ASC CEO will not renew current contract

The CEO of ASC — the government-owned company tasked with sustaining Australia’s current submarine fleet and building the upcoming SSN‑AUKUS submarine fleet with BAE Systems — will leave the role when his contract expires in January 2026. In a statement from the company on Friday, ASC said that Stuart Whiley’s time at the shipbuilder and…

Ghost Shark autonomous submarine to be manufactured in Sydney

The federal government has delivered on its promise of more rapid defence decision making, accelerating the manufacture of the Ghost Shark underwater autonomous vehicle for undersea surveillance, reconnaissance and strike at a new factory to be built in Australia. The government has already spent $90 million along with Anduril Industries developing the very large autonomous…

First submariners assigned to UK nuclear submarines

Following their completion of the Officers Nuclear Operator Course and Engineering Administration Course, the first three Royal Australian Navy officers have graduated from the Royal Navy’s Nuclear Reactor Course in the United Kingdom. Lieutenant Commander James, Lieutenant Stephen and Lieutenant Isabella have come to the end of their shore-based requirements as part of the Royal…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

NIOA Group announces new Chief Growth Officer Defence contractor the NIOA Group has announced the appointment of a new Chief Growth Officer, defence industry executive Andrew Crickenberger, formerly Vice President of Strategy for L3Harris Technologies’  Aerojet Rocketdyne division. According to a statement, Crickenberger has a career spanning over three decades as a senior executive with multi-national defence companies.…

Huntington Ingalls appoints top nuclear submarine leadership in Australia

US nuclear submarine constructor Huntington Ingalls Industries has announced the appointment of Tim Brown as vice president of operations and Terry Nichols as the managing director for two HII business areas in Australia. Brown and Nichols will work from HII’s Canberra office, and both will report directly to Michael Lempke, president of Mission Technologies’ Nuclear…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Linda Dobe appointed D-D of Queensland Manufacturing department The Queensland government has announced the appointment of three new Directors-General, each with a wealth of experience, to lead key departments. The appointments include: Linda Dobe as Director-General for the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water (DRDMW), Peter McKay as Director-General of the Department of Employment,…

Craig International Ballistics to armour Hunter frigates

Queensland manufacturer Craig International Ballistics will supply ballistic protection windows for the first three Hunter class frigates under an agreement with BAE Systems Maritime Australia. The order, which follows receipt of a $30 million order from Defence for body armour earlier this month, will see CIB provide transparent armour on each of the anti-submarine warfare…