Delays in frigate construction, but innovation fluorishes

BAE Systems Maritime Australia’s much publicised slippage in timetable for the construction of Hunter class frigates is proving a silver lining for innovation.

With the $45 billion program delayer by two years the company’s innovation team is seeking Expressions of Interest from industry to:

• Investigate manufacturing technologies, materials, coatings, and processes with the potential to improve the sail away performance of the nine Hunter class frigates
• Investigate infrastructure, the workforce, and shipyard capabilities to ensure the Osborne Naval Shipyard maintains high levels of productivity, quality and safety
• And investigate ongoing maintenance or future capability upgrades that may immediately influence the design and delivery of the nine Hunter Frigates to be built at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia (pictured).

The team will evaluate submissions quarterly – with feedback – until June 2022.

Each EOI may be considered for future steps including a Request for Information (RFI) and/or Request for Proposal (RFP).

This may lead to a an agreement for a scope of work which could be in the form of a Research Task, Case Study; Feasibility Studies; Proof of Concept; or Prototyping.

BAE said: “These activities support our continued commitment to growing Australian Industry Capability, driving technological innovation and contributing to the Australian Government’s long-term objective to deliver Continuous Naval Shipbuilding for our nation.”

The frigate project has been delayed in the design phase, with more time needed for the integration of systems such as the ship’s fire control system into the design, which is based on Type 26 frigates being built for the UK government.

Picture: DefenceSA

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