Item

Original
Planned

Achieved
/Forecast

Variance
(Months)

Variance Explanation / Implications

Initial Materiel Release
(IMR)

N/A

Dec 06

N/A

Initial Operational Release

HMAS Sydney

May 03

Jan 10

79

A three phased 'incremental' approach IOR and OR has been agreed by the DMO and Navy as the most pragmatic means by which to bring the FFG class to full operational employment. The first three FFGs were at IOR Phase 1 in April 2009 and have been endorsed to IOR Phase 3, along with the fourth and final upgraded FFG (HMAS Newcastle) in January 2010.

IOR for the complete upgrade capability was approved by Chief of Navy in January 2010 but the Torpedo Defence System and, by association, the Le Scut torpedo decoy, were rejected as the effectiveness of the decoy is dependent upon information provided by the torpedo detection and classification system.

The acquisition and installation requirement for an underwater active decoy system was initiated to satisfy operational preparedness requirements but with due regard to the remaining service life of the ships of the class.

HMAS Melbourne

Jan 04

Jan 10

71

HMAS Darwin

Jul 04

Jan 10

65

HMAS Newcastle

Jan 05

Jan 10

60

Initial Operational
Capability (IOC)

N/A

Aug 10

N/A

The dates provided in previous MPRs for IOC disclosure represented IOR, which at the time was the most appropriate IOC equivalent as the project did not have an endorsed IOC. As a result of a revision to the original Materiel Acquisition Agreement (MAA), the project now has an endorsed IOC which has been disclosed accordingly.

Operational Release

HMAS Sydney

Jul 04

Jul 11

84

Chief of Navy endorsed the FFGs for IOR in January 2010 with limitations addressed in Table 3.3.

Final Operational Capability will be informed by the conduct of NOTE managed by Navy, with the allocated period now extended to the fourth quarter of 2011 (with endorsement by CN anticipated by the end of 2011) to align with the availability of the required test assets and facilities at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) in Hawaii.

Navy identified a period in June 2011 for ASMD Operational Evaluation firings in conjunction with Project SEA 1390 Ph4B and the SM-2 Stage 2 (Mid-Course Guidance) Acceptance Test Firings by the DMO, and these were conducted in Hawaii as scheduled.

The acquisition and installation requirement for an underwater active decoy system was initiated to satisfy operational preparedness requirements but with due regard to the remaining service life of the ships of the class.

All agencies continue to work closely and cooperatively to achieve the remaining operational release targets by December 2011.

HMAS Melbourne

Dec 04

Jul 11

79

HMAS Darwin

Jun 05

Jul 11

73

HMAS Newcastle

Dec 05

Jul 11

67

Final Materiel Release
(FMR)

Dec 11

Dec 11

0

FMR is nominally considered prior to Contract Final Acceptance from the Prime Contractor. The FFG Upgrade Prime Contract Final Acceptance occurred 2 March 2011. The Navy Capability Manager has not yet endorsed FMR for the FFG Upgrade Project and this has now been aligned to the conclusion of NOTE activities and the achievement of FOC included under a revision to the original MAA.

Final Operational
Capability (FOC)

Dec 11

Dec 11

0

The dates provided in previous MPRs for FOC disclosure represented OR, which at the time was the most appropriate FOC equivalent as the project did not have an endorsed FOC. As a result of the transition to the new MAA, the project now has an endorsed FOC which has been disclosed accordingly.