The Advitech Group has been engaged in defence-related work since 1997, proving itself an effective subcontractor and supplier, as well as successfully liaising and working directly with prime contractors and the Australian Department of Defence.
Overview
Our services
The Advitech Group provides competitive corporate and technical services to the defence industry. Our staff have proven skills and experience to provide the following defence-specific services:
- engineering assessments
- systems and platform engineering
- platform integration and installation design
- detailed mechanical and structural design
- 3D modelling and drafting
- environmental and acoustic engineering
- risk management
- functional safety (TÜV-certified engineers)
- project management
- operational, technical and maintenance documentation.
Defence representative projects
Minehunter Coastal Project
Document conversion
The Advitech Group’s entry into the defence sector began in 1997 with services to ADI Limited to convert hard-copy vendor documentation into electronic format. This involved scanning, OCR and proof reading of more than 20,000 pages of technical documentation in compliance with DEF(AUST) 5629A, enabling ADI to satisfy contractual obligations to deliver all documentation in SGML tagged format.
Maintenance documentation
The Advitech Group assisted ADI with the preparation of technical maintenance plans and maintenance requirement cards for a range of ship systems.
Operational sequencing procedures
ADI engaged The Advitech Group to produce operational sequencing procedures (OSPs) for the Minehunter Coastal Project. The OSPs involved multi-system operations and affected whole-of-ship procedures. They indicated the crew’s jobs and use of equipment including sequence, location, operators and control. The Advitech Group produced 20 procedures including those relating to:
- steering failure
- propulsion failure (main drive)
- electrical failure (generation)
- preparations for minehunting
- mine disposal vehicle launch and recovery
- vertical replenishment
- explosives handling
- toxic hazards
- preparation for sea checks.
Integrated Electronic Technical Documents
ADI engaged The Advitech Group to produce an integrated electronic technical document (IETD), representing a new and innovative method of providing technical information on board the Huon Class coastal minehunters.
The IETD presented information in a standardised hierarchical structure that could be accessed at system, sub-system and sub sub-system levels via laptop computers connected to the ship’s LAN. Information at each level included a general description, technical description, operating instructions, and warnings and cautions.
The IETD provided all the functionality associated with commercial software, and proved an efficient and cost-effective alternative to heavily structured and expensive electronic manuals produced in accordance with formal military specifications.
Defence representative projects
Fast Guided Missile Frigate (FFG) Upgrade Project
WSSC IT Support System
ADI engaged The Advitech Group to design the IT support System for the Warfare System Support Centre (WSSC) at Garden Island. The WSSC was conceived to provide through-life support for the combat system software installed in the upgraded FFG fleet. It contained the combat system land-based simulation system (LBSS) used for software integration, testing and longer-term upkeep. The WSSC IT support system comprised:
- administration LAN – providing desktop computing capabilities for up to 140 personnel within a restricted high-speed network, with access to the Defence Restricted Network
- software upkeep facility – containing the specialist workstations and software used to carry out the upkeep and maintenance of the upgraded combat system software
- WAN connections – providing high-bandwidth connectivity between simulation computers located at the WSSC, team trainer at HMAS Watson and on board each of the four FFGs, to permit multi-simulator games.
The Advitech Group provided additional systems engineering support to the FFG Upgrade Project including:
- development of the WSSC management plan
- preparation of a tender specification for the communications simulator
- technical support for the battle space simulation wide area network
- review of combat system software development environments
- participation in the review process for the communications simulator
- software upkeep facility design and review documentation
supply of resources for configuration management tasks.
LPA Amphibious Ships
Forgacs Dockyard engaged The Advitech Group to undertake design, drafting and modification tasks to several ship systems during the refit of HMAS Manoora and HMAS Kanimbla.
Defence representative projects
FFG engineering and maintenance support
ADI refit planning and logistics support and services (RPLSS)
The Advitech Group provided engineering design support to RPLSS for configuration modifications to FFG frigates, including:
- independent engineering assessment of the FFG galley upgrade
- urgent refurbishment and installation of a threatboard indicator in CIC
- urgent installation of temporary accommodation modules and equipment racks in FFG hangars
- independent review of helicopter in-flight refuelling system
- fan-coil unit Installation specifications? for removal of electrostatic precipitators.
FFG System Program Office – DMO
FFGSPO engaged The Advitech Group directly to undertake engineering tasks relating to the FFG frigates, including:
- independent engineering investigation and detailed design report for YORK F32S main fridge compressor and development of installation, test and inspection specification for configuration change to R134a refrigerant
- engineering assessment of noise-reduction measures in Junior Sailor’s Café, scullery and 3FWD mess
- Detailed Design Packages for;
- modification to gas bottle connections for compliance with AS2473
- LPAC dehydrator replacement.
- Long-range acoustic device (LRAD) brackets and stowage
- replacement of gas turbine inlet plenum screens and bypass damper screens
- engineering investigation into bromine treatment of potable water
- hazard identification report for the storage and handling of calcium and sodium hypochlorite
- design and manufacture of boarding party equipment mounting arrangement and rapid securing device cover
- design for weapons storage rack installations
- design, project management and manufacture of three 12-person demountable accommodation modules for installation in the FFG starboard helicopter hangars.
Hawk Lead-In-Fighter Project
Technical publications verification program co-ordination
BAE Systems engaged The Advitech Group to co-ordinate the verification program for operational maintenance manuals for the Hawk Lead-in Fighter Project. This task included:
- vetting and completing amendment proposal forms raised by RAAF technicians
- liaison with BAE design engineering team to vet proposals for content and feasibility.
Theatre broadcast system
Primary injection facility technical documentation
Total Logistics Management (TLM) engaged The Advitech Group to produce technical documentation associated with the theatre broadcast system (JP2008 Phase 3C) primary injection facility (PIF). We developed the operating instructions; maintenance instructions; and technical data on PIF equipment, which were issued to the SATCOM – Terrestrial Systems Program Office.
Compact receive suite technical documentation
TLM also engaged The Advitech Group to prepare operating and maintenance documentation for the compact receive suite (CRS) that had been designed to operate as a mobile field unit.
AP-3C Orion
Varley Engineering engaged The Advitech Group for design and verification of maintenance structures for the RAAF AP-3C Orion aircraft. We designed the tail-docking and wing-work platforms, including preparation of engineering drawings for review and approval, and progression through to detailed drawings.
The Advitech Group was again involved when the Orion refurbishment centre was to be relocated from Richmond Airbase. We reviewed the new support structure for suspended tail-docking working platforms to make an independent assessment of the structural integrity of the proposed configuration with respect to strength and serviceability requirements of various Australian Standards.
Defence DMOSS panel
The Advitech Group is a member of the Defence Materiel Organisation Support Services panel for services in maritime systems, mechanical, naval architecture, project management support, risk management and technical writing.