capaBility for ampHiBiouS lift

This output provides the Navy with an amphibious capability and is made up of two amphibious landing ships, a heavy landing ship and six heavy landing craft. The amphibious landing ship, HMAS Kanimbla, completed a major maintenance activity in 2005–06. Despite the heavy maintenance load associated with the age of these vessels, the amphibious lift force demonstrated its preparedness for short notice contingency tasking with both amphibious landing ships, the heavy landing ship and four of the heavy landing craft assigned at various times during 2005–06 to Operation Astute. The Navy’s amphibious lift capability continued to be developed through collective joint training with participation in Exercises Sea Lion 05, Sea Eagle 06 and Croix de Sud 06.

taBle 2.19

performance targets performance

Achieve levels of preparedness directed by the Chief of the Defence Force for military response options with a warning time of less than 12 months.

achieved. Levels were met in accordance with current preparedness directives.

Achieve a level of training that maintains core skills and professional standards across all warfare areas.

achieved. Levels were met in accordance with current preparedness directives.

Achieve mission capability for assigned

tasks. achieved. 96 per cent (2,447 days) for the force.Class achievements:

Heavy landing ship—86 per cent (196 days). Propulsion system, diesel generation, power distribution and air conditioning defects reduced mission capability.

Amphibious landing ships—99 per cent (548 days). Propulsion system and equipment defects reduced mission capability. Heavy landing craft—96 per cent (1,703 days). Communication, support craft and propulsion system defects reduced mission capability.

1 heavy landing ship—227 uRD. 1 heavy landing ship—100 per cent (227 uRD achieved). 2 amphibious landing ships—535 uRD. 2 amphibious landing ships—103 per cent (551 uRD achieved).

HMAS Kanimbla’s work-up was brought forward, resulting in the slight overachievement.

6 heavy landing craft—1,800 uRD. 6 heavy landing craft—98 per cent (1,769 uRD achieved). HMAS Betano’s refit was extended due to delay in provision of material caused by Cyclone Larry.

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2.4

output 2.8 capaBility for HyDroGrapHic, meteoroloGical anD oceanoGrapHic operationS

This output provides the Navy’s hydrographic, meteorological and oceanographic capability and is made up of two Leeuwin-class hydrographic ships and their embarked survey motor boats, four Paluma-class survey motor launches, a laser airborne depth sounder aircraft and the deployable geospatial support team. These are all supported by the Australian Hydrographic Office in Wollongong, New South Wales. Meteorological and Oceanographic support is conducted by the Mobile Meteorological and Oceanographic Teams, the Operational Meteorological and Oceanographic Centre, the Defence Oceanographic Data Centre, the Fleet Weather and Oceanographic Centre in Sydney, and the Naval Air Station Weather and Oceanographic Centre in Nowra, New South Wales.

The Group’s nautical products contribute to the maintenance of sovereignty, maritime trade, maritime safety and environmental protection. Additionally, the Group meets Australia’s national obligations for provision of hydrographic services under the terms of the united Nations Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention 1974 (as amended) and the Navigation Act 1912.

In 2005–06, the Australian Hydrographic Office focused on producing electronic navigation charts to support increasing Defence and commercial use of computer based navigation systems.

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c H a p t e r 2

taBle 2.20

performance targets performance

Achieve levels of preparedness directed by the Chief of the Defence Force for military response options with a warning time of less than 12 months.

Substantially achieved. Engine faults and defects in

communications systems on hydrographic ships precluded the achievement of all preparedness requirements.

Achieve a level of training that maintains core skills and professional standards to conduct survey tasking, produce navigational information and provision of oceanographic and meteorological support.

achieved. Core skills were maintained in all units.

Achieve mission capability for assigned

tasks. Substantially achieved.90 per cent (1,657 days achieved) for the force. Class achievements:

Hydrographic ships—80 per cent (586 days). Engine space faults and minor defects reduced mission capability.

Survey motor launches—97 per cent (1,071 days). Minor defects reduced mission capability.

Achieve HydrOcscheme 2004–07 data and surveying tasking requirements to meet national hydrographic surveying and charting obligations.(1)

Substantially achieved.

93 per cent. units recorded 818 Survey / Sortie Days Achieved (SDA) from 882 Survey / Sortie Days Planned (SDP). Specific achievements were as follows:

Hydrographic ships—90 per cent (270 SDA from 300 SDP). The reduced SDA was due to significant engine space faults in both ships, weather constraints, and unscheduled operational commitments.

Survey motor launches—99 per cent (340 SDA from 345 SDP). Laser airborne depth sounder aircraft—96 per cent (136 SDA from 141 SDP).

Deployable geospatial survey team—75 per cent (72 SDA from 96 SDP). The reduced availability for HydrOcscheme tasking was due to unscheduled operational commitments.

2 hydrographic ships—730 uRD. 2 hydrographic ships—100 per cent (730 uRD achieved). 4 survey motor launches—1,105 uRD. 4 survey motor launches—100 per cent (1,105 uRD achieved). 1 laser airborne depth sounder aircraft—

920 flying hours. 1 laser airborne depth sounder aircraft—93 per cent (858 hours achieved). The underachievement was due to minor defects and unsuitable weather in planned survey areas.

1 deployable geospatial support team • availability 365 days; with • planned deployments 146 days.

1 deployable geospatial support team—365 days availability (100 per cent) and 153 days planned deployments (105 per cent). The overachievement was due to the unscheduled commitment to Operation Astute, and participation in Exercises Dugong and Sea Eagle.

1 Australian Hydrographic Office • availability 365 days; with 245 chart

production days.

1 Australian Hydrographic Office—365 days availability (100 per cent) and 239 days chart production (98 per cent). 1 Fleet Weather and Oceanographic

Centre—availability 365 days. 1 Fleet Weather and Oceanographic Centre—365 days availability (100 per cent). continued

2.4