Project | Explanation | |
Description | The $1,946 million Air 5376 Phase 2 Project is to upgrade the F/A-18 fleet to incorporate enhancements which will allow the aircraft to more effectively perform its air defence strategic concept tasks. This capability is being implemented in three distinct stages, the first enabling the aircraft to more effectively perform its air defence role, the second enhancing pilot situational awareness, and the final stage providing additional aircraft self protection. In addition to the physical upgrade of the F/A-18 Fleet, each stage includes an upgrade to the aircraft software to enable the upgraded hardware and commensurate upgrades to ground support and training systems. | |
Background | In October 1981 Australian Government selected the F/A-18 to fill the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) multi-role fighter requirement. F/A-18 fleet deliveries commenced in May 1985 with the 75th delivered in May 1990. Since then the need to address equipment obsolescence and improve the F/A-18 capabilities, in line with operational requirements, resulted in the development of the F/A-18 Hornet Upgrade Program Air 5376 (known as the HUG program). Project Air 5376 Phase 2 is comprised of three main sub phases; Phase 2.1 Radar upgrade, Phase 2.2 Avionics upgrade, and Phase 2.3 Electronic Warfare upgrade. Due to the significance of the upgrades an additional sub phase was created for the commensurate upgrade of the Hornet Aircrew Training System (HACTS). Air 5376 Phase 2.1 upgraded the F/A-18 fleet to incorporate enhancements that enabled the aircraft to more effectively perform their air defence role. This sub phase included provision of new fire-control radar, and an Electronic Protection Collaborative Development Program with the US Navy to developing Electronic Protection techniques for the new fire-control radar. Air 5376 Phase 2.2 is an Avionics upgrade, providing aircrew with enhanced situational awareness, by upgrading the avionics suite with installation of the following equipment: ● LINK 16 Secure data link. The particular LINK 16 equipment to be fitted to the F/A-18 is known as the Multifunction Information Distribution System; ● An upgraded Counter Measures Dispenser Set; ● Multi-Purpose Display Group Upgrade (colour displays); ● Upgraded digital moving map system known as the Tactical Air Moving Map Capability; ● Joint Mission Planning System; and ● Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System. Air 5376 Phase 2.3 is an Electronic Warfare upgrade, providing additional aircraft self protection by: ● Replacement of the Radar Warning Receiver with an updated Raytheon Radar Warning Receiver for all RAAF F/A-18 aircraft; ● Supplementation of the Counter Measures Dispenser System capability with a SAAB Counter Measures Dispenser System thereby increasing expendable capacity; ● Supplementation of the jammer capability with the Elta jammer pod; and ● Enhancement of the aircraft Data Recording capability. The Air 5376 Phase 2 HACTS upgrade involves replacement of the obsolete Hornet Operational Flight Trainers with: ● Three Tactical Operational Flight Trainers (2 at Williamtown, 1 at Tindal) configured to simulate Air 5376 Phase 2.2 configuration aircraft; ● Instructor Operator Stations; ● Instructor/Student Debrief Stations; and ● Tactical Readiness Trainers. | |
Uniqueness | The Project Office performs the role of prime integrator for all Air 5376 Phase 2 sub phases. Boeing (St Louis) is contracted for the aircraft integration aspects. The US Navy, through FMS, is responsible for developing core aircraft software upgrades. New equipment is sourced directly from suppliers, either via FMS or direct commercial contracts. Contracts and FMS cases are placed incrementally as requirements mature. Therefore, the Commonwealth retains a significant portion of risk through out the life of the project. Air 5376 Phase 2.2 included a collaborative program with the Canadian Forces for the development of the upgraded colour displays, achieving significant efficiencies for both countries. Air 5376 Phase 2.3 is installing some equipment which is not common with the US Navy and has not been integrated onto an F/A-18 A/B aircraft previously. | |
Major Challenges | The major challenge associated with Air 5376 Phase 2.2 was the development of colour displays under a collaborative initiative with the Canadian Forces. This activity was the pacing item in respect to schedule and the Canadian Forces were responsible for the colour display program until the completion of the design phase. There are major challenges associated with Air 5376 Phase 2.3 due to the Project Office role as prime systems integrator, particularly considering the commercial and security complexities of integrating disparate systems sourced from a diverse range of commercial and national entities. The key risks relate to the development and integration of aircraft and system software, as the systems have not previously been integrated and installed in other F/A-18 Hornet fleets. The primary strategy to alleviate the software risks is an iterative development and testing regime, which draws on US Navy subject matter experts and the project resident team at the US Navy software development and testing facility. This strategy enables the early identification of any integration issues. The HACTS devices are heavily software-based, and the source code used to create the simulations is subject to export control from the US. At this stage only a small portion of software has been cleared for release to Australia. This limits the ability of the Australian contractor, Raytheon Australia, to provide software changes to meet changing simulation requirements. This has been highlighted during incorporation of Australian Unique Software Loads as a result of Hornet Upgrade activities. | |
Current Status | Phase 2.1 | Cost Performance |
The Project was completed within budget. | ||
Schedule Performance | ||
The Project was completed ahead of schedule. | ||
Capability Performance | ||
Capability has been accepted into service. | ||
Phase 2.2 | Cost Performance | |
The Project has achieved Technical and Contractual Completion within budget. | ||
Schedule Performance | ||
All Hornet aircraft have been accepted within schedule. | ||
Capability Performance | ||
Capability has been accepted into service. | ||
Phase 2.3 | Cost Performance | |
The Project remains within budget. | ||
Schedule Performance | ||
Interim Electronic Warfare was delivered on schedule. | ||
Capability Performance | ||
Capability Development Group and Air Force have accepted the Interim Electronic Warfare Capability, proving the operational support concept for the Radar Warning Receiver. | ||
Cost Performance | ||
The project has delivered contracted capability within budget. | ||
Schedule Performance | ||
HACTS was delivered on schedule. | ||
Capability Performance | ||
Ongoing upgrades are required to HACTS to introduce emerging Hornet capabilities being introduced by other Hornet and Weapon upgrades. | ||