Projects

AIR 5190 - Ph 1A Caribou Life-Of-Type Extension to 2010

Latest Project Information

Project AIR 5190PH1A provided funds, in supplement of DMO base funding, to recover and sustain airworthiness and logistics support of the Caribou fleet until Planned Withdrawal Date of 2010. To date PA5190PH1A funds have been used to address shortfalls in Caribou logistic and engineering support through improvement of Deeper Maintenance support, progressing of engineering tasks (both backlog and running system) and procurement of additional Repairable Items and Break Down Spares that have adversely affected aircraft availability.

A Through Life Support contract for the Avionics & Aircraft Systems (Cari-BU) has been developed, negotiated and implemented for the Caribou weapon system. The Cari-BU Through Life Support contract will remain active until the Caribou is withdrawn from service. A new contract for propulsion maintenance will be in place by end of 2008.

What is Project 5190 - Phase 1A?

This project will extend the operation of the Caribou to 2010, from the previously planned withdrawal date of 2002. This project provides funds to cover increased maintenance costs associated with supporting a 40 year-old aircraft, and to cover costs associated with sustainment of engines and other aircraft equipment. Funding was also utilised to replenish stocks of spares, which were previously deliberately drawn down in anticipation of the aircraft's withdrawal from service.

The A04 Caribou aircraft (also known as DHC-4 Caribou) currently performs both troop and cargo transport functions. The most cost-effective means of continuing to provide this light transport and tactical airlift capability for the ADF over the medium-long term is to extend the life of the ADF's Caribou aircraft until 2010. The acquisition of a replacement Light Tactical Airlift Capability (LTAC) will be considered as part of the AIR8000 review.

The ADF has 14 Caribou transport aircraft that provide the capability to operate from short airfields with rough or soft surfaces. This capability allows for the supply and resupply of combat forces in locations where larger aircraft are unable to operate due to the limited length or condition of the landing strip, and where rotary aircraft are either unavailable or not appropriate for the nature of the supply task.

TOP

Project History

CASA of Spain and US-Italian Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems responded to a Request for Tender to supply between 12 and 18 C-295 and C-27J aircraft respectively to meet the requirement, worth more than A$500 million ($298 million). The aircraft were to have entered service as replacements for the RAAF's 14 remaining 1960s-era DHC-4 Caribou short-haul transport aircraft, which are increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain in service.

After considerable delays in announcing a preferred tenderer and industry speculation that the long-running project would not receive final ministerial endorsement, both companies were advised of the decision not to proceed with the project in mid-2000. The decision not to proceed with AIR 5190 Phase 2 meant urgent action was needed to address Caribou support.

TOP

Work Packages

The Avionics & Aircraft Systems Through Life Support (Cari-BU) contract has been negotiated and awarded to Australian Aerospace (Brisbane). A new contract for propulsion maintenance will be in place by end of 2008. The two contracts will address all the continued support requirements of the Caribou. The work packages include:

Functional Area	General Scope
Airframe	Through Life Support of the Caribou airframe, including:
	. Deeper Maintenance of the airframe,
	. Avionics,
	. Inventory Management,
	. Engineering, and
	. RI maintenance
Engines	Through Life Support of the Caribou engines, including:
	. R2000 radial engine,
	. Hamilton Standard 43D50-651 propeller,
	. Inventory Management,
	. Engineering, and
	. RI maintenance.

TOP

Contacts

Air Lift Systems Program Office - A04 Caribou Through Life Support Project Team

Team Leader
SQNLDR George Hodgson
E-mail: george.hodgson@defence.gov.au
Telephone: (07) 3637 0749
Fax: (07) 3637 0735

112 Pandanus Ave
Brisbane Airport,
Qld 4008

TOP

Last updated: 28 February 2008