New Zealand military branches out as global equipment provider

The Last Postthe iconic bugle call still heard in parts of the former British Empire to commemorate the military deadmight soon be telling navy divers around the world that they've just failed an exercise in seabed mine training.

The tune is incorporated in a diver training system known as METRESMaritime EOD (explosive ordnance device) Training, Ranging and Evaluation Systemdeveloped by the Defense Technology Agency (DTA), the science and technology arm of the New Zealand Defense Force.

It is one of a range of new technologies, spanning seabed mines to state-of-the-art avionics, that could see New Zealand's military become a minor, but significant player in the global military equipment market.

The United States Navy purchased six of the METRES systems in November last year, prompting DTA director Dr Brian Young to anticipate interest from other military organizations.

METRES, a replica mine that sits on the seabed and can be configured to the specifications of a variety of mines, carries sensors that can detect the noise or activity of approaching divers. Its reactions include a light that goes on when a diver is detected andthe worst case scenarioa rendition of The Last Post through its underwater speaker to signal an explosion.

USEFUL TOOLS

But the black humor belies the DTA's expectations that it could be a provider of leading technologies to global superpowers.

The agency also claims to be fielding inquiries into its development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) avionics, and boasts world-leading technologies including maritime environment monitoring, automated radar tracking, engine diagnostics and materials analysis, simulation, and data fusion.

"Some of these have potential commercial value, some do not," Young said in an e-mail interview with support for the New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF), which, Young stressed, was the agency's main focus.

He cited the UAV avionics systems as an example.

"Like all militaries, the NZDF regards UAVs as a useful surveillance tool. The UAV developed by DTA was deployed in Afghanistan by the NZDF, although it was actually built only as an experimental platform. It is however a highly capable system, but in its current form is probably too complex and insufficiently rugged for most general military surveillance purposes," he said.

"The avionics, however, are extremely capable and reliable with numerous features, including ability to function in a GPS-denied environment; beyond-line-of-sight operation for pre-programmed sensing and photography; payload control, gimballing, camera stabilization and geo-pointing; flight termination on critical failure with return to base and parachute landing."

FAST TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

The DTA employs 80 civilian scientists, engineers, technicians and support staff who mostly work from the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland, while others are based at NZDF Headquarters in Wellington.

Projects underway for the NZDF include the upgrade of the navy' s two frigates and the development of the Network Enabled Army capability to enhance command and control systems and improve the NZDF's ability to operate with other nations' forces.

They also work with other government agencies and are currently developing an improved system of maritime vessel tracking in cooperation with Customs, the police, the Ministry of Primary Industries and maritime safety organizations.

But Young envisaged fast technology transfer as the core of the DTA's commercial developments.

"This reduces the amount we earn from our intellectual property, but it allows us to focus on our core business," he said.

"It also means there is a relatively low cost associated with commercializing a technology that was developed in the course of our day-to-day work for NZDF, so any subsequent earnings from the technology are mostly profit. This differs from organizations that develop technologies solely for the purpose of taking them to market."

CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT

Developments with commercial potential are licensed out to commercial partners, who are subject to the Export Control regime of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The commercialization of the METRES system was licensed out to New Zealand defense and aviation equipment provider AAL, but neither AAL nor the DTA would reveal the value of the contract with the U.S. Navy.

AAL director Paul Taylor, who previously served 21 years in the New Zealand navy, told Xinhua the cost of each METRES system varied considerably depending on the configuration and whether services such as training were included.

Asked in a phone interview how the company had marketed METRES before the sale, he replied: "We just responded to a tenderit was an open tender."

DTA's potential as an exporter was recognized in November 2011, then the NZDF announced it was implementing the recommendations made in an independent review of the DTA commissioned by then Defense Minister Wayne Mapp.

"In the future we will be looking to the DTA to generate income which will be reinvested in our military capability," Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Jack Steer, who was then Vice Chief of Defense Force, said in a statement.

"Science and technology is an increasingly important part of our military capability so the NZDF will be looking to the DTA to provide more direct support for our capability development."

If The Last Post spreads to diver training courses abroad, it might signal Reveille for the NZDF's plans to become a military equipment provider.