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• AIR 7000 Phase 2B Maritime Patrol Aircraft Replacement

Phase 2B Maritime Patrol Aircraft Replacement

Phase Scope

This phase is intended to acquire a replacement manned aircraft for the AP-3C Orion, capable of Maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Response (MISRR) roles, overland Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR), and Electronic Support (ES).

Background

AP-3C Orion life-of-type is dependent upon ongoing airframe fatigue and corrosion, aircraft system supportability and mission system obsolescence. Specifically, aircraft engines, hydraulics, electrical, oxygen and fuel systems are increasingly costly to support as the platform ages. Although limited mission system obsolescence treatments provided by Project AIR 5276 will assist in facilitating a 2018-19 AP-3C planned withdrawal date, further preclusively costly airframe, aircraft and mission system upgrades would be required to operate the AP-3C post-2018.

This project will replace the AP-3C after taking future ADF MISRR requirements into consideration. This consideration will include the exploration of a broad range of options including manned aircraft replacement, and the use of a Multi-mission Unmanned Aerial System (MUAS) as an adjunct to the manned platform. While this project is focussed on acquisition of a capability centred on MISRR roles, the capability will also support ES and overland ISR roles.

Australian Industry Opportunities

Acquisition

This phase will acquire eight Military-off-the-Shelf (MOTS) Maritime Patrol and Response Aircraft (MPRA) through a government-to-government cooperative program. The areas of anticipated Australian industry involvement opportunities are:

• integration of the ground mission support system to the Defence Information Environment; and
• sub-contractor support and supply of components for the MPRA program.

Through‑life Support

Through-life support of MPRA will most likely be through an ongoing sustainment arrangement established through a government-to-government arrangement. There would be opportunity for Australian industry to be part of the MPRA global support system.

Industry Capabilities and Activities

Capabilities and related activities that may provide opportunities for Australian industry in this phase include:

Activity	Capability
Assemble / Install	O	O	O	O			D	D
Design	O	D	O	O			D	D
Education / Training							D
In-Service / Through-life Support	O	D	D	D	O	O	D
Logistics Support		D	D	D	O	O	D
Manufacture / Construct	D	D	O	O			D	D
Modelling / Simulation	D			D			D
Project Manage			O		O		D
Refurbish / Upgrade	D	D	D	D	O	O	D	D
Repair and Maintain	D	D	D	D	O	O	D	D
Research and Development		O	O
Software Development / Support	O		D	D	O	O	D
Systems Definition / Development	O						D
Systems Integration			D	D	O	O	D
Test and Evaluate			D	D	O	O	D

Acquisition Category (ACAT)

ACAT Attribute	Complexity Level Assessment
Acquisition Cost	Level 1 Very High >$1500m
Project Management Complexity	Level 2 High
Schedule	Level 1 Very High
Technical Difficulty	Level 2 High
Operation and Support	Level 2 High
Commercial	Level 2 High

The ACAT Level assessed for this Phase is ACAT II.

Planned Schedule Highlights

First Pass Approval	Complete
Year-of-Decision	FY 2013-14 to FY 2015-16
Initial Operating Capability	2017 to 2019

Points of Contact

Capability Staff:	Defence Materiel Organisation:
Deputy Director Maritime Patrol and Response (02) 6265 3852	Project Manager AIR 7000 Phase 2B (02) 6265 1628

Project Website: www.defence.gov.au/dmo/asd/air7000/air7000.cfm