Projects
SEA 1229 Phase 1, 2 & 3 - Active Missile Decoy (AMD)
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Schedule Industry Objectives Australian Industry Opportunities Financial Dimensions Contact |
Project Description
The mission of the Active Missile Decoy (AMD) Project is to provide an off-board soft kill self defence weapon system for protection of RAN ships against radio frequency seeker anti-ship missiles. The objectives of the AMD Project are as follows:
a. Phase 1: Development of a Fire Control System (FCS) together with production of a single ship system and associated Nulka decoys for operational trials and evaluation.
b. Phase 2/3: A combined phase covering the production, acquisition and fitting of ship systems in RAN FFG and ANZAC class ships and acquisition of initial stocks of Nulka decoys.
Project Background
Nulka was selected as the RAN off-board Active Missile Decoy system in 1991. AMD Project Phase 1 developed the FCS under a contract signed in 1994. Phases 2 & 3 were combined into a single phase approved in 1995.
Project Schedule and Contract Details
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Under Phase 1, the Commonwealth acquired one complete ship system and a small number of practice rounds from British Aerospace Systems Australia Ltd. The contract was signed on 30 June 1994. A contract was signed in October 1994 with CSC (Australia), Adelaide for the provision of software Validation and Verification (V&V) services during the initial FCS development.
On 9 August 1996 the Phase 1 contract was extended to include FCS ship systems and associated development and training systems as part of Phase 2/3. A separate contract was awarded in June 1997 for the production of Nulka rounds to meet initial requirements for Australia, the USA and Canada. Phase 1 also included the development of an aircraft borne Generic Threat Simulator (GTS) for assessing the effectiveness of the decoy in operational situations.
The Nulka System achieved provisional acceptance into naval service (provisional AINS) on 31 August 2001 and passed Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) on 17 October 2001. The Chief of Navy granted full Operational Release (OR) of the Nulka System on 11 March 2005. As at mid-2009, all four Adelaide Class guided missile frigates and eight ANZAC class frigates are fitted with the Nulka Active Missile Decoy System. The Nulka system is performing at a very high level of operational effectiveness and fulfils an important role in the self-defence of the RAN surface combatant force.
Project SEA1229 Phase 2/3 continues to provide infrastructure support to the Australian component of the Nulka Australia-US Joint Program Office Nulka Surveillance Program. The objectives of the Surveillance Program are to continuously monitor and improve the Nulka round inventory and processes for safety, reliability and performance; and obtain sufficient data to increase the service life of Nulka round components in order to maximise the availability of the Nulka capability to the RAN.
Industry Objectives
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The AMD project, though now largely complete, has extended the capability in industry for the development, test and integration of complex systems such as the Fire Control System and radar based systems such as the GTS. Through-life support, surveillance capabilities, deeper level maintenance and repair of all modules in the AMD and GTS systems is, or will be, undertaken by Australian industry. Significant associated work in the V&V of FCS software has introduced new skills, procedures and standards for this type of work, and integration of GTS radar components has introduced new capabilities in Australian industry. Also, the extensive use of computer modelling and simulation of Nulka performance has enhanced Industry capabilities in this area.
Opportunity for Australian Industry in Logistic Support Arrangements
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In-Service Support is a DMO Sustainment activity that was transitioned to upon completion of Project activities. In-Service Support (ISS) of the Nulka system was contracted to Australian industry and commenced on 1 Jan 2006. The scope of work for In-Service Support for the GTS system is under development with a target date for ISS contract commencement late 2009.
Financial Dimensions
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Phase 1 is a Category 3 project (between $20m and $60m).
Phase 2/3 in aggregate is a Category 2 project (between $60m and $200m).
Contact
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Mr Trent WisemanDirector, Maritime Electronic Warfare Systems Program Office
Department of Defence
Russell Offices
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Tel (02) 6265 1624
Fax (02) 6265 2579
Last Reviewed: August 2009.