Defence Update

The reason why it was impractical to get such a system earlier – apart from the competition for funds and other priorities – was that a Lockheed P-3 platform fitted with the General Electric APS-138 radar is unlikely to be test flown until 1987. The RAAF has set its cap on a successful P-3 Orion platform using the APS-138 radar as the AEW system most affordable and practical within financial constraints.

Last year Air Marshal Evans indicated the RAAF was pushing hard for AEW aircraft to complement the new F/A-18 Hornet fighters in their major air combat role. An AEW capability is considered a vital component of the new air defence package of 75 Hornets, ground and mobile radar, including probably the Jindalee over-the-horizon early warning, long-range system, new base facilities in the north and plans to gradually convert the current four Boeing 707 transports for in-flight refuelling of F/A- 18s and F-111s.

Mr. Beazley said the Federal Government was moving particularly well as regards the RAAF’s Force Structure in terms of the right facilities, the right areas and the right equipment. But he said as the new Defence Minister, before reaching a final position on acquiring AEW, there was a need to get “a fairly thorough going understanding of what capabilities we want in the Australian Defence Force.

“If different capabilities are required, room ought to be made for them by lesser priority being given to some capabilities we may already possess. AEW is precisely the type of case that will have to come into the realm of consideration,” he said. He revealed that, at his direction, Defence Force capabilities were at present being reviewed within the Defence Department.

Air Marshal Evans said Boeing E-3A Airborne Early Warning and Command aircraft used by the United States Air Force were far too expensive for Australia to contemplate. Four E-3As would cost about $1200m. Smaller and less expensive would be the Grumman E-2C Hawkeye, but most senior Air Force officers believe that as it is primarily a carrier-based plane, it does not have sufficient range and endurance for Australia’s needs. Still in any final evaluation Hawkeye probably still would be considered. Hawkeyes are used in the ground-based mode by Israel, Japan and Egypt, while Singapore is also reported to have paid deposits on a Hawkeye squadron.

But a cheaper alternative, if proven, is the development by Lockheed using the GE APS-138 radar on a P-3 or even a C-130 platform. Current Lockheed trials are based on proving the aerodynamic interface between the rotodome, its support pylons and the basic P-3 Orion airframe which is the first RAAF P-3B model traded in for the second lot of RAAF P-3C models, of which deliveries have started to Edinburgh base, SA.

AM Evans believes that with Jindalee, four P-3 AEWs would give the RAAF a substantial capability for a cost of about $400m at present-day prices. Eight P-3 AEWs would, with Jindalee, give a complete cover of Australia. He considers the lack of Airborne Early Warning “is a great deficiency in our air defence capability. It is expensive but we will continue to press for it as a matter of urgency. It is so vital to a country like Australia which is 3000 kilometres across the top and quite impractical to cover with microwave radars”.

But he admitted that with the first flight of a P-3 fitted with the APS-138 system unlikely until 1987, there was still a long way to go before the RAAF had AEW aircraft. AM Evans pointed out that while Jindalee should provide early warning, it would not provide an intercept capability. Jindalee should provide an alert that something was out there but it does not give any idea of height. An AEW aircraft in the air could see exactly where the object was and its exact altitude.

Fighters then could be directed to attack in day or night. An AEW “could run an intercept on its own, or work in with ground radar,” AM Evans said.

One worry at the moment is that there may not be sufficient customers to make the Lockheed AEW alternative a goer even if, as expected, it proves technically feasible. The US Forces do not appear to have a need for a shore-based AEW aircraft to supplement their big AWAC jets, or the carrier-based E-2Cs. Canada is linked to the American NORAD air defence system and although interested in what comes out of the Lockheed development, is unlikely to have a further AEW requirement such as a P-3.

However, Air Vice Marshal Alan Heggen, the Chief of Air Force Materiel, believes that once Lockheed had an AEW cap-able P-3 which can be demonstrated, there should be any number of nations around the Indian and Pacific Oceans and in the Middle East who could be interested. From Australia’s viewpoint, it is important that there would be other customers to share the development costs. The fulfilment of the project also could depend on the extent to which Lockheed is prepared to fund the development and risk capital.

The first direct move by the Defence Department in Canberra to seek detailed information about the Lockheed proposal probably would require an agreement between the RAAF and Lockheed for Lockheed to define an on-board AEW system that would best meet the RAAF’s particular requirements. AVM Heggen believes such a definition process would be a joint arrangement with joint funding of a Project Definition Study.

“It seems to me that technology can provide us with whatever on-board systems we believe we need,” AVM Heggen said. “The cost would vary accordingly. ” He said the Air Force would be “advocating advancing an AEW capability” in the Five Year Defence Programme (FYDP). That advocacy would have to run its course in the bids early each calendar year to sort out the order of priorities in the FYDP. A proposal only really became a firm programme when it reached Year 1 of the FYDP and was funded in a Budget. (Actually, although AEW is regarded as of high priority, the modification of the RAAF’s 707 transports for in-flight refuelling is regarded as somewhat more urgent. This is another topic. ) Lockheed executives claim they could deliver the first operational P-3 AEW in about two and a half years, although this does not quite square with Air Marshal Evans’ forecasts.

Nor do Lockheed’s estimates that four aircraft, spares and support of about $200m square with RAAF project estimates. These are matters which would have to be worked out in any Project Definition Study. Lockheed expects the aerodynamic testing of the ex-RAAF P-3B fitted with a rotodome will be completed by mid-1985 when operational testing of the APS-138 radar is due to begin.

Air Vice Marshal Heggen, who visited the Lockheed plant at Burbank, California late last year, for the third successive year, considers the rotodome installation virtually proven now. The next step was to install the APS-138 radar (which is the same as used in the E-2C Hawkeye) and “get that working on board”. At its Advanced Development Facility. Lockheed are working on the technology for the on-board command and control AEW systems which have display control consoles. The facility is able to demonstrate what systems should be available to customers. They then would define their requirements.

AVM Heggen said apart from radar command and control systems, the aeroplane would need some self-protection ECM (Electronic countermeasures) type of fit to enhance survivability against a threat such as missiles launched against it by hostile aircraft.

He said as regards the possible acquisition of say four AEW aircraft, he hoped there would be scope for Australian industry to be involved. possibly in the design of the on-board systems, and even in the installation. While the RAAF have P-3C Orion, ASW maritime reconnaissance planes in its inventory, AEW would represent a brand new capability which would increase support costs. Manpower costs would be significant. The RAAF would look at ways of mitigating the manpower bill by seeing what the Australian industry could do by way of contracting to do maintenance of the AEW systems.

On the other hand the RAAF already has the infrastructure at Edinburgh to support the P-3 airframe and the engines, so not much more additional support costs would be involved on that score. It remains to be seen if the RAAF is interested in the Alli- son T-56-426 engines proposed for the AEW P-3s to increase endurance, and also proposed for the E-2C and the C-130.

(Max Hawkins Is the Editor of Defence Industry Newsletter. )