"New Australian Vehicle?" Topic

link

This sounds like good news for all kinds of needs, especially in the Pacific for US Marines, but anywhere really. Versatility is a huge asset.

Interesting mod to the Bushy, chironex. I hope they go through with it.

Part of me says so do I, as it will be cheaper than the American equivalent. Which we've already ordered some of.

The other part remembers how much of these things are outsourced and how procurement works here ($600 screwdriver sets? Someone's added a bit just for them to skim…)

Since this article was written over 2 years ago is there any updated information concerning this?

The other part remembers how much of these things are outsourced and how procurement works here ($600 screwdriver sets? Someone's added a bit just for them to skim…)

My last job was as a tech writer in a CASG project office. Yes, I know what you mean. I also know that some project managers get very "annoyed" when you point out that you can buy the equivalent bit of kit (usually tools and consumables) much more cheaply than you would have to pay their favourite gun runner. And not all of those gun runners are overseas companies.

And don't get me started on the return of MSP and the four "preferred consortia"…. *angry*

Since this article was written over 2 years ago is there any updated information concerning this?

Not much has gone public, DJoe, but there's a few crumbs at link. I'm well out of the loop now, but I have no doubt that there will be a lot of US/LockMart pressure to buy the complete HIMAR system package rather than the NSM setup that Thales is offering. (Thales will apply a lot of pressure of their own before the federal election next year, as well).

Got a coin to toss, mate?

Dal ,

The state of the APS is shocking. They are recruiting anyone with " logistics " in their CV and making them APS 6 ILS managers … no defence experience.. no idea . At least the majority of the MSP workers are ex defence or ex defence industry.

I know what you mean, backstab. I did both sides of the fence- APS6 and contractor- in the 22 I did after I retired from the ARA. Gumley's little empire was dysfunctional from Day 1, Week 1, regardless of name changes and "culture adjustments" made.

But there are some good ones still trying to make the square egg work, mate. And it's not all bad. The Bushy, Parakeet, MAN trucks and some other projects balance out some of the horrors (just don't mention "submarines!" or the "Light, low-profile, quiet and agile recce vehicle" that weighs over seven tons, gets bogged and sits higher than a Unimog canopy ).

PS. <RANT> Reference MSP. The subcontractors are generally ex-ADF, I agree. But the MSP consortia are the same as they were before DMOSS- hungry for money, controlling who gets hired and ticking KPI they don't meet. </RANT>

Dal, yep , agree totally on the MSP ..the Major providers are shocking for shutting out SME subbies . They'd rather carry a vacancy than fill it with a subcontractor… but some harsh words for the PMV-L there .. I was part of that project back in 2011 when we were looking at the American JLTV … just remember it was never meant as a recce vehicle..that was a role they gave it after IOC

the Major providers are shocking for shutting out SME subbies . They'd rather carry a vacancy than fill it with a subcontractor

So true. They're also not overly worried about filling slots with qualified and/or experienced people. Really, what use is a tech writer who can't tell the difference between an EMEI and a stick book?

Still, that's all a former life now and the purple people eater doesn't miss me any more than I miss it.

just remember it was never meant as a recce vehicle..that was a role they gave it after IOC

I didn't know that, mate, nor the "PMV-L" tag- when did that come in? If they're not meant to be sneaky and invisible then they make more sense- but they're still very hefty. I had little to do with them when I was with 2072, my main interaction with vehicle SPO's being about the Bushy and B VEH installs.