1. The Situation • increasing financial pressure - ‘more bang for the buck’ “The Environmental Edge”

2. The Background • steady or reducing funding • steady or reducing manpower • rapid turnover of personnel, c12% • units employed on other duties = loss of skills • ‘150 days at sea’ limit = loss of skills • frustration - government procurement • frustration - ‘whole ship’ support contracts “The Environmental Edge”

3. Survey Motor Launches • 7 sqNM per day, ie c10 hr data acquisition after transit and end of line turns subtracted = dictates sensor selection, eg MVP, bridge SSS control • processed in 16 man hours, ie bathymetry, target detection & seafloor characterisation = dictates system selection, eg CUBE “The Environmental Edge”

4. Wish List • faster data turn-around, for charting & REA • automated seafloor characterisation • standarised processing systems • standardised formats & procedures • more user networking • minor incident in the Gt. Barrier Reef • improved facilities “The Environmental Edge”

5. The Next Five Years • more emphasis on ‘very’ shallow water • more emphasis on environmental data • employment of AUV on the continental shelf • introduction of ‘tactical’ LiDAR UAV • new tech., eg AEMB, BMT Chirpscan, SASS • forward looking sonars • organic military / rapid response capabilities • increased processing automation • wider variety of HO products, eg POD • ISO 9001 certification • security • more S-44 and ZOC arguments “The Environmental Edge”

6. AHS - Hydrographic Capability LADS FARC Leeuwin, Melville ASV DGST SMB x 8 Benalla, Mermaid,Paluma, Shepparton “The Environmental Edge”