Defence and Industry gathered in Canberra at the National Convention centre to recognise excellence in collaboration in the annual Essington Lewis awards.
The two Essington Lewis trophies (one for an SME and one for a Prime) were awarded from the category winners listed below.
EM Solutions won the trophy for their work with CASG on a deployable maritime satellite capability for Navy, delivering the ingenious engineering and technology solution on the Cape class patrol boats with their COBRA terminals.
“Starting life as a Capability Technology Demonstrator Program, the cutting edge technology moved from a Technology Readiness Level of 6 to 9 in less than seven months and is now deployed on the Cape class ships,” according to the citation. “Using an agile project management approach, where both parties took on significant risk, the team overcame technology, engineering and design challenges to deliver a world class capability.”
Boeing Defence Australia took out the Prime category for their work with Defence on the Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) program, the ADF wide basic training system for all helicopter pilots.
“Working with both Army and Navy stakeholders, the HATS team in both Boeing and CASG managed to overcome an internal delay of almost 12 months to deliver a much needed, streamlined capability to the ADF on time,” according to the citation. “The program is an example of what can be done to avoid a Project of Concern listing when both parties work together with an outcome driven focus.”
Winners across the categories were:
Major Acquisition – Over $50 million
Boeing Defence Australia and the CASG team for JP 9000 Phase 7 - Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS)
Minor Acquisition – Under $50 million
EM Solutions and the CASG and Navy team for From Lab to Deployment - A Maritime Multi-Satellite Communications Terminal
Major Sustainment Activity - Over $20 million/year
Boeing Defence Australia and the CASG team for Transformation of Classic Hornet Sustainment Support
Minor Sustainment Activity - Under $20 million
Mackay Consolidated Industries and DST Group for Australian Designed and Manufactured Radar Absorbing Materials for Navy
Support/Services
Jacobs Australia and the Wide Area and the CASG team for Project AIR 2025 Phase 6 - Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) Upgrade
ADM would like to congratulate all the finalists and winners for their efforts in supporting the capability of the ADF, with Defence and industry working in partnership to achieve a common goal.