Defence Business: Mission accomplished: The CTD extension program delivers 10 projects on time and on budget over five years | ADM October 2012

The CTD Extension Program (CTDEP) was announced in the Defence and Industry Policy Statement 2007, and was established to support the transition of successful CTD projects into Australian Defence Force (ADF) service. After a year, DSTO was requested to take over management of the program by DMO, and did so in 2008. Fifty million dollars has been spent over the last five years to deliver 10 CTD follow-on projects, with one technology already in ADF use, one to soon be in operational service in 2014 and several others are likely to be taken on by the ADF. Here are their stories:

1. CTDEP 2009-1 Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish are sometimes called the chameleons of the sea because they are able to change their skin colour. Their skin can flash a colourful pattern in order to communicate with other cuttlefish and to camouflage them from predators. Similarly, the Cuttlefish CTDEP could significantly improve the first layers of an Anti Ship Missile (ASM) defence strategy by assisting in countering detection, acquisition and tracking by an Air-Surface Missile launch platform.

Recently, a successful demonstration of the CTDEP was carried out at sea. The Cuttlefishsystem was installed on to the deck of the MV Ship Sea Horse Spirit and exercised at sea off Westernport Victoria in calm to adverse sea conditions. A RAAF Orion Aircraft was on station for several hours and the system was able to be exercised to a very satisfactory level.

The performance was strong, with better than expected results against some of the test demonstrator performance measurements. Overall the performance highlighted the continued maturation of the system as BAE Systems Australia and DSTO gain further knowledge of this development.

2. CTDEP 2009-4 MM Wave Digital Receiver

The Millimetre Wave Digital Receiver (MMWDR) CTDEP demonstrated improved situational awareness through development of a digital receiver system capable of detecting Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) and millimetre wave (Ku band) radars, with a significant detection range advantage over adversaries. The CTDEP succeeded in its goals of advancing and demonstrating wide bandwidth and high sensitivity detection capabilities, across a range of environments, including at sea.

3. CTDEP 2009-3 Fibre Laser Sensor (fls ) Array

“The Fibre Laser Sensor (FLS) technology jointly developed by DSTO’s CTD Program and Maritime Operations Division, in partnership with Thales Australia has been trialled successfully in the West Australian Exercise Area and at HMAS CRESWELL Jervis Bay,” Dr Alan Hinge, Director of the CTD and CTDEP Programs said.

Vessels of different size and sonar signature were successfully detected by the underwater array, along with Navy divers.

The FLS is a rapidly deployable sea-bed surveillance array representing the next generation of underwater surveillance solutions. Lightweight, ultra-thin and cost effective, an FLS array can be dropped from a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) and almost immediately provide an underwater surveillance capability.

The fibre laser sensor acoustic array technology uses tiny lasers located inside the core of optical fibres to detect sound. A soundwave passing through the sensor causes a minute elongation or compression of the optical fibre laser resulting in a small change in the colour (wavelength) of the light produced by the laser. It is this change in laser wavelength that is detected by the system. So sensitive to strain are these remarkable devices that they can sense a length change smaller than the diameter of a hydrogen ion!

Unlike conventional (piezo-electric) sonar technology, fibre laser sensor arrays require no bulky electrical cables, amplifiers, or power supply in the sensor module and are connected to the outside world via a single, ultra-thin, fibre optic lead which doubles as both a power lead (supplying energy in the form of light) and a telemetry cable to transmit the laser signal back to the receiver. By eliminating all electronics from the “wet end”, huge reductions in weight and storage volume are possible along with enhanced reliability and endurance, says Dr Hinge.

4. CTDEP 2008-1 Haptically enabled Counter IED Robotic Platform

With the advent of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), the risk to deployed personnel in various theatres of conflict has increased significantly. DSTO’s CTD Program, in conjunction with the Centre for Intelligent Systems Research (CISR) at Deakin University has developed a mobile platform that incorporated a haptically enabled (force feedback) manipulator designed with the specific intent of examining and manipulating IED or other suspect items, together with a stereovision system to improve operator depth perception and provide an enhanced ‘immersive’ / touching experience. “You come close to actually feeling that you are at the IED’s immediate location and manipulating the various forensic IED tools” says Dr Hinge.

“This technology has enormous potential for EOD operations,” according to the Officer Commanding 20EOD SQN. “Based against current EOD robotics it intimates that it would be faster and more intuitive in operation; and able to provide dexterity and manipulation far in excess of current systems available. The utility of the technology has application across all CIED roles including CBRN, and potentially within conventional EOD operations.”

5. CTDEP 2008-3 Scrannel

The Scrannel Missile Approach Warning system (MAWS) CTDEP Project aimed to detect high velocity air targets at range, identifies the target type and tracks their bearing so as to enable a ship more time to react and employ ship defence systems to enhance ship survivability. Building upon work done in the original CTD where the concept was proven, the extension project enabled further development of the system to improve the systems sensitivity levels and enhance real time processing with a low false alarm rate.

The final system demonstration involved installation on a maritime vessel, the MV Sea Horse Spirit and flying fast jet aircraft representing high velocity air targets. The sea trials were completed in Bass Straight south of Crib Point. The results showed that fast air targets were able to be detected at range with their bearings tracked including bearing deviations all in real time. This potential capability could provide maritime assets with more time to employ tactics and defence systems to increase warfighting and survivability.

“Sometimes, a margin of only a few seconds improvement in response time can make all the difference in operations,” Dr Hinge said.

6. CTDEP 2008-3 EW Open Architecture

“The CTD Program in general undertakes a lot of software based activities that provide performance flexibility and the Electronic Warfare (EW) Open Architecture (OA) Extension Project demonstrates how a Unified Modelling Language (UML) Open Architecture Interface Model, could accommodate equipment from different suppliers , using more of the same equipment to provide an enhanced performance” Dr Hinge explained.

The Open Architecture Interface Model and Interface Design Description (IDD) specification were enhanced by:

• developing a EW Suite Controller which would provide the automation and intelligent control of EW sensors and effectors over the Open Architecture framework; and

• implement a set of OA compliant EW operator displays to support operational use of any tactical EW system.

The introduction of the new EW Suite Controller functionality provided an opportunity to include Operator Display functionality and operational features, which have not traditionally been available to an EW operator. For example the EW Suite Controller provides the operator with a consistent functional control and display of a receiver capability regardless of the equipment supplier.

Overall the EWOA Extension Project demonstrated:

• A Suite Controller that automated the functions and improved control over EW assets;

• Displays that provided additional information to the operator; and

• Most significantly, the core benefit of the ‘plug and play’ functionality, by integrating both additional EW assets and connection to the Combat Management System, at costs and schedule significantly less than traditional integration.

7. CTDEP 2007-1 JDAM - ER

In 2006, the DSTO’s CTD Program in conjunction with Boeing Australia successfully tested extended range of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) variants at the Woomera Test Range. The CTD Extension Program (CTDEP) further developed the JDAM-ER guidance wing kit that is expected to triple the effective range of JDAM for the same accuracy at relatively low cost.

Joint Project 3027 aims to enhance the performance of the JDAM family of weapons currently in-service with the Royal Australian Air Force. JP 3027 received combined pass approval in Sep 2011 and the JDAM-ER is expected to begin operational service with the RAAF in 2014 and is expected to go into service with the services of US, Canada and South Korea.

Dr Hinge suggests that JDAM-ER is a classic case in CTD cost effectiveness.

“Tripling the effective range of a JDAM for a small marginal price with negligible if any reduction in accuracy is real value adding to defence capability. That’s what the CTD Program is all about and the CTD Extension Program has been instrumental in providing a financial vehicle for getting Australian innovations into service. The next step is to get these innovations into the global supply chain, that is, big production lines where efficiencies of scale can be made.

Conclusion

The CTD Extension Program (July 2007-June 2012) has complemented the already successful CTD Program and has gained strong interest from Australian defence industry. Beyond the Extension Program demonstration phase, now completed by DSTO’s CTD Project Office, the Capability Development Group will work jointly with the Defence Materiel Organisation to transition products from the CTD EP into an appropriate acquisition process. “While the cost and technological risks of doing this in the current financial climate are great, the challenge to use the CTD EPs as a source of increasing Australia’s capability edge is clear,” concludes Dr Hinge