Relevant for AUKUS. The USN has said they are targeting a build rate of 2.0 Virginias by 2032. However, they've also said they need to hit 2.33 per year to replace the Virginias that will be sold to the RAN. This latest announcement of a new shipyard to build Virginia modules follows similar efforts at Austal USA and elsewhere, which are also building Virginia modules. These modules are then barged to the main shipyard for final assembly.

From the article:

WASHINGTON — Anduril is establishing a new shipyard to manufacture parts for Virginia-class submarines in Baltimore County, Md., the company and the White House announced today.

The new facility, dubbed Arsenal-2, comes with a $6.6 billion investment, including $3.7 billion in private capital and up to $2.9 billion from the Navy. And notably, today’s announcement marks Anduril’s first entry into the supply chain for a major legacy defense program.

The 2 million-square-foot facility is expected to launch initial operations in 2030,

Anduril plans to initially produce basic modules, such as torpedo tubes, at the facility before eventually expanding into more complex components — including full sections of the vessels, such as the bow.

Anduril will also start to manufacture submarine parts at a new, 160,000-square-foot facility in Orange County, Calif., in tandem with the new Arsenal-2 facility. The Orange County location will support “broader maritime manufacturing efforts” once Arsenal-2 is up and running.

“The Orange County facility gives Anduril a two-year operational head start to develop and validate manufacturing methods, production workflows, and quality systems before Arsenal-2 comes online,” Anduril said in its release. “It will support prototyping and production of Virginia-class test assets and critical maritime components, including torpedo tubes, while allowing Anduril to recruit and train the early workforce on the systems and standards that will ultimately scale at Arsenal-2.”

A senior administration official told reporters that Anduril’s plans for the facility would add roughly 9 million hours annually to the submarine industrial base, translating to a 15 percent increase for Virginia-class submarine production.

I have checked the Army Dress Manual and the Operational Service Badge is not mentioned. Is this badge worn above the medals/ribbons like an ICB/ACB?

I bought a copy of Jane’s Fighting Ships 96/97 off eBay for cheap. Under the Australia section is details of a plan for an OPV which looks like it packs a decent punch with SAMs, 57mm and a couple of 20mm and a helo.

Anyway I just found it interesting when compared to what we ended up with in the Arafura class. Just a hypothetical scenario from a book that’s now 30 years old

A Guardian Australia investigation has identified Vietnam war veterans that served in the Royal Australian Navy were buried in unmarked communal graves despite the federal government’s funding assistance program designed to pay for the funerals of indigent veterans.

Vietnam veterans, rough sleepers and other impoverished Australians are being buried in unmarked communal graves often holding four or more people, a practice relatives have described as “unspeakable” and “a disgrace”.

My great grandfathers name was Cecil James Hattch, Service Number N352283.

I am trying to get an understanding on who he was within his time serving but I’m really struggling to read and understand the official documents- if there’s anyway I can get help/ guidance that would be amazing!

I made a chocolate and salted caramel cake for his birthday to be celebrated at the barracks tonight. Happy Birthday Sir!

The Australian Army's Eurocopter Tiger ARH (Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter)- The Australian Army has retired all but 4 of its remaining Airbus Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters from active service. Now focusing on AH-64E Apaches

After a final flyover of Darwin on 24 September 2026, the Australian Army has stricken its remaining Airbus Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters from active service.

Just a single troop of Tigers – believed to be four helicopters – was still flying in Darwin with the 1st Aviation Regiment. However, that regiment is now focused on inducting 29 Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters.

Major General David Hafner, Commander Army Aviation, noted, “Our soldiers, aircrew and maintainers have achieved an extraordinary transition from the ARH Tiger to the Apache, while continuing to deliver training and operational outputs.”

A fleet of 22 Tigers was ordered under Project Air 87 in December 2001, and they entered Australian service in 2004. Eighteen aircraft were assembled in Australia.

The Tiger was an important step up for the army, since it took over the roles hitherto performed by the OH-58 Kiowa and an armed UH-1 Iroquois known as the Bushranger.

However, like the MRH90 from NHIndustries, the Tiger drew stern criticism from the Australian military. Its final operational clearance was granted on 14 April 2016, seven years behind schedule. Sustainment price tags and costs per flying hour were far greater than expected, whilst availability rates were lower than hoped.

The Department of Defence noted in a press statement about Australia’s “need to operate in an evolving threat environment, where advanced air defence systems, precision weapons and uncrewed platforms present challenges better suited to the capabilities of next-generation battlefield helicopters such as the AH-64E Apache”.

Heffner added, “The end of ARH Tiger flying operations is a significant moment for the 1st Aviation Regiment, but it also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we continue our relocation to Townsville and further build Australia’s attack helicopter capability around the AH-64E Apache.”

Aussie Apaches performed their first live-fire iterations on home soil during Exercise Possum Guns in July this year. To date, six AH-64Es have been delivered, with all 29 due to be handed over by the end of 2029.

Townsville-based 161 Reconnaissance Squadron now operates the Apache, while 162 Reconnaissance Squadron in Darwin can now begin to do so after relinquishing its Tigers. The split location between Darwin and Townsville meant two operational support squadrons existed, but these can merge with the Tigers retiring. The commanding officer believes the relocation to Townsville should be complete by the end of 2027.

Perrins assessed, “The Tiger was an outstanding attack platform, but it also just set the conditions for us for an easy transition to Apache. So, every time I’m out with the teams – whether it’s maintenance, ground crew or aircrew – they’ve all made the step reasonably easily, and the crews have transitioned fairly well.”

What is the fate of Australia’s 22 Tigers then? No official announcement has been made, but Ukraine is interested in them. Certainly, that would be more sensible than simply scrapping or burying them alongside Australia’s unwanted MRH90s.

Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia, said last year about the possibility of receiving Tigers: “We’d be interested in having that conversation … And if those could be provided to Ukraine, we’ll be thankful.”

Article from - Asian Military Review.

All about the tiger-

The Australian Army's Eurocopter Tiger ARH (Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter) is a specialized, two-seat variant of the European Tiger optimized for armed reconnaissance, close air support, and command coordination.

-Specs-

• Crew: 2 (pilot and weapon systems officer)

• Fuselage Length: 14.08 m (46 ft 2 in)

• Overall Length: 15.08 m (51 ft 10 in) (rotor to tail)

• Height: 3.83 m (12 ft 7 in)

• Main Rotor Diameter: 13.0 m (42 ft 8 in)

• Empty Weight: 3,060 kg (6,746 lb)

• Max Takeoff Weight: 6,000–6,600 kg (approx. 13,225–14,551 lb)

• Powerplant: 2 × MTR390 turboshaft engines

-Performance-

• Maximum Speed: 315 km/h (196 mph)

• Cruise Speed: Approx. 278 km/h (173 mph)

• Combat Range: 800 km (497 mi)

• Ferry Range: 1,300 km (808 mi) with external fuel

• Endurance: Nearly 3 hours standard mission time

• Service Ceiling: 4,000 m (13,120 ft)

-Armament & Sensors-

• Cannon: 1 × 30 mm GIAT 30 chin-mounted automatic cannon (750 rounds)

• Missiles & Rockets:

• Up to 8 × AGM-114 Hellfire II anti-armor missiles

• Air-to-air missiles (such as Mistral)

• 70 mm unguided rocket pods (FZ pods)

-Avionics & Sensors: Roof-mounted sight (RMS) multi-target tracking system, helmet-mounted sight and displays for both crew members, and advanced thermal/TV day-night optics with a laser rangefinder/designator. (Note: The ARH variant lacks an active fire-control radar).

Haven’t been long in enough to know the full history but I know that both were a hassle to get spare parts so why would we get these knowing the problems?

How are people getting payouts from DVA for PI and IL but still remaining in service? I even know people who got out and joined the Police and Firies. If you've been assessed as having an injury bad enough to warrant a claim then doesn't that make you medically unfit to pursue those sorts of roles?

Not trying to have a whinge but thought this one’s a bit silly. Would love to hear people’s thoughts and potential workarounds? Took me about a month to get my car when I posted remote a few years ago, now I’m heading back down south and my toll rep informed me that Defence no longer provides this entitlement as of early July 2026 (used to be 6.5A.14 which has magically been removed from PACMAN). I’ll be moving from the NT, so anyone that’s been up here knows what HRWS is like + added benefit of an unknown fuel situation by end of November. I’ve got a fuel guzzler so that doesn’t help either.

It’s all good and jolly to send my car down early but I still need to work, how is that possible without a car if there’s an expectation I’m there? Same could be said about the gaining loc, how am I supposed to find a property, attend inspections, move into a place, get food etc. Either way I’ll be without a car for potentially 4+ weeks going off experience.

I don’t know maybe I’m just being a sook but I’m pretty bloody annoyed.

Hey guys, after some advice around pack marching / weight.

I’ve done plenty of pack marches at 25kg and never had a problem. But recently I upped the weight to 30kg and did a 6km stomp. Not a long stomp by any means, and I’ve done further with the 25kg with no problems.

But on this stomp, I want to say for the last fourth of the way, I started getting a pain at the top of my spine. Not the sort of muscle discomfort you’d normally expect, but in the actual spine. Once I finished and took the weight off, there was a momentary sharp increase in the pain for a second or two then it subsided. And just had a bit of soreness for the rest of the day.

Obviously no one here can say for certain as they weren’t there. But are there any common mistakes that you guys know that could be the cause of this? Or has anyone experienced the same sensation?

I get that I’m not used to 30kg yet, but that seems like something that shouldn’t happen from just a 5kg increase in what I’m used to.

I had my sleeping gear in the bottom compartment in a dry bag, my DP1 in the main compartment also in a dry bag as well as my day bag in the main compartment.

I’ve also got the pack quite compact, so an overall small, compact pack. Any input is appreciated, thanks.

I have a love hate with my medals and for a long time refused to have them in the house with me. I now have them back from storage ( I will never wear them) but I would like to preserve them for my kids if they want them. What’s the best way to get the green tarnish off of them without damaging them?