Page 12 - Australian Defence Magazine Nov 2018

NEWS REVIEW
INDUSTRY UPDATE
H.I. Fraser and Issartel sign joint venture for Future Submarines
H.I. Fraser has hosted Minister for the French Armed Forces Madame Florence Parly and Minister for Defence Industry Steven Ciobo at a Joint Venture signing with Issartel.
H.I. Fraser Managing Director Chris Wil- liams told ADM that the agreement relates to the provision of gas and fluid components.
“Issartel are a trusted part of Naval Groups Supply chain and they manufacture various gas and fluid components,” Williams said. “H.I. Fraser brings knowledge of manufac- turing submarine gas and fluid components for Collins along with a deep knowledge of Australian manufacturing capability.”
According to Williams, both Issartel and H.I. Fraser have been in discussion with Naval Group about how to realise Austra-
lian manufacturing opportuni- ties for the Sea 1000 program.
“H.I. Fraser and Issartel first met 3 years ago. Since then we have been working together to both understand the Naval Group engineering/procurement process and how we can leverage Austra- lian manufacturing capability.
“We realise that there is a long way to go before the first opportunities will emerge, butwehavealotofworktodointhemean- time qualifying our supply chains and, para- phrasing Mr Herve Guillou, CEO Naval Group, building our shared knowledge of the “know what”, “know how” and “know why” to manufacture submarine gas and fluid components.”
The company, however, will be helped by the expertise it gains through the Collins program. “We are proud of our position in the marketplace,” Williams said. “Our lives are in the niche complex gas and fluid system parts of the supply chain. An ex- ample is parts we manufacture in Austra- lia that are in critical systems on Collins
submarines.”
ASC develops new welding technique for submarines
ASC has successfully passed explosive tests for an advanced new welding technique for submarine hull steel in a development that opens the way to more efficient and reliable welds for Australian submarines.
The newly approved TIP-TIG welding method is a more consistent and improved welding process and is expected to lead to increased efficiencies for submarine sustain- ment while retaining a safe environment for submarine crews.
To gain Commonwealth approval, ASC- welded test specimens of the hull steel had
to pass repeated explosive bulge tests at a facility in Victoria. The tests involved a one square metre specimen of Collins Class hull steel, made up of two sections that had been welded together.
The test specimen was repeatedly blown up until the “bulge” in the steel produced a thinning of the hull of a certain specified per cent. The tests were conducted with the specimens held at a temperature significant- ly below zero degrees, simulating the most demanding under-sea conditions.
Careful examination of the weld showed
that cracks did not grow or break through, successfully passing the test.
ASC Chief Executive Officer Stuart Whiley said the successful explosive tests demonstrate ASC’s continued expertise in submarine hull fabrication and welding capability.
“Proving this advanced application of TIP-TIG welding for the high tensile, low carbon steel used in the Collins Class sub- marine pressure hulls means we will achieve even higher quality and reliability in our future work on Australia’s fleet of Collins Class submarines,” Whiley said.
“And it demonstrates our ongoing capa- bility in ‘build like’ skills, leveraging our long history as a submarine builder, main- tainer and design authority in Australia. This is a result of ASC retaining more than 40 per cent of its submarine workforce with skills and experience from the original Col- lins Class build in the 1990s and 2000s.”
The new technique will be introduced for the re-welding of HMAS Waller’s hull in its current full cycle docking in Osborne, SA.
The news follows the recent announce- ment that ASC is the first Australian de- fence company to receive the international corporate certification for excellence in procurement by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS).
12 | November 2018 | www.australiandefence.com.au