| Minister | Navy | Army | Air Force | Department
| Defence Portfolio Budget
Statements 2001-02 |
Section 3 |
Project Schedules
The Anzac Ship project involves delivery of 10 ships, associated shore facilities and logistic support. Two of the 10 ships (02 and 04) are for the Royal New Zealand Navy. Five ships have been delivered and are in service with the RAN and the Royal New Zealand Navy. Ship 08 (Ballarat) is scheduled for launch in the first quarter of 2002. Ship 06 (Stuart) is planned for delivery in the second quarter of 2002. The shift from 2001 to 2002 for the delivery of Ships 06 and 08 was a result of a contractual change in the delivery schedule for Ships 06-10.
The Underwater and Surface Warfare Upgrade Project will enhance the Anzac Ship surface and sub-surface warfare capabilities. The initial strategy of a sole-source contract was unsatisfactory, so a revised acquisition strategy to incorporate these capabilities in the ships is being developed and will involve acquisition under an alliance arrangement with Australian industry. The first element of the project, providing the ship with a harpoon capability, is expected to be under contract by the second half of 2001.
| This project contributes to Navy Capabilities. |
FFG Progressive Upgrade - Implementation
The FFG Upgrade Project seeks to maintain a comparative regional capability for FFG guided-missile frigates and to ensure that they remain effective and supportable until the end of their life. ADI Ltd plans to conduct the upgrade at its Garden Island facility, commencing with HMAS Sydney (FFG 03) in mid-2002 and completing with HMAS Newcastle (FFG 06) in 2006. The contract with ADI Ltd is at least six months behind schedule due to design difficulties being experienced by the contractor. ADI Ltd is conducting a detailed replan which is expected to be complete by mid-2001. It is expected that detailed design work will be substantially completed during 2001-02.
| This project contributes to Navy Capabilities. |
Evolved SeaSparrow Missile
This project will continue to incorporate the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile capability into Navy service. Progressive missile deliveries will occur throughout 2001-02. Anzac Ship 05 (Warramunga) will be the first ship to fire the missile during the third quarter of 2001. Ship 06 (Stuart) will be the second Evolved SeaSparrow Missile-capable ship.
| This project contributes to Navy Capabilities. |
New Submarine Project
This project is to provide six Collins-class submarines with associated infrastructure and support. Five submarines have been provisionally accepted by the Navy with the sixth (Submarine 06 Rankin) expected to be provisionally accepted by the Navy in the latter half of 2002, having completed sea trials and a class shock trial.
| This project contributes to Navy Capabilities. |
Minehunter Coastal Acquisition
The Minehunter Coastal Project provides for the delivery of six coastal minehunters and associated supplies, including combat system and platform system trainers at HMAS Waterhen in Sydney.
Nuship Gascoyne (Ship 04) was provisionally accepted into service in April 2001 and is due to be commissioned in June 2001. Nuship Diamantina (Ship 05) was launched in December 2000 and is scheduled for delivery in November 2001. Nuship Yarra (Ship 06) is under construction. It will be launched in September 2001 and is expected to be provisionally accepted into service in September 2002.
| This project contributes to Navy Capabilities. |
Collins-Class Submarine Augmentation
The scope of this project is to provide combat system augmentation and propeller and hull improvements to three submarines to bring them to an improved, albeit still limited, level of operational capability as quickly as possible. Initial hull improvements to Collins (submarine 01) were completed in August 1999. Work to upgrade Dechaineux (submarine 04) and Sheean (submarine 05) to the interim level of improved capability is substantially complete with outstanding tasks being progressed during planned maintenance periods in 2001. A further two submarines will have platform improvements completed during the year. The Collins is undergoing the first full-cycle docking (refit) for the class, which is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2002.
| This project contributes to Navy Capabilities. |
Australian Light Armoured Vehicles
The Australian Light Armoured Vehicles Project is acquiring wheeled light-armoured vehicles that provide the basis of the Army’s armoured reconnaissance and surveillance capability. As a result of previous phases, the Army has a fleet of 111 vehicles in service. These primarily equip the 2nd Cavalry Regiment located in Darwin. Elements of the unit equipped with Australian light armoured vehicles have been successfully deployed in East Timor. Elements of Phase 2 yet to be completed include the surveillance suite, gunnery trainer and commander’s weapon station. Phase 3 of the project is to acquire up to an additional 150 Australian light armoured vehicles. These vehicles will be used to complete the equipping of 2nd Cavalry Regiment and to equip 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment, which is located in Brisbane. Phase 3 is proceeding on schedule and vehicle deliveries will commence in late 2002.
| This project contributes to Army Capabilities. |
F/A-18 Hornet Upgrade Phase 1 and 2
This project seeks to upgrade the F/A-18 fighter fleet to rectify capability deficiencies which limit the effectiveness of the aircraft in its air combat role. The project schedule for 2001-02 includes the completion of the first production phase upgrading the communications and on-board computers. Phase two involves the commencement of radar upgrade production and the commencement of the design phase for the cockpit and display upgrade. Preliminary work will also commence on structural improvements to extend the life of the airframe. Some aspects of electronic warfare self-protection have been deferred.
| This project contributes to Air Force Capabilities. |
This project is to update the P3C Orion fleet to assure continued operational effectiveness through to the planned withdrawal date of 2015. Under the update project, the radar, acoustic system, data management system and navigation and communications equipment will all be replaced with integrated, modern systems. The planned schedule for 2001-02 includes the delivery of aircraft 01 to 06, the operational mission simulator and Systems Engineering Laboratory facility.
The underexpenditure of $104m in 2000-01 is directly due to a 36-month delay in the delivery of the prototype aircraft and the subsequent flow-on effect of this delay on production aircraft. The delay in delivery of the prototype aircraft was primarily the result of software integration problems.
| This project contributes to Air Force Capabilities. |
This project will acquire 11 Super Seasprite helicopters for the Anzac ships, which will provide an enhanced capability to the ADF for surface surveillance, anti-surface warfare, contact investigation, and maritime utility tasks. The project includes the provision of a mission flight simulator and software support centre. The contract is running two years late with final acceptance of supplies planned for March 2003. The delay has been caused substantially by the partial failure of Litton Integrated Systems, which is contracted to develop the integrated software. Provisional acceptance of the first software build may occur in late 2001, which may then allow the Navy to train the instructors and conduct initial test and evaluation. Deliveries of aircraft spares, documentation, and ground support and test equipment is ongoing. Safe Air Limited will carry out final aircraft assembly at the Naval Air Station, Nowra. The In-Service Support Centre have been commissioned.
| This project contributes to Air Force Capabilities. |
Air-to-Surface Stand-off Weapons Capability
This project will acquire and bring into service the AGM-142E missile weapon for fitment to F111C aircraft. It will provide the ADF with a capability to strike non-hardened and semi-hardened unitary targets while providing a modest stand-off range, thereby contributing to the survivability of the aircraft. The project schedule for 2001-02 includes delivery of the missiles as well as items of ground-support equipment. Aircraft and missile integration design will be completed and prototype aircraft modification will commence at Amberley, Queensland.
| This project contributes to Air Force Capabilities. |
Air-to-Air Weapons Capability
This project seeks to maintain a credible air-to-air weapons capability for F/A-18 aircraft. To do this, new beyond-visual-range and within-visual-range missiles will be acquired. The project schedule for 2001-02 includes the delivery of missiles for both requirements, namely the advanced medium range air-to-air missile and the advanced short range air-to-air missile respectively. There will be ongoing work for integration and testing of the short-range missile into the F/A-18 weapon system involving the Defence Science and Technology Organisation and the Aircraft Research and Development Unit.
| This project contributes to Air Force Capabilities. |
Penguin Missile Project
This project is for the acquisition of Penguin anti-ship missiles, spares support for the missiles, telemetry heads and weapons, aircraft port-side missile control systems, and supporting infrastructure for the safe operation and maintenance of the anti-ship missiles manufactured by Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace of Kongsberg, Norway. Delivery of the initial quantity of anti-ship missiles coincided with the delivery of the first Super Seasprite helicopter (acquired under the Anzac ship helicopter project). Commissioning of facilities and training has been completed and weapons assembly has commenced.
| This project contributes to Air Force Capabilities. |
This project will acquire 12 C130J aircraft to replace the C130E fleet operated by 37 Squadron. The Government agreed, in August 1999, to a concept of conditional aircraft acceptance which would provide aircraft that could be operated safely in routine line-haul operations, with the remaining capability shortfalls to be overcome by three post-delivery block upgrades. The project schedule for 2001-02 includes the final (third) block upgrade expected to provide full contracted capability. Expenditure associated with spares and related documentation, including training packages, has been programmed from 2001-02 to 2002-03.
| This project contributes to Air Force Capabilities. |
This project is acquiring 33 Hawk 127 aircraft to replace the Macchi MB-326H that was withdrawn from service at RAAF Williamtown in December 2000 and at RAAF Pearce in March 2001. The replacement aircraft will be used in the lead-in fighter and ADF support roles. A significant part of the latter role will be fast-jet support to the Navy fleet on both the east and west coast. Twenty-four aircraft have now been delivered with a total of 31 aircraft due for delivery by July 2001. Operations have commenced at Pearce and Williamtown. All training devices have been delivered and are undergoing final acceptance testing.
The expected underexpenditure of $12m in 2000-01 is due to variations associated with the final aircraft delivery schedule, offset by the development of radar simulation, radar emulation and air-to-air refuelling, which have been brought forward.
| This project contributes to Air Force Capabilities. |
Airborne Early Warning and Control
This project will provide Defence with an airborne early warning and control capability with the provision of four aircraft and associated supplies and support. Reconsideration of the project in the context of the White Paper resulted in the project scope being reduced from six aircraft to acquiring four with options for up to a further three later. A contract for four aircraft was signed with Boeing in December 2000. The planned in-service date is 2007. In 2001-02, a number of major sub-system design reviews will be conducted with Boeing.
| This project contributes to Air Force Capabilities. |
Jindalee Operational Radar Network
This project will provide two over-the-horizon radars; one near Longreach, Queensland and the other near Laverton, Western Australia. Each will be operated from the Jindalee Operational Radar Network Coordination Centre at RAAF Edinburgh, South Australia. Integration, evaluation and acceptance testing activities by the contractor and Defence are being conducted over 2001 and into 2002, with formal handover for RAAF-controlled surveillance operations projected for mid-2002. Initial RAAF operator training will continue throughout 2001 at the contractor’s premises in Melbourne. An external study into possible connection of the Longreach radar sites to the Queensland power grid, in order to reduce future running costs, has resulted in Defence consultation with Ergon, the regional electricity supplier. Information relating to connection options and costs is being sought from the supplier.
| This project contributes to Air Force Capabilities. | [Table Entry] |
This project was instigated to replace the Navy high-frequency stations at Canberra, Darwin, Exmouth, Sydney, Cairns and HMAS Stirling and the Air Force high-frequency stations at Sydney, Townsville, Darwin and Perth. It will also improve the high-frequency capability of selected ADF mobile platforms (ships, aircraft and communications shelters). The project will deliver the new high-frequency capability in three stages: core, intermediate and final. The core system will replace the existing high-frequency facilities, while the intermediate and final systems will provide increasing levels of automation to improve capability and reduce reliance on staff. The primary work scheduled for 2001-02 is the integration of the core system components, system testing and the transition of existing Navy and Air Force high-frequency stations capability and staff to the integrated core system. Operator training for the core system will also be completed.
| This project contributes to Defence Operations. |
Tactical Air Defence Radar Systems
This project is to acquire four mobile air-defence radar systems to replace the existing radars. The project will also provide a transport capability for the new systems, and satellite communications between the new systems and the fixed air-defence sites. System production and integration, followed by acceptance testing and evaluation, were commenced during 2000-01, but have experienced some contractual delays. This work will continue during 2001-02, with operational evaluation to commence in the first half of 2002. The new systems are now scheduled to be delivered during 2002-03, reflecting a 16-month schedule slip to the overall program.
| This project contributes to Air Force Capabilities. |