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parari 2024 Australian Explosive Ordnance Safety Symposium Interoperability and Interchangeability 19-21 November 2024 National Convention Centre Canberra, Australia

Speakers

PARARI 2024 will include keynote speakers from across the Australian EO enterprise and international EO community, presentations, workshops and a range of networking events and opportunities. This year invited keynote speakers will address current Explosive Ordnance Safety challenges focusing on the theme of 'Interoperability and Interchangeability'.

Plenary Speakers

  • James Nash, RAN

    CDRE James Nash, RAN

    Director General Explosive Ordnance, Joint Capabilities Group, Defence

    CDRE James Nash is a Weapons Electrical Engineering officer by specialization, with a sub specialization in Armaments Engineering. His shore postings have included acquisition, waterfront engineering, Navy, Joint and Overseas Headquarters positions.

    Postings have included Director Interoperability in the VCDFE, Exchange officer to the USN N9I office at the Pentagon and as the Combat System Director, for the Destroyer Program within CASG. In addition he has held Armanent engineering positions in both Joint Capability Group and Navy as Technical Staff Officer (Navy) and Assitant Director Armanents respectively.

    His sea-going postings have included postings in the frigate HMAS Adelaide (FFGOliver Hazard Perry Class) and as Deputy Weapons Engineer in the destroyer HMAS Perth (DDG-Charles F. Adams Class). With his last sea posting as the Weapons Engineering Office in HMAS Stuart (FFH- ANZAC Class).

    Operational postings have included six months as the Naval Assistant to Australian Ambassador Cairo, in support of UN Sanction enforcement operations against Iraq. Whilst on HMAS Stuart, he was deployed in support of OP CATALYST.

    In January 2012 he was promoted to Captain and was posted to the Destroyer Program Combat System Director, responsible for the delivery of the Aegis FMS program into the Australian Shipbuilding program. In Jul 2020 he graduated from the Eishenhower School at the National Defense University (NDU), and was posted to the Pentagon as an exchange officer to N9I in OPNAV. On return to Australia he was Director Interoperability within Force Integeration Division.

    In May 2022 he was promoted to Commodore and is posted as Director General Explosive within the Joint Capability Group.

    CDRE Nash holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from University of NSW, a Masters in Science (Explosive Ordnance Engineering) from Cranfield University UK. A Masters in Business Adminstration and Complex Progect Management from Queensland University of Technology, and a Masters in Science in National Resource Strategy from NDU, USA.

    CDRE Nash is married to Kate and they have five children and a Labrador "Toby".

  • Holly Pennington

    Miss Holly Pennington

    Weapons Engineering Centre of Excellence (WESCOE), UK Ministry of Defence

    Holly Pennington is the Team Leader of Weapons Technical Services (WTS) (previously known a Defence Ordnance Safety Group (DOSG) Science and Technology Division) and Technical Discipline Lead of Weapons, Munitions, Ordnance and Explosives (WOME) skills at DE&S. Holly was driven to take the Team Leader role to provide the UK Leadership of modernisation of the Testing and Evaluation Capabilities for Weapons Systems Safety Assessment. Having spent the majority of her career is DE&S, since 2004, she has spent time in both Weapons Acquisition Engineering and Safety roles as well as developing specialisation in Energetic Material Science providing a capability to align weapons Test and Evaluation research activities with priorities set by Weapons acquisition challenges. In the Technical Discipline Lead role Holly works collaboratively with wider Industry and academia partners to maintain and improve the skills development offerings to the niche skillsets across the weapons development community; taking ownership of the requirement for the Explosive Ordnance Engineering MSC and modernising the WOME National Occupation Standards (NOS) for effective exploitation. In this talk, Holly will provide a review of the WOME skills UK initiatives and how SQEP management is critical in optimising weapons acquisition timescales; balancing resource challenges, reducing project risk and managing regulatory compliance.

  • Mark Scougall

    AIRCDRE Mark Scougall

    Director General Explosive Materiel Branch - Systems Division, Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Group, Defence

    Air Commodore Scougall enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1985, and graduated from Engineer Cadet Squadron (RAAF Frognall) in 1988 with a Bachelor Degree in Aeronautical Engineering (with Honours) from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT).

    During his early Air Force career, Mark served in a variety of aircraft maintenance, engineering and integrated logistics management roles, primarily in support of the Air Force's F-111 strike aircraft. His key engineering appointments included Senior Engineering Officer at No 6 Squadron; and F-111 Chief Engineer at Strike Reconnaissance Systems Program Office.

    In 2006, Mark was appointed as the inaugural Commanding Officer within the RAAF's C-17A Globemaster III acquisition project, working with the US Air Force to acquire, and establish the sustainment management system for Australia's new fleet of C-17A aircraft. Upon return to Australia in 2010, he was promoted to Group Captain within Capability Development Group (CDG) where he managed Air Force's major capital acquisition program for its air traffic and battlespace management systems. In 2014, Mark was appointed as the Officer Commanding of Air Lift Systems Program Office, responsible for the sustainment and upgrade of Air Force's C-130J Hercules and C-27J Spartan aircraft fleets. Since 2017, he has served in several senior capability development, acquisition and sustainment Program Office roles, including as the Air Domain's Director of Program Performance and Reporting within Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG); and as Chief of Staff to the Head of Air Force Capability within Air Force Headquarters. Mark was promoted into the CASG Director-General Explosive Materiel role in 2023.

    Air Commodore Scougall is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC), receiving a Masters of Management through the University of Canberra; and has since also completed an Executive Masters of Business majoring in Complex Project Management through the Queensland University of Technology, receiving a Dean's Award for academic excellence.

    His contribution in rapidly establishing the novel C-17A sustainment system to support the unprecedentedly aggressive aircraft delivery schedule was recognised through the award of the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) in 2010. He has also received two Gold Commendations from the Chief of CDG and Deputy Secretary of CASG.

    Air Commodore Scougall holds Chartered Engineer, Engineering Executive and Fellow status with Engineers Australia.

    Affectionately known as 'Scougs', Mark and his wife Mary are proud parents to three adult daughters.

  • Nigel Smith, RAN

    CDRE Nigel Smith, RAN

    Director General, Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise, Defence

    Commodore Smith joined the RAN in 1991 and completed a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA). His sea postings included the guided missile destroyers HMAS HOBART and HMAS PERTH and as the Weapons Engineering Officer of the ANZAC frigate HMAS STUART.

    Postings ashore have included Directorate of Navy Weapon Systems, Director Ordnance Safety, and Director of the Land Explosive Ordnance Systems Program Office.

    Nigel has enjoyed overseas postings including two years on the Naval Attaché's staff in Washington DC, and a three year exchange to the United Kingdom Defence Ordnance Safety Group (DOSG). During the UK posting he was the Australian representative on the steering committee for the NATO Munitions Safety Information and Analysis Centre, and the NATO Ammunition Safety Group (AC/326).

    Nigel is currently the Director General Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise in Joint Capabilities Group.

    Nigel has a Master of Science in Explosive Ordnance Engineering, a Master of Engineering Science in Project Management, and a Master of Business Administration. He completed the Defence and Strategic Studies Course in 2020.

    Nigel is married and has two adult children. His passions outside of work include maintaining and driving an Australian-assembled 1964 MGB, watching football and skiing.

  • Wade Evans

    AIRCDRE Wade Evans

    Explosive Ordnance Branch, Defence

    Wade Evans joined the Royal Australian Air Force in January 1984 as an engineer cadet. In 1987 he graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Electronics) and was commissioned as an Armaments Officer and posted to Explosives Engineering at 1 Central Ammunition Depot, NSW.

    After gaining engineering, logistics and training experience, including a posting to the United Kingdom Royal Military College of Science (Shrivenham) where he completed a Masters of Science (Explosive Ordnance Engineering), Air Commodore Evans was promoted to Wing Commander in 2002. As the Chief Engineer of the Joint Ammunition Logistics Organisation he led a significant program of engineering reform. This was followed by a posting to Headquarters Air Command as the Deputy Director Capability Management where he subsequently receiving an ACAUST Commendation for his efforts supporting the Air Command C2 Weapon System.

    In October 2008, AIRCDRE Evans was posted to the UK Defence Ordnance Safety Group (DOSG) as the Australian Exchange Officer. During his three year posting he held the post as a section head in the Weapon Systems Division managing a section of staff developing safety and suitability for service advice for a wide variety of ordnance munitions and explosives. In recognition of his efforts he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

    While posted to the UK, AIRCDRE Evans was also the Australian representative on the Munitions Safety Information Analysis Centre (MSIAC) Steering Committee, the MSIAC Strategic Planning Group and the NATO Ammunition Safety group, A/C 326. In November 2011 the MSIAC Steering Committee elected him as the Chairman of their Steering Committee, a position he held until October 2014.

    On 5 December 2011, AIRCDRE Evans was promoted to Group Captain and appointed as the Director Ordnance Safety. In January 2015 he took up the role of Director Explosive Ordnance – Air Force within the Directorate General Technical Airworthiness – Australian Defence Force. During 2015 he produced a number of papers regarding the future of Defence EO Safety Management.

    On 8 Dec 2016, AIRCDRE Evans was promoted to Air Commodore, taking up the appointment as Director General Explosive Ordnance within VCDF Group on 21 Dec 15. He held the role as DGEO for five years, transitioning to the Reserves on 31 Mar 21.

    AIRCDRE Evans has continued to support the GWEO community within JCG and GWEOG through Reserve service (days).

    AIRCDRE Evans lives in Canberra with his wife Rebecca, his daughter Isabelle and son Patrick.

  • Kate Biddington

    Ms Kate Biddington

    Executive Director, Explosive Ordnance Branch, Defence

  • Mark Washusen

    GPCAPT Mark Washusen

    Director GWEO Test and Evaluation, Defence

    GPCAPT Mark Washusen joined the RAAF in 1995 as an Armaments Officer, after completing a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) at Monash University. Upon graduation from Officer Training School, GPCAPT Washusen posted to the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU).

    GPCAPT Washusen has significant experience in: leadership; acquisition and sustainment; technical regulation and design engineering; flight test; capability development and strategic staff work.

    GPCAPT Washusen has long standing in the Flight Test community, with postings to the Aircraft Stores Compatibility Engineering Squadron (ASCENG SQN), ARDU and Development and Test Wing HQ. Key positions included CO ASCENG SQN, Heavy Aircraft Flight Commander, Senior Flight Test Engineer ARDU and CO DTWG HQ.

    GPCAPT Washusen has significant experience across the entire breadth of CASG business, having served as the Armaments Engineer on the to the Lead-in Fighter Project, the Project Engineering manager for Light Weight Torpedo integration on the AP-3C at Maritime Patrol SPO and Chief Engineer Wide Area and Space Surveillance SPO.

    Time in the "Strategic Centre" has rounded out GPCAPT Washusen's experience, with postings to Capability Development Group and Force Integration Division. GPCAPT Washusen completed his time in the strategic centre, by delivering the initial tranche of the Defence Test & Evaluation Strategy in 2022.

    GPCAPT Washusen has gained significant leadership experience across his career. He is a graduate of the Empire Test Pilots' School and the Australian Command & Staff College in 2011 - with a Master of Arts in Policy and Strategy.

    GPCAPT Washusen considers the high points of his career to be introduction to service of the Hawk 127; graduation from Empire Test Pilots' School (ETPS); leading the test and certification of the C 130J paratrooping capability; command of ASCENG SQN and having performed two senior engineering positions - Senior Design Engineer Aircraft Stores Compatibility and CENGR WASS SPO. It was GPCAPT Washusen's privilege to deploy to the MEAO for a short aircraft incident investigation in 2010.

    GPCAPT Washusen commenced his is new role of Director Test & Evaluation – GWEO at the beginning of 2024. He is eager to bring his deep experience in T&E and armaments to this new and important challenge.

  • Chris Hollands

    Mr Chris Hollands

    Energetic Materials - Tso, Munitions Safety Information Analysis Center (MSIAC)

    Chris joined MSIAC in August 2020 as the Energetic Materials TSO, leading efforts relating to energetic materials. In addition to his daily support to the MSIAC member nations through the answering of technical questions, support is provided to the NATO AC/326 SG/A EMT in the development and update to NATO STANAGS & AOP's relating the energetic materials and qualification. Prior to MSIAC, Chris worked as an Energetic Material Scientist, within the UK MOD, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) organisation. He undertook a range of tasks including specialist scientific advice on munition and weapon safety to UK MOD, and its Partners. Additionally, Chris supported the UK's research activities into new less sensitive energetic materials and novel processing technologies. In 2018 Chris assumed the role of UK National Authority for Qualification, ensuring that energetic materials introduced into UK service where suitably characterised to meet the requirements for service use.

  • Kevin Jaansalu

    Dr Kevin Jaansalu

    TSO - Materials Technology, Munitions Safety Information Analysis Center (MSIAC)

    A former aerospace engineering officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, Kevin graduated from RMC in 1989 with a degree in Fuels and Materials Engineering. During his military career, he held field positions in helicopter squadrons, including UN operations in Haiti, and a staff position for aeropropulsion research and development at National Research Council of Canada. Kevin completed his doctoral studies in 2002 in computational thermodynamics. On retirement from the military in 2005, Kevin accepted a position at Montana Tech where he taught several courses in physical metallurgy, including materials selection in design and welding metallurgy, as well as courses on ballistics and explosives engineering. Kevin returned to RMC in the summer of 2009, primarily to establish and develop ammunition engineering programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Joining MSIAC in April 2019, Kevin is the current TSO - Materials Technology.

  • Jakob Breiner

    Mr Jakob Breiner

    Tso Warhead Technologies, Munitions Safety Information Analysis Center (MSIAC)

    Jakob (GE) joined MSIAC on 1st of September 2023 as the Warheads Technology TSO. In 2017 he joined TDW Warhead Systems as Technology Study Manager. This work included the national Systems Engineer Role of the SSKW Phase II Project (US/IT/GE MoU) as well as Research regarding the defeating of Naval and Armored Vehicle Active Protection Systems, Future Area Denial / Counter Mobility Solutions, Supersonic/Hypersonic Penetrator Systems, Reactive Fragment Anti-Air and Insensitive Multi-Purpose Warheads. In this role he was involved in the filing of over 16 Patents in the Warhead and Safety/Arming Domain and won several Best-Patent and Technology Awards of MBDA Group. He holds a Diploma degree in mechanical engineering.

  • Mathew Brooks

    LTCOL Mathew Brooks

    Joint Proof Experimental Unit

  • Justin Milverton

    SQNLDR Justin Milverton

    Royal Australian Air Force, Directorate of Ordnance Safety, Defence

    SQNLDR Milverton joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 2012 as an Armament Engineering Officer via the Undergraduate Scheme. In 2015, he posted to 11 Squadron (SQN) as the Squadron Armament Officer on the AP-3C Orion. During his tenure at 11SQN, his contribution in supporting and managing hazardous substances associated with the AGM-84J Harpoon was recognised through the award of a Gold Group Commendation. In 2017, Justin posted into Air Warfare Engineering Squadron (AWE SQN) where he held a number of key senior engineering delegations. His achievements at AWE SQN were recognised in 2020 through a Commanding Officer's award for excellence in aircraft/store compatibility. Since then, Justin has held technical and leadership roles in Munitions Industrial Base and Aerospace Explosive Ordnance System Program Office. In 2022/23, he completed a Master of Science in Guided Weapon Systems at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom and is currently undertaking a Master of Business at UNSW. Justin is the current Technical Staff Officer – Air Force (TSO-AF) in the Directorate of Ordnance Safety.

  • Greg Nicholas

    Mr Greg Nicholas

    Key Account Manager Europe – Electro Optic Systems

Concurrent Speakers

Partners

Silver Partners

Ascent

K39 Consulting Pty Ltd

Northrop Grumman

Bronze Sponsors

ACOR Consultants

Dinner Sponsor

Lockheed Martin

Name Card / Lanyard Partner

Ascent

Media Partners

ADM

ADPR

Defence Connect

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