Katherine Ziesing | Canberra
In light of the not so public news that JP 66 for aerial targets has been cancelled without delivering anything (not that this sounds familiar at all, dear readers), ADM thought it prudent to check in with the department and see what is being done in this area.
At the moment, the provision for air target services is managed jointly between Navy and RAAF.
Navy is responsible for the provision of targets. From mid-2016 Navy will also be responsible for the provision of unmanned aerial targets.
RAAF is responsible for the manned aircraft services to carry and deploy the aerial targets Navy provides.
From mid-2017 it is planned that the responsibility for the provision of both aerial targets and unmanned aerial targets will transfer from Navy to Air Force.
Aerial targets are currently provided through a contract with Air Target Services Pty Limited. Aircraft services for the aerial target capability is currently provided through a contract with Air Affairs Australia Pty Limited.
The total combined contract value for aerial target capability is approximately $18 million per year.
Funding for the contract is shared between Army, Air Force and Navy through respective sustainment budgets.
The standard answer was given when asking about the future provision of the capability: “The Force Structure Review (FSR) is currently looking at a broad range of capabilities for the development of a balanced and affordable future force.
"The FSR's recommendations will be considered in the context of the Defence White Paper. More detailed information on the way forward for individual capabilities will be available following the release of the White Paper.”
Excellent, clear as mud. ADM understands that a program office under JP 67 has been stood up in place of the previous effort under JP 66. A request to speak to the program office, new or old, was declined.