SMEs win new naval defence contracts

The federal government has announced a number of naval defence industry contracts where work flows to SME technology companies and manufacturers.

In separate announcements, defence industry minister Melissa Price revealed new contracts for the $50 billion Attack class submarines and a R&D grant to develop naval unmanned systems.

Price announced:

# Lockheed Martin had signed a subcontract with Safran Electronics and Defense Australasia for the design of components for the submarines.

# A $3.5 million grant to Sypaq Systems to develop an unmanned aerial system with potential future applications for the Royal Australian Navy.

The submarine contract is the first first major equipment design subcontract awarded by Lockheed Martin Australia, which is the Combat System Integrator for the boats.

It includes the design of the Optronics Search and Attack, Navigation Radar and Navigation Data Distribution subsystems.

During the design phase, Safran will engage Australian suppliers Acacia Systems and Thomas Global Systems to provide design services.

In the future, Safran will establish a local capability for the production, integration and support of these subsystems in Sydney.

In the other contract Sypaq will develop a small Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) with a hybrid power delivery system and the capacity to operate effectively at sea.

The UAS will be capable of operating from ships at sea and performing a range of surveillance and reconnaissance operations.

Picture: Navy

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