Media Release

FEW DEFICIENCES IN AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS

The Global Positioning System (GPS) rollover has exposed very few deficiencies in systems used by the Australian Defence Force.

And those that have appeared have been either non-critical or easily fixed through manual resetting.

“The only failure of any note was on one of the RAN's smaller patrol craft,” the Assistant Secretary Y2K, Mr Geoff Davis, said today.

“Despite indications from the manufacturer in respect of rollover compliance, the system failed on rollover (at midnight last Saturday, Aug 21(GMT)), was reset and ran for about two hours before failing again.

“The equipment was old and due for replacement – the likelihood of a problem had been anticipated, and as a result had no impact on the capability of the craft as there were a number of backup systems which were used in its place.”

Mr Davis said the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) had experienced some minor problems with a couple of research systems.

“In all, it has been a particularly pleasing result when you consider that the GPSs in service in the ADF probably numbers in the thousands,” Mr Davis said. “If the rollover within the GPS system is taken as a test of Defence's Y2K preparedness it could be considered a success for the management of Y2K within Defence.

“Defence was able to identify and take appropriate action for all GPS related equipment. Where malfunctions were experienced this was highlighted to management and remedial action either has or will occur shortly.”

Mr Davis said the event had validated the reporting procedures put in place throughout Defence.

He warned, however, that it had also highlighted a significant issue in respect of industry guarantees of compliance.

“Despite the assurance of some manufacturers, and implementation of the prescribed remedial action, Defence's inability to suitably test GPS systems itself resulted in a reliance on manufactures and some non-essential GPS-related equipment exhibiting problems,” he said. “This differs from Y2K in that Defence has a far greater ability to test equipment.”

Further information:

John Pring 02 6266 8503

Issued by the Defence Public Affairs Organisation, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT, 2600

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