In December 2008 the Commonwealth signed a Deed of Agreement with Boeing to enable the company to undertake a modified program of test and evaluation to determine the extent to which the aircraft system meets the specification and how well it will perform operationally. Under the Deed, an independent technical review of radar performance was completed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology in April 2009 and an operational utility demonstration was successfully conducted during EXERCISE Arnhem Thunder in April-May 2009. The test and evaluation program was planned for completion in mid 2009; however, delays in the conduct of test flights have caused this to extend into the 4th quarter 2009. Final results of the program will assist the Commonwealth to determine the way forward for the project.
Boeing now proposes delivery of the first full capability aircraft in March 2010, a total delay of 40 months against the contract baseline. However, the DMO assesses that this revised date remains under considerable pressure. IOC is currently planned to be achieved by end 2011 and FOC by end 2012. The first three aircraft continued to support the test and evaluation program throughout 2008-09. Boeing Defence Australia is scheduled to complete the modification programs in Australia for the remaining three aircraft in March 2010, April 2010 and September 2010. Construction of the initial AEW&C facilities at RAAF Tindal were completed in April 2009 and construction of the main Tindal facilities are now scheduled for completion in February 2011. Final Acceptance of the Operational Flight Trainer was achieved in February 2009. Boeing has achieved Federal Aviation Administration Supplemental Type Certification and Air to Air refuelling certification, a first for a B-737 variant.