Submarine workforce built on the shoulders of giants

Australia stands at the threshold of a generational challenge. With the advent of AUKUS (short for the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States), the need for a highly skilled workforce to support the design, development and delivery of advanced submarine combat and complex systems has never been more urgent.

At the heart of this endeavour is a workforce that combines intergenerational expertise, hands-on experience and international collaboration.

“The government announcements across AUKUS nations highlight a workforce in the tens of thousands required for Pillar I aspirations,” said Ohad Katz, managing director of Raytheon Australia.

“But the numbers are only the tip of the iceberg. It’s not just about capacity – it’s about capability. To design, develop and deliver something as complex as a submarine combat system and associated complex systems for a nuclear-powered submarine requires serious know-how and know-why, honed over years of experience,” Katz said.

Pillar I outlines the first line of effort encompassing the AUKUS partnership. Australia will be supported in establishing nuclear-powered submarine capabilities for the Royal Australian Navy, to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region. 

Raytheon Australia Submarine Combat System Architect Tim Milledge knows firsthand the importance of expertise built over decades.

Having dedicated 16 years to Raytheon Australia, including seven years spent working on submarine combat systems, Milledge has been both a recipient and contributor to this evolving technical legacy.

“I’ve been fortunate to stand on the shoulders of giants,” said Milledge.

“It’s this intergenerational transfer of expertise that accelerates workforce development and ensures we can meet the challenges ahead.”

Raytheon Australia’s workforce development approach includes utilising a robust technical base and fostering collaboration between government, academia and industry. Hands-on experience remains central to building the next generation of submarine engineers.

Milledge reflected on his own journey, which included immersion in real-world projects on platforms such as Collins Class submarines and Hobart Class destroyers.

“There’s no substitute for practical learning,” he said.

“To truly understand a combat system, you need both breadth of exposure and depth of expertise. It takes time and the guidance of experienced mentors.”

Collaboration across AUKUS nations has also been vital. Programs like the Joint Program Office between the United States and Australia for the joint development of the AN/BYG-1 Submarine Combat Control System have enabled Australian engineers to contribute to globally significant efforts while representing national interests.

This collaborative exercise recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and has a proven track record of delivering a common set of high priority weapon and combat systems capabilities to both the United States and Australian submarine fleets. Central to this success has been the partnership between the United States Navy, the Royal Australian Navy and their respective industry partners (General Dynamics Progeny Systems and Raytheon Australia). Together, this partnership has successfully delivered next-generation combat system capabilities for Australia’s Collins class submarines since 2007.

Raytheon Australia’s team has made a significant contribution to combat system development, delivering innovative solutions that integrate Australian sensors into the AN/BYG-1 system. These contributions highlight the value of a robust technical base that continues to evolve through mentorship, coaching and secondments.

“International collaboration provides Australian engineers with invaluable experience while ensuring a ‘best for Australia’ perspective. It facilitates the knowledge transfer between partners and across the workforce, that is critical to developing and retaining the skills required to design, install, integrate, test and sustain the submarines’ most complex systems,” said Katz.

“It’s about learning from our partners while making meaningful, sovereign contributions. It’s about creating and sustaining partnerships that establish capability over time and through investment in the workforce over an extended period. A credible workforce cannot be stood up overnight.”

As Australia’s AUKUS commitments take shape, retaining high-calibre talent is paramount.

“To keep our best people engaged, we need to offer challenging, meaningful work right here in Australia,” said Katz.

“Sovereign capability isn’t just a goal – it underpins Australia’s ability to contribute meaningfully and credibly within the AUKUS security partnership.”

With a multi-layered approach to workforce development, Raytheon Australia is ensuring the right workforce is in place to support critical combat and complex system architectural decisions being made today, driving delivery outcomes for decades.

“By working together – smarter, not harder – we’re building a legacy that empowers the next generation of submarine experts to achieve even greater heights,” said Katz.