Project

Explanation

Background

Since the decision to select the F/A-18 as the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) multi-role fighter in 1981 the need to address equipment obsolescence and improve the F/A-18 capabilities, in line with operational requirements, has resulted in the development of the F/A-18 Hornet Upgrade Program Air 5376 (known as the HUG program).

Project Air 5376 Phase 2 is comprised of three sub phases; Phase 2.1 Radar upgrade, Phase 2.2 Avionics upgrade, and Phase 2.3 Electronic Warfare upgrade. Due to the significance of the upgrades an additional sub phase was created for the commensurate upgrade of the HACTS.

Air 5376 Phase 2.1 upgraded the F/A-18 fleet to incorporate enhancements that enabled the aircraft to more effectively perform their air defence role. This included provision of a new fire-control radar, and an Electronic Protection Collaborative Development Program with the United States (US) Navy to develop Electronic Protection techniques for the radar.

Air 5376 Phase 2.2, provides aircrew with enhanced situational awareness, by upgrading the avionics suite with installation of the following equipment:

•  LINK 16 Secure data link. The particular LINK 16 equipment to be fitted to the F/A-18 is known as the Multifunction Information Distribution System;

•  An upgraded Counter Measures Dispenser Set;

•  Multi-Purpose Display Group Upgrade (colour displays);

•  Upgraded digital moving map system known as the Tactical Air Moving Map Capability;

•  Joint Mission Planning System; and

•  Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System.

Air 5376 Phase 2.3 provides additional aircraft self protection by:

•  Replacement of the Radar Warning Receiver with an updated Raytheon Radar Warning Receiver for the whole fleet;

•  Supplementation of the Counter Measures Dispenser System capability with a SAAB Counter Measures Dispenser System thereby increasing expendable capacity;

•  Supplementation of the jammer capability with the Elta jammer pod; and

•  Enhancement of the aircraft Data Recording capability.

The Air 5376 Phase 2 HACTS upgrade involves replacement of the obsolete Hornet Operational Flight Trainers with:

•  Three Tactical Operational Flight Trainers (2 at Williamtown, 1 at Tindal) configured to simulate Air 5376 Phase 2.2 configuration aircraft;

•  Instructor Operator Stations;

•  Instructor/Student Debrief Stations;

•  Tactical Readiness Trainers with Advanced Helmet Mounted Display.

Uniqueness

The Project Office performs the role of prime integrator for all Air 5376 Phase 2 sub phases. Boeing (St Louis) is contracted for the aircraft integration aspects. The US Navy, through Foreign Military Sales (FMS), is responsible for developing core aircraft software upgrades. New equipment is sourced directly from suppliers, either via FMS or direct commercial contracts. Contracts and FMS cases are placed incrementally as requirements mature. Therefore, the Commonwealth retains a significant portion of risk through out the life of the project.

Air 5376 Phase 2.2 included a collaborative program with the Canadian Forces for the development of the upgraded colour displays, achieving significant efficiencies for both countries.

Air 5376 Phase 2.3 is installing some equipment which is not common with the US Navy and has not been integrated onto an F/A-18 A/B aircraft previously.

Major Challenges

There have been major challenges associated with Air 5376 Phase 2.3 due to the project office role as prime systems integrator, particularly considering the commercial and security complexities of integrating disparate systems sourced from a diverse range of commercial and national entities. The key risks relate to the development and integration of aircraft and system software, as the systems had not previously been integrated and installed in other F/A-18 Hornet fleets. With the testing regime complete the residual challenge is the ability of the Australian Weapons System Support Flight (WSSF) to develop the Australian Unique Software load. Continued consultation with WSSF is enabling the project to work through any issues as they arise.

The HACTS devices are heavily software-based, and the source code used to create the simulations is subject to export control from the US. At this stage only a small portion of software has been cleared for release to Australia. This limits the ability of the Australian contractor, Raytheon Australia, to provide software changes to meet changing simulation requirements. This has been highlighted during incorporation of Australian unique software loads as a result of Hornet Upgrade activities.

Other Current Projects/Sub-Projects

N/A. All sub phases are addressed in this report.