Project

Explanation

Description

The $441.5 million SEA 1429 Phase 2 Heavyweight Torpedo (HWT) Project is acquiring a HWT for the Collins Class submarine to replace the US Navy Mk 48 Mod 4 HWT currently in service with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The torpedo is being supplied by the US Government under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with work performed by Raytheon US and the US Naval Undersea Warfare Centre (NUWC). The project is also acquiring associated logistic support, weapon system interface equipment, and operational support and test equipment. ASC Pty Ltd is undertaking integration to the Collins Class submarine platform.

Background

Project SEA 1429 Phase 1 was approved in December 1997 to investigate the acquisition of an enhanced torpedo capability; including, weapon performance, integration, risk, costs, through-life support, intellectual property and Australian Industry Involvement. In September 1998 the US Government invited the Defence Capability Committee (DCC) to consider pursuing a collaborative development program for the Mk48 Advanced Capability (ADCAP) HWT as the replacement HWT for the RAN. The DCC, although noting the potential benefits, decided against the collaborative program in favour of a competitive tender process.

The solicitation process, which included a Project Definition Study commenced in 1999, but was subsequently abandoned when the Government decided in July 2001 to terminate the process in favour of entering into a cooperative agreement with the US Government.

A Statement of Principles outlining the strategic alliance between the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and United States Navy (USN) on submarine related issues was signed in Washington DC in September 2001. At the same time, negotiations began with the US Government on a MOU to develop an Armaments Cooperative Project (ACP) for the joint development of the MK 48 ADCAP HWT.

Under the MOU, the Commonwealth and the US Government joined in a partnership for the cooperative development, production, and through-life support of the Mk 48 ADCAP torpedo. A Joint Project Office was then established in Washington, DC. Development of the Mk 48 ADCAP Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System (CBASS) torpedo will result in a broadband sonar capability for enhanced target acquisition

In March 2003, following a Submarine Integration Study, Government approved the scope of the project and delivery of the supplies; including submarine integration with ASC, a Torpedo Analysis Facility (TAF) at the Defence Scientific and Technology Organisation (DSTO); and upgrades to the Torpedo Maintenance Facility (TMF). The TAF has been formally transitioned to DSTO. Upgrades to the TMF and the management responsibility for torpedo sustainment, has been transitioned to Navy Guided Weapons System Program Office. A Portable Tracking Range was completed in December 2006 and responsibility formally transitioned to Maritime Ranges System Program Office. The MOU has been extended for a period of ten years to 2019 following successful negotiation with the US Government.

Uniqueness

Commonwealth participation in a Joint Program with the US Government to develop, produce and support the Mk 48 Advanced ADCAP/CBASS torpedo, through an ACP, including evolving capability enhancements introduced additional complexity to the project. The additional complexity included requiring effective coordination of requirements management, integration, testing, torpedo deliveries and their installation in each boat according to their respective Full Cycle Docking (FCD) schedule. The performance of the ACP is overseen by an Executive Steering Committee with senior executives from both partners.

Major Challenges

Major challenges associated with the Project include the stability of the installation schedule when that schedule is dependent on the submarine FCD program. To date, emergent maintenance problems, not related to HWT, have resulted in significant slippage of the FCD program and, as a result, significant slippage in the SEA 1429 Phase 2 HWT Project installation program. A second challenge is the management of the certification of the US developed Spiral software baselines for the torpedo within the Naval Technical Regulatory Framework.

Current Status

Cost Performance

The project is working within the approved budget. Note: the project incurred a real cost increase to establish the MOU for the procurement of the torpedoes (as detailed at Section 2.1).

Schedule Performance

The HWT consists of two separate components to deliver the full HWT capability to the RAN. The first component is the modification of each submarine to accommodate and launch the HWT; the second component is the spiral development of the HWT software.

Boat installations are consistent with the approved Materiel Acquisition Agreement (MAA) schedule; however, each installation is dependent on the FCD program, consequently completion dates vary according to boat availability. The HWT schedule has also been impacted by emergent work, not related to HWT, during each submarine docking. As a result of these non project related delays, completion of the submarine modification program has slipped from 2010 to 2016.

Development of the HWT software is progressing to schedule and the Spiral 1 software baseline has achieved Operational Release. The next software baseline to be implemented by the RAN will be Spiral 4 and that development is progressing to schedule.

The Torpedo deliveries from the US have been slower than planned but have had no operational impact on the RAN.

Capability Performance

The replacement HWT with Spiral 1 software and the integration modifications to Collins Class Submarines were approved for Operational Release by the Chief of Navy (CN) on 10 March 2010.

Operational Release is the milestone which represents the In-Service date at which Chief of Navy is satisfied that the equipment is in all respects ready for operational service.

Platform modifications have been completed in HMA Ships WALLER, FARNCOMB and DECHAINEUX and are progressing in concert with the FCD for SHEEAN. Platform modifications in COLLINS and RANKIN will be completed in conjunction with the FCD program. As first of class specific testing was carried out for WALLER, all subsequent testing for platform modifications will be undertaken in conjunction with standard post docking testing.