed by DSTO, have greatly improved access for industry, especially small-to-medium enterprises, to demonstrate their innovations in technology and contribute to the development of Defence capability. Since the program started, 92 projects have been undertaken, with a total investment of approximately $224 million.

The DSTO has had some success in developing technology in partnership with industry. A great example of this is the Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range (JDAM-ER) project. The JDAM-ER is based on DSTO developed technology that was successfully licensed to industry and developed under the CTD Program.

The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a tail kit that converts free-fall unguided bombs into precision-guided weapons. The tail section contains an advanced guidance system that directs the bomb to the selected target. The key enabler that allows the guided weapon to glide towards long-range targets is the wing kit, developed by Hawker de Havilland (now Boeing Aerostructures) under the auspices of the CTD Program and based on DSTO technology.

This innovative technology has increased the range of the launch aircraft’s fire-and-forget capability, allowing the launch at a safe distance from the target. This increases the safety of our pilots and other ADF personnel. The system was developed under the CTD Program and then under the new CTD Extension Program. It is now in final development for commercial production. This collaboration between DSTO and industry has led to a world-leading product and has the potential to improve the safety of ADF personnel and create jobs in high-technology occupations.

A further example of collaboration around the CTD Program is the assistance it provided for the successful transition of advanced sonar communications interception technology into operational service. The Low Probability of Intercept Sonar project, developed by Nautronix (now a division of L-3), has already transitioned into service with the Navy. The technology aims to ensure that there is a low probability that underwater communications will be intercepted and/or recognised by foreign forces. This is another product that increases the capability of the ADF and improves the safety of our ADF personnel.

A further distinct form of collaboration between Defence and industry is the successful establishment of the Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC). The DMTC aims to leverage the expertise and resources of DSTO, industry, universities and other public research bodies to develop leading-edge materials-related technologies for the ADF.

The Rudd government intends to promote further joint ventures in high-technology areas of interest to Defence. Accordingly, DSTO will expand its engagement program with its industry and overseas partners to stay ahead of the technology curve. By collaborating with and transferring its technology to Australian industry, DSTO plays a significant role in creating jobs, generating national wealth and reducing Australia’s reliance on overseas products and expertise. This in turn helps build a stronger Australian defence industry.

DSTO’s value and its credibility stem from its incorporation as an integral part of Defence, its exclusive focus on Australia’s war-fighting needs, its experience in supporting the ADF since the early 1900s and its knowledge of modern warfare based on leading-edge, highly classified research. It would be hard to find anywhere else this unique combination of research excellence, specialist knowledge of Defence needs and rigorous objectivity.

The value that the 2,300 men and women of DSTO deliver to ADF capability more than justifies the two per cent of the Defence budget that the government invests in this world-class science and technology organisation. Indeed, the Rudd government is of the view that an increasingly strong and adaptable DSTO is a critical national security asset for the future. I thank the House.

I ask leave of the House to move a motion to enable the member for Paterson to speak for 25 minutes.

Leave granted.

I move:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent Mr Baldwin speaking in reply to the ministerial statement for a period not exceeding 25 minutes.

Question agreed to.

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