Project | Explanation | |
Background | Defence Communications Corporate Plan of May 1991 directed that existing ADF HF networks be rationalised and modernised. Satellite communications is now the primary system for high and medium data rate communication with mobile ADF platforms (Mobiles) such as ships, aircraft and vehicles, however HF provides a secure alternative means of long range communications for Satellite communications fitted platforms and a primary long-range communication capability for platforms not Satellite communications fitted. The HF Modernisation Project was established in May 1993 and originally envisaged four implementation phases: • Phase 1 (completed 1994) - a preparatory phase including a Network Definition Study to determine the basic requirement and an Invitation to Register Interest process; • Phase 2 (completed 1996) - a more detailed definition phase involving parallel Project Definition Studies undertaken by short-listed Phase 1 companies following a Request for Proposal process; • Phase 3A (commenced 1997) - an implementation phase involving selection of the Prime Contractor through a restricted Request for Tender process, provision of a modernised HF communication network and its follow-on support, and HF upgrades to an initial range of Mobiles; and • Phase 3B (cancelled 1999) - an implementation Phase involving HF upgrades to selected remaining Mobiles. The Phase 3A Prime Contract was signed in December 1997 with Boeing Australia (now Boeing Defence Australia). The Prime Contract has undergone several major amendments and currently provides for the implementation in two stages: • a Core System (accepted October 2004), to provide an upgraded Fixed Network having a capability no less than that provided by the networks being replaced; and • a Final System (accepted April 2010) including enhanced features for the upgraded Fixed Network and a Mobiles Upgrade component. Project approval provides for 87 platforms to be upgraded. The Prime Contract was originally scoped for First-of-Type installations and Upgrade Modification Kits for a total of 56 Platforms. However, amendments made in 2004 reduced the Contract scope to a single First-of-Type Upgrade (CH47 Chinook helicopter), five HF Upgrade Kits for follow-on Chinook installations, plus two Generic HF Upgrade Systems. The Generic Systems will be used to demonstrate functional performance and to verify the suitability of System software and hardware components for platform use prior to implementation of Mobiles upgrades. The Chinook platform upgrade was subsequently removed from the prime contract scope due to no aircraft being available for upgrade. The Mobiles within current approved project scope are listed below. | |
Platform Type | Qty | |
CH47 Chinook | 6 | |
Black Hawk | 35 | |
Mine Hunter Coastal | 6 | |
Armidale Class Patrol Boats | 14 | |
Hydrographic Ships | 2 | |
Army Land Strategic HF | 14 | |
RAAF No. 1 Combat Communications Squadron | 4 | |
Defence Force School of Signals Watsonia (Simpson Barracks) | 2 | |
Defence Force School of Signals (Cerberus) | 1 | |
Deployable Mine Countermeasures & Clearance Diving Headquarters | 3 | |
Total: | 87 | |
Delays have led to a review of and proposed changes to the scope of the Mobile platforms upgrade program. Planned Final Materiel Release (FMR) for the remainder of the in-scope Mobile platform upgrades is February 2016, subject to platform availability. Issues being addressed in the review include remaining Life of Type of in-scope platforms and the current need with each platform type for either a full or partial modernised HF communications capability upgrade, as well as the schedule to completion noting that operational constraints on platform availability may extend the time to completion of all upgrades to 2016. | ||
Defence has provided Government with a proposal to re-scope the remainder of the project. Government approval is later than previously planned. The Project Office continues progressing Mobile platform upgrades not subject to the proposed scope change. | ||
The Mobiles subject to the re-scope proposal are listed below. | ||
Platform Type | Qty | |
Black Hawk | 22 | |
Mine Hunter Coastal | 4 | |
Armidale Class Patrol Boats | 14 | |
Hydrographic Ships | 2 | |
Army Land Strategic HF (transit case and vehicle module fit) | 25 | |
RAAF No.1 Combat Communications Squadron |
| |
(transit case and vehicle module fit) | 4 | |
Defence Force School of Signals Watsonia (Simpson Barracks) | 4 | |
Defence Force School of Signals (Cerberus) | 1 | |
Deployable Mine Countermeasures & Clearance Diving Headquarters | 3 | |
Total: | 79 | |
The signal improvement package of work has been developed, and will be installed and integrated using an independent contract to the Prime Contract. Planned delivery date is by end 2015. | ||
Uniqueness | The HF Modernisation Project is a complex software intensive and high risk project involving geographically diverse sites at five major locations across Australia. Implementation of the Fixed Network has involved civil infrastructure development, electrical power generation and transmission, telecommunications infrastructure extension, communications system hardware and antenna installation. It has involved the engineering disciplines of systems engineering, software development, system design and integration, system test and evaluation. It also includes an extensive program to develop, install and integrate upgraded capabilities on selected Mobiles. Because of the complex nature of the project, Integrated Product Development Teams which included Contractor and Commonwealth personnel were established. These provided project insight and reduced risk, particularly in the important areas of requirements clarification, systems engineering and acceptance, test and evaluation. The System provided is designed to be one of the most advanced of its type in the world. | |
Major Challenges | The project suffered implementation delays with Core and Final Fixed Network systems but these elements of the new communication system have been accepted into service and supporting operations since November 2004 and October 2009 respectively. The project is now focused on the Mobiles upgrades and the signal improvement capabilities. Platform availability will be an issue for all Mobiles upgrades. The upgrade schedules need to be coordinated with the platform maintenance and modification schedules and operational requirements. Other risk factors related to Mobiles upgrades include the task of integrating HF upgrade equipment with existing communications systems of varying levels of maturity and sophistication, and of accommodating the new equipment within the spaces available. An emerging challenge is the need to define detailed requirements for the modules for fitment to the LAND 121 vehicles arising out of the scope change. This may require a significant requirements analysis period. Difficulty in recruiting suitably skilled staff to vacant key positions is an ongoing issue and could impact the project's ability to achieve schedule. | |
Other Current Projects/Sub-Projects | N/A | |