1844328 - Error in PHASE MAIN_POSTP/UEXP_SPDD. Tool variable 'NEW_R3LOAD_DATE' does not exist.

During system update using Software update manager (SUM) in  phase MAIN_POSTP/UEXP_SPDD the following error was reported:

Directory:    <DIR_PUT>/upg/abap/log
Name:         SAPupConsole.log
------------------------------------

<< 2013/04/05 16:17:31  END OF PHASE   MAIN_POSTP/UEXP_SPDD
=========== Repeat Phase ===========

Checks after phase MAIN_POSTP/UEXP_SPDD were negative!

Last error code set: Tool variable 'NEW_R3LOAD_DATE' does not exist<(>
<<)>br/>
Export of <SID>K976435 failed

Directory:    <DIR_PUT>/upg/abap/log
Name:         UEXPSPDD.LOG
------------------------------------

4 ETQ410 START moving R3trans data file "R976435.<SID>"
3 ETQ412 END   moving R3trans data file "R976435.<SID>"
4 ETQ416 START moving cofile "K976435.<SID>"
3 ETQ418 END   moving cofile "K976435.<SID>"
4 ETQ445 START add transport "<SID>K976435" to buffer
3 ETQ399 20130405202705: PID 6619318 execute '/usr/sap/<SID>/SYS/exe/run/tp pf=<DIR_PUT>/abap/var/DEFAULT.TPP addtobuffer <SID>K976435 buffer=SAP -Dtransdir=<DIR_TRANS>'.
3 ETQ399 Process output written to '<DIR_PUT>/abap/log/addtoSAPbuffer.log'.
3 ETQ399 20130405202705: PID 6619318 exited with status 0
3 ETQ447 END   add transport "<SID>K976435" to buffer
4 ETQ434 START writing entry to "umodauto.lst" in directory "/usr/sap/trans/bin"
4 ETQ434 START writing entry to "umodauto.imp" in directory "<DIR_PUT>/abap/bin"
4 ETQ435       entry: "SPDD" "731" "<SID>K976435"
1 ETQ399 20130405202717 Created UPGANA.XML within 0 seconds
1 ETQ005 EXPORT AND SAVE A TRANSPORT ORDER
1 ETQ000 ==================================================
4 ETQ010 Date & Time: 20130405202717
1EETQ399 Last error code set is 'Tool variable 'NEW_R3LOAD_DATE' does not exist
Export of <SID>K976435 failed'
1EETQ203 Upgrade phase "UEXP_SPDD" aborted with errors
("20130405202717")

SPDD, umodauto.lst, SUM MAIN_POSTP, does not exist, UEXP_SPDD, aborted, , KBA , BC-UPG-TLS-TLA , Upgrade tools for ABAP , Problem