Peter La Franchi/CANBERRA
The Australian Department of Defence is expected to release a new short-term acquisition strategy for airborne electronic warfare self-protection (EWSP) systems by 31 July.
The strategy is expected to receive the green light from the Australian Defence Capability and Investment Committee soon and has cleared the internal approvals process within the Defence Acquisition Organisation.
The revised plan is expected to emphasise the fitting of protection systems to transport helicopters and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transporters.
The strategy may also give priority to proceed with "interim" self-protection upgrade plans for RAAF Boeing F/A-18 Hornets and General Dynamics F-111s. Final decisions on the F/A-18, however, are embroiled in a debate over whether the aircraft should be fitted with the Australian-developed ALR-2002 radar warning receiver, or the ALR-67 system fitted to US Navy F/A-18C/Ds.
ALR-67 proponents argue that the system must be fitted if Australia's F/A-18s are to continue to be considered as a wholly integrated weapon system. Supporters of the ALR-2002 - being developed by BAE Systems Australia and the Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation - say RAAF F/A-18s have been substantially modified to a unique Australian configuration.
The new strategy is expected to be the first stage in a broader shift in the Defence Department's expectations of Australia's fledgling EW industry. The strategy is expected to emphasise that future EWSP equipment will be part of the initial aircraft purchase, rather than being retrofitted as they are now. Such a move would effectively shift the focus of Australia's EW industry towards a support role, rather than systems development and aircraft integration.
The looming changes have done little to appease industry anger at a Defence Capability Committee decision to terminate the A$1 billion ($600 million) Project Echidna EW programme. The project was seen as key to developing a sustainable national capability.
The status of plans for other in-service aircraft remain unclear, with the development of a broader strategy for airborne EWSP dependent on decisions in a forthcoming defence white paper.
Source: Flight International
