Projects

JP 129 - Airborne Surveillance For Land Operations

Current Contract Status Contacts

Background

JP129 Phase 2 seeks to acquire a Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) system capable of providing airborne surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance to support land operations. This capability would be a vital element of Australia’s national surveillance architecture, particularly for land and littoral operations.

Project Overview

The TUAV system will provide:

a. Near Real Time (NRT) reconnaissance capability for a deployed Joint Task Force;

b. an integral, responsive and accurate target acquisition system capable of providing a NRT sensor-to-decider-to-response asset link; and

c. a battle damage assessment capability.

Defence’s concept for the JP129 capability is to provide two Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) systems, each comprising four air vehicles, two ground stations, a catapult launcher and associated tactical support systems.   The TUAV system will likely include the elements represented in the following graphic:

TOP

The Tier 3 TUAV system of JP129 will complement the ADF’s layered UAV system of Short-Range Tier 1 (‘Skylark’) UAVs and Tier 2 (‘ Scan Eagle’) UAVs currently deployed in the Middle East.  JP129 will be a significant force multiplier to Australian Army land operations.

A new Army regiment, 20th Surveillance and Target Acquisition Regiment (20 STA REGT) will operate the TUAVs from Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera, in Queensland. The regiment will combine the existing capabilities of the 131st Surveillance and Target Acquisition Battery, with a new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Battery, to be known as the 132nd Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Battery, a Combat Service Support Battery and a Regimental Headquarters. 

Through-life-support for the TUAV systems will be provided by contractor operating from Enoggera.

Current Project Status

TOP

Defence signed an Acquisition Contract with Boeing Australia Limited on 16 December 2006 and an In-Service Support Contract on 15 January 2007 based on the Israel Aerospace Industries I-View 250 UAV. Since contract award, Boeing Australia and its subcontractors have experienced a range of technical issues making it increasingly difficult to deliver the full scope of the contract within a timeframe acceptable to Defence.

Boeing Australia and Defence agreed to terminate the contract on 4 September 2008.  For further information please refer to the media release via this link.

Defence is now considering alternative capabilities.

Contact Details

JP129 Phase 2 Project Office
Brindabella Park (BP35-2-066)
Department of Defence
Canberra   ACT   2600

Fax: (02) 612 727713
E-Mail: jp129.tuav@defence.gov.au

Last reviewed: 5 September 2008