Defence Update

The results of studies into the fatigue life of the Macchi 326s and a rewinging and wing repair programme scheduled for the first half of this year will determine if the Macchijet replacement as an advanced trainer should be brought forward from the current decision timetable of 1996-97.

Only a handful of Macchis are flying at present. This has followed the discovery of structural faults in several Macchi wings back in 1991. While the Aeronautical Research Laboratory (ARL) in Melbourne has continued engineering studies as to interim fatigue life of the old wings, the RAAF placed an order for 19 new wing sets in two batches from Italy. They are scheduled to be fitted in March and April.

However there are reports that the wing repair programme under the auspices of ARL is proving extremely difficult and might not prove successful in making further 326s operational again. At the time of writing there was no clear indication of whether it would be possible under the rewinging and repair programme to get 29 Macchi 326s operational for both No 76 Squadron at Williamtown, near Newcastle, and No 25 (Reserve) Squadron at Pearce, WA by the mid year. That has been the objective.

Conversion training on the Macchis to provide sufficient aircrews for the F/A-18 Hornets and the F-llls might just get by with that number this year, but after that the future is more uncertain.

Meanwhile, at the time of going to press, the Minister for Defence, Senator Robert Ray had not made any clarifying announcement as to the outcome of his initiative to secure up to another 18 F-111 strike aircraft as attrition replacements.

The move is intended to increase the service life of the current F-111C fleet of 22 aircraft, four of which are configured for reconnaissance,beyond the year 2010. Senator Ray was scheduled to take the F-111options to Cabinet last December, but this did not eventuate.

There is now some suggestion in Defence circles that there could be a hiccup in the originally planned acquisition which arose during a visit to Washington by Senator Ray early in October 1992. At that stage he expressed a strong interest in acquiring up to 18 surplus USAF F-11ls, about 250 of which were reported as slated to be taken out of service and mothballed over the next few years. The US offer was said to be as low as a bargain basement price of $US2. 5m a plane, or a package cost of around $US80m.

If that was true the offer seemed too good to refuse, even if the aircraft were simply stored and brought into service gradually so that the life of the current fleet could be extended.

It may be that the models the RAAF is most interested in are still flying and therefore not available as yet; and certainly while they remain in top operational condition would attract a much higher price per unit. It is only when they are finally under notice to be mothballed or go to the aircraft”graveyard at Davis Monthan that the price would come down considerably.

The RAAF team that visited the USA on an information gathering mission after Senator Ray’s announcement on October 15 is understood to have identified the type of aircraft (F-lllG) in which the RAAF would be most interested. It is believed all would have digital avionics fitted, but would require other operational requirements.

The RAAF’s F-111 fleet already is undergoing an avionics upgrade programme (from analogue to digital) costing more than $400m over seven years. The programme also will modernise the navigation and weapons delivery systems.

Although earlier keyDefence planning documents had given no hint of a possible purchase of additional F-11s, it should be noted that the Strategic Plan of the Acquisition and Logistics Programme of the Department covering 1992 to 1995 does list the purchase of up to 18 more F-11s for attrition purposes. This is shown within the Major Capital Equipment section and under”AirDefence” which includes plans to extend the life of the F-lllC and F/A-18 aircraft.

This first A&L Strategic Plan, published last December, shows an “Outlook” for Investment Programmes indicating that in line with the 1991 Force Structure Review (FSR) and based on current projections, capital investment is to be maintained at around 270/4 of the Defence Budget over the 1990s”in order to maximise our capability within the funds available”. Currently approved major equipment projects amount to some $28bn, of which some $12bn expenditure is outstanding. New projects will ensure that spending remains at around $2bn a year over the decade, the programme outlines.

Key priorities are:

• Communications: New generation communications equipment and more extensive use of commercially available equipment and civil infrastructure.

• Intelligence and Surveillance: Invest substantially in intelligence and surveillance, including two Over-The-Horizon Radars (OTIIR), with the possibility of a third radar; upgrade P-3C Orion aircraft; and acquire two hydrographic and one oceanographic ships.

• Maritime Forces: Expand to 16 major surface combatants (based on the ANZAC design); introduce six new submarines into service; extend the LOT (Life of Type) of the 15 Fremantle Class patrol boats; acquire four and possibly six coastal Minehunters.

• Air Defence: Extend the life of the F-lllC and F/A-18 aircraft; purchase up to 18 more F-llls for attrition purposes.

• Land Forces: Introduce new type of troop carriers.

In the foreword to A&L’s Strategic Plan, Mr Andrew Podger, the Deputy Secretary, Acquisition and Logistics, says it provides a link between the Department of Defence’s Corporate Plan and the Acquisition and Logistics Programme’s Performance Statements and Workplans. It contains the Programme’s Vision,Mission and Objective for the way ahead. “The development of this corporate focus is an important strategy towards improving the links between our Divisions, including between the materiel divisions, between facilities and equipment investment, between acquisition and logistics and between industry and procurement policy,” Podger says.

“Such strengthened linkages should provide opportunities for improved efficiency in the A&L organisation, and more importantly, in the overall management of Defence assets and support activities,” he adds.

Under”Vision” important objectives are achieving a greater partnership between Defence and industry for support activities through the Commercial Support Programme and learning from private sector management approaches, increased focus on financial aspects of asset management, increased competition and ‘published benchmarking’ against best commercial practice.