Identified Risks (risk identified by standard project risk management processes)

Description

Remedial Action

Phase 2.3

The delivery of F/A-18 Mission Computer (MC) Australian Unique software load number 8 (Austblock 8) is dependent on delivery of MC data from the US Navy, which is in turn dependent on the flight test program. There is a risk that delays in data delivery from the US Navy, flight testing or Austblock 8 development will delay FOC.

Flight Testing for the first phase of the Electronic Warfare has been conducted and completed. No serious deficiencies were found that will delay the service release of Austblock 8. No additional builds will be required therefore, the bulk of the risk relates to the ability of the Australian Weapons System Support Flight (WSSF) to develop Austblock 8 and the associated testing, publications and training development requirements. Continued consultation with WSSF through Integrated Product Team meetings to work through issues is being conducted to minimise any delay.

There is a chance that the F/A-18 A/B Operational Flight Program test program will be affected by the late delivery of the first F/A-18 ECM jammer pod leading to an impact on schedule and performance.

Risk retired. Flight testing commenced on schedule with a modified F-111 variant. However, late delivery of the F/A-18 variant did delay some elements of the integration testing but flight testing with the ECM Phase A pods has now been completed and this risk was closed in September 2010.

The EL/L-8222 ECM pod requires routine servicing (as regularly as six months) and without in-service support arrangements in place, this servicing cannot be completed. There is a risk that because of the late contracting activities, there will be no EL/L-8222 In-service Support (ISS) in place by the FOC Milestone.

The development of a Contract Change Proposal to the Acquisition contract to procure Long Lead support equipment and spares has been completed and put in place. In addition, with stakeholder agreement the EL/L-8222 ISS contract will only cover Deeper Level Maintenance, with RAAF conducting Intermediate level maintenance, which has significantly reduced this risk.

HACTS

There is a chance that Australian unique aircraft software loads will not be compatible with HACTS leading to an impact on performance project cost and schedule.

This risk has been downgraded and is no longer considered a Major Project Risk. The Project Management Stakeholder Group (PMSG) has endorsed a solution to incorporate Austblock 8 into HACTS to meet the HUGPH2.3 FOC milestone. This risk is now regarded as a risk to the whole of capability not just Air 5376 Phase 2. As determined by the PMSG further analysis of all associated HACTS upgrade risks is to be conducted to determine way forward for this capability.

There is a chance that HACTS capability will not be optimised and/or rectified leading to an impact on performance.

DMO is developing a procurement strategy that assesses the best value-for money approach to upgrading the HACTS to match recent and future aircraft upgrades and address performance limitations.

Emergent Risks (risk not previously identified but has emerged during 2010-11)

Description

Remedial Action

There is a risk that there will be a qualification issue (i.e. Electromagnetic Effect non-compliance) with the Phase B EL/L-8222 ECM Pods as initially delivered. This qualification may also delay production of Phase B ECM Pods and further delay FMR and/or FOC.

The Project Office will re-emphasis to Elta the importance of qualification-related Functional Performance Specification compliance during the Project Management Reviews and Weekly meetings to ensure Elta do not assume non compliances and waivers will be granted.