Defence Business: An explosive event | ADM February 2012

Katherine Ziesing | Brisbane

A record attendance of over 400 delegates reflected not only the growing significance of the event, but also supplier interest in the upcoming Domestic Munitions Manufacturing Arrangements (DMMA) competition to replace Australia’s current long term ordnance supply contracts – the Strategic Agreement for Munitions Supply (SAMS) and the Mulwala Agreement.

PARARI itself focused on the theme of Munitions Safety and Exploring Emerging Systems. Over the next 20 years, the introduction of revolutionary manned and unmanned ground, sea and air platforms with a host of different propulsion, power generation and electrical storage systems will pose real challenges, and much of the event was dedicated to exploring the impact of these technologies on munitions safety throughout the capability lifecycle.

Representatives from the Australian Department of Defence were joined by counterparts from the UK, US, Canada, NZ, Sweden, Norway and Finland, as well as NATO’s Munitions Safety Information Analysis Center (MSIAC – of which Australia is a member). MSIAC is a member-funded and directed NATO Project Office focused on cradle to grave munitions safety, providing technical information and analysis with an emphasis on insensitive munitions.

Over 100 technical papers were presented covering EO design and operational safety, new technical developments, evolving safety standards, warehousing and distribution, facilities modernisation, lessons learned from EO programs around the world, and the challenges of managing complex systems.

One major theme touched on by many presenters was insensitive munitions, and the potential these technologies have to significantly enhance EO safety, as well as the safety of armed forces personnel in the field.

With the current threat of IEDs in Afghanistan, it’s a pertinent issue for troops carrying munitions in their vehicles, but also has implications for many aspects of the supply chain – from initial manufacture and distribution to storage both in specialist facilities and on operations.

Other highlights revolved around discussions of specific new safety methodologies, including recent advances in storage life prediction, the development of new safety information software, modelling and simulation of hazards, future training and qualifications challenges, and recent advances in risk management tools.

Keynote addresses included the opening address by the Director-General Explosive Ordnance, Air Commodore Bill Hayden. He reflected on the key issues facing the EO community and the cooperation required to ensure that safety paramount.

Fred Edwards, head of the UK MoD’s Defence Ordnance Safety Group, delivered the inaugural Hutchinson Page Keynote Address, named after PARARI co-founders Alan Hutchinson from Defence and Darryl Page from Thales Australia. He provided a perspective on that country’s current EO status and challenges – an interesting area given the recent plans to downsize the UK’s armed forces.

DMO’s Anthony Klenthis, Head Explosive Ordnance Division, outlined his organisation’s responsibilities and current programs. He also discussed interactions with industry, outlining the DMO’s major objectives for upcoming opportunities.

For those interested in DMMA, the DMO recently named six contenders shortlisted after the Invitation to Register (ITR) process in early 2011. They are: BAE Systems Australia; Expal Systems; NIOA (teaming with Alliant Techsystems Inc – ATK); Raytheon Australia (teaming with Chemring Australia and Poongsan Corp); Rheinmettal Waffe Munitions (teaming with Nitrochemie and RUAG Ammotec); and incumbent Thales Australia (teaming with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, and NAMMO). The next step is a restricted Request for Tender, which is expected in mid this year.

PARARI Co-Chair Colonel Paul Smith of the Directorate of Ordnance Safety (DOS), said this year’s event had been a resounding success.

“The joint DOS/Thales Steering Committee has built on the previous PARARI symposiums and provides the opportunity for the EO community to come together and address the issues of the day. The willingness of presenters to give their time to share their experience is still the basis of the success of any PARARI and this year was no different.

“The international EO community has an excellent history of collaborating to ensure that EO all along the supply chain, and eventually delivered to the servicemen and women in the field, is safe and suitable for service. The PARARI symposium is part of Australia’s contribution to that ongoing effort.”

The next PARARI will be held in 2013 in Canberra, to coincide with the 100 years of Canberra celebrations.