AI trial for Hunter class frigate build

Four Australian SMEs have been selected to test and trial innovative technologies for the digitally advanced Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide that is constructing Hunter Class Frigates for the Royal Australian Navy

Insight Via Artificial Intelligence (IVAI), Overlay, Spiral Data, and Open Welding will explore the use of Artificial Intelligence and advance sensors to drive efficiencies in shipbuilding.

These efficiencies will focus on the capture, interpretation, and application of data and will be first tested at the Line Zero – Factory of the Future at the Tonsley Innovation District facility in Adelaide.

Line Zero is a joint project of shipbuilder BAE Systems Australia and Flinders University.

BAE Systems Australia – Maritime’s Director of Business Development and Continuous Naval Shipbuilding Sharon Wilson said: “The technologies we’re testing at Line Zero…are right at the cutting-edge of shipbuilding and the manufacturing industry.”

“Investigating and testing digital solutions in a controlled environment removes the risk of introducing them into the build process, while also allowing us to explore options for use in the sustainment of complex warships.”

Line Zero allows BAE Systems to test technologies and products from Australian businesses with some selected to be used in the shipyard.

Insight Via Artificial Intelligence’s Executive Director Dr Zygmunt Szpak said collaboration with BAE Systems Australia was allowing the comopany to deploy ground-breaking advancements in machine learning.

Dr Szpak said: “By capturing and understanding the natural rhythms and fluctuations of these processes, we empower operators and technicians with unparalleled insights, enabling proactive identification and resolution of process deviations before they impact quality or efficiency.

Spiral Data is applying its ‘AI Briefcase’ into Line Zero to showcase the capability for rapid, agile and secure problem-solving using artificial intelligence.

Overlay’s Head of Industry and Defence Mitchell Stapleton-Coory, said he hoped to improve the parts tracking and assembly flow in the shipyard with a tool that can add value across the workforce.

“My team recognises the importance of our future naval capabilities and we’re focused on proving our technology and delivering value through this project,” Stapleton-Coory said.

Picture: tonsley.com.au/Sharon Wilson