DMTC congratulates Thales Australia Ltd. on the recently announced approval to purchase an additional 101 Bushmasters to support ADF operations in Afghanistan. This announcement is particularly positive news and DMTC looks forward to continuing its partnership with Thales in enhancing protected mobility capability outcomes for Australian Defence Force personnel.

Press Release: More Bushmasters for Afghanistan

Radio presenter, Alex Sloan and Chief Executive of the CRC Association, Tony Peacock interviewed Dr Mark Hodge live on 666 ABC Radio Canberra, discussing DMTC’s successful research in Ceramic Strike Face manufacturing technologies.

Listen to the interview: ABC Radio Canberra interview

On Friday 25th March, DMTC and participants Australian Defence Apparel (ADA), Victorian Centre of Advanced Materials Manufacturing (VCAMM) and CSIRO celebrated the successful development of ceramic strike face manufacturing capabilities in Australia with a private briefing and tour of the pilot plant facilities.

Minister for Defence Science and Personnel the Hon. Warren Snowdon and Minister for Defence Materiel the Hon. Jason Clare also attended the event, showing support for DMTC’s important contribution towards increasing the capabilities of Australian defence industry to support Australia’s Defence Force acquisition and sustainment requirements. “Thanks to the hard work of the scientists, engineers and Australian defence industry we now have a world-leading product that can be produced here in Australia” said Mr Clare.

This DMTC-led project has established the manufacturing capability for the Bendigo-based firm, ADA, to design, prototype, test and build new ceramic strike faces that can be designed to the Australian Defence Force’s exact specifications in less time than was previously possible through traditional suppliers.

“Manufacturing these strike faces in Australia has big advantages. It will allow for new technology to be prototyped quickly and for product development to occur within Australia,” Mr Clare said.

The new manufacturing process enables lightweight strike face materials to be locally produced whilst maintaining the high level of protection required. Once assembled into a body armour system, the finished articles can provide increased mobility for personnel compared with current body armour systems. “The stronger and lighter the ceramic strike face, the better protection it provides to our soldiers” Mr Snowdon said.

This new manufacturing technology also has potential applications in protecting helicopter cockpits and increasing the survivability of armoured vehicles.

Read more: Defense News article.

DMTC has signed a landmark agreement with Rolls-Royce at this year’s Avalon Airshow. The agreement will pave the way for development of advanced component repair techniques for military engines. Rolls-Royce President Customer Business Nick Durham signed the agreement with CEO Mark Hodge.

Studies will focus on the investigation and development of new surface treatment methods, which aim to save manufacturing time and cost while enhancing component reliability. RMIT University and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) are also partners in the program, which will specifically address the development of technologies that enable repair of numerous components in gas turbine engines, including engine blisks.

Blisks – one piece bladed discs – reduce engine weight while maintaining high engine performance and are used in several of today’s most modern military engines.

DMTC CEO Mark Hodge noted the importance of the agreement to Australian engine repair and through-life support capabilities: “This agreement between Rolls-Royce and DMTC is significant in that it represents a strong partnership between an OEM, the Australian research sector and industry supply chain, which will support key through-life support and sustainment outcomes.”

Read More: DMO Bulletin for Industry, Page 17.

The DMTC Annual Technical Conference held on the 11^th of February 2011 concluded with the recognition of outstanding contributions to DMTC and its objectives through the presentation of six awards.  These awards recognise significant contributions made by individuals and teams that have resulted in successful outcomes for DMTC and its participants.

DMTC would like to congratulate the following people for their outstanding contributions this year:

Industry Partnership Award

This award recognises researchers whose efforts have significantly contributed to the capability of a DMTC Industry Participant.

Awarded to:  Michael Saleh of ANSTO

Early Career Award

This award recognises the contribution of early career technical officers, engineers and scientists to DMTC projects, rewarding ‘above and beyond’ efforts.

Awarded to: Mark Callaghan of The University of Wollongong

and Tim Barry of Swinburne University of Technology

Research Collaboration Award

This award recognises the individual who embodies the spirit of collaboration that is integral to DMTC’s strategic intent.

Awarded to:  Ian Crouch of Australian Defence Apparel

Best Paper Award

This award is presented to the author of the best paper at the DMTC Technical Conference.

Awarded to: Neil Matthews of Rosebank Engineering for the paper titled:  “Repair Technologies for Current and Next Generation Aircraft Systems”

Capability Improvement Award

This award recognises the project team who achieves a significant improvement in technical capability in the area of materials and/or manufacturing technology.

Awarded to: Project 1.1.2 Manufacturing Benchmarking Team

Project Leader: Dr Suresh Palanisamy

Participants: BAE Systems, CAST CRC, SECO Tools, The University of Queensland, Millatec, Goodrich, Avoca Engineering, The University of Melbourne.