Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.
The Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) third Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) is taking shape, with the vessel's Aegis block now consolidated, the RAN announced on 23 April.
Block 709, which will contain the Aegis weapon system, weighs 202 tonnes. In March the block was lifted onto the top of the hull using a crane, where it was joined to blocks 703 and 705 of what will be HMAS Sydney.
Before consolidation, the aft diesel generator exhaust stack was capped, full paint system applied internally and externally, the combat system was prepared along with the full-fitting of all four Array foundations and lining. To attain the fitting of the Array foundations, the team had to work closely with the accuracy control team to achieve foundation flatness of 0.02 millimetres.
Ship three block consolidation continued with blocks 717 and 713 in April, and will be followed by the mast lift, which is expected in early May.
The AWD programme has reached a number of new milestones recently, including the delivery of the Hobart Class Command Team Trainer. The shore-based support system will enable the RAN to train future crew members on the combat system prior to operational deployment on the AWD destroyers.
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.
Acquired under Canada’s Department of National Defence ISTAR UAS project, the drones will be deployed from the Halifax-class frigates.
The US Navy published a pre-solicitation notice of intent for the third phase of the F-35 Reprogramming Verification & Validation System. Meanwhile, with a five-year delay in its schedule, GAO foresees more postponements in the completion of the Block 4 effort.
Cutters Earl Cunningham and Storis have been monitoring five Beijing research vessels navigating in the North Pole.
The multi-award contract will support the scheduled repair and maintenance of nuclear-powered attack submarines at the US Navy’s primary public shipyards.
Hot on the heels of Norway selecting BAE Systems to build five Type 26 anti-submarine frigates, the UK government is reportedly in ‘advanced talks’ on new warship orders for two more Scandinavian countries.