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Phase 1 Battlefield Airlift – Additional C-130J
Phase 2 Battlefield Airlift – Caribou Replacement

Background

Phase 1 is intended to rationalise the C-130 fleet, noting the acquisition of C-17 and planned withdrawal of C-130H aircraft, by acquiring an additional two C-130J aircraft.

Phase 2 is intended to enhance the ADF’s intra-theatre and regional airlift capability. This capability will focus on the provision of an intra-theatre airlift solution with some inter-theatre application. This capability will be able to operate from a wide range of rudimentary airstrips with useful payload, range and in-theatre survivability. Phase 2 will provide appropriate training support, which could include the provision of a Full Flight Simulator. Notably, the capability will require careful consideration of the interaction between rotary-wing assets and light to medium fixed wing platforms in the tactical environment and the total airlift fleet mix.

Australian Industry Capability Considerations

An AIC Plan is required when the estimated project budget for an acquisition is equal to or greater than $50m or where the project identifies a specific need for local industry to deliver aspects of the capability, such as a Priority Industry Capability. The table below provides an indication of the likely AIC, PIC, SIC and GSC requirements for this project:

Phase	AIC	PIC	SIC	GSC
1	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
2	Yes	No	Yes	Yes

Phase 1 Battlefield Airlift – Additional C-130J

Scope

Phase 1 intends to acquire two C-130J-30 aircraft.

The aircraft will be acquired in the extant Australian C-130J-30 Block configuration including ballistic armour and Electronic Warfare Self Protection.

IMR will occur upon the completion and release of the supplies which are required to support the achievement of the IOC.

IOC is planned to be two C-130J-30 aircraft with extant fleet configuration capable of meeting 50 per cent of mature rate of effort.

FOC will occur when the full scope of the project, including the mission, support and training systems, and facilities, if required, have been delivered and accepted into operational service.

LOT for this capability will be determined later in the project development process.

Planned Schedule

First Pass Approval	FY 2010-11 to FY 2011-12
Market Solicitation	N/A
Year-of-Decision	FY 2013-14 to FY 2014-15
Initial Materiel Release	FY 2015-16 to FY 2017-18
Initial Operational Capability	FY 2015-16 to FY 2017-18

Australian Industry Opportunities

Acquisition

The additional C130J aircraft for Phase 1 are expected to be sourced from the OEM with few Australian industry opportunities.

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

Phase 1	Industry Capability
Industry Activity	Repair, Maintenance & Upgrading of Aircraft	Facilities & Infrastructure
Assemble / Install	DES
Design		OPT
Logistics Support	DES
Manufacture / Construct		PREF
Refurbish / Upgrade		PREF
Repair, Maintain, Sustain	DES	PREF
Test and Evaluate	DES

Facilities

This project phase will include a requirement for new facilities and infrastructure, or the expansion and enhancement of existing facilities and supporting infrastructure, which will be determined as the project develops.

Through-life Support

Deeper maintenance and other TLS activities are likely to be provided under contracts within Australia.

Acquisition Category

ACAT Attribute	Complexity Level Assessment
Acquisition Cost	$300m-$500m (High end of band)
Project Management Complexity	Level 3: Moderate
Schedule	Level 4: Low
Technical Difficulty	Level 4: Low
Operation and Support	Level 3: Moderate
Commercial	Level 4: Low

The ACAT Rating assessed for this Phase is ACAT III.

Points of Contact

Capability Staff:	Defence Materiel Organisation:
Deputy Director Combat Mobility	Director Emerging Aerospace Projects
(02) 6265 1073	(02) 6265 4428

Phase 2 Battlefield Airlift – Caribou Replacement

Scope

Phase 2 will replace the RAAF DHC4 Caribou transport aircraft to provide a Battlefield Airlifter capability with up to ten light tactical fixed wing aircraft.

The scope includes facilities and TLS, and may also include a Full Flight simulator.

IMR will occur upon the completion and release of the supplies which are required to support the achievement of the IOC.

IOC is planned as sufficient aircraft and crews capable of meeting 50 per cent of mature rate of effort conducting Airlift Support and elements of Airborne Operations with facilities in place, at least of an interim nature, at the Main Operating Base.

FOC will occur when the full scope of the project, including the mission, support and training systems, and facilities, if required, have been delivered and accepted into operational service.

LOT will be determined later in the capability development process.

Planned Schedule

First Pass Approval	FY 2010-11 to FY 2011-12
Market Solicitation	FY 2010-11 to FY 2014-15
Year-of-Decision	FY 2012-13 to FY 2014-15
Initial Materiel Release	FY 2014-15 to FY 2016-17
Initial Operational Capability	FY 2014-15 to FY 2016-17

Australian Industry Opportunities

Acquisition

For Phase 2, the expected acquisition is a MOTS light tactical fixed wing airlift capability will be sourced from an OEM or through government-to-government (FMS) arrangement with few Australian industry opportunities.

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

Phase 2	Industry Capability
Industry Activity	Repair, Maintenance & Upgrading of Aircraft	Facilities & Infrastructure
Design		OPT
Education / Training	DES
Logistics Support	DES
Manufacture / Construct		PREF
Refurbish / Upgrade		PREF
Repair, Maintain, Sustain	DES	PREF
Test and Evaluate	DES

Facilities

This project phase will include a requirement for new facilities and infrastructure, or the expansion and enhancement of existing facilities and supporting infrastructure. The scope, scale and location of these facilities and supporting infrastructure will be subject to Government consideration and further defined as the project matures.

Through-life Support

Deeper maintenance and other TLS activities are likely to be provided under contracts within Australia.

Acquisition Category

ACAT Attribute	Complexity Level Assessment
Acquisition Cost	$1b-$2b (Middle of band)
Project Management Complexity	Level 2: High
Schedule	Level 2: High
Technical Difficulty	Level 3: Moderate
Operation and Support	Level 2: High
Commercial	Level 3: Moderate

The ACAT Rating assessed for this Phase is ACAT II.

Points of Contact

Capability Staff:	Defence Materiel Organisation:
Deputy Director Combat Mobility (02) 6265 1073	Director Emerging Aerospace Projects (02) 6265 4428