Axiom awarded missile ground support contract

Axiom Precision Manufacturing has announced a new contract with Kongsberg Defence Australia (KDAu) for the manufacture and delivery of ground support equipment for the Naval Strike Missile (NSM).

Under SEA 1300 Phase 1 – Navy Guided Weapons, KONGSBERG’s NSM will replace the Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile capability on the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) ANZAC class frigates and HOBART class destroyers.

The NSM has a greater range than Harpoon, enhancing the ADF’s ability to strike targets at a distance.

Established in 1979, Adelaide-based Axiom specialises in electronic hardware design, precision machining, complex mechanical, electro-mechanical and sub-system manufacturing.

Axiom’s purpose-built manufacturing facilities services the Aerospace, Defence, Space and the Medical Devices industries and holds AS 9100, ISO 14001 and ISO13485 certifications.

Axiom General Manager Craig Maynard said: “The contract with KONGSBERG is great recognition of Axiom’s strong history as a Defence supplier across many platforms and we look forward to growing our partnership on the back of this project.

“The new contract will support additional growth in Axiom’s vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities, including fabrication and painting.”

Axiom has specialised capabilities, including capabilities in machinating titanium parts, which ultimately go into the manufacture of the twin tails of the F-35 joint strike fighter.

The General Manager of KDAu John Fry said: “KONGSBERG is committed to involving Australian industry in support of SEA 1300 Phase 1 – Navy Guided Weapons.

“Axiom was established over four decades ago so it is great to be announcing this partnership with such an experienced, highly skilled Small to Medium Enterprise.”

Manufacture of the complex assemblies has commenced in Axiom’s Wingfield facility, with the first deliveries due in early 2024.

Picture: Axiom Precision Manufacturing