Output Expense 11

Standards

Three SH-2G(NZ) Seasprite helicopters available for military tasks - from a total fleet of five Seasprite helicopters.  To be sustainable on operations in accordance with Schedule 4 to the NZDF Output Plan.

Measures

NZDF OPRES (Operational Preparedness and Reporting System).  (See the OPRES Key Performance Indicators and OPRES Performance Rating Scale earlier in this section.

Two aircraft were available for sustained embarked operations in accordance with Schedule 4 to the NZDF Output Plan from a total fleet of five. Spares deficiencies and a shortage of qualified maintenance personnel made it difficult to provide three aircraft together with shore-based training requirements.

Despite this, over the May/June 2009 period three aircraft were concurrently embarked for operations. HMNZS Te Mana’s ships flight achieved OLOC for its deployment as part of a multinational coalition operation in the Persian Gulf. Other ships’ flights maintained DLOC for all embarked operations. In addition, sufficient aircraft were available to meet all shore-based conversion training requirements, though conversions were delayed during the latter part of the year. Continuation training was limited to maintaining shore-based aircrew at a basic level of capability only.

Standards

Planned Seasprite Flying Hours for the year (1 July 2008-30 June 2009).

Measures

1,406 hours, made up as follows:

• For flying while embarked with force elements of the Navy, a total of 453 hours (target range 430-475 hours).
• For shore-based readiness training - a total of 953 hours (target range 905-1,000 hours).

The NHF flew 1,101 hours made up of 463 embarked and 638 from ashore. This was an increase over the 1,025 hours that were able to be flown in the previous year. In addition, concurrent recovery of the required stagger in aircraft maintenance schedules has put the Squadron on a much sounder footing for generation of flying hours in the coming year.

A total of 638 hours of shore based readiness training were flown. The limitations to shore-based DLOC readiness training hours were maintenance manpower, spares and serviceability issues.

Standards

Contribute to MAO&T (Multi-Agency Operations/Tasks) and to a range of services in support of other government departments, the community, and foreign and defence policy objectives when not committed to operations, using the capabilities developed for the operational role.  While specific, pre-planned operations/tasks (under MAO&T) normally require specific quality standards, the quality of other assistance to the Government and the community may rely on the satisfaction expressed by the supported party/agency.  [For details see the section on Services in Support of the Government and the Community, including MAO&T].

Measures

Satisfaction of the supported department/agency. Many of the MAO&T agreements/MOUs, which will include performance requirements (conditions and standards), are still under development.

The NHF contributed to a range of services in support of other government departments and the community.

Tasks were completed to the satisfaction of agencies.

[For details of the support provided, see the section on Services in Support of the Government and the Community, including MAO&T.]

Standards

Standards and performance rating required under the NZDF Operational Preparedness and Reporting System (OPRES) against the four Elements of Preparedness (see the OPRES Key Performance Indicators and OPRES Performance Rating Scale earlier in this section).

Measures

While the aim, under the OPRES rating system, is an OPRES Rating of P1, for 2008/09 the following will apply:

• For tasks under ECs 1 and 2 - a P1 OPRES rating.
• For tasks under ECs 3 to 5 - a P2 OPRES rating.

For tasks under EC 1, a P2 rating was achieved.

For tasks under EC 2 and ECs 3 to 5, a P3 rating was achieved.

(See paragraphs below).

Readiness:

Standards

• Naval Helicopter Forces that meet the Directed Level of Capability (DLOC) readiness criteria in accordance with Schedule 4 to the NZDF Output Plan.

The NHF met DLOC readiness criteria in accordance with Schedule 4 to the NZDF Output Plan as demonstrated by embarked deployments with the Naval Combat Force. Nevertheless, this was generally limited to two deployable Seasprites due to spares deficiencies and shortage of qualified maintenance personnel.

• Naval Helicopter Forces carry out a range of training activities in accordance with the NZDF Exercise Activity Schedule (EAS), 6 Squadron Training Programme, and the NZBR 202 (RNZN Air Orders) to achieve DLOC.

Measures

NZDF OPRES, and RNZAF and RNZN Publications, including:

• RNZAF Master Personnel Establishment.
• RNZN Personnel States.
• NZAP(S) 700 (This document is currently under review).
• NZBR 99, RNZN Instructions for the Generation, Maintenance and Evaluation of Operational Capability.
• NZBR 202, RNZN Air Orders.
• 6 Squadron Standard Operating Procedures.

The NHF carried out a range of training activities and mission essential tasks in conjunction with a wide cross-section of potential coalition partners to achieve DLOC. It participated in complex multinational warfare exercises as integral air assets of deployed Naval Combat Forces in Asia, Australia, and the Pacific. HMNZS Te Mana’s ship flight achieved OLOC for its deployment as part of coalition operations in the Persian Gulf.

Combat Viability:

Standards

• Air and ground crews that meet the collective training standards, experience levels and qualification requirements for military tasks.

Air and ground crews met the collective training standards, experience levels and qualification requirements for military tasks and all air and ground crews were qualified in accordance with their respective manuals of training. Experience across all aircrew categories was adequate, however, due to significant turnover there were limited opportunities to expose technical personnel to embarked operations. These factors contributed to a lack of experience amongst technical tradesmen and may impact on the achievement of targets in the future.

The NHF continues to operate with significantly less than the RNZAF establishment (approximately 75% of experienced technical supervisory personnel). RNZN aircrews continue to recover in numbers and in FY08/09 peaked briefly at the required six crews.

The current 75% manning level for technical personnel at NHF is a reflection of the on-going difficulty in filling unit posts with technical trades people. The percentage of manning is expected to increase in coming months as a result of increased supply in suitably qualified personnel.

• Aircraft and equipment performance, reliability and technology that meet required standards for commitment to military tasks.

Aircraft and equipment performance, reliability and technology generally met the required standards for commitment to military tasks.

The Seasprite airframe and engines were suitable for all of the tasks assigned and the mission equipment was generally adequate for most low threat level tasks. However, equipment deficiencies exist for operations in medium or higher threat military environments. Obsolescence issues relating to a significant number of avionics and tactical systems will become a major operational inhibitor if not addressed in the short-term. Approval was recently gained to acquire new Forward Looking Infra-Red turrets for the Seasprite. The Seasprite Spares Supportability Review has been completed and is now being assessed in terms of how it informs future options around Seasprite upgrade or replacement decisions.

• Effective standardisation when working with friendly forces.

Measures

NZDF OPRES, and RNZAF and RNZN Publications (as listed above).

Effective standardisation when working with friendly forces was achieved.

NHF doctrine, training and operating procedures allowed effective standardisation and integration with friendly forces as demonstrated during international exercises and operations including participation in a multinational coalition force in the Persian Gulf. Other friendly forces included (but not limited to) Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom.

Deployability:

Standards

• Naval Helicopter Forces capable of generating the Operational Level of Capability (OLOC) within designated Response Times (timeliness), as specified in Schedule 4 to the NZDF Output Plan.

The NHF was capable of generating OLOC within designated response times as specified in Schedule 4 of the NZDF Output Plan to conduct lower threat level ECs. Nevertheless, it lacked capability to generate some OLOC requirements within response times for medium to high threat environments due to mission equipment constraints.

• Aircraft, munitions, expendable and technical stores available to generate OLOC, as specified in Air Publication NZAP(S) 700.

Measures

NZDF OPRES, and RNZAF and RNZN Publications (as listed above).

Aircraft, munitions, expendable and technical stores were available to generate OLOC, as specified in Air Publication NZAP(S) 700 for basic surveillance and attack roles in a low threat environment.

Sustainability:

Standards

• Aircraft, expendable and technical stores available, as specified in Air Publication NZAP(S) 700, to maintain OLOC for the designated operational viability period (OVP).

Aircraft, munitions, expendable and technical stores were available, as specified in Air Publication NZAP(S) 700, to generate OLOC for the designated OVP for basic surveillance and attack roles in a low threat environment.

• Personnel available for sustainment/rotation of the Naval Helicopter Forces on continuous operations as specified in Schedule 4 to the NZDF Output Plan.

Measures

NZDF OPRES, and RNZAF and RNZN Publications (as listed above).

Personnel were available for the Operation Tiki III deployment to the Persian Gulf, however, there were insufficient maintenance personnel to sustain the NHF on continuous operations in accordance with Schedule 4 to the NZDF Output Plan.