Babcock Australasia (Babcock) will fast track the delivery of an innovative new pavement solution, set to revolutionise the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) ability to rapidly construct temporary pavements in remote locations.
Hundreds of the heavy duty mats – sourced through Babcock’s ADF Ground Support Equipment contact – will form part of the shipment, following a successful trial of the product by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) last year.
Known as Dura-Base, the high-density polyethylene composite mats interlock to form a stable surface which can be installed with minimal preparation in virtually any landscape for accelerated use as a taxiway, apron or hardstand.
This capability has increasing relevance and strategic importance to the ADF as it shifts its focus to austere environments such as Australia’s north and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
The consignment will be delivered in conjunction with Babcock’s supply chain partner JWA Composite Matting, which is the in-country agent for the US-made product.
The matting will be used as an alternative to AM2 aluminium matting, which has been utilised by the RAAF since the 1960s.
The shipment is expected to be delivered by the middle of the year.
Quotes attributable to Babcock Australasia Managing Director Mission & Support Systems Richard Udall
“Successfully partnering with our supply chain is paramount to delivering practical, theatre-ready products and services that ensure the safety and effectiveness of the defence forces we proudly serve. By fostering a collaborative relationship with JWA and leveraging its cutting-edge technologies, we are able to equip our forces with the most advanced and reliable solutions to meet the ever-evolving challenges they face in the field.”
“Dura-Base helps to create an agile combat environment by providing rapid load bearing capability in hard to reach places as well as a means of keeping personnel and assets mobile.”
“Dura-Base has traditionally been utilised in the Oil and Gas industry, so this procurement aligns with our commitment to fostering sustainable opportunities for our supply chain in the defence sector.”
Quotes attributable to JWA Composite Matting Sales and Marketing Manager, Warren Pickering:
“Dura-Base consistently performs well in various scenarios and can be rapidly deployed under challenging conditions. Typically, a team of three can install up to 900-square-metres per day, making it ideal for time-sensitive projects and temporary deployments.”
“JWA is proud to partner with Babcock to leverage our experience supporting heavy industry to benefit ADF operations.”
Background
A special trial of the Dura-Base mats, coordinated by Royal Australian Air Force in 2024, saw a 2,000-square-metre apron constructed in just days at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory. The two-week trial was conducted by members of the 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron along with personnel from US Air Force airbase recovery and engineering squadrons. The product was successfully tested using a 75 Squadron F-35A stealth fighter jet and assessed for its deployable airfield pavement capability.