Australia awards L3Harris $328 Million Maritime Underwater Tracking Range Contract

The Australian Department of Defence has awarded L3Harris Technologies a $328 million contract to deliver new Maritime Underwater Tracking Ranges (MUTR) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) under Project SEA1350 Ph.3.

The MUTR program will provide undersea warfare support including a sub-surface tracking capability to help current and future ADF assets hone their warfighting tactics and proficiency. This program also enables sovereign readiness by safeguarding Australia’s maritime approaches and sea lines of communication.

“We’re committed to growing Australian defence capabilities by leveraging our global technology and experience to develop Australia’s sovereign maritime underwater tracking range approach,” said Alan Clements, Corporate Vice President and Australia Country Executive, L3Harris. “This is an important competence now and into the future as we continue to modernize and enhance maritime platforms and systems.”

Through a series of sensors, the tracking ranges will capture and relay information on the location and movement of surface and sub-surface 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 will enable Defence to swiftly test and evaluate the readiness of platforms and their weapon systems, especially in support of Australia’s strategic shipbuilding program.

L3Harris will build the MUTR in Western Australia and will provide the RAN with a sub-surface tracking capability and optimized preparedness. The MUTR will support Australia’s emphasis on anti-submarine warfare capability and enable littoral test and evaluation enhancements through the next decade.