Project

Explanation

Background

Government First Pass approval for Land 17 Ph1A was provided on 14 February 2006, and allowed the project to explore capability solutions to enhance the Australian Army Indirect Fire Support (IFS) system through the replacement or upgrade of the 105mm Hamel Howitzer and 155mm M198 Howitzer fleets when they reach the end of their service life.

In July 2009, Government provided Second Pass Approval and agreed to split the Land 17 project into two phases. Phase 1A for delivery of the LW155 and an Australianised AFATDS, and Phase 1B for delivery of the Self Propelled Howitzer (SPH) and the Digital Terminal Control System (DTCS).

An FMS Case for the supply of the LW155 was established with the US Government in September 2009. The first M777A2 Lightweight Howitzer arrived in Australia in August 2010, with the remainder expected to arrive during 2011-12.

An FMS Case for the supply of the AFATDS was established with the US Government in May 2010.

A Systems Requirements Review (SRR) was conducted between Land 17 Ph1A project, the US Government and Raytheon Network Centric System (NCS) in September 2010 resulting in the US Government signing a contract with Raytheon NCS for the AFATDS providing the BMS-F (C2) capability in December 2010; first delivery of Australian AFATDS is expected September 2011.

A Letter of Request (LOR) was submitted to the US Government for the acquisition of the CCF in September 2009, however in November 2009 the US Government advised that it was unable to offer an LOA as final costs in relation to testing were not available. On advice from the US Government, the LOR was resubmitted in January 2010; however, in September 2010 the US Government advised that the US Program was on hold due to continued delays in the CCF development. In February 2011, the US Government advised that the CCF will be subjected to a further program of testing prior to reaching a production milestone decision, which is now planned for December 2012.

Uniqueness

Whilst this project is considered a replacement project, the inclusion of the BMS-F (C2) and the ability to perform digitised calls for fire and ballistic computations is a new capability for the ADF.

The digital capability provided by AFATDS and Digital Fire Control System (DFCS) will enable connectivity and interface with external systems and thereby contribute to the higher intent for joint and Network Centric Warfare (NCW).

Major Challenges

Mission System Architectures - The creation of the BMS-F Joint Fires Network Architecture was a major technical challenge. Full ADF interoperability will require a higher order Joint Fires Support communications architecture that supports the BMS-F Joint Fires Network. This task is technically challenging and will require engagement of major stakeholders.

Integration and interoperability with the broader ADF will mean overcoming the following challenges:

Technical - The LW155 must operate with Army's current and future fleet of vehicles, must be transportable by in-service aircraft and naval vessels, and utilise both in-service and future 155mm ammunition.

Technical - AFATDS must interface and integrate with multiple systems across the ADF, which utilise different platforms, standards and protocols.

Commercial - Combining systems from different Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and countries of origin, where each has specific background and foreground Intellectual Property (IP) restrictions will be commercially challenging. Many of the identified systems, including the LW155 and AFATDS, are subject to the US Government's International Trade in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

Scheduling - Organising the test and certification activities performed in collaboration with DMO projects and external agencies creates a major schedule challenge.

Sustainment - The delivery of the Australian AFATDS presents a complex sustainment challenge. Both the hardware and software will require ongoing upgrades in synchronisation with all interfaces throughout the entire Life Of Type of the capability. Land 17 Phase 1A aims to transition an evolutionary acquisition process into the sustainment office.

Other Current Projects/Sub-Projects

Land 17 Phase 1B: Covers the acquisition of new and improved Forward Observer (FO) equipment including a Control Terminal and the Tactical Full Motion Video System (TFMVS).

Land 17 Phase 1C: Covers the acquisition of the Self Propelled Howitzer. Both these acquisitions will be utilised in conjunction with Phase 1A equipment.