william hutchinson, thomas electronics - support of adf avionics and armoured vehicles electronics

Confidential & Proprietary

Support of ADF Avionics & Armoured Vehicle Electronics in the “Top End”

Northern Australia Defence Summit 2013

William Hutchinson – Executive Chairman

October 2013

Strictly Private & Confidential

www.thomas-global.com

Confidential & Proprietary 2


Agenda

Overview of Thomas Electronics (TE)

Background of ADF Support models

Platform Support requirements & Locations in the “Top End”

Support Issues

Possible Support Models

TE involvement with ADF Support.

TE strategic support plans - International

- Domestic

Questions & Answers


57+ year record of innovation & dependability

Our Long Term Support commitment is underpinned by:

Specialist obsolescence management capabilities

Commitment and focus on customer service levels.

All activities supported by extensive proprietary knowledge base and

R&D programs

Assistance in supporting equipment that has limited or no support by

the OEM.

Major customers include Defence Forces, Defence Primes & Airlines.

Leading quality systems, endorsed by major regulatory groups and

customers

Thomas Electronics

Innovative Solutions For Life-Critical Systems in Defence & Aerospace


Lines of Business

We maintain a clear focus on areas in which we have strategic capabilities

Electronic & Embedded

Software systems for Life /

Mission critical systems;

Legacy system conversion /

interfacing

Design & development for

custom Applications

Custom Automatic Test

Equipment

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

Display Systems across CRT &

LCD based systems;

CRT / LCD Displays

Retrofit LCD Display Units

for legacy systems

Design & development for

custom Applications

Obsolescence

management

DISPLAY SYSTEMS

Simulation Technology across

Motion & Non-Motion based

systems;

Crew Procedural Trainers

Facsimile Display Units

Projection Systems

Obsolescence management

SIMULATION

Electro-mechanical Systems;

Process critical systems

support

Maintenance Tools & Test

Equipment

Manufacturing Jigs

Operator Consoles

ELECTRO-MECHANICAL

SYSTEMS

Design, Integration, Verification & Validation (IV&V) of Custom Systems

Through-Life Support (TLS) of TEOA & existing OEM Systems

Thomas Electronics



Background

TE has been supporting RAAF, Navy & Army electronic Systems since

the early 1980’s.

TE has seen the transition from the direct SME / DMO relationship

model (through the relevant SPO’s) to the current Defence Prime

responsibility for the entire operational capability of the platform.

The SME involvement is now acting as a subcontractor to the

Defence Prime with the SME having to compete against the Primes’

in-house capabilities.



Location of Main ADF Bases in Australia

Source: Department of Defence Website



Location of Main ADF Bases in the “Top End”

Source: Department of Defence Website



What needs to be supported in the “Top End”

Service Platform Equipment

Australian Air Force Legacy Hornet

Super Hornet

F-35 Lightning II (JSF)

Avionics

Night Vision

Electro-Optics / Sensors

HF / VHF / SatCom

Australian Navy MH-60R (Romeo)

Armidale Class Patrol Boat

Australian Army ARH Tiger

MRH-90

M113

M1A1

ASLAV

US Marines F-35 Lightning II (JSF)



Challenges in Support

Small number of arisings – due to improved reliability and small

Australian fleet size.

High cost of Test Equipment.

Difficultly in supporting Electronics acquired on FMS Platforms,

especially for Australian companies to provide in-country support for;

C-17, C130J

Wedgetail, Super Hornet

M1A1

SH-60R (Romeo)

ITARS – Technical Data Transfer

Challenges with IP Transfer (Eg: Tiger / MRH-90 support by OEMDS)



Benefits of In-Country Support to the ADF

Australian support companies can provide first priority to supporting

ADF and US forces operating in Asia-Pacific & Australia.

Shortened TAT’s of Repairable Items (RI’s) by elimination of overseas

logistics pipeline (typically 90 – 180 days).

Reduced inventory holding with subsequent cost savings to ADF.

Elimination of charges associated with international freight, customs

clearances and handling charges from Australian companies that simply

act as “Post Boxes” for shipping RI’s back to International OEM’s.

Further reductions through active identification of waste and

inefficiencies in the entire support model, not just the repair process.

Reduction in costs through active obsolescence management programs

to identify issues further ahead in time.



Benefits of In-Country Support to Australia

Good for Australian Industry (AI).

Good for Australia – profits are reinvested in Australia.

Key capabilities and skills developed & retained in Australia that can

support future ADF acquisition & sustainment programs.

AI has the ability to support platforms beyond their original planned

service life only if it has the skills & IP gained through providing In-

Country support (Eg: TE’s support of the Seahawk Avionics Displays).



Benefits of having US Forces based in the “Top End”

With US Marines being based in Darwin there is a greater need to

support of fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, armoured vehicles and

night vision equipment.

Provides critical mass to in-country support on the following

platforms;

Super Hornet – US Navy

F-35 Lightning II (JSF) – US Navy & Marines

SH-60R (Romeo) – US Navy

M1A1 / LAV / Stryker

May assist local support companies in gaining access to the US

Defence Logistics opportunities.

Confidential & Proprietary

Partnering with Darwin based Companies to provide first line

screening & housing of rotables support from the south.

Possible support models – Darwin – first line screening. Depot’s in

Darwin to hold serviceable LRU’s. Deeper maintenance in the south -

LRU repair to be performed in Australia or OEM Country.

13


Potential Support Models

“Top End”

Support

Depot ADF

“Southern”

In-Country

Support

Facility

OEM

International

Support

Facility

OEM

Model 1

Model 2

Spare Parts, Test

Equipment, Data &

Support


Aerospace Land & Integrated Systems

Maritime

F/A-18 Fighter

F-111 Fighter

PC-9 Trainer

AP-3C Orion

Sikorsky S-70B-2 Seahawk Helicopter

Chinook CH-47 Helicopter

Blackhawk

ARH Tiger

Wedgetail

DHC-8

C130J Hercules

Collins Submarine

Anzac Frigate

Guided Missile Frigate (FFG)

Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV)

Hawkei – Thales Protected Mobility Vehicle

Vigilaire

Kalkara UAV Ground Station

Defence Platforms Supported

Thomas Electronics

25+ year support of Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18’s

20+ year support of Royal Australian Navy S70B-2 Seahawk Helicopters



TE’s Experience with providing In-Country Support

TE has participated in the F-111 Avionics Upgrade, Legacy F/A-18 Program and S-70B-2 Seahawk Program since inception under the Australian Industry Involvement (AII) program.

Production of Avionic CRT assemblies for all of these Platforms.

Subsequent through life in-country support for all Platforms.

Continued support of S-70B-2 Seahawk until retirement.

F-111, Legacy F/A-18 & Seahawk S-70B-2



TE Experience with providing In-Country Support

TE has supported it’s manufactured components for the ASLAV CPT’s

for over 10 years.

TE is currently working with Thales Australia to streamline the

support model.

ASLAV Crew Procedural Trainer

Thales

Australia

Sydney

Facility

Current Model

ADF TE

Final Testing

Repairs

Thales

Australia

Sydney

Facility

New Model

ADF TE

Repairs & Final

Testing

Spare Parts, Test

Equipment, Data &

Support


Well Developed Facilities and Infrastructure in Two Strategic Locations

Sydney, Australia Irvine, CA (USA)

Thomas Electronics

Both Facilities have Engineering Development, Production & Support Capabilities.

Irvine Facility is staffed by US Nationals to assist with work on ITAR Controlled Items.


Strategic Plans

Thomas Electronics

Provide specialist deeper maintenance for the ADF going forward.

Further develop capabilities in armoured vehicle sights & electro optical assemblies.

Provide FMS support to OEM Global Supply Chain through US Based facility.

Continue to foster relationships with Defence Primes.



QUESTIONS & ANSWERS