News Review: Aurecon to oversee A7K upgrade ADM June 2011

Engineering and project management consultancy firm Aurecon, has been selected to be the Project Manager/Contractor administrator for the upgrade of the RAAF’s new Maritime Patrol Capability facilities at Edinburgh air force base.

Under Project Air 7000 Ph.2 Defence will replace its AP-3C Orions with a new Maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Response Aircraft. There are important differences in the characteristics of the new aircraft, which has necessitated upgrades to existing infrastructure and construction of new facilities.

The associated capital facilities program will see upgrades to airside and non-airside facilities at Edinburgh, said David Barnes, Aurecon’s Development Leader, Defence.

“This is a significant win and we will be managing the design and delivery of the new and upgraded facilities and infrastructure at the main operating base at RAAF Edinburgh as well as a number of other bases. These new and upgraded facilities will be designed for purpose and will include command control centres, hangar facilities, pavements, new apron taxiway upgrades, hydrant refuelling systems, new Ordnance Loading Aprons and new aircraft wash facilities.”

Factors which contributed to Aurecon’s winning bid included the company’s approach to providing design certainty during the development stage of the project which leads to cost certainty during delivery.

The firm is also supporting the DMO’s implementation of the Strategic Reform Program by helping it reform the support environment for Defence’s Electronic Instrument and Radio (EIR) Systems.