The Australian government has added the Boeing Australia/Israel Aerospace Industries I-View 250 tactical unmanned air vehicle to its list of "projects of concern", after it emerged that the programme is running two years late.
Australia ordered the I-View 250 for its army in late 2006, with prime contractor Boeing Australia to provide project management, systems engineering and in-service support. Two TUAV systems, each comprising four air vehicles, ground control stations and support equipment, were to be delivered by late 2009, with a further four UAVs to be provided as spares.
The programme involves substantial modifications to the standard 250kg (550lb) I-View design, including the integration of an electro-optical/infrared/laser target designator payload. Using a catapult launcher and parafoil landing system, the baseline UAV has an endurance of 6-8h.
Greg Combet, parliamentary secretary for defence procurement, says the TUAV project recently made the government's defence projects-of-concern list, which also includes Boeing's delayed 737 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control system aircraft and the Australian Aerospace-delivered Eurocopter Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter.
Israeli sources say the I-View problems are within Boeing Australia's territory and focus on programme management a view shared by the Department of Defence. "Although based on a family of IAI TUAVs, Boeing appears not to have properly appreciated the developmental status of the I-View 250, or the effort needed to adapt it to meet Australian Army requirements," it says.
The schedule for delivery has been steadily slipping since contract award and initial I-View capability is now not expected until the end of 2011, the DoD says.
"We have faced some challenges, but remain committed to working with the Commonwealth of Australia to deliver the desired TUAV capability within the agreed timeframe," says Boeing Australia.
The company has been given until the end of June to formalise its planned schedule, says the DoD. "While Defence is confident that Boeing and its principal subcontractor can deliver the systems required by the contract, there is little prospect the contracted schedule can be significantly recovered," it adds.
Source: Flight International
