Page 32 - Australian Defence Magazine April-May 2021

32 SEA POWER HUNTER CLASS
APRIL-MAY 2021 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
BAE Systems and Saab,” Joe North, Chief Executive, Lock- heed Martin Australia said to ADM. “The CSI program is on track and we are deep into the design phase of what is a highly complex endeavour. On a project of this scale, the relationship between the delivery partners is key. We are all working effectively together to address any challenges that arise, with each playing to their respective strengths.
economy annually with our program supply chains sup- porting an additional 1,200 local jobs,” according to North. “The strength in depth of that in-country CSI capability was demonstrated in 2020 when, in collaboration with lo- cal industry partners and the Royal Australian Navy, we were able to successfully complete Aegis enhancements in Australia, marking the first time such activities have been performed outside of the US by non-US personnel.”
BAE Systems Maritime Australia have signed a principal collaboration deed between the Commonwealth and the Hunter Class Combat Systems Integration industry part- ners. This means that BAE Systems Maritime Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia and Saab Australia are now working under the collaboration deed on both the Hunter class and also the future of the Hobart class AWD systems due for their own upgrade in due course.
“There are significant synergies and commonalities be- tween the Aegis Combat Management System and Austra- lian Interface in the upgraded Hobart class destroyers and the new Hunter class frigates,” Commodore Darron Kava- nagh, Director General Combat Management and Payload Systems, CASG explained to ADM. “As such, a Combat Sys- tems Integration – Principals Council Collaboration Deed was signed between Defence and the Hunter Class Combat System Integration Industry Participants (BAE Systems Maritime Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia and Saab Australia) on 1 September 2020. The Deed enables oppor- tunities for a broader combat systems integration function across both the Hunter and Hobart classes.”
“BAE SYSTEMS MARITIME AUSTRALIA HAVE SIGNED A PRINCIPAL COLLABORATION DEED BETWEEN THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE HUNTER CLASS COMBAT SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INDUSTRY PARTNERS.”
“The Hunter Class program will not only deliver arguably the world’s most capable Anti-Submarine War- fare frigates in support of protecting Australia’s national interests, but it will also contribute significantly to realising a powerful sovereign capability of combat system deep specialists to support Australia’s current and future naval programs.
“As Australia’s CSI partner of choice for surface and sub-surface vessels, we are continuing to invest in the establishment of that sover- eign defence capability through both
growing our skilled workforce and continuing to establish local industry partnerships.
“Today, our national maritime enterprise consists of around 450 personnel engaged in the delivery of combat system programs with direct links to our combat system de- velopment teams in the US. Our presence in South Austra- lia alone delivers over $100 million of impact to the state’s
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