RAAF's Wedgetail project delayed further
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RAAF's Wedgetail project delayed further
source AAP
The RAAF's new early-warning aircraft are behind schedule and even further delays are expected.
The $3.45 billion Wedgetail project is already running two years behind schedule with the latest delivery time still eight months away.
Even that schedule has the potential to blow out, parliamentary secretary Greg Combet said after his recent visit to Boeing's plant in the US.
Everyone was working to address problems with technical difficulties affecting the aircraft's radar, he said.
"This is a very advanced system and it is just taking a good deal of work."
Australia is buying six Boeing 737 airborne early warning and control aircraft, each equipped with an advanced radar able to watch over a 400 kilometres radius circle, directing fighters to any threat.
Under the original delivery schedule, the RAAF was to receive its first Wedgetails in November 2006.
Mr Combet has been specifically charged with improving troubled defence procurement practices.
Already the government has cancelled the $1 billion Seasprite helicopter project and a smaller project for unmanned drone aircraft.
But there have been successes also. This week two upgraded FFG (guided missiles) frigates - four years behind schedule - entered navy acceptance testing.
"That is huge breakthrough," Mr Combet said.
The message from the Seasprite cancellation was that problem procurements would not be allowed to fester and the axe would fall if need be, he said.
"That message is clearly through ... and the services understand that if things are going haywire, we are just not going to sit on it.
"We are not just going to keep pumping money into them."
The government will respond to a review of defence procurement practices early next year, including a key recommendation to separate defence materiel from the main organisation.
"We need to get reforms in place and make sure they are well understood in defence and industry," Mr Combet said.
The RAAF's new early-warning aircraft are behind schedule and even further delays are expected.
The $3.45 billion Wedgetail project is already running two years behind schedule with the latest delivery time still eight months away.
Even that schedule has the potential to blow out, parliamentary secretary Greg Combet said after his recent visit to Boeing's plant in the US.
Everyone was working to address problems with technical difficulties affecting the aircraft's radar, he said.
"This is a very advanced system and it is just taking a good deal of work."
Australia is buying six Boeing 737 airborne early warning and control aircraft, each equipped with an advanced radar able to watch over a 400 kilometres radius circle, directing fighters to any threat.
Under the original delivery schedule, the RAAF was to receive its first Wedgetails in November 2006.
Mr Combet has been specifically charged with improving troubled defence procurement practices.
Already the government has cancelled the $1 billion Seasprite helicopter project and a smaller project for unmanned drone aircraft.
But there have been successes also. This week two upgraded FFG (guided missiles) frigates - four years behind schedule - entered navy acceptance testing.
"That is huge breakthrough," Mr Combet said.
The message from the Seasprite cancellation was that problem procurements would not be allowed to fester and the axe would fall if need be, he said.
"That message is clearly through ... and the services understand that if things are going haywire, we are just not going to sit on it.
"We are not just going to keep pumping money into them."
The government will respond to a review of defence procurement practices early next year, including a key recommendation to separate defence materiel from the main organisation.
"We need to get reforms in place and make sure they are well understood in defence and industry," Mr Combet said.
Quite simple really, this 737 ( cn 33474/1245 ) was seen at Boeing Field prior to being fitted as a wedgetail on 16 Dec 2002.
It first flew as a wedgetail on May 20 2004 from Boeing Field.
A long time before Boeing stopped fitting the eye brow windows. They might plug them at a later date perhaps?
simple hey
It first flew as a wedgetail on May 20 2004 from Boeing Field.
A long time before Boeing stopped fitting the eye brow windows. They might plug them at a later date perhaps?
simple hey
Last edited by ACMS; 21st Nov 2008 at 04:32.
the radar does not give a full 360 degree picture and has problems retaining targets in an orbit as the radar scanning is biaised against the forward and rear quadrants - see design shape. The aircraft has other problems in that the vertical stab needs a big change due to aero problems created by the radar 'hat'. another big issue is heat generated by the system - can't be run at full power! next problem is integrating civil 737 front end' with MilSpec back end. Hard to get them talking to each other...
It's another Sea Sprite....
It's another Sea Sprite....
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Sounds like Boeing is as crap as Kaman. I'm surprised the DMO guys haven't reduced the scope or forced Air Force to accept the product as is. They are doing a good job of that with that aircrew currency/scheduling system (Flightpro by Ocean). Sometimes no matter how hard you try to polish a turd, it is still a turd. My opinion only of course.
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Evertonian
Thanks ACMS...I hadn't delved that deeply into the details.
So...another "new build" order like the Seasprites & Abrams eh? Bang for buck eh what?
So...another "new build" order like the Seasprites & Abrams eh? Bang for buck eh what?
Singapore. The region's premiere air force. At half the cost of ours?
As Kent Brockman once said: "When will people learn that democracy just does not work".
That's a cop-out blaming a democratic process.
Where's the leadership?
SIngapore air force rocks- proven American & Israeli technology.
It is incredible that they have operated radar planes for 20 years and are replacing their first generation with new Israeli gear.
Where's the leadership?
SIngapore air force rocks- proven American & Israeli technology.
It is incredible that they have operated radar planes for 20 years and are replacing their first generation with new Israeli gear.
The RAN's wastage is akin to standing on the corner of Bourke St continuously burning suitcases full of hundred dollar bills.
There has been a good economic cycle, budget surplus and a high AUD and Defence has squandered it.
There has been a good economic cycle, budget surplus and a high AUD and Defence has squandered it.
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Without knowing the technical details of the Hawkeye it's impossable to make a comparason between its (proven) capabilities and the (projected) capabilities of the Wedgetail but i'm sure there's plenty in-the-know who would advocate one or the other.
From an outsiders point of view the RAAF are only now receiving platforms they should of had years ago and that the purchase of a Sqdron of Hawkeyes years ago would have provided Australia with a (limited) capability but years of experiance would have been gained from operating the capability, we would have been in a better position today.
Abrams is a succes story for the ADF, replace the old with a MOTS solution and get on with the job.
Like most taxpayers i'm fed up of reading about Government procuring golden bullet solutions when we simply don't have the funds to splah around.
About time certain persons in certain Government agencies and politicians were held accountable for their actions. As many others have said why do we need to re-invent the bloody wheel?
Look at how some of the other Defense agencies work around the world and emulate their strenghts.
I think it's not the fault of the generaly hardworking types that staff the agenices more a case of politcal mederling.
From an outsiders point of view the RAAF are only now receiving platforms they should of had years ago and that the purchase of a Sqdron of Hawkeyes years ago would have provided Australia with a (limited) capability but years of experiance would have been gained from operating the capability, we would have been in a better position today.
Abrams is a succes story for the ADF, replace the old with a MOTS solution and get on with the job.
Like most taxpayers i'm fed up of reading about Government procuring golden bullet solutions when we simply don't have the funds to splah around.
About time certain persons in certain Government agencies and politicians were held accountable for their actions. As many others have said why do we need to re-invent the bloody wheel?
Look at how some of the other Defense agencies work around the world and emulate their strenghts.
I think it's not the fault of the generaly hardworking types that staff the agenices more a case of politcal mederling.
