Salt Ash Air Weapons Range

Mr Baldwin asked the Minister for Defence, in writing, on 9 February 2009:

In respect of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Salt Ash Air Weapons Range (SAAWR)—

1. What is the purpose of the SAAWR and how is it used.
2. When was the SAAWR opened.
3. What was the usage by FA18 Hornets and Lead In Fighters of the SAAWR from January 2008 to January 2009.
4. Are there plans to increase the usage of the SAAWR over the next (a) 12 months, and (b) five years.
5. Does the RAAF currently use any other weapons range.
6. Can other weapons ranges be utilized for training instead of SAAWR.
7. How much of the local Defence air activity is a direct result of aircraft using weapons ranges.
8. What plans does Defence have to acquire noise affected properties around the SAAWR.
9. What steps have been taken to consult local residents and address their concerns in relation to the SAAWR.
10. Will the SAAWR be used by the Super Hornet.
11. Does the Super Hornet have a higher noise profile than the current FA18.
12. Will the SAAWR be used by the Joint Strike Fighter.
13. Does the Joint Strike Fighter have a higher noise profile that the current FA18.
14. If the Super Hornet and Joint Strike Fighter are to use the SAAWR, what plans are there for acquisition of noise affected properties.
15. Will there be a review of the use and application of the SAAWR; if so, (a) what will be its aim, (b) who will (i) conduct it, and (ii) be consulted, and (c) what is its proposed timeframe.

Mr Fitzgibbon - The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

1. and (2) The Salt Ash Air Weapons Range (SAAWR), used by the Air Force continuously since 1946, is an essential resource for the development of fighter pilot air combat skills. The range enables F/A-18A/B Hornet, Hawk 127 and Pilatus P/C-9 pilots to hone air to surface gunnery and inert practice bombing skills.
3. Between January 2008 to January 2009, the Air Force’s Hawk 127s and F/A-18A/B Hornets flew a total of 176 missions that utilised the range.
4. (a) and (b)    No. 
5. The Air Force currently uses 36 Defence practice areas and test ranges spread geographically around Australia.
6. Studies in the late 1980s and 2000 concluded that there were no suitable or viable alternative sites for an air weapons range for aircraft based at RAAF Williamtown. These studies also stated that the nearby Singleton range was assessed as unsuitable for the Air Force’s requirements. Analysis of alternative basing structures indicates that the RAAF Williamtown/Salt Ash Air Weapons Range construct is the most cost effective means of achieving air combat training for Defence.
7. 4.9 per cent.
8. Defence has no current plans to acquire noise affected properties around the range.
9. Defence representatives from the Air Force and the Defence Support Group regularly meet with local, state and Federal representatives as part of the Williamtown Consultative Forum to discuss issues of local concern, including the weapons range.
10. No.
11. Yes.
12. Studies regarding the requirement for the use of SAAWR by the Joint Strike Fighter are currently underway, and are not expected to be completed until next year.  However, initial indications are that the introduction of the Joint Strike Fighter will lead to reduced Range usage.  
13. Defence funded extensive noise testing of the Joint Strike Fighter in late 2008 to better understand the noise characteristics and validate the early noise data. The tests indicate that, while not as noisy as originally expected, the JSF will be noisier than current F/A-18 A/B Hornet aircraft in some phases of flight but is less noisy in others. For example, the JSF will be quieter than the F/A-18 A/B in cruise and approach but will be noisier on take-off.
14. Defence has no current plans to acquire noise affected properties around the range.
15. Yes, the range was included in the Defence Strategic Training Area and Ranges Review, which was conducted in 2008. Defence will consider the review later this year.
    1. To align the capability, force disposition and sustainability requirements of the Australian Defence Force’s training areas and test ranges for the longer term.
    2. It was conducted by Parsons Brinckerhoff, with PS Management Consultants taking the management and technical lead. No consultation external to Defence was undertaken.
    3. The review has already been conducted.
    
    Further studies regarding the requirement for the use of SAAWR by the Joint Strike Fighter are currently underway.

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