Australian Department Of Defence Research Articles

Service exchange requirements of a defence force portfolio

The Australian Department of Defence is developing a capability portfolio which involves interoperability between disparate portfolio elements, via the concerted contribution from multiple stakeholders. In order for project staff and stakeholders to obtain a better understanding of interoperability requirements, this work applied an established framework which records intended service exchanges and provides a mechanism to analyse the service exchanges required to generate capability. To test and refine the framework prior to its Department-wide adoption, a case-study was commissioned. This work draws from the study’s outcomes, focusing on the utility of the framework as a means of capturing and understanding dependencies between elements to support portfolio-wide decision-making.

A Hybrid Multi-Population Approach to the Project Portfolio Selection and Scheduling Problem for Future Force Design

Future Force Design (FFD) is a strategic planning activity that decides the programming of defence capability options. This is a complex problem faced by the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) and requires the simultaneous selection and scheduling of projects. Specifically, this is a NP-hard problem known as the Project Portfolio Selection and Scheduling Problem (PPSSP). While the PPSSP is a complex problem itself, its complexity is further increased when coupled with the additional characteristics that arise in the context of defence-oriented planning, such as long planning periods and complex operational constraints. As a result, many previous studies examined only a small number of projects over a short planning period and are largely unsuitable for the scale required in the defence sector. To address this issue, two primary contributions are made in this paper. Firstly, this study describes a complex practical PPSSP, inspired by the FFD process, and develops a corresponding mathematical model. Problem instances are derived from real-world, publicly-available defence data. Secondly, to address instances of the problem, two existing meta-heuristics are considered and a hybrid, multi-population approach is proposed. Results are compared against those attained by a commercial exact solver and indicate that there is no statistically significant difference in performance between the proposed multi-population approach and the exact solver. A key benefit of the proposed meta-heuristic approach is that its run time is not significantly influenced by the complexity of the problem instance. Additionally, many interesting practical insights regarding the solution of selection and scheduling problems are uncovered.

A Capability Engineering Lifecycle Framework Based on Insights from Australian Defence

AbstractThe Australian Department of Defence is actively pursuing initiatives to improve the integration and interoperability of the defence force and this paper reports on research findings produced in support of this effort. The paper opens with a description of the Australian Defence capability development context together with recent initiatives to provide greater military capability for the available budget. Within this context, the problem the researchers set out to address is how best to co‐ordinate the ongoing force Integration and Interoperability (I2) activities that evolve and deliver defence capabilities so that these capabilities can be integrated together at short notice and deployed. System of Systems Engineering (SoSE) approaches have been found to be effective for this class of problem and the paper provides a short review of the most promising candidates. The methodology needs analysis that follows concludes that a range of different SoS approaches will be needed to cover the different stages of the capability lifecycle and the paper then proceeds to describe an initial framework that provides a new way of looking at the defence Integrated Capability Realisation (ICR) SoSE challenge across two dimensions. The first dimension is the time horizon of the planned capability increment: from the present to around four years; four to eight years; eight to twelve years; and longer than twelve years. The second dimension covers the types of activities that are traditionally performed to evolve defence forces such as future force planning, program co‐ordination and planning, project capability definition, acquisition, and force generation. The paper describes how this framework provides a simple method to identify which SoSE approaches are the most applicable to given ICR subtasks and also proposes an overall approach to self‐organise overall Defence ICR efforts

A competency model in systems engineering for the Australian Department of Defence

ABSTRACTThis paper describes the approach taken by the Australian Department of Defence – Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) to define its Systems Engineering Competency Model . This paper describes how this model has been developed and aligned to the INCOSE Framework and synthesised with a range of other frameworks, emerging theories and bodies of knowledge. As there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ model for systems engineering competency, best practice for any individual organisation should be to build upon existing frameworks and develop a competency model specific to the contextualised needs of its own operational environment. This provides the basis of being able to implement a holistic workforce capability-building strategy supported by targeted, individualised and personalised education and training directly aimed at supporting the needs of CASG into the future.

Blast and fragmentation loading indicative of a VBIED surrogate for structural panel response analysis

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation that was conducted at the Australian Department of Defence, Port Wakefield Proof and Experimental Establishment, in South Australia. The tests were undertaken to quantify the blast and fragmentation loads produced by both bare charges and a VBIED surrogate. The VBIED surrogate was designed to produce fragmentation indicative of a Vehicle Bourne Improvised Explosive Device and, in doing so, capture some of the properties of a device of this type that are significantly different to cased charges and conventional munitions. Incident pressures were recorded at 3, 4, and 5 m from the charge and reflected pressures were recorded at 3 m and across a 1.2 × 1.2 m flat panel to capture clearing effects of pressure history. The average velocity and distribution of fragment impacts were recorded for a panel of the same size.

Introducing Appreciative Inquiry into the Australian Department of Defence: Research and Reflections

Introducing Appreciative Inquiry into the Australian Department of Defence: Research and Reflections

Strategic management of multi-business portfolios in the public sector

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to adapt the traditional corporate portfolio management approach to the strategic management of multi-business portfolios in the public sector.Design/methodology/approachThe approach presented in this paper is based on a research project conducted within the Defence Science and Technology Group, Australian Department of Defence. It was developed iteratively and incrementally over the course of one year with a reference group comprising 15 middle management representatives and several members of the senior management team.FindingsThe approach developed comprises a multi-stage process and an assessment framework designed to capture the complexity of the problem space, build a strategic narrative, and facilitate senior leadership decision-making. The process is aimed at eliciting the required information, promoting contestability of the results, ensuring appropriate consultation, and ultimately achieving senior leadership consensus on priorities. The assessment framework is used to assess and visualize the balance of organizational capabilities.Originality/valueBy synthesizing and visualizing information on past performance and future potential, the approach presented in this paper may be used to facilitate strategic decision-making by senior management in the public sector.

The DST group ionospheric sounder replacement for JORN

AbstractThe Jindalee Over‐the‐horizon Radar Network (JORN) is an integral part of Australia's national defense capability. JORN uses a real‐time ionospheric model as part of its operations. The primary source of data for this model is a set of 13 vertical‐incidence sounders (VIS) scattered around the Australian coast and inland locations. These sounders are a mix of Lowell digisonde portable sounder (DPS)‐1 and DPS‐4. Both of these sounders, the DPS‐1 in particular, are near the end of their maintainable life. A replacement for these aging sounders was required as part of the ongoing sustainment program for JORN. Over the last few years the High‐Frequency Radar Branch (HFRB) of the Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group, Australian Department of Defence, has been developing its own sounders based on its successful radar hardware technology. The DST Group VIS solution known as PRIME (Portable Remote Ionospheric Monitoring Equipment) is a 100% duty cycle, continuous wave system that receives the returned ionospheric signal while it is still transmitting and operates the receiver in the near field of the transmitter. Of considerable importance to a successful VIS is the autoscaling software, which takes the ionogram data and produces an ionogram trace (group delay as a function of frequency), and from that produces a set of ionospheric parameters that represent the (bottomside) overhead electron density profile. HFRB has developed its own robust autoscaling software. The performance of DST Group's PRIME under a multitude of challenging ionospheric conditions has been studied. In December 2014, PRIME was trialed at a JORN VIS site collocated with the existing Lowell Digisonde DPS‐1. This side‐by‐side testing determined that PRIME was fit for purpose. A summary of the results of this comparison and example PRIME output will be discussed. Note that this paper compares PRIME with the 25 year old Lowell Digisonde DPS‐1, which is planned to be replaced. Our future plans include PRIME comparisons with the much newer Digisonde DPS‐4D located at Learmonth in Western Australia.

In Defence of White Australia: Discouraging ‘Asian Marriage’ in Postwar South-East Asia

On 27 March 1952, the Australian Minister for Immigration, Harold E. Holt, granted formal permission for Japanese women who were either married or engaged to Australian soldiers to enter Australia. In response, in the mid-1950s, the Department of Defence developed a policy which sought to dissuade Australian servicemen from marrying Asian women. Through a series of administrative procedures involving compulsory interviews, medical assessments and security checks, Australian military commanders employed a combination of pressure, intimidation and misinformation in their efforts to persuade Australian servicemen to abandon their plans to marry local Asian women. This article argues that, in the absence of any official policy responsibility in immigration matters, the Australian Department of Defence maintained a fervent commitment to the tenets of racial exclusivity contained at the heart of the White Australia policy from the mid-1950s to the early 1970s by discouraging Australian servicemen from entering into ‘Asian marriages’.

Matthew Kiernan: bringing hope to patients with ALS

Matthew Kiernan: bringing hope to patients with ALS

Australia defence authorities pilot multimodal tech

The Australian Department of Defence will trial a proof of concept for an automated biometric information system (ABIS) from Northrop Grumman Corporation over six months in 2013.

Measuring the Impact of Knowledge Loss: More Than Ripples on a Pond?

The impact of knowledge loss on an organization is a largely unexplored area of strategic management. This article reports the findings from an in-depth case study of an organization within the Australian Department of Defence, which suggest that lost human capital may produce decreased organizational output and productivity; lost social capital may reduce organizational memory; lost structural capital may diminish organizational learning; and lost relational capital may produce disrupted external knowledge flows. The study contributes a conceptual framework that measures the impact of knowledge loss on surviving employees.

Magnetometer calibration: a joint initiative of Defence and AGSO

The Australian Department of Defence and AGSO aimed to provide a calibration facility for three-component (vector) magnetometers and thereby a cost-effective service for defence and geoscientific purposes. Defence was the main provider of funding and would be spared the expensive and long-winded process of sending its instruments overseas for calibration. Australia would gain from having a world-class facility available to all magnetometer users. Three sets each of four coils are mounted orthogonally and connected to programmable current sources enabling the creation of magnetic fields between 0 mT and 100 mT in any direction. A sequence of field values is generated and compared with the corresponding outputs of the magnetometer under test. The system computer then automatically prints the main parameters describing the instrument?s sensor angles, sensitivities, linearities, and test conditions. Background field variations over the measurement period are subtracted. Our system is capable of generating fields to a magnitude accuracy of 20 ppm and a directional precision of about 10 seconds of arc assured by checking the generated fields with a standard scalar (proton) magnetometer. The Defence Department?s needs and its policy of encouraging general use have enabled AGSO, in close collaboration with its suppliers, to create a unique facility for terrestrial and space exploration, for general scientific research, and a foundation for future client needs. Already AGSO is developing, with funds from the CRC for Satellite Systems, the capacity to magnetically characterise FedSat which will carry a three-component fluxgate magnetometer into polar orbit early next year. FedSat is an Australian Government Centenary of Federation project.

8.1.4 A Project‐wide Document Review Database System

AbstractBetween 1991 and 1997, the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) was being developed by Telstra Corporation, together with several major sub‐contractors, to meet the requirements laid down by the Australian Department of Defence, in a MIL and DOD Standards environment. The Project's Verification and Validation Programme was established using IEEE Std 1012–1986, to assure the integrity of the design at all stages during the development of the JORN. To fulfil its role, the Verification and Validation Section designed and developed a Document Review Database System which facilitated the review, correction, and release of documents, as well as provide traceability for all document changes. This paper outlines the problems identified with document reviews, and describes a Document Review Database System which mitigates these problems.

7.6.1 Front‐end Operational Concepts ‐Starting from the Top

AbstractThis paper addresses the need for, use and development of operational concepts at the start of large projects. It is derived in part from the author's work in INCOSE's Requirements Working Group and acquisition reform in the Australian Department of Defence, but also from the author's experience in developing operational concepts for defence projects. The front‐end operational concept, derived in consultation with the system's potential users and other stakeholders, should serve as the driving document for the acquisition and supply of the system. However, there is often uncertainty about what such a document should contain, how it should be developed, and its relationship to other project documents. The paper addresses these issues, as well as the evolution of the Operational Concept throughout the life of the project.

Law and order at sea in the South Pacific: the contribution of the Pacific Patrol Boat project

Under the Pacific Patrol Boat (PPB) program, Australia has supplied twenty-two 31.5 m patrol boats to 12 island countries in the South Pacific. While the primary task of these boats is fisheries protection, they have also been used for a range of other national tasks, including search and rescue, medical evacuations, hydrographic surveying, anti-smuggling and sovereignty patrols. As well as the boats themselves, the program comprises resident maritime surveillance and technical advisers, crew training and through-life logistic support. The PPB program has proven to be highly successful with the benefits of the program exceeding those originally sought by the Australian Department of Defence in establishing the program.

Design and Production of ANZAC Frigates for the RAN and RNZN: Progress Towards International Competitiveness

ANZAC, the acronym of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, is the name given to a new class often frigates under construction for the Royal Australian and Royal New Zealand Navies. The prime contract was awarded in November 1989, and a separate design sub-contract was awarded concurrently. HMAS ANZAC, the first of eight ships for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), was delivered in March 1996. HMNZS Te Kaha, the first of two ships for the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), was delivered in May 1997. The paper describes the collaborative process, involving the Australian Department of Defence, the New Zealand Ministry of Defence, and Defence Industry in Australia, New Zealand and overseas, for the design and production of the ships. The need to maximise the level of Australian and New Zealand industrial involvement, led to a process of international competition between prospective suppliers, and significant configuration changes from the contract design baseline. Delivery of the first ship was extended to accommodate the revised approach, and in the event only five months additional time proved necessary. Although formal acceptance of HMAS ANZAC is not due until the completion of operational test and evaluation, the contractor's sea trials have successfully demonstrated the performance exceeding the requirements and the expectations of the RAN. The paper also describes the growing maturity of Australia's naval shipbuilding industry. It suggests some lessons learned from the project, and identifies issues important for the further development and sustainability of the industry. It advocates the need for agreed methodologies to evaluate the productivity of the various elements of the shipbuilding process, and to help ensure the establishment and maintenance of world competitive costs and quality.

Military Professionalism: Changes in the Australian Defence Force

Significant changes in the technology and organization of war have caused commensurate changes in the structure of the military organization. One of the major results concerns the combat-oriented image of the military role, which corresponds less and less to what officers actually do. Increasingly, many middle-level and senior appointments in Western military forces are located in central departments of defense. This article suggests that such professional role change should be accompanied by a change in professional identity; this proposition was tested in a survey of officers in the Australian Defence Force. Data were gathered from some 1,400 regular officers in the navy, army, and air force by mailed questionnaire and interview. The results show that many officers not only react negatively to service in the Australian Department of Defence but also feel less competent in their jobs there, as well as less adequately prepared for them, when compared with officers serving elsewhere in the ADF. These findings are taken as evidence of a failure in the military profession to adapt professional role identities to changed circumstances. Implications for these findings are discussed.

The relative durability of a conventional and a platinum-modified aluminide coating

One of the major maintenance problems for gas turbine engine operators is the degradation of high pressure turbine blades and vanes. The Australian Department of Defence was experimenting unacceptably high rejection rates of these components in one of its high performance engines as a result of severe hot corrosion attack. Accordingly a programme was initiated to find a more durable coating than the conventional aluminide coating supplied for the first-stage blades by the engine manufacturer. The coating chosen for the trial was a platinum-modified aluminide coating. Metallographic examination of both coating systems after 750 hours of service in an operational aircraft clearly established the superiority of the platinum-modified coating. This coating has now been adopted by the Australian Defence Force as the specified coating for first-stage blades in this engine.

Protecting Gas Turbine Components

One of the major maintenance problems for gas turbine engine operators is the degradation of high pressure turbine blades and vanes. The Australian Department of Defence was experiencing unacceptably high rejection rates of these components in one of its high performance engines as a result of severe hot corrosion attack. Accordingly a programme was initiated to find a more durable coating than the conventional aluminide coating supplied for the first-stage blades by the engine manufacturer. The coating chosen for the trial was a platinum-modified aluminide coating. Metallographic examination of both coating systems after 750 hours of service in an operational aircraft clearly established the superiority of the platinum-modified coating. This coating has now been adopted by the Australian Defence Force as the specified coating for first-stage blades in this engine.