Australia invests in bolstering anti-submarine warfare capability

Government of Australia led by the Prime Minister Scott Morrison will invest around A$11 million to acquire an advanced anti-submarine warfare capability for Defence.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the new AUV62-AT, Intermediate Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Target will enhance Australia’s warfighting capabilities.

“This advanced technology training target will simulate submarines and torpedos, providing highly realistic live training scenarios for submariners, aviators and surface vessel combat teams,” Minister Reynolds said.

“As well as being a cost-effective capability, it provides exciting delivery opportunities to grow Defence’s warfighting skills now, and as anti-submarine warfighting technology develops.

“In the 2020 Force Structure Plan announced by the Prime Minister and I on July 1, we have set out plans to enhance our regional anti-submarine warfare capabilities, including the provision of training subsystems.

“This capability will improve the ADF’s Anti Submarine Warfare proficiencies for more complex operations and environments.”

Navy will partner with Saab Australia to bring the new capability into service, providing opportunities for local industry to contribute to the project.

Australian companies, including locally-owned company BlueZone Group, which has facilities in Newcastle, Perth and Melbourne, will have the opportunity to support and manage the operation, repair and maintenance of the AUV62-AT for Defence.

According to SAAB, the AUV62-AT can operate in several different modes, enabling it to comply with various sets of training regulations. It can generate realistic submarine noises and echoes, which are transmitted at a precise target strength and over clearly defined distances.

The payload module of the AUV62-AT includes a transducer tail, which mirrors the physical properties of a submarine so as to provide realistic training, including ASW torpedo firing.

The tail incorporates transmitting and receiving transducers, so that training personnel can perform onboard analysis of the location of active sonars or attacking torpedoes.