JPEU eyes looming ordnance challenges

If it's green and goes Bang, it goes through JPEU first. The JPEU is one of the unsung but essential elements of a self-reliant and professional defence force.
Defence's Joint Proof and Experimental Unit (JPEU) is a sort of insurance policy for ADF war fighters. Formed on 1 May 04, it is responsible for the static and dynamic testing of all ADF weapon systems which involve the use of high explosive ordnance - from small arms to stand-off missile componentry.

It was created as a direct command business unit of the recently formed Joint Logistics Group (JLG) to amalgamate under a single headquarters the previously semi-autonomous Proof and Experimental Establishments at Port Wakefield SA and Graytown Vic.

The unit is an integral part of the process that enables the respective service Technical Regulatory Authorities to ensure that weapon systems and their ordnance is Safe and Suitable for Service (S3). The JPEU supports the S3 process by being an ISO9000:2001 quality accredited organization. It is also currently undergoing assessment by the Director of Technical Regulation - Army (DTR-A) to become an accredited engineering organization (AEO). On current indications, this goal will be achieved by Christmas.

Headquarters JPEU, located at Defence Establishment Orchard Hills, commands the two Proof and Experimental Establishments, at Port Wakefield (P&EE PW) and Graytown (P&EE GT). P&EE GT also commands two detachments; the Munitions Test Centre (MTC) Benalla, Vic, located within the ADI Ltd ammunition manufacturing facility there, and the Small Arms Test Centre (SATC) Mulwala, NSW, located within the ADI Ltd facility there.

The P&EE Port Wakefield was established in 1929 to take advantage of the site's unique tidal flats that allowed for the soft recovery of fired rounds using a technique called 'over water recovery'. P&EE Graytown was established in 1968 to take advantage of the region's loam type soils that were suitable for another recovery technique, called vertical recovery. Due to the cessation of fuze development, the vertical recovery capability is no longer maintained.

By being a direct command unit of JLG, JPEU is better able to align its operational outputs. However, the challenge has been engaging key stakeholders, such as Capability Development Group (CDG), the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO), the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and the respective Services to ensure they all understand our tasking, resourcing and manning needs.

This is particularly so for CDG as scoping future explosive ordnance (EO) proof capabilities is often quite difficult. For example, what are the equipment, facilities and manpower needs to support the EO systems on the Joint Strike Fighter project? Noting these future EO challenges, a significant proportion of the unit's business is still generated supporting DMO's ADF Logistic Managers manage their in-service explosive ordnance or weapon systems fleets.

Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Gary Potter says that one of his biggest challenges in managing the unit is preparing it to meet these future requirements while meeting the day-to-day demands of supporting our many stakeholders. This is not aided as we are separated across five sites, three states and even a time zone. Communication is therefore paramount.

"My other big challenge is managing the unit's specialist, and in many instances unique, equipment," he said. "We have not been as successful in the past as we could have been in managing and replacing such equipment. This was not due to a lack of effort, but confused lines of responsibility. The formation of the unit under Joint Logistic Group has clarified these lines of responsibility."

Lieutenant Colonel Potter says that the combination of military and civilian personnel in the JPEU means that the unit also has the advantage of maintaining a steady-state highly skilled civilian base, which has a broad experience and knowledge, against a military workforce that ensures the unit's focus is retained on supporting the ADF.

"The integrated environment within JPEU is absolutely vital for the unit to function. Many of the skills sets are not found in the general military population and they also take many years to develop," he said.

"The mix of civilian and ADF personnel makes for even better outcomes because the range of skills and experiences is so much broader. Indeed, I am keen for the unit to be seen as a first appointment posting for ammunition technical officers and technicians and other specialist EO trades from all the Services. Personnel posted to JPEU will be exposed all types of EO, including experimental and not in-service natures."

"There has been no change to the role that we have played in Defence for the past 75 years. Our mission is still "We will provide EO and weapon system proof, test and evaluation services to enable the Australian Defence Force to train, fight and win"."

Lieutenant Colonel Gary Potter is Commanding Officer of the Joint Proof and Experimental Unit (JPEU) Tel: 02 4737 0390, Email: gary.potter1@defence.gov.au.

By LTCOL Gary Potter, Sydney