Patrick Durrant | Sydney
On November 4 the Parliamentary Public Works Committee (PWC) conducted two hearings into projects concerning future EA-18G Growler facilities at RAAF Base Amberley and Army Aviation Centre Oakey and an associated redevelopment at the Delamere Air Weapons Range in the NT Range. Defence gave submissions for the two projects, which have a combined cost of $423 million, to the committee in September and October this year.
With the first Growler scheduled to be delivered in February 2017, the Amberley works are required in order to support the base services for the new aircraft, while the Oakey and Delamere proposals deal with integration of the Growler’s Mobile Threat Training Emitter System (MTTES). The Delamere redevelopment also includes considerable upgrades to other existing infrastructure at the range.
The $348.6 million Growler Airborne Electronic Attack Capability Facilities Project Amberley scope of works includes:
- construction of new, purpose built facilities for 6SQN (a two storey building comprising a hangar with four aircraft maintenance bays, and various administrative/workshop/amenities spaces)
- an Electronic Attack Pod Workshop
- the 1 Sqn facility internal refurbishment
- Flight Line and Ground Support Equipment Shelters
- a new, purpose built aircraft apron for 6SQN with a 40 year design life
- a new In-Ground Aircraft Hydrant Refuelling System
- a new Air Combat and Electronic Attack System Program Office
- a new Intermediate Level Maintenance and Super Hornet Retail Warehouse
- a new facility for the Growler Tactical Operational Flight Trainer
- a new car park and upgraded fire main and communications infrastructure
The adaptive reuse of existing facilities at Army Aviation Centre Oakey is the preferred option as existing facilities are available and suitable for the MTTES requirements.
Concerning integration of MTTES at Delamere, Defence prefers to contribute to the proposed Delamere Air Weapons Range Redevelopment Project for the construction of new range facilities in the immediate vicinity of the existing range entry and to relocate all supporting capabilities and infrastructure accordingly. The MTTES emitter sites and associated access roads will also be provided to support the provision of training for the EA-18G Growler at the Range.
For the $74.4 million Delamere Air Weapons Range Development, the scope of works includes:
- a new range control complex with accommodation and amenities for both visitors and permanent staff
- a new range operations centre, explosive ordnance store, and helipad
- maintenance areas and workshops
- site wide infrastructure (water, power, sewer, stormwater, gas, communications, landscaping etc)
- an alternative high explosive impact area
- road network upgrades and new roads
- Boundary fence upgrades
- Airfield upgrade
- Demolition of existing range control complex and surrounding facilities