DEFENCE EXPERTISE SAVES $400 million ON Hornet UPGRADE

The Minister for Defence, The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP and the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, The Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, today announced that the outcomes of initiatives taken by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) have the potential to save the Defence Budget more than $400 million.

“We are pleased to announce that extensive work by the DSTO and the DMO has determined that the centre barrel structure of the RAAF’s F/A-18 aircraft are not as fatigued as originally anticipated,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

This could reduce the number of F/A-18 Hornet aircraft requiring replacement of the fuselage centre barrel from 49 to just 10.

By reducing the number of centre barrel replacements required, the DMO and DSTO have effectively increased the availability of aircraft for operational use.

Deferring future centre barrel replacements also provides the Government with increased flexibility and options for Australia’s future air combat capability,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Mr Snowdon said that DSTO conducted full-scale fatigue testing of ex-service centre barrels as part of the structural refurbishment program for the F/A-18 fleet in order to attain a more accurate assessment of the fatigue life of the centre barrel.

“The leading edge fatigue testing and analysis conducted by DSTO has shown that the actual life of the Hornet centre barrels is 10%, or 2 years, greater than originally certified,” Mr Snowdon said.

“These findings are thanks to Australia’s internationally recognised world-leading expertise in testing and managing ageing aircraft, and is the result of decades of experience developing this capability,” Mr Snowdon said.

“This is good news for the ADF and the taxpayer, delivering considerable savings and ensuring Australia’s frontline fighter capability is maintained,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

The centre barrel testing program is a joint effort undertaken by Defence, QinetiQ-Aerostructures and Fortburn.

Media contacts:

Christian Taubenschlag (Joel Fitzgibbon):             02 6277 7800 or 0438 595 567

Kate Sieper (Warren Snowdon):                            02 6277 7620 or 0488 484 689

Defence Media Liaison:                                           02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664