Description

Remedial Action

The JASSM China Lake Live Fire has been delayed due to insufficient JASSM 21X functional/capability maturity leading to an impact on Schedule.

System integration and acceptance testing is being performed by the USN at its China Lake facility. Identified performance deficiencies have been addressed (where possible) through engineering re-development. Remaining deficiencies have been assessed as acceptable to allow progression to IOC. The China Lake Live Fire event was successfully completed on 3 December 2010. This issue is now retired.

Initial Operational Test & Evaluation may be affected by unresolved Safety Critical Software issues between Project Office and DGTA leading to an impact on Schedule.

DGTA are being engaged early and often with respect to resolution of this issue. The Hornet Weapon Integration Team is updating the urgency of this risk to the project office on an ongoing regular basis. This issue is now retired following Government endorsement of the Air Force Headquarters Submission - JASSM Launches at the Woomera Test Range.

On 26 November 2010, Minister for Defence and Minister for Defence Materiel announced that AIR 5418 was to be added to the list of 'Projects of Concern' for failure to keep Government properly and fully informed as to the progress with respect to this major project.

As a PoC, Deputy Chief Executive Officer DMO provides an initial Gate Review, oversight of remediation activities, followed by bi-monthly PoC review meetings. A DMO Submission has been drafted and will provide Government with an update on the current project status.

A USAF JASSM test firing failure occurred during January 2011. A USAF Failure Review Board determined that the failure was caused by an unplanned operation of the missile's flight termination system.

To overcome this, the manufacturer has developed a Flight Termination System screening process which has been endorsed and recommended by the USAF. All USAF and Australian JASSM Flight Termination Systems are being screened, and replaced if required, prior to further flight tests. The systems fitted to the Australian test assets have been screened and cleared.