Rohde & Schwarz announced in late August that it has been contracted by BAE Systems Maritime Australia (BAESMA) to supply its IP-based NAVICS integrated communication system (ICS) for the first batch of three Hunter-class frigates being built by the latter for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
According to Rohde & Schwarz, NAVICS will function as the central nervous system of the Hunter frigate’s communications system, providing internal and external communications as well as processing classified information within a multi-level security environment.
“This confirmation of Rohde & Schwarz Australia as Communications System Integrator is testament to the dedication and hard work of our project team since we first began work to provide early engineering services for the design and manufacture of the ICS more than five years ago,” said Managing Director Gareth Evans.
“With our resilient local capacity to innovate, develop and deliver communication systems we are a trusted partner to both the Commonwealth and BAESMA, underpinning the Sovereign Defence Industrial Priority of Continuous Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment,” added Evans.
The Hunter-class frigate is the Australian variant of the BAE Systems-designed and built Global Combat Ship. The overall programme seeks to deliver nine frigates worth A$45 billion to replace the RAN’s six upgraded but ageing ANZAC-class frigates which have been in service since 1996.
However, uncertainty over the future of the programme had earlier prompted BAE Systems to propose changes which would boost the baseline design’s firepower with additional vertical launch system (VLS) cells from the original 32 cells to 96 cells and add four deck-mounted quadruple launchers for the Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Naval Strike Missiles (NSMs).
Construction of the first Hunter-class frigate is expected to commence in 2024 with delivery from 2031 onwards.
by Jr Ng
