Page 100 - Australian Defence Magazine Dec-Jan 2021

100 PROJECT REVIEW MARITIME
DECEMBER 2020 – JANUARY 2021 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
In September HMAS Toowoomba joined sister ships Warramunga and Perth at BAE Systems’ Henderson facility to become the fifth of class to begin the 20-month Anzac midlife Capability Assurance (AMCAP) program.
The scope of work includes replacing the ageing Ray- theon SPS-49(V)8 ANZ long-range air-search radar with the CEAFAR2 L-band radar, a technical insert to the Saab 9LV 453 combat management system, and improvements to engines, propulsion, lighting, heating
Benchmark specifications for the Global Combat Ship are for weight of 6,900 tonnes, length of 149.9 metres, and maximum beam of 20.8 metres. There has been significant growth from these original specs, ADM understands.
SUBMARINES
In the undersea world, Collins-class operational availability is currently exceeding the international benchmark of two boats available for operations, whatever the requirement might be, with one or two additional boats available for op- erations and training, and the other two in maintenance.
All six Collins-class boats are expected to undertake a life-of-type extension (LOTE) program starting in 2026, meaning the first will not decommission until 2036 to cover any delays in Attack-class deliveries.
The LOTE will predominantly focus on replacing the diesel generators, the main motor, the propulsion control switchboard, and power conversion and distribution equip- ment with new hardware, some of which will be made by Attack-class suppliers.
Project Sea 1439 Phase 6 is delivering major upgrades to the Collins’ hull-mounted sonar arrays and inboard pro- cessing, with the first already at sea aboard HMAS Waller.
A second approved upgrade under Project Sea 1439 Phase 5B2 is modernising the submarines’ legacy communications centre and upgrading the microwave electronic warfare sys- tem to the L3Harris ES3710 system also fitted on the sur- face Anzac and Hobart classes.
Stage 2 of the project will deliver wideband satellite com- munications and onboard ICT networks.
Amid a steady buildup of program resources, Attack-class designer and builder Naval Group Australia (NGA) opened a new $25 million headquarters in Port Adelaide in October. This was accompanied by the announcement of a $900 mil- lion package for Australian companies to build and provide
and cooling.
HUNTER CLASS
Meanwhile the Hunter-class program re- mains on schedule to cut steel for proto- typing in December (2020) and for first- of-class construction to begin at ASC Shipbuilding’s (ASCS’s) new purpose-
major Future Submarine components and features, an opportunity the com- pany said would be the first of many.
Earlier tensions on the potential per- centage of Australian industry content in the Sea 1000 program were allevi- ated by parent company Naval Group (NG) committing to spend in Australia at least 60 per cent of the value of con- tracted work undertaken in Australia over the life of the program.
As of November some 600 NG person- nel were working on Sea 1000 in France while the NGA workforce in Australia had risen to 250. That is expected to increase to more than 1,700 direct jobs by 2028. In CASG’s Future Submarine program office, some 230 staff were involved in overseeing design activities - about 30 are em- bedded with NG in Cherbourg – development of the Osborne North construction yard, and preparations for training and
technology transfers in Australia as the program progresses.
ABOVE: HMAS Arunta comes alongside Fleet Base West after completing a five month deployment.
EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO MORE builtyardatOsborneinDecember2022. THAN1,700DIRECTJOBSBY2028.”
ASCS has dismissed media assertions
that size issues are causing concern,
stating that although the UK’s Type 26
Global Combat Ship is being used as a reference design, the Hunter-class will be a very different ship.
While Australian specifications had affected the size and weight of the frigate’s radar mast as well as its power and cooling requirements, contrary to being redesigned the ship was in the middle of a normal naval ship design process.
“Importantly, the design activities being undertaken re- main within the agreed weight and space envelopes and we remain confident in our ability to meet the capability re- quirements and specifications on time and budget,” ASC Shipbuilding Managing Director Craig Lockhart said.
“AS OF NOVEMBER SOME 600 NG
PERSONNEL WERE WORKING ON
SEA 1000 IN FRANCE WHILE THE
NGA WORKFORCE IN AUSTRALIA
HADRISENTO250.THATIS
DEFENCE