What HII’s UK expansion could mean for Royal Navy’s uncrewed future
As HII prepares to deliver its latest AI-enabled uncrewed surface vessel later this year, its major UK facility expansion aligns with the UK Royal Navy’s plans for a hybrid fleet.
Naval Group and the Australian government have signed the first phase of the Submarine Design Contract for Australia’s Attack-class submarine programme, the company announced on 5 March.
The first phase of the contract is worth $605 million and will extend through to 2021. This is the first contract workscope to be fully executed under the strategic partnering agreement.
The phase of work includes the ongoing maturation of the Attack-class design as it progresses into the next design phase known as the definition phase. This will include the source selection of over 100 critical and main equipment that will contribute to the submarine design solution.
The contract also includes ongoing preparations for the build of the Attack-class in the Osborne shipyard in South Australia, including ongoing support to Australian Naval Infrastructure for the design and build of the Submarine Construction Yard and the ICT systems that will be employed in there.
As HII prepares to deliver its latest AI-enabled uncrewed surface vessel later this year, its major UK facility expansion aligns with the UK Royal Navy’s plans for a hybrid fleet.
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