Annual Report 2004-05

Approved Major Capital Equipment Projects

Top 30 Projects by 2004-05 Expenditure

JP 2008 Ph 3E Milsatcom - Ground Infrastructure

Prime contractor: BAE Systems (Australia)

Phase 3E will provide the high-priority satellite communications ground infrastructure for use with the Optus C1 satellite Defence payload.

Acquisition and through-life support contracts for the maritime element were signed with BAE Systems on 28 November 2003. The delivery of the first terminal is due in the third quarter of 2005, with the final terminal installation to occur in the last quarter of 2006.

A contract for the land terminals was signed with BAE Systems on 30 November 2004, with delivery expected in late 2006.

Defence is the systems integrator for the overall Phase 3E requirements, which includes (in addition to the maritime and land terminals) broadcast software and a primary injection facility. The first delivery of equipment required for the installation of the primary injection facility occurred in April 2005, with further elements being progressively delivered.

The project did not achieve its revised estimated expenditure primarily due to the Commonwealth withholding a major contract milestone as a result of contractor performance. These matters have since been resolved, and activities have been rescheduled for 2005-06.

The project contributes to the Command of Operations capability.