Rohde & Schwarz Australia secures Hunter frigate communications contract

The Royal Australian Navy’s first three Hunter-class frigates will be fitted with Rohde & Schwarz’s NAVICS Integrated Communications System and classified material control technology under a contract with BAE Systems Maritime Australia.

NAVICS will be the central nervous system of the Hunter frigate’s communications system, says BAE Systems Maritime Australia, providing integrated and reliable internal and external communications and processing of 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 Gareth Evans, managing director of Rohde & Schwarz Australia.

“We are a trusted partner to both the Commonwealth and BAE Systems, underpinning the Sovereign Defence Industrial Priority of Continuous Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment.”

Sydney based Rohde & Schwarz Australia’s workforce has already doubled to deliver engineering services for the design and manufacture of the ICS and will continue to grow as it supports the Hunter program. The company will work closely with BAE Systems and local industry to maximise opportunities for Australian industry to assist in the manufacture, integration, testing and commissioning of the ICS.

BAE Systems Maritime Australia aims to deliver the most capable anti-submarine warship to the RAN says Craig Lockhart, the company’s managing director.