NZ projects approach spending peak

The NZDF is targeting its investment on key capabilities. The RNZN will see a quantum leap over the next couple of years while RNZAF platform upgrades will require careful management to maintain availability.
The New Zealand Defence Force is benefiting from a targeted investment in new capability. Three of the RNZAF's P-3K Orions recently were fitted with the Wescam MX-20 series multi-sensor EO/IR imaging turret in advance of their full upgrade.

Currently, to photograph target fishing vessels one of the Orion's crew traditionally stands by the convex window forward of the wing with a digital camera.

In this instance has "machine" replaced man? After all the MX-20 series turrets can accept up to seven sensors including state-of-the-art surveillance and reconnaissance equipment. However, ADM was advised by the RNZAF that a crew member with a handheld camera will be retained as it is "... a cost effective way to gather additional photographic information."

Apparently the camera operator has a broader view than the EO operator and is able to more quickly redirect his camera during a flypast.

In other respects, though, the RNZAF's six Orions, now 40 years old, definitely are taking a significant leap into the cutting-edge technology pool.

Indeed all the RNZAF's major platforms, including the five C-130H Hercules and the pair of erstwhile civilian B757-200s are actively being fitted with new kit both to prolong their life and to enhance their technology and capabilities.

But with such a small fleet these upgrades inevitably upset operational availability.

In official language: "The rolling program for upgrading ..., and modifications ... will automatically reduce the full capacity of the force elements that these aircraft belong to. While the minimum number of aircraft required ... may be available, the reduced capacity will have an effect on the duration of any operational deployment and the ability to rotate any such deployment."

With aircraft being grounded for months at a time until 2010 there are bound to be some head-scratching moments when demand and supply diverge.

To minimise downtime across the various fleets the aircraft induction sequence is based upon the depot level maintenance schedule says the RNZAF.

In detail, both the two Boeing 757-200s are to be fitted with a cargo door to give them a dual cargo/passenger capability and they also will have their engines uprated to develop more power. This project should be completed by 2008.

The C-130 life extension program (LEP) will see the aircraft's existing generators, self-protection systems and automatic direction finder equipment retained but practically all other avionic systems replaced.

The "prototype" Hercules (NZ7003) is currently at the Edmonton, Canada, site of contractor L-3 Spar Aerospace who over the next 18 months will ensure the aircraft's air conditioning is more effective and reliable, strengthen the centre wing section, install all new wiring and a glass cockpit featuring a digital fuel system.

A new generation auxiliary power unit will be fitted as will as a Fatigue Monitoring System.

The first upgraded C-130 is scheduled to return to service in 2007 by which time Safe Air in Blenheim will have commenced work on the remaining Hercules.

The latest timetable has the final LEP completed in 2010 with the fleet then remaining in RNZAF service until at least 2017.

Squadron Leader Richard Burn of the RNZAF's Directorate of Logistics Capability says the C-130 upgrade with modern avionics will remove obsolescence issues that have been affecting the "Charlie."

To be designated P-3K2 once fully upgraded, by L-3 subsidiary Integrated Systems, the RNZAF's Orions will be fitted with, among things, the latest version of the Israeli EL/M-2022A(V)3 radar.

This is the same radar fitted to the RAAF's AP-3Cs but the RNZAF told ADM that there are differences because the manufacturer routinely updates its radars as technology develops.

All the RNZAF Orions also will be fitted with the MX-20 turret.

Once again Safe Air will provide the upgrade to all but the Orion project prototype, including flight management systems from Universal Avionics Systems and Rockwell Collins communications equipment.

Another NZ company, Beca Applied Technologies, will provide software design and maintenance support.

The first P-3K2 Orion is scheduled to return to service in 2008 and the final aircraft in 2010.

Costs? The Orion is the most expensive with a round figure sum of NZ$352 million, followed by the C-130 with NZ$226 million and the B757 project may cost as much as NZ$200 million.

Forecast expenditure on the three projects in FY06/07 are $46 million, $35 million and $51 million respectively.

Meanwhile the RNZAF's next new aircraft is inching closer; the NZ Defence Force (NZDF) Statement of Intent 2006-2009 refers to options for a "short-medium range aircraft to meet aircrew training and aerial patrol requirements" as being under way.

The patrol requirement refers to a Ministry of Fisheries-led study for such a capability.

That may be a paper tiger for now, but several of the new vessels destined for the Royal New Zealand Navy have already been launched.

The RNZN's Project Protector is led by the multi-role vessel (HMNZS Canterbury) that is due to begin sea trials in June before sailing to Williamstown, near Melbourne, for final fitting out by Tenix prior to delivery in January 2007.

The two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) also are being constructed by Tenix at Williamstown while Tenix is building the four Inshore Patrol Vessels at its Whangarei yard north of Auckland.

Also NZ-built are Canterbury's two diesel powered Landing Craft Medium (LCM), both of which were launched in April.

Some 23m in length, each LCM has a crew of three and instead of a rudder are equipped with thrusters that are adjustable through 360o. Each LCM is capable of transporting two of the Army's LAV III armoured vehicles.

HMNZS Canterbury has space for up to 40 LAVs in its vehicle lanes which exceed 400m. Space also is available for more than 30 ISO containers - of which eight may contain ammunition - plus as many as 20 NATO-standard pallets.

More than NZ$140 million has been budgeted for the ships in the current FY following NZ$176 million spent on them in FY 05/06.

Five of the seven Protector vessels are scheduled for delivery in the current FY including the MRV, one of the two OPVs and three of the four Inshore Patrol Vessels.

The two remaining ships are scheduled for delivery by December 2007.

There is no doubting the need for the logistic support and littoral capability the MRV will provide, although it will be interesting to see precisely what systems and fittings the new vessel will possess given that it is essentially a civilian design.

Traditional military accessories such as fire fighting equipment, first aid kit and night vision goggle compatible lighting were not part of the basic platform.

Such extras as required and expected of a warship have had to be added with care because of financial constraints on one hand and the need to find sufficient space for the "extras" on the other.

As with Australia's Armidale-class patrol boats, there is a practical link between the RNZN's new vessels and the NZ Army's LAVIII light armoured vehicle. The LAV's 25mm Bushmaster cannon is also the main armament of the MRV and the OPVs, in a similar Rafael Typhoon naval mount to the mount used on the Armidales.

At least one of the Army's LAVs has been ticketed for exceeding the speed limit on public roads but they also have officially become fully operational, attaining the Directed Level of Capability. With deliveries of the Pinzgauer 6x6 Light Operational Vehicle (LOV) now complete (some have already seen service in Afghanistan with the NZ SAS) the NZ Army has only relatively small items in its project
Army purchases this FY include a NZ$6.5 million IFF and radar upgrade to enhance the effectiveness of its seven-year old IR guided Mistral air defence weapon and 24 Javelin medium range anti-armour weapons (MRAAW).

Taking shape on the horizon are combat engineering tractors, bridging systems and water purification/storage systems.

Contracts are expected to be signed within the current FY although the area direct fire support weapon capability remains over the horizon.

Like the other two services the NZ Army is involved in the NZDF's Joint Command and Control System (JCCS).

An automated JCCS will enhance decision making processes by collecting, collating, processing, displaying, storing, disseminating and protecting command and control information in near real-time, says the NZDF.

The general idea appears to have spread widely throughout the NZDF since the establishment in 2001 of what is now the Joint Communications and Information Systems Branch.

Organisations under its umbrella include the Joint Communications and Information Systems (JCIS) Directorate, the Defence Computer Systems Bureau and the Defence Communications Unit.

On a more practical level, the NZDF's Joint Remote Control System (JRCS) project recently attained its goal, by enabling the entire NZDF HF frequency radio assets to be controlled from a variety of sites.

The result: Better bandwidth utilisation and superior configuration flexibility compared with the previous system. Interestingly some observers this considered beyond the reach of current technology but an Australian company, Canberra-based communications security specialists Compucat Research, came up with a solution.

There are a number of New Zealand companies too that have designed and developed cutting-edge technologies, including Wellington based Surveylab Ltd. Imagine a digital version of the eponymous, ubiquitous Swiss Army penknife and you have Ike, a small (only 1100g) but remarkably versatile surveying instrument designed and manufactured in New Zealand by Surveylab - and used with enthusiasm by the US Army.

Ike's features include a digital camera, a PC, a laser range finder, GPS, a compass and an inclinometer (pitch and roll sensor) that have led to it being used by military engineers world wide.

Surveylab's sales manager, Tony Thistoll told ADM its name came from a brain storming session that produced "I Know Everything" - IKE.

Which is an apt title for a gadget that the US Army Engineer Research and Development Centre web site describes as an "essential tool in the global war on terror."

Also used by the armies of Australia, Canada and NZ, Ike has seen service in Afghanistan, Iraq - and in New Orleans during the reconstruction work following hurricane damage to the city.

The first production model Ike - which Surveylab describe as a rapid data capture device for mobile mapping - appeared in 2003 but Tony Thistoll says the current version is "significantly refined."

Feedback from Ike users in the field drives the design and software development he said.

"We are continuing to refine out software application and focus on integrating that with third-parties software as well.

"It's a unique product [and] our customer base has seen the need for it and it meets their mission requirements."

Whereas Ike essentially has cleverly combined existing technology in one unit, Paul McLachlan's pivotal engine design has literally taken two-stroke engines into a new realm.

His pivoting pistons design is far quieter than normal two-stroke motors; oil consumption is reduced by around 90 percent, reliability soars and because the design allows water cooling within the pistons there is no wear when cold starting.

The patented engine offers high power density and high sustained load operations and Pivotal Engineering presently is focused on working with C E Niehoff in Illinois to develop a 30kw generator, says McLachlan.

The NZ Army has shown interest in the generator and certainly they are a potential customer, he says.

Pivotal Engineering has been to China, Japan, Korea as well as Europe but really hasn't not put any effort into Australia, says McLachlan, "... but potentially there could be good partners there."

"It is only a matter of persevering and we will get this technology developed and out there. We are very confident at this stage because of the timing, which always has a big bearing on any of these things."

Rather more subtle is the intelligent fabric developed by Zephyr Technology, an Auckland based company founded in June 2003.

Company CEO Brian Russell says Zephyr's "smart" fabric in body armour, helmets and other flexible, semi rigid and rigid structures allows impact to be sensed, located and quantified.

Developments include blunt force trauma prediction for troops (followed by diagnostics using heart rate and respiration via bio-telemetry) and vehicle projectile impact detection and quantification.

By Nick Lee-Frampton, Wellington