Australian Department of Defence release
Safran Electronics subcontracted Adelaide-based Acacia Systems and Western-Sydney based Thomas Global Systems for the design of the Optronics Search and Attack, Navigation Radar and Navigation Data Distribution systems.
Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the Morrison Government is committed to maximising Australian Industry Content.
“I am proud of this Government’s commitment to build 12 Attack class submarines here in Australia, with Australian steel, by Australian workers,”
“We remain firmly committed to maximising local industry involvement in this nationally significant program which will deliver a regionally superior capability for our Navy.”
Minister Reynolds, Minister for Defence.
The signing of these most recent subcontracts is a positive next step in growing Australian industry involvement in the program as we transition towards detailed design and the construction of the fleet.
Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP said the subcontracts allowed Safran to leverage the expertise of these local companies, demonstrating the important contribution of Australian businesses to Defence capability.
“These contracts are building Australian industry capability while also involving Australian industries and their workers in the delivery of the Attack class submarine,”.
“Our $50 billion investment in this program will create 2,800 Australian jobs and ensure small businesses play an essential role in this program for decades to come.”
Minister Price, Minister for Defence Industry.
Under the subcontracts, Acacia Systems will deliver prototypes and interface simulators, enabling Lockheed Martin Australia to conduct test activities and validate the integrated performance of the combat system in its Adelaide-based Combat System Architecture Laboratory.
Thomas Global Systems will carry out the design of processing hardware for the optronics masts, navigation radar and navigation data distribution systems.
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Naval News comments
Lockheed Martin Australia selected Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia Pty Ltd (Safran) to design three major Combat System components for Australia’s Future Submarine Program. The announcement was made during the PACIFIC 2019 trade show.
Safran will provide preliminary and detailed designs for its Series 30 Attack Optronic and Search Optronic Masts. The Attack version features a reduced diameter head packing up to 6 optronic sensors, such as a Laser Range Finder, a SWIR channel, a day/night backup camera as well as a discrete, near IR beeper, for communication with special operation forces. The Series 30 SOM is a non-penetrating search optronic mast. In addition to its advanced antisurface search capabilities (it can scan the full horizon within a few seconds with all its optronic sensors), it can function as an automatic aerial alarm, make use of a laser, receive aerial telecommunications or use an ESM electronic-warfare sensor.
Besides the optronic masts, Safran will deliver its Seanapster Data Distribution and Processing Center, which is able to suit a large panel of military ships from patrol boats to frigates and submarines, and collects, processes & prioritizes real time data from various sensors. Seanapster then distributes the consolidated information to the relevant systems across your ship.
It was planned as part of its delivery of this work, that Safran would subcontract two Australian companies, Acacia Systems and Thomas Global Systems, for the design and development of software and hardware, respectively. The contract will result in more than 11 full-time positions being created and sustained locally across Safran and its partners.
About Attack-class submarine
The Attack-class submarine is a future class of submarines for the Royal Australian Navy based on the Shortfin Barracuda proposal by French shipbuilder Naval Group to replace the Collins-class submarines. The class will enter service in the early 2030s with construction extending into the late 2040s to 2050.
Attack-class SSK Main specifications:
- Displacement: 4,500 t surfaced
- Length: 97 m
- Beam: 8.8 m
- Propulsion: Diesel electric, pump-jet
- Speed: 20 knots
- Range: 18,000 miles at 10 knots surfaced
- Endurance: 80 days
- Crew: 60
- Weapons: Mark 48 MOD 7 torpedo; Harpoon anti-ships missiles; MK III Stonefish mines
