BAE Systems details RAN design work

BAE Systems has released details on the work it will carry out to refine its Type 26 Global Combat Ship (GCS) design for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The company announced that it has signed a contract with the Australian government for the work under the RAN’s SEA 5000 Future Frigate programme on 1 September.

BAE Systems is one of three companies that will refine their designs for the programme, along with Navantia and Fincantieri. 

The company said it will use the latest in modern digital planning capability to refine and tailor its designs to the Australian government’s requirements. To assist this process, BAE Systems will use a 3D visualisation suite to help improve understanding of the unique features of the ship design. This will enable greater understanding about design modifications the RAN requires and will help demonstrate how the Global Combat Ship could accommodate the required CEA Technologies’ phased-array radar system. 

Glynn Phillips, BAE Systems Australia chief executive, said: ‘We look forward to demonstrating the adaptability and maturity of the Global Combat Ship design to meet Australia’s requirements for an anti-submarine warship frigate. 

‘The Global Combat Ship design is the most modern, adaptable and flexible of all possible options available today, and I am confident that we will be able to demonstrate that it is the best able to meet the requirements of the RAN.’ 

The work is being carried out by BAE Systems, Fincantieri and Navantia as part of the Australian Department of Defence’s Competitive Evaluation Process for the programme.