The ADM/DMO Awards for Excellence 2015 were presented at the Hyatt Hotel after the ADM2015 on February 10, 2015. Details of the winner and their citations are listed below along with a selection of images from the evening.
ADM and AIDN also took the opportunity to announce the national winner of the AIDN Young Achiever of the Year award, Tamara Perry of Thales Australia, from the NSW chapter of AIDN. Details of the state based finalists can also be found below.
Major Sustainment Activity Certificate
Winner: Increasing the availability of the C-130J Hercules by Airbus Group Australia and Air Lift Systems Program Office
Both Airbus Group and the Air Lift Systems Program Office have worked hard to achieve the goals set out in the updated Planned Servicing Schedule Review, which has led to a significant increase in platform availability for the C-130J. The use of optimisation modelling for sustainment has seen a complete rethink of maintenance processes from both parties and an excellent outcome for the RAAF.
Minor Sustainment Activity Certificate
Winner: Classic Hornet Ageing Aircraft Systems Audit by QinetiQ and Jacobs Australia with the Tactical Fighter Systems Program Office
Given that the Classic Hornet Fleet will be age 36 when it retires, the work done by this team to completely audit the systems aboard the fleet was significant. The three-year audit process saw over 600 recommendations generated with 85 per cent adopted with the remainder to be actioned by the end of the year. The teams worked together to perform the audit with the least amount of damage to the aircraft while maximising availability during the process.
Essington Lewis Trophy – SME
Winner: KA350 Simulator Service Project by CAE Australia and Training Aircraft Systems Program Office
Both CAE Australia and the Training Aircraft Systems Program Office have worked together to introduce an innovative contracting solution to the RAAF’s training needs. Under a contractor-owned contractor-operated (CoCo) model, Defence is able to pay a monthly service fee for training at a state of the art KA350 simulator facility. The timeliness and budgetary savings of the approach are noteworthy as is the work done by both parties in addressing the requirement.
Essington Lewis Trophy – Prime
Winner: CN13 HMAS Success Sustainment by Thales Australia, Rolls Royce and KBR and the Amphibious and Afloat Support Systems Program Office
HMAS Success had been suffering from a lack of availability due to the ageing nature of the platform. Under this program, both industry and the DMO were able to work together to improve the number of ready days by 0 per cent in 2011-2012 to 100 per cent in 2014-2015. The successful collaborative nature of the program between all parties has seen an excellent outcome for the RAN to the point where the ship is now winning further performance awards and being deployed into the Middle East.
AIDN Young Achiever of the Year
Stephen Bornstein, BAE Systems, AIDN-Vic Finalist
Stephen Bornstein is a Mechanical Engineer – Weapon Systems at BAE Systems in Richmond. Stephen currently works on the mechanical design, manufacture and testing for NULKA and ESSM components.
To combat the asymmetric warfare from enemies such as Islamic State there is a large emphasis on special operations. The defence industry needs to align its products and services with the needs of special operations to ensure the ADF is well equipped for this fight.
Courtney Cole, QinetiQ, AIDN-ACT Finalist
Courtney Cole is a Principal Consultant with QinetiQ in Canberra. Courtney’s experience includes the provision of procurement and contracting support to the LHD SPO where she was a central figure in development and implementing the LHD sustainment strategy.
Courtney believes that the Defence industry continues to struggle with the retention of corporate knowledge, experience and technical know-how needed to support Defence in reaching its strategic goals and political objectives.
Fiona Yue Kan, TAE Gas Turbines, AIDN-Qld Finalist
Fiona Yue Kan is the Project Manager for TAE's Royal Malaysian Air Force Rolls-Royce Adour Engine, Test Cell Data Acquisition System and Facility Controls System Upgrade at Amberley, following her graduation with a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering and a Bachelor of Science.
Fiona believes that one of the main issues facing the defence industry is the challenge of being able to employ sufficient people with engineering and/or other technical skills.
Tamara Perry, Thales Australia AIDN-NSW Finalist
Tamara Perry is an Acoustics Engineer for Underwater Systems with Thales, at Rydalmere. Her role includes prototyping and testing transducers.
The ability of Defence to meet its own Capability Plan is a persistent and continuing concern. Another key issue is the stifling of technical knowledge and innovation in Australia. There is a possibility of future projects looking off-shore for capability requirements, and of a ‘hiatus’ in design and manufacturing sectors that will cause a significant loss of skills.
Chanelle Pogas, General Dynamics Land Systems, AIDN-SA (DTC) Finalist
Chanelle Pogas is a Human Resources & Administration Manager at General Dynamics Land Systems, Australia. Her role is to maintain and improve an effective HR system, taking into account the operating environment of GDLS-A and legislative compliance covering all HR functions.
GDLS initially didn’t have dedicated WHS resources. Chanelle identified these issues and presented a business case to management and was given approval to recruit more resources. These resources were allocated and Chanelle and the team have worked together to overcome the challenges.