CASG Deputy Secretary Tony Fraser and ADM Managing Editor Katherine Ziesing have announced the winners of the Essington Lewis awards today at the virtual D+I conference.
“These awards were designed to recognise and celebrate the successes and excellence in collaboration between Defence and Defence Industry, delivering capability to the warfighter,” Fraser said. “The perpetual trophies are named in honour of Essington Lewis, the BHP executive who mobilised the wider Australian Defence economy and Industry during WWII.”
The first category is Support Services and the two finalists in this category are:
1. Ventia and Estate and Infrastructure Group’s PFAS Investigation and Management Branch Soil Treatment Plant – RAAF Edinburgh; and
2. BAE Systems Australia and Future Land Warfare Branch in Army Headquarters Autonomous Armoured Vehicle Demonstration.
And the winner is: BAE Systems Australia and Future Land Warfare Branch in Army Headquarters Autonomous Armoured Vehicle Demonstration.
The judges commented: “BAE Systems Australia took on a science experiment dream – turn these old M113s into autonomous vehicles in a few months. Between them, Army and BAE Systems rapidly automated an existing asset and very actively demonstrated a range of integrated autonomy tasks to challenge the senior Army thinking of 'the art of the possible now'. An excellent example of innovation and collaboration in action.”
The second category is Minor Sustainment Activity – Under $20 Million/Year and the two finalists in this category are:
1. UGL, Navantia, KBR and Amphibious Combat and Sealift Systems Program Office LHD Landing Craft Enhancement Program; and
2. Thales Australia and SEA 1442 Program Office Maritime Communications Modernisation Sustainment
And the winner is: UGL, Navantia, KBR and Amphibious Combat and Sealift Systems Program Office LHD Landing Craft Enhancement Program.
The judges commented: “The project successfully turned around the fortunes of a platform that had suffered a significant loss of reputation and was facing early replacement. The KBR-led team and their Defence partner delivered solutions and new understandings that not only restored, but also enhanced, the capability and improved the Navy’s community standing. The project was achieved within a very ambitious timeframe and will provide enduring strategic benefits over the next decade of service.”
The third category is Major Sustainment Activity - Over $20 million/year and the two finalists in this category are:
1. BAE Systems Australia and Hydrographic Systems Program Office – Specialist Ships Branch Hydrographic Sustainment Enterprise; and
2. Boeing Defence Australia and Air Combat and Electronic Attack Systems Program Office Super Hornet and Growler Capability Upgrades.
And the winner is: BAE Systems Australia and Hydrographic Systems Program Office – Specialist Ships Branch Hydrographic Sustainment Enterprise.
The judges commented: “During 2019, the Hydrographic In-Service Support Enterprise led by BAE Systems Australia supported the Royal Australian Navy during a period of unprecedented operational tempo and length of deployment. This included the first concurrent overseas on-task deployment time of four Hydrographic Vessels since the Second World War. Working across four different platforms, the partnering arrangement has seen increased availability, reliability and readiness with cost and time savings to Defence.”
The fourth category is Minor Acquisition - Under $50 million/Year and the two finalists are:
1. Sigma Bravo, a KBR company and Army’s Combined Arms Training Centre Land Range Safety Management Tool; and
2. Universal Motion Simulation and Land 400 Phase 2 Program Office Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle Reconfigurable Driver Simulator.
And the winner is: Universal Motion Simulation and Land 400 Phase 2 Program Office Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle Reconfigurable Driver Simulator.
The judges commented: “The development of next generation Australian designed and built Reconfigurable Driver Simulators by Universal Motion Simulation and Defence is an exemplar of Defence and industry investment, collaboration and using innovation to take an existing product and use it in a way previously not considered. Working with support from the CDIC and Innovation Hub, this business started life in a university and has transitioned into a commercial business with a world first product.”
The last category is Major Acquisition - Over $50 million/Year and the two finalists are:
1. Sitzler and Defence’s J0116 Facilities Program Office Space Surveillance Telescope facilities; and
2. Leidos, Telstra and Global Switch Ultimo- Relocation (GSU-R) Program Office ICT Data Centre Migration.
And the winner is: Sitzler and Defence’s J0116 Facilities Program Office Space Surveillance Telescope facilities.
The judges commented: “Working in one of the most remote parts of the world to deliver facilities at a world class standard, Sitzler worked with their Defence partner to deliver ahead of schedule and under budget. Working with an international team to meet demanding technical standards as part of a global program, the program made the most of the local community wherever possible to deliver an amazing capability not just for the ADF but allies alike.”
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price announced the winners of the Essington Lewis Trophies themselves via video at D+I. Drawn from the pool of 10 finalists, the perpetual trophies (a mounted WWII bayonet), are awarded to the outstanding Prime and SME teams for their work during the previous calendar year.
In 2020, the winners are BAE Systems Australia and Future Land Warfare Branch in Army Headquarters Autonomous Armoured Vehicle Demonstration for the Prime category and the Universal Motion Simulation and Land 400 Phase 2 Program Office Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle Reconfigurable Driver Simulator for the SME category.
Congratulations to all those who submitted nominations for this year’s awards, especially the finalists and category winners.
We will be announcing details of the awards for next year shortly.