• Explosive Material (all the guided and non-guided bombs, bullets, missiles and torpedoes)
• Air & Space Surveillance & Control (radars, satellites and, in the future, AIR 6500)
• Communications (all the radios and communications networks)
• Critical Systems (software and deployed computers and networks)
• Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare.

Surveillance & Control SPO is based here at Williamtown, looking after a number of critical systems for Air Force.

The biggest project inbound to the Division that will be of local interest is AIR 6500.

This project will replace or upgrade the current Vigilare C4I System and the Tactical Air Defence Radar System, and will include the provision of additional sensors and effectors to form part of a broader Integrated Air & Missile Defence (IAMD) network.

It will need to integrate with the new 5th generation platforms (JSF, Aegis and the like) and coalition IAMD networks. The project will also work closely with LAND 19-7B, which is providing a Short Range Air Defence capability.

AIR 6500 is planned to occur in 2 phases:

• Phase 1 will be to develop the Joint Battle Management System capability (C4I + Sensors for both fixed and expeditionary elements)
• Phase 2 will procure the effectors/weapons needed to integrate into the new management system

I expect to go to government for initial approval of the first phase in around December 2018.

Rear Admiral Tony Dalton

Rear Admiral (RADM) Tony Dalton is the Head of the Joint Systems Division. In this role RADM Dalton oversees the acquisition and sustainment of the Australian Defence Force’s joint systems covering electronic warfare, communications and command support, satellites and tactical interoperability, surveillance and control systems, and guided weapons.

RADM Dalton has decades of Defence experience having joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1980 as a direct entry aviation midshipman. He has amassed over 5500 military helicopter flying hours and has extensive experience as a Sea King and Seahawk flight pilot, a display pilot and as a qualified helicopter instructor. He served as Executive Officer of 816 Squadron in 1996 and Commanding Officer of 805 Squadron in 2001.

RADM Dalton has held a number of senior operational and acquisition and sustainment management positions including Commander Fleet Air Arm in Navy and Director General Navy Aviation Systems and Head Helicopter Systems Division in the then Defence Materiel Organisation.