Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Maldives Vice Chief of Defence Force, Brigadier General Ibrahim Hilmy, presents a shield to Indo-Pacific Endeavour 23 Commander, Air Commodore Tony McCormack, following key leadership engagement in Male during the Indo-Pacific Endeavour visit in January 2024. Story by Lieutenant Geoff Long.

Indo-Pacific Endeavour returns to Maldives

09/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1730 Views 0 Comments Indo-Pacific Endeavour, Maldives

Defence’s flagship regional engagement activity, Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE), returned to Maldives in January for only the second time. CAPTION: Maldives Vice

Deputy Commander 3rd Brigade Colonel Boniface Aruma being promoted by his wife, Cynthia, and daughter, Hannah, at the Army Museum North Queensland, Townsville. Story by Captain Brittany Evans. Photos by Corporal Guy Sadler.

ADF People Australian Army News

PNGDF officer appointed deputy commander Townsville brigade

08/02/202409/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2164 Views 0 Comments 3rd Brigade, PNGDF

Colonel Boni Aruma has been appointed Deputy Commander of Australia’s 3rd Brigade – the first time a Papua New Guinea

Pilots from the PNG Defence Force with members of the RAAF Institute of Aviation Medicine during a training course at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Story by Flight Lieutenant Steffi Blavius. Photo by Squadron Leader Indra Garner.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Getting sister squadron ready to fly

08/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1551 Views 0 Comments Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM), PNGDF, RAAF Edinburgh

Seven Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) pilots travelled to the Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM) at RAAF Base Edinburgh

Captain Richard Brickacek, front left, Midshipman Rhys Williams and Commanding Officer ADV Cape Pillar Lieutenant Commander Liam McMahon cut a homeporting cake at Larrakeyah Officers' Mess, Darwin. Photos by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

News Royal Australian Navy

New beginnings for new patrol boat

08/02/202409/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2106 Views 0 Comments ADV Cape Pillar, HMAS Coonawarra

ADV Cape Pillar and its crew were officially welcomed to their home port of HMAS Coonawarra with a ceremony conducted

Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have successfully demonstrated the integration of advanced autonomy and artificial intelligence (AI) to test the resilience of autonomous assets in a contested environment. Conducted in South Australia in late 2023, the Trusted Operation of Robotic Vehicles in a Contested Environment (TORVICE) trial combined Australian, UK and US innovation and technology to test leading-edge AI in uncrewed robotic vehicles. TORVICE tested the ability of autonomous vehicles to complete their missions and preserve network connectivity in a contested environment. In December 2023, AUKUS Defence ministers announced that resilient and autonomous artificial intelligence technologies would be integrated into national programs in 2024. The TORVICE trial takes us a step closer to adopting these technologies in the land domain. The trial comprised UK and US robotic ground vehicles to represent autonomous multi-domain launchers and uncrewed ground vehicles, tasked to conduct long-range precision fires and other associated missions. The vehicles carried no weapons during the trial. Australian scientists subjected the vehicles to attacks from electronic warfare, electro optical laser, and position, navigation and timing systems to test resilience. Guy Powell, Principal Adviser, Land Autonomy, UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, said networked autonomy would be critical to future warfighting. “Robotic and autonomous systems have the potential to transform the battlefield providing a force multiplier while reducing risk to warfighters,” he said. “TORVICE allows us to understand robotic autonomous systems' operation in a contested environment and increase resilience of these systems. Working across three nations will accelerate development of robust capable systems.” Shane Canney, Chief Land and Integrated Force, Defence Science and Technology Group,saidinteroperability with AUKUS partners on land, at sea, in the air and in cyber space would support the ADF to maintain its strategic military edge. “Understanding how robotic vehicles react in contested environments accelerates our collective know-how and helps improve the system to overcome such attacks,” Dr Canney said. “Transitioning trusted robotic capabilities into the hands of our warfighters safely and ethically is a priority.” Kimberly Sablon, Principal Director for Trusted Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy, US Department of Defense, said TORVICE built uponthe first AUKUS artificial intelligence and autonomy trial held in the UK. “The TORVICE project builds upon the work the AUKUS partners demonstrated in Salisbury in April [2023],” Dr Sablon said. “During this exercise, we performed rigorous red teaming of our autonomous and AI systems to assess and mitigate vulnerabilities and to improve their resilience in contested and complex environments.” Through AUKUS, Australia, the UK, and the US are collaborating to accelerate collective understanding of AI and autonomy technologies, and how to rapidly field robust, trustworthy AI and autonomy in complex operations. Australia, the UK and the US continue to uphold the values of safe and responsible use of AI.

Australian Army News Videos

AUKUS trials artificial intelligence in robotic vehicles

08/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3192 Views 1 Comment Artificial Intelligence (AI), AUKUS, Robotic Vehicles in a Contested Environment (TORVICE)

Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have successfully demonstrated the integration of advanced autonomy and artificial intelligence (AI)

Warrant Officer Ian 'Blue' Macgregor, Simulator Project Manager from 37 Squadron, RAAF Base Richmond, NSW. Story by Flying Officer Madeleine Magee. Photo by Corporal John Solomon.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Retired after 50 years service

08/02/202409/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1466 Views 1 Comment RAAF Reserve

From rubbing shoulders with royalty and former prime ministers, to pioneering work on aircraft, Warrant Officer Ian ‘Blue’ Macgregor has

Australian and New Zealand Defence Force members, from left, Petty Officer Vincent Carlsen, ex-sailors Kelly Kavanagh, Durham (Jack) Forbes and Sean (Squizz) Taylor skied for 62 days to reach the South Pole. Story by Captain Krysten Clifton. Photo by Kelly Kavanagh.

ADF People

Sights set on glacial trifecta

08/02/202409/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1130 Views 0 Comments Antarctica

Having just celebrated the one-year anniversary of a 62-day expedition to the South Pole, Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Sean

A RAAF F-35A Lightning II pilot gives the thumbs up during Exercise Red Flag Nellis in Nevada, US. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

F-35s fly back from Nevada

02/02/202403/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2168 Views 0 Comments Exercise Red Flag, F-35A Lightning II, No. 114MRCU, No. 3 Squadron, RAF, US Air Force

Exercise Red Flag Nellis 24-1 has concluded after three weeks of high-intensity air combat training at Nevada and airspace in

RAAF military working dog, Zlo, during the trilateral security forces subject matter expertise exchange at Iruma Air Base, Japan. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force

New milestone for trilateral security forces

02/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1923 Views 0 Comments Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Military Working Dogs, No. 13 Squadron, US Air Force

An Air Force military working dog’s (MWD) first trip to Japan has marked a significant step in Australia’s commitment to

Map of Wodonga Institute of TAFE and National Technical Education Network partners. Story by John Grech and Danielle Malone.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy

Army and Navy adopt new trades training system

02/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2352 Views 1 Comment

In a move to bolster the technical prowess of its personnel, Navy and Army have introduced a state-of-the-art joint technical trades

The United States Navy P-8 Poseidon, the Indian Navy P-8 Poseidon, the Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kawasaki P-1 and a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon, from No. 11 Squadron, on the flight line in Guam whilst deployed for Exercise Sea Dragon. Story by Flight Lieutenant Jessica Winnall.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Exercise Sea Dragon 2024 in Guam

02/02/202403/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2227 Views 0 Comments Exercise Sea Dragon, Guam, No. 11 Squadron, P-8A Poseidon, RAAF Edinburgh

Australia showcased its robust relationships and commitment to maritime security during Exercise Sea Dragon 2024 at Andersen Air Force Base

Warrant Officer Class Two William Parsons, right, with his son Warrant Officer Class Two Robert Parsons, outside the Royal Australian Armoured Corps Sergeants' Mess at the Puckapunyal Military Area. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman.

ADF People Australian Army History

Like father, like son

01/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2509 Views 0 Comments RAEME

When Warrant Officer Class Two Robert Parsons was four, his dad took him on base and showed him a Centurion

Australian Army soldier Bombardier Jordan Whicker with grandparents, Sue and Dean Wilkinson, in Townsville during a tour of a Patriot missile launcher in 2021. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

ADF People Australian Army History Veterans

Grandfather gunner inspires grandson gunner

01/02/202409/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3327 Views 0 Comments 16th Regiment Royal Australian Artillery

As 40mm shells arced into the sky, aimed at a balloon towed by an aircraft, the anti-aircraft gunner was confident

HMAS Choules in Sydney Harbour for the 2024 Australia Day celebrations. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

ADF thrills Sydney’s Australia Day crowds

01/02/202401/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1617 Views 0 Comments 9th Regiment Royal Australian Artillery, ADF Red Berets, Australia Day, HMAS Choules, MH-60R Seahawk, Roulettes

With the sun shining bright for Australia Day, the ADF provided a spectacular display on and around Sydney Harbour. CAPTION: HMAS

Members of the Australian Army Cadets prepare to race tiny drones during the Army Cadet Drone Racing camp at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera, Queensland. Story by Major Carolyn Barnett. Photo by Cadet Sergeant Joshua Parcell.

ADF People Australian Army Videos

Cadets put drone skills to the test

01/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3495 Views 0 Comments 20th Regiment, Army Cadets, Army Drone Racing Team, Gallipoli Barracks

Cadets from across the country learnt how to pilot small drones reaching speeds of up to 200km/h at the Australian

Australian Army Medic, then Sergeant Joanne Cook, examines a little girl with malaria in February 1993. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman. Photo by Corporal Gary Ramage.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing History News Overseas

Citation for troops who risked their safety to help Somalis

01/02/202402/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2260 Views 0 Comments 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, HMAS Tobruk, Meritorious Unit Citation, Operation Solace, Somalia

Meritorious Unit Citations (MUC) have been awarded to ADF units that served in Somalia between 1992 and 1995. CAPTION: Australian Army

Senior enlisted adviser to the Chief of the Defence Force Warrant Officer Ken Robertson. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton. Photo by Lauren Larking.

ADF People Australian Army Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Senior Enlisted Advisor to CDF

01/02/202403/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1781 Views 0 Comments Chief of Defence Force, Senior Enlisted Advisor to Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) (SEAC)

Continuous support to domestic operations without much respite was one issue raised with the Senior Enlisted Advisor to Chief of

Chief Petty Officer Gillian Bryant has been awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Stepping up and talking the talk

26/01/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1957 Views 0 Comments Australia Day Honours, Guardian-class Patrol Boat, Sea Training Group

When Chief Petty Officer Gillian Bryant stepped up to act in a lieutenant commander’s role, she could walk the walk,

Australia Defence Force Personnel have been recognised for their continued efforts in this year’s Australia Day Honours list. Photo by Sergeant Tristan Kennedy.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Australia Day honours announced

26/01/202427/01/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2310 Views 1 Comment Australia Day Honours

Australia Defence Force personnel have been recognised for devotion to duty during natural disasters, strategic innovation and professional mastery in

Bombardier Adam Davies-Moore, from 16 Regiment, The Royal Australian Artillery has been awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal this Australia Day. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers.

ADF People Australian Army

Award a surprise for bombardier

26/01/202426/01/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1658 Views 0 Comments Australia Day Honours

When Bombardier Adam Davies-Moore was given a counter-unmanned aerial system (CUAS) role at 16 Regiment, he recognised development was needed