Update Review of Previous Audits:
- Management of heritage properties
- HQ NZDF business continuity management
- Management of the Tactical Mobile Communications System
Section 3: Introduction and management of the Tactical Mobile Communications System
Introduction
3.1
Evaluation Report 17/2007 Introduction and Management of the Army’s Tactile Mobile Communication System dated 21 November 2007 examined how the Army managed the introduction into service of the Tactical Mobile Communication System (TMCS) and its management of the capability in service.
3.2
The TMCS radio equipment supports secure voice and data communications in a tactical environment. When used as a system the radios enable land force units and elements to communicate with each other, and with formation and unit headquarters, as well as aircraft and naval vessels.
3.3
In 2000 Cabinet approved the acquisition of 1,853 radios, associated spares and ancillary equipment through the United States Foreign Military Sales organisation. The bulk of the radios were delivered in December 2001, with the balance being received in June 2002.
Report’s main points
3.4
The TMCS was a major new capability for the Army. Its acquisition brought a number of management and technological challenges.
3.5
The Army did not manage the introduction into service of the TMCS well. It utilised long-standing and well-developed processes for introducing individual items of equipment that were less suited to introduction of a capability system. Significant weakness included a lack of doctrine and standard operating procedures, inappropriate training methods, and insufficient understanding of the implications of the embedded cryptographic nature of much of the equipment.
Subsequent actions
3.6
At the time of the previous report, the TMCS had been in service for around 5 years. We have not considered introduction into service issues in this follow-up review as they are no longer relevant. Our focus has been on in-service management of the radios.
3.7
TMCS equipment is now well embedded into the Army’s training and operational activities. Training methods have adapted to meet the operational environment in which the Army now finds itself. The tactical multi-band AN/PRC 117 radio has become of particular significance for remote patrols in Afghanistan. Additional quantities of the AN/PRC 117 have been acquired to meet operational demand.
3.8
There remains a shortage of some TMCS equipment in New Zealand because of equipment being deployed. This continues to challenge routine training and leads to more intense operator training only being available during pre-deployment training. As a result, skill levels are lower than desirable when personnel arrive in theatre.
3.9
Standard operating procedures for TMCS equipment have been developed and enhanced as experience has been gained with its use. We found no evidence that comprehensive tactical doctrine has yet been developed for the use of TMCS as a system. Nor could we confirm that comprehensive doctrine and instructions for the use of the frequency hopping capability of the equipment had been developed.
3.10
Management of Controlled Cryptographic Items is adequate. We understand there has been no issue with the performance of COMSEC accounting requirements. However, there has been no progress in resolving the difficulties inherent in accounting for equipment in both the inventory and cryptographic accounting systems. Reconciliation of records between the two systems remains problematic.
3.11
Repair of defective TMCS equipment continues to be a concern to the NZDF. Much of the equipment has to be returned to the United States for repair, which can result in turn-around times of up to 12 months. The NZDF has established, in concert with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government Communications Security Bureau, new procedures for improving the transportation of controlled cryptographic items between New Zealand and the United States.
3.12
Very recently an RNZAF Avionics Technician has been deployed to the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan to undertake limited in-theatre maintenance and repair of communications equipment.
3.13
We were informed that the Army continues to hold defective equipment in theatre and return it to New Zealand in periodic batches. Replacements are supplied as needed, not as a direct one-for-one replacement of defective equipment. This increases the total equipment holding needed and impacts on the availability of equipment for training.
Summary
3.14
The Army has fully embedded TMCS equipment into its operations. It is an essential tool for forces in Afghanistan. Training is integrated into all trade and career courses but shortages of some radios means that skill levels may be less than desirable when personnel arrive in theatre.
3.15
Accounting for TMCS equipment remains cumbersome because of a need to record transactions in both communications security (COMSEC) and inventory accounts. Reconciliation between COMSEC and inventory accounts remains outstanding.
3.16
We did not find evidence that comprehensive tactical doctrine has been developed for the use of TMCS as a system in the full range of land combat scenarios.
3.17
Improvements have been made to aspects of the repair cycle for TMCS equipment, although the need to send much of it to the United States continues to impact on the quantity of equipment the NZDF needs. The recent deployment of an RNZAF Avionics Technician to Afghanistan is expected to improve serviceability levels.
Recommendations
3.18 It is recommended that the NZDF:
- takes positive action to complete the reconciliation between COMSEC and inventory accounts in respect of TMCS COMSEC items; and
- implements improvements to accounting systems to dispense with the inefficient need to account for the same item in two incompatible systems.
