Page 16 - Australian Defence Magazine Nov 2020

16 NEWS REVIEW
NOVEMBER 2020 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
THREE NEW FEASIBILITY STUDIES PLACED FOR HUNTER CLASS
“VEEM operates the most advanced com- mercial propeller manufacturing facility in the world and being considered for the manufacture of the new anti-submarine warfare frigates is an exciting proposition.”
“REDARC Defence Systems is proud to have secured a contract with the Hunter Class Frigate Program to explore how we as a local designer and manu- facturer of advanced electronics systems can contribute to the first batch of ships and look at how this could flow down across our local supply chain,” REDARC Defence Systems General Manager Sales, Mike Hartas, said. “The outcome of this study, which although does not guarantee work, does ensure we are able to present to the program and the Gov- ernment the value that we can contrib- ute to the National Shipbuilding and Sustainment Plan.”
“As a provider of ballistic protection to many ADF assets, we welcome the oppor- tunity to showcase our Australian Indus- try Capability for the Hunter Class Frigate Program,” Craig International Ballistics CEO James Craig said.
ABOVE LEFT: The digital design for the Hunter class will be further refined.
KATHERINE ZIESING I CANBERRA
ASC Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of BAE Systems Australia, has placed three new feasibility studies to support the Hunter Class Frigate Program.
ASC Shipbuilding has placed orders with Craig International Ballistics, RE- DARC Defence Systems and Veem to un- dertake studies into whether three addi- tional Australian companies can form part of the supply chain for the build phase of the first batch of frigates.
“We are on track to begin the prototyping phase of the Hunter Class Program at the end of this year, which is why it’s vital we continue to form new partnerships with Australian in- dustry as we look ahead to the build phase,” Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said.
Craig International Ballistics will inves- tigate whether they can provide an Aus- tralian solution for ship bridge windows and armour protection; REDARC De- fence Systems will explore if it can provide an Australian solution to LED lighting throughout the ships; and Veem will study security requirements for local propeller manufacture in Australia.
“With a 30-year life-span, the build- ing of nine submarine hunting warships provides an enormous opportunity for the nation to advance our sovereign ship- building capability and create long-term prospects for Australian industry,” ASC Shipbuilding Managing Director Craig Lockhartsaid.“Ihaveabsoluteconfidencein Australian industry to bring ingenuity and
innovation to the Hunter program, while at the same time providing valuable em- ployment opportunities in the nation’s advanced manufacturing sector at a time when we’ve never needed it more.”
“VEEM is very pleased to be part of a feasibility study to examine security re- quirements for local high level defence pro- peller manufacturing in Australia,” Veem Managing Director Mark Miocevich said.
SAAB TO SUPPLY ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE TRAINING SYSTEM TO RAN
SAAB Australia has signed contracts worth up to $20 million to provide the RAN with the latest generation anti-submarine war- fare (ASW) training system – the AUV62- AT – and five years’ in-service support.
As prime contractor for the project, Saab Australia will deliver the system in 2022 andworkwithAustralianindustry,includ- ing Newcastle based BlueZone Group, to provide ongoing in-service operational and maintenance support through to 2027.
Designed and developed by Saab, the AUV62-AT is an autonomous un- derwater vehicle and training target that simulates a real submarine, tor- pedo or unmanned vehicle.
The system can be configured to conduct training activities with surface vessels, submarines, maritime patrol
RIGHT: The AUV62-AT simuulates a real submarine.
aircraft and helicopters, allowing the Navy to undertake warfare training without the need to use live submarines.
The solution is currently in-service with the UK and has also been trialled by the US. “Saab Australia has over 30 years’ ex- perience developing, integrating and sup- portingarangeofcomplexsystemsforthe ADF,” said Andy Keough, Saab Australia
Managing Director.
SAAB
BAE SYSTEMS AUSTRALIA