Another milestone reached in Australian Hunter-class frigate program

Anschütz has marked a milestone in the Australian Hunter-class frigate program, completing the preliminary design review (PDR) for the warship integrated navigation and bridge systems (WINBS).

As disclosed, the overall system design of WINBS was presented to BAE Systems Maritime Australia and defined as the basis for the final design phase.

Among other things, the PDR has specified all requirements in detail and defined a system architecture with system elements and external interfaces.

Significant progress has also been made on system safety and the definition of the shared infrastructure and interfaces for the gigabit ethernet data multiplex system, which will be used to transfer naval data between critical onboard systems.

According to the company, the integrity and security of the data, as well as the fusing and processing of the data into a common situation picture, will be provided by the intelligent bridge integration platform.

The defense firm noted that officers will be able to access a consistent maritime situation picture and comprehensive navigational and tactical functions from any common console throughout the ship. The naval applications are implemented through software and software modules according to the needs of the clients and their missions.

In addition to delivering WINBS, navigation equipment, and integrated steering gear control systems for the Hunter class frigates, Anschütz will also provide advanced WINBS for the Royal Navy’s Type 26 and Type 31 new build programs, among others.

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• Britain spent billions on new frigates in the last five years

“We are very pleased with the progress of the program to date and, in particular, with the excellent cooperation with our local partner Raytheon Australia and our customer BAE Systems Maritime Australia,” said André Moritz, Head of Sales and Business Development for Australia at Anschütz.

“As we move into the next and final design phase, we will continue to work with our team to ensure that our customers receive a powerful, optimally tailored and sustainably supported navigation system that will set a new standard within the Royal Australian Navy fleet,” he added.

Hunter-class frigates are one of the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare frigates and will provide the Royal Australian Navy with next-generation capability, according to BAE Systems, the company in charge of the construction of the ships.

Recently, the steel was cut at Osbourne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide for the Royal Australian Navy’s first Hunter-class frigate.

The Hunter-class ships will have an 8,800-tonne full load displacement and will be approximately 150 meters long.

They will be equipped with advanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability, a 24-cell strike length Mk 41 VLS for long-range strike weapons such as the Tomahawk, a vertical launch silo (VLS) for Sea Ceptor anti-air missiles, a 5-inch gun, and will be capable of landing a Chinook helicopter on its flight deck.

The construction phase of the Hunter-class frigate program will run for 20 years.