PETER LA FRANCHI / MELBOURNE
Formal contest could start in December for $64.5 million project as bidders limber up
The Australian Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has released a draft operational concept document (OCD)for its tactical unmanned air vehicle (TUAV) requirement and hopes to launch a formal competition in December.
The A$110million ($64.5 million) project is expected to secure Australian government approval in May, with systems entering operational service in 2007. Programme officials caution, however, that the project continues to undergo review as part of a major overhaul of Australia's 10-year defence capability acquisition plan. Final timeframes are expected to be released later this month.
A draft tender release is also being planned. Speaking at last week's Flight International UAV Asia-Pacific 2003 conference in Melbourne, DMO head of airborne surveillance projects Air Vice Marshal Norm Gray says: "Our intention is that with budget approval in the May budget, we would expect to have a draft request for tenders on the street by mid-year for industry comment."
Gray says the final tender will outline required capabilities in generic terms, rather than providing a system specification. Contenders will be required to provide advice on optimal solutions as part of their bids.
The draft OCD says the TUAV air vehicle must have a range of at least 70km (38nm),and preferably above 150km, and be able to remain on station at that distance for 5h. The air vehicle is also required to feature automatic take-off and landing.
The draft OCD says the sensor mix is expected to be modular and will include infrared and electro-optical, synthetic-aperture radar and electronic warfare payloads. The system should be able to detect, recognise and classify a four-wheel drive size target "outside threat envelopes".
Australia is also interested in systems that can be launched from amphibious warfare ships. However, the draft OCD advises that this is not considered essential. Recovery to amphibious ships is seen as being outside the project's scope. A maritime-launched and recovered UAV capability is being considered for later phases of the project.
Draft OCD release comes as at least nine teams have begun forming to pursue the requirement. Boeing Australia and Israel Aircraft Industries are to announce a joint bid this week based on the Searcher UAV. Northrop Grumman is intending to offer its Sea Scout and has formed a teaming arrangement with Kellogg Brown &Root. Sagem has teamed with Tenix Defence Systems. Other prime contenders positioning include AAI, BAE Systems Australia, Bell, EADS, General Atomic Aeronautical Systems and Silver Arrow.
Contact sallie.edwards@rbi.co.uk for a CD of conference papers.
Source: Flight International
