Australian Industry Capability (AIC) and innovation are at the forefront of Babcock Australasia’s bid to equip Australian soldiers with next generation technology as part of LAND125 Phase 4.
The LAND125 Phase 4 project will provide Australian soldiers with ‘best of breed’ products, systems and emerging technology so they can defend the nation armed with the latest, disruptive advances in modern warfare.
The project will deliver an Integrated Soldier System (ISS) integrating all elements and subsystems that are used, worn or carried by soldiers in any operational context or environment for up to 72hrs without resupply.
Babcock Australasia’s Executive Director – Strategy and Future Business, Graeme Nayler, said Babcock is grateful to all Australian industry partners who responded to its call to bring next generation technology to the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
“Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and training providers are integral to Babcock’s proposed solution, with up to 42% of the project’s requirements able to be either designed or manufactured in Australia,” Mr Nayler said.
“Babcock has approached LAND125 Phase 4 in an innovative way that is beneficial for Defence, looking at ‘best of breed’ products and enabling Australian SMEs to integrate their world-leading product into the ISS for an optimal cost.”
To enable the integration of specialist products by different providers, Babcock has introduced a digital development environment as part of its solution.
“A challenge for industry, in developing a solution for the ISS ready to respond to a Request for Tender (RFT), is obtaining access to a soldier who is accurately configured and kitted out the way they are on operations,” Mr Nayler said.
“By designing and configuring the solution in virtual reality, Babcock’s approach will also ensure development cost savings across the complete ISS design and integration.
“This will enable us to ‘mix and match’ equipment from different suppliers, to visualise and explore the impacts on the overall integrated system.
“This technology creates a pathway for AIC to happen, allowing us to configure and integrate the soldiers’ equipment, elements and subsystems in virtual reality.
“Our engineers are able to better understand the equipment interfaces and potential human factors issues before they arise.”
Babcock Australasia’s Head of Business Development, Mick Burgess, said Babcock continues to deliver on its commitment to AIC to generate sovereign industry capability for the ADF.
“In partnership with Defence, Babcock brings extensive, proven expertise in technology integration and asset management to the LAND125 Phase 4 project, delivering an ISS to equip Australian soldiers now and into the future,” Mr Burgess said.
“AIC is embedded in the Babcock operating model. We are committed to building local capacity as well as capability in technology, engineering, design, sustainment, supply chain and training across Australia and New Zealand.
“Babcock has the supplier networks, the experience and the capacity to deliver this long-sought after capability which will maximise soldier performance both individually and in small teams.”