1.2 Project Context

Project	Explanation
Description	The $407.7 million SEA1439 Phase 3 is a program of upgrades to Collins Class platform systems and shore infrastructure to improve the Class reliability, sustainability, safety and capability.
Background	In 1999, Government sponsored the 'McIntosh and Prescott Report' into submarine capability, which was followed by a subsequent review by Head Submarine Capability Team (HSMCT) who identified capability, reliability and sustainability issues with the Collins Class platform and associated shore infrastructure. In 2000, Government approved project funds to design and implement engineering enhancements for as many of these capability and materiel deficiencies as possible within the allocated budget. Government also approved a "global budget" whereby Head Maritime Systems could approve transfer of funding between SEA1439 Phase 3, SEA1439 Phase 4B (Improvements to Collins Sensors), SEA1439 Phase 4A (Replacement Combat Systems) and SEA1429 (Replacement Heavy Weight Torpedo) to achieve optimum capability. Under the global budget there have been reductions in funding allocations to SEA1439 Phase 3 in favour of SEA1439 Phase 4A and SEA1429, with a commensurate reduction in the number of engineering enhancements to be implemented through SEA1439 Phase 3. The scope of this project is limited to the reliability and sustainability issues identified in the 1999 review and not the more contemporary reliability and sustainability issues relating to diesel engines, generators, batteries or the main motor; those issues are being addressed under the submarine sustainment program. Many of the engineering enhancements can only be installed during the submarine Full Cycle Docking (FCD) program and although most design and development activities are complete, submarine upgrades are contingent on the FCD program, which will run to 2022. A total of 24 platform upgrades, consisting of two new capabilities and 22 engineering enhancements, have been identified for action under the project. Five engineering enhancements have been completed and the two new capabilities are being implemented. However, completion of the remaining 17 engineering enhancements is priority driven and will be continually reassessed throughout the project. The platform upgrades managed by the SEA1439 Phase 3 project include: • Special Forces Upgrade (New Capability): To provide three basic levels of capability and to further enhance the capabilities to a fully deployable state in two submarines. • Torpedo Counter Measures Internal Stores (Torpedo Decoy) (New Capability): To provide a programmable counter measure against torpedos. • Fire Fighting Upgrade (Engineering Enhancement): Upgrade to the fire fighting systems onboard, including greater protection from fire and its toxic by-products. • Sewage System Upgrade (Engineering Enhancement): Automation of the sewage discharge system and thereby reduce the risks of exposure to toxic gases. • Fast-Track mods to SM1,2,3&6 (Engineering Enhancement): Address platform build deficiencies in a holistic get-well program. • Main Battery Improvements (Engineering Enhancement): Upgrade will facilitate Main Storage Battery (MSB) gas charging at sea through use of a single cell pulse charger. • Submerged Signal Ejector (SSE) Top Plate Upgrade (Engineering Enhancement): Upgrade to the existing SSE top plate ball valves to provide greater reliability against leakage and facilitates reliable use of Submarine Expendable Bathy Thermograph. • Noise and signature Improvements (Engineering Enhancement): Through research and development, improve the overall detectable signatures of the submarines. • Diesel Land Based Test Site (LBTS) Auxiliary Systems (Engineering Enhancement): Provide training and validation facility for submarine auxiliary systems, including interface to diesel engine. • Diesel LBTS - Generator (Engineering Enhancement): Provide a land based generator to interface to the land based diesel engine for the purposes of training and validation. • Maritime Ranges SPO Enhancements (Engineering Enhancement): Upgrade the underwater telephone capability, provide a portable acoustic ranging system and to procure towed arrays. • Microwave ESM (Engineering Enhancement): Upgrade the Microwave equipment to the Condor CS5600 system in line with fast track configuration. • Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Capability for SMER (Engineering Enhancement): Provide a ROV as part of a Submarine Escape Rescue and Abandonment System. • Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver Upgrade (Engineering Enhancement): Upgrade of the legacy GPS unit to an integrated receiver/display unit which is compatible with the Navigation Sub-system of the Replacement Combat System delivered under SEA1439 Phase 4A. • Simulator Upgrade - Submarine Training and Systems Centre (STSC) (Engineering Enhancement): Enhance Platform Training Simulators. • CBT System - STSC (Engineering Enhancement): Incorporated into Simulator Upgrade - STSC. • MCC Simulator - STSC (Engineering Enhancement): Incorporated into Simulator Upgrade - STSC. • Propulsion Control Reference System STSC (Engineering Enhancement): Provide a land based facility for training and validation pertaining to the submarine propulsion switchboard. • Battery Internal Safety Switch (Engineering Enhancement): Provide a safe means of splitting battery sections to enable defect investigation and rectification. • Collins Class Hazard Log issues with Hazard Risk Index less than 9 (Engineering Enhancement): To remediate all submarine hazards with a safety HRI of less than 9. • Additional Spares and Objective Quality Evidence (OQE) Remediation (Engineering Enhancement): To either provide satisfactory OQE to enable utilisation of submarine spares quarantined within Naval Stores, or to replace quarantined stores. • Computer Modelling (Engineering Enhancement): Computer modelling of the submarine and its systems for design and assessment of changes. • Diesel Engine Upgrades (Engineering Enhancement): Improve reliability of the diesel engines. • Third Generation propeller prototype (Engineering Enhancement): To provide a replacement for the Sonistan propellers which are prone to reliability and signature issues.
Uniqueness	Project SEA1439 Phase 3 installs prioritised engineering enhancements and acquires replacement materiel as a part of ensuring continuous improvement of the boats. Engineering enhancements are undertaken by ASC under an annualised cost-plus Through Life Support Agreement (TLSA) contract, with the complex matrix of designs across the submarine fleet, scheduled for completion in 2022. Implementation of the ASC contract scope of work is linked to the boat FCD schedule and driven by availability requirements mandated by Chief of Navy and Program Manager Collins.
Major Challenges	Engineering enhancements are managed on a prioritised basis within the limited funding available, with implementation aligned to the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) which is not controlled by the project. Where schedule slippage occurs, there is the potential for impact on project cost performance. A further challenge is to obtain capability sponsor acceptance of delivered supplies, given that the full range of engineering enhancements has not been supported with Capability Definition Documentation that enables ready acceptance of the delivered supplies. Project staff have developed Statements of Work (SOW) for contractor work. The SOWs have driven the development of System Requirement Specifications by contractors, thus allowing more conventional requirements management.
Current Status	Cost Performance
	The Through Life Support Agreement with ASC, when combined with an annual contracting methodology, creates the main concern for the completion of the project within the existing budget. Recent financial years have realised improvements in the annual cost estimation process for programming of work and achieving financial performance outcomes. However, overall cost over the life of the project has suffered through previous inaccurate estimation of work content, and the inability to control implementation schedules.
	Schedule Performance
	Current scheduled dates will not be achieved due to slippage in the Submarine FCD program (a result of unscheduled maintenance arisings), which is beyond the control of the project.
	HMAS DECHAINEUX recently completed an FCD and a series of engineering enhancements, including Special Forces capability upgrades, were installed and all have now completed CAT 5 Sea Trials. Installation of engineering enhancements on HMAS SHEEAN will also be subject to FCD delays.
	Submarine unavailability has also delayed the conduct of CAT 5 Sea Trials and Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) of the Torpedo Decoy.
	Capability Performance
	Only two sub-projects provide new capabilities; Special Forces upgrade and the Torpedo Decoy. The remaining sub-projects are medium to low complexity engineering enhancements. The Special Forces upgrade provides three capabilities. Two have achieved Operational Release, while the other will undergo CAT 5 Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in late 2010. Torpedo Decoy will also undergo OT&E in late 2010.
	Five engineering enhancements have been completed by the project. The remaining enhancements will be implemented progressively until 2022 subject to the submarine availability and the FCD program.