2019 4th Annual IET Defence Professional Networking Event (PNE): Transitioning from SEA4000 AWD to SEA5000 Hunter Class Frigate Construction

? John Noonan 2019

1. Introduction

The Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET) South Australia and Northern Territory (SA/NT) Local Network hosted its fourth annual Defence Professional Networking Event on Friday 22nd November 2019. Master of Ceremonies for the event was Chair of the IET SA/NT Local Network John Noonan. Thanks to our Platinum Sponsor BAE Systems, our Silver Sponsor GHD, and the IET Australian Forum and IET HQ in London for their support in running this event in 2019. Thanks also to the assistance from many of the SA/NT IET Volunteers for their assistance in organising this event, including Gail Jackman, Clinton Sewell, Chris Stoker, Gary Neave and Rob Pitelen. Without the help of these volunteers, this event could not happen. The Adelaide Oval McLachlin Room is always a wonderful venue and was enjoyed by the crowd of Defence Professionals from around Australia.

The 4th Defence PNE was characterised by practical discussions of actual Surface Shipbuilding Megaprojects that are at various stages of completion in the Construction Phase in Adelaide. The first speaker, Chris Keane of BAE Systems, talks about the early construction phase of the 9 x Hunter Class Frigates that have been ordered under the SEA5000 Megaproject. The second speaker, Rohan Koenig of GHD Digital, talks about the application of Digital Twin and Digital Shipyard Technology that will be applied to the Hunter Class Frigate SEA5000 Megaproject. The third and final speaker, Paul Evans, GM of the AWD Alliance, talks about the wind-down of the construction phase of the 3 x Air Warfare Destroyers purchased under the SEA4000 Megaproject, with the Delivery of Nuship Sydney scheduled for early 2020.

Fig. 1: Australia's new Hunter-class ASW frigate

The event hosted three speakers. In 2019, Christopher Pyne offered his apology for not being able to speak. Christopher was capably replaced as our regular keynote by the 2019 Platinum sponsor, BAE Systems Chief of Future Business, Chris Keane. The 2019 Silver sponsor, GHD provided Rohan Koenig from Brisbane, to speak about a new part of GHD's business called GHD Digital and its work in Defence. The final speaker, Paul Evans is the General Manager of the AWD Alliance. Paul has been involved with the AWD Alliance since the commencement of the construction phase of the 3 Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD's) in 2006. Paul's experience, knowledge, and insight in the construction of the first three surface ships out of ANI's Osborne Surface Shipyard is unique and extremely valuable. Paul has led the team that has produced the 3 most potent and lethal surface ships in the Royal Australian Navy in 2019.

Fig. 2: A Decade of Australian Shipbuilding & Integration: Sydney Sea Trials

2. Chris Keane Chief of Future Business BAE Systems

Chris Keane talked not only of BAE Systems work with the Hunter Class Frigate Project. Chris also talked more broadly about BAE Systems' work with Australian Defence. Chris' presentation included a discussion of the past and future of other prominent and strategic projects such as JORN (JINDALEE OVER the Horizon RADAR NETWORK).

Fig.3: Jindalee Over the Horizon Radar Network

Another of BAE's interesting projects discussed was the work done with the Australian Army in the area of autonomous or "Optionally Manned" vehicles. In just six months BAE Systems engineers and technicians were able to install hardware and software into two M113 vehicles, enabling them to operate autonomously. The vehicles were demonstrated to the Australian Army in late 2019 providing crucial insights into the capabilities of integrated autonomous technologies on future battlefields. The ‘battlefield simulation’ demonstration was held at the Majura Training Site where the Chief of Army observed the two M113 vehicles in operation.

Fig. 4: Autonomous M113's Demonstrated for Chief of Army by BAE Systems

BAE Systems is looking for an additional 1,500 Engineers in the next 3 years. One of BAE Systems' greatest challenges is finding the number of Engineers that are (i) Interested in working in the Australian Defence Industry and (ii) Are eligible as Australian Citizens and can achieve the necessary Defence Clearance to work in Australia's Defence Projects.

Chris discussed the current political environment in which Australia exists in 2019 and the factors driving growth in Defence. Sustained economic stability in our region has seen a massive increase in Defence spending across the region. It is estimated that by 2050, more than half the world's economic output will come from our region. The number of submarines in our region is expected to grow from 200 to 250 in the next 8 years. Security, uncertainty and complexity in our region are going to increase. To help maintain stability Australia needs a modern defence force supported by a world-leading defence industry able to influence our strategic environment. Chris talked about how Defence Technology is changing the nature of the strategic environment in years rather than decades as in the past.

The Commonwealth of Australia has asked BAE Systems to build a Sovereign Shipbuilding Capability in Australia. This is the foundation of Australia's Shipbuilding Capability going forward. The Shipbuilding program will endure for decades and employ Australians that have not yet been born. At its peak, the Hunter Frigate Project will contribute more than 6,300 Australian jobs to the Australian economy with ASC Shipbuilding employing more than 2400 directly, and thousands more in the Supply Chain. It is estimated that by the end of the Hunter Program, 75% of the Program's workforce, including the senior executives, will have started as graduates or apprentices in the Program. One of the aims of the Hunter Program is to develop a vibrant, innovative and enduring Australian sovereign industrial capability that is capable of independently designing and building the next generation of complex warships in Australia.

Fig. 5: Speaker 1 - Chris Keane BAE Systems Chief of Future Business

Fig. 6: Speaker 1 - Chris Keane Q&A

3. Rohan Koenig of GHD Digital

Rohan Koenig from GHD Digital, introduced the audience to the impact of "Being Digital" in Defence Construction and Asset Management Projects. Rohan's presentation highlighted how existing Infrastructure, civilian and defence, can be retrofitted with an appropriate "Digital Twin", or instrumented 3D Model of the infrastructure. The objective of the development of the "Digital Twin" for Infrastructure has a massive impact on the development of the ANI "Digital Shipyard" at Osborne.

The existing Surface Shipyard at Osborne has hosted the design, construction and development of the Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD's). During the last 13 years of the AWD Construction Phase, the application of Digital Environments has changed. The AWD was a Program developed around the concept of building "Blocks" in remote shipyards, delivering those "Blocks" to ANI's Surface Shipyard on barges. The AWD Alliance was then accountable for stitching the "Blocks" together, outfitting, systems integrating, launching and testing the blocks with all of the systems that make the AWD's the most potent and lethal weapons in the Royal Australian Navy in 2019.

Fig. 7: ANI's Osborne South Surface Warship Shipyard Development

The Hunter Program is different to the AWD Program. For Hunter, all of the blocks making up the Hunter Ships will be fabricated in Adelaide. To that end, the ANI Surface Shipyard is being significantly expanded to cater for block fabrication and construction. This new Shipyard will be filled with the latest Industry 4.0 Steel Fabrication technology. Rohan's presentation demonstrated to the audience how Infrastructure like a Shipyard, can be turned into a "Digital Shipyard".

Fig. 8: Speaker 2 - Rohan Koenig GHD Digital

Fig. 9: Speaker 2 - Rohan Koenig GHD Digital Q&A

4. Paul Evans GM AWD Alliance

The afternoon concluded the speaking program with Paul Evans, General Manager of the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance. Paul's message is particularly well informed considering he has been with the Air Warfare Destroyer Megaproject throughout its entire Construction Phase commencing around 2006. Paul talked about the choice of the Navantia Platform in 2007. A platform that was already in use in Spain and Norway. He also talked a little about the unusual strategy of choosing an Alliance Contract as the legal method of binding the Owner to the Non-owner Executor of the AWD Megaproject. Paul talked about how well the AWD Alliance has worked when looking back in 20/20 hindsight.

The AWD is a completely new platform from a Combat System point of view. The AEGIS Combat System runs on around 100 platforms around the world, primarily US Platforms but also, Japan, Norway, Spain and a number of other countries. The AWD Alliance needed to find a way to interface into AEGIS for the systems aboard the 3 x AWD's while not modifying the core AEGIS System. The AWD's are unique in the Australian Navy in that they can use a Cooperative Engagement Capability.

Fig. 10: Cooperative Engagement Capability

Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) is a sensor network with integrated fire control capability that is intended to significantly improve battle force air and missile defense capabilities by combining data from multiple battle force air search sensors on CEC-equipped units into a single, real-time, composite track picture (network-centric warfare). This will greatly enhance the Australian fleet air defense by making jamming more difficult and allocating defensive missiles on a battle group basis.

Fig. 11: Speaker 3 - Paul Evans GM AWD Alliance

5. Brief History of the IET

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is a multidisciplinary professional engineering institution. The IET was formed in 2006 from two separate institutions: the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE), dating back to 1871, and the Institution of Incorporated Engineers (IIE) dating back to 1884. IET's worldwide membership is currently in excess of 168,000. The IET's main offices are in Savoy Place in London, England and at Michael Faraday House in Stevenage, England.

In the United Kingdom, the IET has the authority to establish professional registration for the titles of Chartered Engineer, Incorporated Engineer, Engineering Technician, and ICT Technician, as a licensed member institution of the Engineering Council.[3]

The IET is registered as a charity in Englan, Wales, Scotland and Australia.

Fig. 12: IET Headquarters, London, Savoy Place

IET's origins stem from the founding of the Society of Telegraph Engineers (STE) in London on 17th May 1871. On the 1st of January 1889, the STE formally changed its name to the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE). The IEE's membership more than tripled from 2,064 to 7,045 between the years 1895 and 1914 illustrating the growth of electrical activity around the globe. Following the merger of the Institution of Manufacturing Engineers (IME) with the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) in 1991, the IEE became the authority responsible for awarding Prizes like the James N Kirby Award. The SA/NT Local Network in 2017 formally awarded the latest James N Kirby Award winner, South Australia's own Rod Hook. The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) was formed in 2006 by the joining together of the IEE and the Institution of Incorporated Engineers (IIE).

IET in 2019 welcomes members from all disciplines of the Engineering Supply Chain. Members are encouraged from Engineers of all disciplines, Architects, Technologists of all disciplines, Quantity Surveyors, Surveyors, and other related Professions are encouraged to join.

The IET distinguishes itself from other Engineering Organisations in a number of ways. IET's breadth of membership, proactivity with its members and the services it provides are all features of the IET Local Network here in South Australia and the Northern Territory. Awarding prizes to members of the community, like the James N Kirby Award, is one example of the IET's proactivity. Another example is the Professional Networking events held for young Professionals, most recently the Oil and Gas PNE. Former Santos CEO David Knox joined with colleagues Nick Lagonik and John McArthur to speak about Engineering jobs in Oil and Gas. One of the most prestigious and engaging Engineering competitions for young professionals in South Australia and the Northern Territory and on a global scale is the IET's Present Around The World Competition.

If you wish to attend or participate in these types of Professional Engineering and Technology events in the future, you are strongly encouraged to join the IET and make yourself known to the IET SA/NT Local Network.

IET SA/NT Local Network Event Articles: ? How Pumped Hydro is needed for the Future Australian NEM. IET and IEEE Power Engineering Society (PES) Day Webinar ? 2019 4th Annual IET Defence Professional Networking Event (PNE): Transitioning from SEA4000 AWD to SEA5000 Hunter Class Frigate Construction ? 2019 Student Paper Round of the PATW ? 2019 2nd Annual IET Energy Dinner - Green and Sustainable Energy ? 2019 Women in Engineering, Technology, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Event (WiETIE) ? 2019 SA/NT Present Around The World (PATW) Young Professionals Heat 1 ? 2018 3rd Annual Defence PNE: Necessity is the Mother of Invention ? 2018 SA/NT Present Around The World Competition ? 2018 Energy Dinner - Future of Energy in SA - Keynote Speaker Richard Turner ? Developing the Australian Defence Industry 4.0 Workforce in 2017 with the Minister of Defence Industry, the Honourable Christopher Pyne MP ? 2017 Lucid Consulting BIM Event ? 2016 Defence Networking Event with Christopher Pyne ? 2017 SA/NT Present Around The World (PATW) Competition ? 2017 James N Kirby Award Dinner ? 2017 Flinders University Engineering Award ? 2017 University of SA Engineering Award ? 2017 Engineering Jobs in South Australia ? 2017 University of Adelaide Engineering BBQ ? 2017 YP Oil and Gas Networking Event ? 2017 SHC Careers Night ? 2015 SA/NT Present Around The World Competition ?