Cost Performance

The project remains within its current approved budget.

Schedule Performance

The project remains on track for delivering the two LHDs by planned dates of 2014 and 2015.Minor changes to the Preliminary and Detailed Design reviews dates are not expected to impact on the final delivery dates.

Major project milestones achieved since the last MPR Audit include:

•  Training Needs Analysis Report;

•  Personnel Resource Requirements List;

•  Communications Systems Equipment Factory Acceptance Test and Delivery;

•  Combat Systems Equipment Factory Acceptance Test and Delivery;

•  Commencement of LHD01 Superstructure erection;

•  Launch of LHD01 Hull; and

•  Commencement of LHD02 Hull erection on the slipway.

Progress of these milestones demonstrates schedule performance and supports the achievement of project outcomes within the planned timeframes.

Materiel Capability Performance

The amphibious capability sought through the provision of two LHDs is as follows:

•  Carriage, in addition to the crew, of approximately 1,200 personnel in the force ashore with a further 800 personnel providing helicopter operations, logistics, command and intelligence as well as other supporting units;

•  Space and deck strength sufficient to carry around 100 armoured vehicles, including tanks, and 200 other vehicles (approximately 2400 lane metres);

•  Hangar space for at least 12 helicopters and an equal number of landing spots to allow a company group to be simultaneously landed;

•  45 days endurance for crew and embarked force including sustainment, medical, rotary wing and operational maintenance and repair support to these forces whilst ashore for 10 days;

•  Command and control of the land, sea and air elements of a Joint Task Force; and

•  The ability to conduct simultaneous helicopter and watercraft operations in conditions up to Sea State 4.

The project is on track for delivering these capabilities.