Back in 2004 defence launched an ambitious project, Air 9000, to rationalise the ADF helicopter fleet. That’s 10 different types, each with its own particular support, logistics and training requirements.

Coincidental with the news during the Avalon show that the Australian government has sent personnel to the United States to commence training on the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper MUAS, Israel Aircraft Industries revealed that it has conducted initial discussions with the RAAF regarding the potential of its Heron TP medium altitude long endurance unmanned aerial system.

According to CDRE James Borghardt US, deputy program manager for the MQ- 8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter, several discussions have taken place between the US Navy and the RAN on this capability, including its potential use in the Sea5000 Future Frigate program.

Several RAAF capabilities were the subject of briefings by senior RAAF officials at Avalon, including the recent (and ongoing) operational success of the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) platform during Operation Okra.

Roketsan, a major Turkish weapons manufacturer and defence contractor, exhibited at Avalon for the first time after executives were impressed by a visit to the 2013 show.

Marvin Test Solutions is a small to medium enterprise of fewer than 100 employees based in California, producing innovative test equipment aimed at reducing the ‘footprint’ of gear required to perform armament and maintenance testing from the ramp to the depot-level workshops.

Commander Air Mobility Group, Air Commodore Warren McDonald has predicted that the RAAF’s Airbus KC-30A multi-role tanker transport will achieve Final Operating Capability at the end of the year.

Dassault Falcon has their business jets on display at the Avalon air show, hoping to entice VIPs both in and out of uniform.

One of the highlights of Avalon 2015 was the presence of an Airbus Defence & Space A400M airlifter, operated by the French Air Force.

Broens, the precision engineering company acquired last year by Forgacs, for the first time displayed the gearbox jack it has developed to lift and manoeuvre from and to its position the gearbox of the F135 engine equipping the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

According to the head of the Pentagon’s JSF program office, Lieutenant-General Chris Bogdan, Australia can expect to pay about US$80-85 million for each of its F-35A JSFs in 2019.

Northrop Grumman has technically started production of the MQ-4C Triton, with the US Naval Air Systems Command placing a US$63.7 million order for long lead components, materials and parts.

Production of the highest-tech assemblies yet to be supplied for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) by Australian industry will begin shortly at a new Rockwell Collins facility in Sydney.

The ADF deserves credit for the speedy introduction of tactical UAVs in support of its deployed forces in the MEAO.

In the October 2014 issue of ADM we reported that the Army’s Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter was facing an uncertain future because it had not been able to achieve the desired rate of effort after a decade in service.

At first glance, the link between hosing cow dung from an automated dairy’s control panel and advancing the art of defence equipment may not be readily apparent. But for Scott Begbie, Managing Director of Adelaide’s APC Technology, agriculture and other industries can sometimes teach defence a thing or two about equipment survival.