The Lens of History: Episode thirteen author Michael Datcher

Author Michael Datcher joins The Lens of History couch for a chat about his book Americus and a wide range of issues . Find out how Michael struck a cord with Luke Herbert despite being a world away culturally and distance wise.

The author set out to tackle the issues of racism , African American culture and domestic/sexual abuse by the bull horn. I take the view that the book is aimed at speaking to current and future generations of people who may or may not be grappling with those issues. Let me explain this further to the reader.

By reaching out to people in the guise of a fictional story the author gives the reader the chance discuss issues like race and sexual abuse. Issues like race and sexual abuse can be by their nature difficult to talk about openly. Having spoken with the author I am certain that the story will reach at least one person. What I can't possible know is if the person is a part of current or future generations. The person may look to take an interest in the subject matter for the first time or identify with the book closely based on their own experiences.

Someone who is a close family member of mine suffered from server forms of abuse as a child. This is why aspects of the book struck a very uncomfortable cord with me. If the reader finds themselves in the same situation they will have to resolve their feelings within the privacy of their own mind. I will state that the reader should treat such moments with care for the sake of their own well being.

Measured by the yardsticks that I have mentioned above, the book will be a success. The book represents a radical departure from my usual focus on foreign affairs , historical events and military matters. In presenting this interview and brief written commentary my aim is the same as it as been all along. My aim to build awareness of historical events and current issues/events that are defining our time. I to seek out to explain today's world to current and future generations of people.

Royal Australian Navy's Anzac Class Frigates replacements to be build in Australia

Tony Abbott announced the new surface ships would be built at Osborne in Adelaide on Tuesday.
The Government will build a fleet of frigates at the ASC shipbuilding yard from 2020, and a further fleet of Offshore Combatant Vessels (OCV) from 2018, with the start dates for both projects brought forward.
Defence Minister Kevin Andrews said total acquisition costs were in the order of $89 billion.

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What will happen to ASC? Will it be sold or retained in government hands as a Government Business Enterprise (GBE) or, perhaps, reestablished as a Government Owned Corporately Operated (GOCO)?
If ASC is sold, will it be sold intact or broken up into its submarine and shipbuilding component?
How will the resulting shipbuilding monopolies be managed? What will stop the private sector monopolies from delivering public sector productivity while booking private sector profits?

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I am posting this to keep the reader updated on RAN's Anzac Class Frigate replacement program , formally as the The Future Frigate/Sea 5000 project. I covered the issues involved with the project in a previous article .Like with the Collins Class Submarine replacement my hope is that some patriotic belief in the Australian shipbuilding industry will see a cutting edge /next generation design will emerge.

Also I think modernisation of the Australian shipbuilding industry is a tricky proposition. Nobody is talking about the role 3D Printing and Robotics will play in shipbuilding to small scale manufacturing.

For the record. My Prediction is the the Type 26 Frigate will be chosen as the design basis for the Sea 5000 Project. Elements of the design will be altered to suit the RAN's operational goals. So the likes of radars and combat systems will be chosen for interoperability with the USN. The USN is the RAN main coalition partner.

The Royal Navy and Royal New Zealand Navies out to 2030

In May 2012 the Joint Chiefs of Staff debuted a concept known as the Black Swan Class sloop-of-war; a light and modifiable corvette-type vessel. A brief wave of excitement and interest followed suit, however this was short-lived.
3,150 tonnes, 95 meters and £65 million. The Black Swan was a modular design, including; a mission bay for UAVs, USVs and UUVs
It is a shame that the concept seems to have been consigned to a dusty shelf in the bowels of Whitehall. It offered a sober and pragmatic vision that would alleviate many of the pressures which the Royal Navy is currently subject to.
A small, (relatively) cheap and customisable platform would allow the Royal Navy to fulfil its residual duties whilst relieving the frigate and destroyer fleet.

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In June 2014 work began on construction of RFA Tidespring, the first of 4 new Tide-class tankers to be built in South Korea. This project is the only remnant of the ambitious original ‘MARS programme’ to fully regenerate the RFA flotilla. They will be the first new replenishment vessels the RFA has received since 2003 and they represent a vast improvement over the older ships they will replace. Designed by British company BMT, the 37,000 tonne vessels are built to modern double-hull standards with highly efficient propulsion and automation.

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Two interesting OP Eds from The Lens of History friends at the Save The Royal Navy Campaign, got me thinking about the future of the RNZN up until 2030. Closer to 2030 the RNZN's 2 Anzac Class Frigates are scheduled for replacement. Closer to the present HMNZS Endeavour is due for replacement . Now New Zealand lacks a home grown defence industry. So for NZDF acquisitions the New Zealand government will always go shopping overseas.

What struck me is how the RFA, RN and RNZN current and future acquisition's are on the same wave length. The reader may think that I am a bit crazy to make any kind of comparison between the RNZN and the RN because of the size difference between the two navies. Well I am sad to say that the idea isn't all that mad. As of the time of writing the RN is closer in size to the RAN then it's old Cold War era self.

The reader can find my views on what the RNZN force structure should be can be found here. I have chosen not to replicate my stand point in this article because of space constraints. My views on why the RNZN's current force structure is woeful and dangerous can be found at the same place.

Moving along I will start with HMNZS Endeavour's replacement. Did the New Zealand government drop the ball by not ordering a Tide Class Tanker? I am inclined to think they dropped the ball badly. The chance to replace HMNZS Endeavour and increase the RNZN's logistical capabilities has gone begging.

I believe the government's of New Zealand and the United Kingdom should have made a joint order for Tide Class Tankers. The additional work would have naturally been welcomed by the ships builders Crucially the New Zealand government could have played Hardball over the price of their order. Attaching a ship on to an existing order offers the buyer leverage.

Now I will shift to the RNZN Anzac Class Frigates would be replacements. At the time of writing Australia and New Zealand are separately pursuing replacements for their respective ANZAC Class frigates. The New Zealand government's aim is to kick the can down the road so somebody else has to foot the bill. They can get away with this because the matter isn't a vote winner.

About now BAE Systems ought to be knocking on Australia’s door and pushing the virtues of the Type 26 Frigate. Australia has brought forward it's own Anzac Class Frigates replacement program to 2020. BAE Systems could also drop off a few business cards across the ditch. Regardless of which design the Australians adopt, New Zealand will be in the market for two ships.

A future New Zealand government may not opt to maintain Frigates as a part of the RNZN inventory. In that case the Black Swan Class Sloop of War design concept could well be on the table. Lower up front and on going costs would be attractive to the government of the day.

New Zealand's defence policy is geared towards peacekeeping. Having naval units with high end combat capabilities isn't a priority for the RNZN. In essence the RNZN is a long range coast guard with a converted ferry (HMNZS Canterbury) and a couple of low end frigates thrown into the mix.

Why doesn't BAE Systems pitch the Black Swan Class Sloop of War to the export market? Beyond New Zealand which markets should the design be pitched to? The answer to these questions is worth visiting briefly. In general I would say the UK Shipbuilding industry have become reliant on government orders. By doing so they have become lazy. In their laziness they have ignored potential export markets. Their Australian counterparts have gone the same way.

Vietnam and the Philippines immediately spring to mind as potential buyers of vessels that bear similarities in size and capabilities to corvettes like the Black Swan Class Sloop of War does.

A look at Robotics in Manufacturing

In the plant, all the processes are operated by computer- controlled robots, computer numerical control machining equipment, unmanned transport trucks and automated warehouse equipment. 

The technical staff just sits at the computer and monitors through a central control system. 

At the workshop of Changying Precision Technology Company in Dongguan, known as the "world factory", which manufactures cell phone modules, 60 robot arms at 10 production lines polish the modules day an .. 

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Like 3D Printing Robotics looks set to revolutionise manufacturing. The Australian shipbuilding and wider defence industry has the chance to adopt the emerging technology. Briefly in this article I will outline some of the advantages offered by improvements in Robotics field. I will also offer the reader a look at matter from the stand point of those who set to be the most affected. This does represent a break in convention from the normal tone of my articles. By doing so I can avoid covering the same ground I covered in my article on 3D Printing.

I feel that some of the upsides of the use of Robotics in the defence industries may have been overlooked. During wartimes factories , shipyards and industrial plants are targets for strategic bombing. Partial or complete production lines could continue while they are under fire without risking fewer or no people's lives.

This would allow important industrial plants to be on going under combat conditions. In the event that the facilities are damaged or destroyed by enemy action the combination of Robotics and 3D Printing would see new machinery assembled and installed in a fast manner.

Note the reader: In terms of strategic bombing destroying the industrial tooling (enter name and kind facility here) is the goal of a air strike. So if the machinery/tooling at a tire factory is knocked it doesn't matter if the roof is standing or not.

Safety in the work place isn't a concern for robots. Either is working conditions or pay. Who ever heard of a Robot making a ACC claim? Now I come to point of dealing with the arguments for and against the increased use of Robotics in civilian and defence industries. The adaptation of 3D Printing and Robotics would inevitable lead to job losses. Technological evolution results in greater levels of automation and reduced labour overheads

I am unashamedly in favour retooling the Australian Defence Industry with 3D Printing and Robotics. So it's only fair that I present that stand point of those who seek to protect the jobs and working conditions of existing workers who stand to be effected. A former Union employee kindly offered the following (their comments appear in italics) :

The Unions will "want to maintain or increase the standard of living of all workers despite their loss of position. To ensure this, unions most likely will call for an increase in low-level positions in the company doing other things or for an increase to company / high income taxation to ensure a redistribution of welfare from the 'haves' to the 'have nots' "
And

"Unions number one focus is to ensure a fair standard of living for all citizens in the country through providing a life style that encourages personal growth and interest in bettering themselves." - former Union employee

Thinking about the issue I was reminded about some of the conversations that I overheard in the early 1990's. At that time the internet wasn't really around yet and I was a young child. People would still comment here and there about how PC's were now doing the jobs that use to be done by people.

Nobody was talking about the newer jobs that had first appeared along with the emergence of the PC industry. The job role of PC repair technician had emerged in the early 1980's. When somebodies workstation or home PC was in need of repair a new breed of Geeks would work their wizardry. I believe that once 3D Printing and Robotics become mainstays similar jobs will appear in those fields. How long will it be before CompTia offers a certifications for people work around Robots and 3D Printers?