News

Australia to launch target drone competition in February

January 05, 2009

The Australian Defence Materiel Organisation is to launch an international tender process next month for its Joint Project 66 phase 1 new air defence target system (ADTS), replacing the now retired BAE Systems MQM-107E.

The proposed ADTS system will support tri-service training requirements, with the project development process including consideration of service-based and private financing acquisition models.

Confirmation of the planned ITR release was issued by the DMO just before years end. Advance notice advice released by the agency says “The Commonwealth of Australia, through Defence Joint Project 66 Phase 1, seeks to introduce a new ADTS into the Australian Defence Force (ADF). This notice advises the intent to issue a Request for Information in February 2009.”

Major contenders for the project are expected to comprise the wholly owned EADS subsidiary Australian Aerospace, offering the DT-25 And DT35 series of target drones; Northrop Grumman, offering Chukar III and BQM-74F; Selex Galileo, offering Mirach 100/5.

Prime contractor for the UK CATS programme, QinetiQ, is also known to be studying a bid.

Joint Project 66 was given establishment approvals in 2004 with initial planning based on a tender process during 2007 and entry of the new system into service between 2008-2010. The current project schedule is unlikely to see the new system enter service before 2011.

Australia retired its last MQM-107E target drones -  designated the ‘Kalkara” in Australian service - in early 2008 with the system never achieving full operational acceptance. The type was and was first introduced in 1998 after a protracted tender process – designated Joint Project 7 - that was ultimately won by the then Tracor company, later acquired by BAE Systems North America.

The Kalkara type was operated as a joint capability by the Royal Australian Navy. A total of 10 air vehicles remained by the end of 2005 with planning at that stage incorporating retaining the system in service until 2011 with 39 presentations expected each year. Five air vehicles remained available by late 2007.

Selex Galileo announced last July that it had reached initial agreement with Boeing Australia to pursue JP 66 using the Italian firm’s Mirach 100/5.

Northrop Grumman confirmed at the 2008 Singapore Airshow that it had been holding teaming discussions with Australian based subsidiaries of Cobham and BAE Systems Australia, as well as with Boeing Australia.

Talks had also been held with the Australian-based Air-Affairs company, which itself is examining a potential bid using its developmental Phoenix jet powered target system.

Northrop said at that time that it regarded the JP 66 requirement as having close parallels to the United Kingdom’s CATS programme, for which it is already supplying its Chukar IIIE system to prime contractor QinetiQ.

Northrop has also suggested that air launch capability for targets could potentially be a valuable discriminator in the JP 66 programme due to range and launch restrictions in Australia.

Peter La Franchi - Canberra