L3Harris Technologies awarded $212 million contract for Royal Australian Navy's maritime underwater tracking ranges
The new ranges will test and evaluate the readiness of platforms and their weapon systems, such as the future Hunter Class. (Image: BAE Systems)
L3Harris Technologies has been awarded a contract valued at A$328 million ($212 million) for the delivery of new Maritime Underwater Tracking Ranges (MUTR) to the Royal Australian Navy as part of SEA1350 Phase 3.
The SEA1350 Phase 3 MUTR programme will provide undersea warfare support including a sub-surface tracking capability to aid current and future Australian Defence Force assets, warfighting tactics and proficiency. This programme also enables sovereign readiness by safeguarding Australia’s maritime approaches and sea lines of communication.
Under the original tender, the solution was to cover a deepwater tracking range, a shallow water tracking range and a deployable tracking range, in a single or multiple arrangement, as well as the associated support mechanisms required to sustain the capability until 2045.
Through a series of sensors, the tracking ranges will capture and relay information on the location and movement of assets that are operating within the tracking field. The MUTR will facilitate exercises in deep ocean and littoral waters, involving surface and sub-surface assets simultaneously.
The ranges are integral to the RAN being able to test and evaluate the readiness of platforms and their weapon systems, especially in support of Australia’s strategic shipbuilding programme.
L3Harris will build the MUTR in Western Australia and will provide the RAN with sub-surface tracking capability and optimised preparedness. The MUTR will support Australia’s emphasis on anti-submarine warfare capability and enable littoral test and evaluation enhancements through the next decade.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Turkey’s ASFAT on track to deliver first Hisar OPV in 2024]()
Turkey’s ASFAT on track to deliver first Hisar OPV in 2024
While outfitting activities on the first two Hisar-class OPVs have been advancing at Istanbul Naval Shipyard, discussions for additional platforms continue.
-
![Future of the South African Navy looks bleak despite new ships entering service]()
Future of the South African Navy looks bleak despite new ships entering service
The commissioning of SAS King Shaka Zulu, a Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessel, into the South African Navy masks serious problems for the service as fleet availability falls dangerously low and capability atrophies.
-
![Babcock wins UK Royal Navy’s Dreadnought support contracts]()
Babcock wins UK Royal Navy’s Dreadnought support contracts
Babcock has won contracts worth more than £120 million to support the development and delivery of the Dreadnought-class submarines for the UK’s Royal Navy.
-
![Make or break: Can the European Patrol Corvette programme save shipbuilding in Europe?]()
Make or break: Can the European Patrol Corvette programme save shipbuilding in Europe?
With funding from the European Defence Fund and partner countries, the European Patrol Corvette programme has an opportunity to become the standard bearer for defence procurement and potentially offer a route forward for naval shipbuilding in Europe.
-
![Portugal contracts Damen for multi-purpose vessel designed for integrated uncrewed air and sea systems]()
Portugal contracts Damen for multi-purpose vessel designed for integrated uncrewed air and sea systems
The new ship’s primary roles will be search and rescue, emergency relief and oceanic research but will also be used for naval support operations and maritime safety.
-
![Kongsberg to develop improved Naval Strike Missile]()
Kongsberg to develop improved Naval Strike Missile
Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile was developed in the early 2000s and delivered to the Norwegian Armed Forces from 2011 to 2015. The new missile will be a collaborative project between Norway and Germany and has been planned to be deployed on both countries' naval vessels.
