Industry leaders unite to deliver combat system capability for SSN-AUKUS

Four major Defence companies have proposed the establishment of an AUKUS Combat Systems Collaborative Team in contemplation of a potential role for Australia’s SSN-AUKUS conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed today.

BAE Systems, Raytheon Australia, General Dynamics Mission Systems and Thales propose to lead the design and lay the foundations for manufacture and integration of combat systems for SSN-AUKUS under agreements to be negotiated with the Commonwealth of Australia and United Kingdom Government.

SSN-AUKUS will be based on the UK’s next-generation design and incorporate technology from all three nations. The combination of technology from all three nations is intended to deliver a world-class submarine that meets Australia’s long-term defence requirements.

The collaboration draws on over 150 years of collective experience in the design, integration, and delivery from industry leaders across three nations, an expertise that is intended to meet the demands of delivering a cutting-edge combat system for SSN-AUKUS in a way that reduces both programmatic and workforce risks across the program whilst accelerating speed to capability. 

Under the MOU, the parties have agreed to work collaboratively to build and protect Australian sovereignty by designing a tri-national Command System as a shared solution for Australia and the UK which builds on General Dynamics’ existing AN/BYG-1 system and leverages the existing industrial base and workforce supporting the RAN. 

AN/BYG-1 is an open-architecture submarine combat control system which integrates tactical control, payload and weapons control and information assurance. The system is installed on Australia’s Collins class submarines, as well as the U.S. Navy's Virginia, Los Angeles, Ohio, Columbia, and Seawolf-class submarines.

The Collaborative Team intend to optimise Australian involvement in Combat System design and delivery, while facilitating skills, technology, and knowledge transfer across the AUKUS nations to strengthen Australian industry for the SSN-AUKUS program.

Craig Lockhart, Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems Australia, said: 

“This Memorandum of Understanding is another strategic step forward to developing the most effective and advanced combat system for SSN-AUKUS, simultaneously strengthening Australia’s operational sovereignty and industrial capability.”

“By aligning with our industry and trilateral partners, this signing will accelerate and enhance combat system development that is interoperable by design, reaffirming our role as a trusted partner to the Commonwealth of Australia and Royal Australian Navy.”

Ohad Katz, Managing Director of Raytheon Australia, said:

“As Australia’s sovereign submarine combat system partner, Raytheon Australia and our workforce bring more than 25 years of expertise in design, integration and sustainment, including upgrades and updates, of the Collins Class submarine combat system to this team, establishing the base for a truly sovereign capability ready to deliver the RAN’s most ambitious naval program.”

“As the RAN moves to a multi-class submarine fleet, leveraging the existing workforce, with proven processes that sustain Collins will ensure continuity, confidence, and low-risk delivery.”

Laura Hooks, vice president and general manager of Maritime and Strategic Systems, at General Dynamics Mission Systems, said:

“We are excited to formalize a collaborative path forward as we work together to strengthen critical defence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

“The MOU acknowledges that the team successfully delivering submarine combat system capability to the three nations via separate efforts today should be entrusted to sustain and integrate combat systems aboard Virginia and AUKUS submarines in the future, ensuring continuity, confidence, and low-risk delivery. It sets a standard of teamwork that will allow us to more efficiently explore future business opportunities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.”

Steven Lockley, Chief Operating Officer of Underwater Systems, Defence Mission Systems, Thales UK said:

“Success on international programmes such as AUKUS requires strong international partners in order to deliver maximum customer value and sustained capability. Thales is pleased to continue its long-term Combat Systems relationships with BAES and Raytheon Australia and look forward to also working with a new partner in General Dynamics, Mission Systems. Together, we will deliver a hugely capable and sustainable AUKUS Combat System maximising the attributes of our companies across the AUKUS countries.”

Contact:

 Richard Sproull, BAE Systems Australia, 0460 434 397

Alasdair Cameron, Raytheon Australia, 0404 073 169

Note to editors:

• BAE Systems is the prime contractor for the design and manufacture of the Royal Navy's UK submarine fleet and will produce the design of the SSN-AUKUS submarines and build the UK's SSN-AUKUS submarines in Barrow, UK.  BAE Systems Australia Submarines, alongside ASC Pty Ltd, has been selected by the CoA to build Australia's SSN-AUKUS submarines in Adelaide, Australia based on that UK SSN-AUKUS design.
• Thales, a supplier of integrated sonar systems for submarines, surface ships and airborne platforms, has been appointed as the Main Sonar Design Authority and Integrator, and Sonar Contracting Authority (MSDA&I and SCA) for the UK SSN Programme by BAE Systems UK as the Combat Systems Integrator (CSI).
• Raytheon Australia is a combat system integrator and naval sustainment partner for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) submarine and surface ship combat systems and is the combat system manager and integrator for the RAN Collins Class Submarines and a key partner in the joint US/Australian AN/BYG-1 Submarine Combat Control System.
• General Dynamics Mission Systems is the prime contractor for the US Navy’s AN/BYG-1 Combat Control System, Common Weapon Launcher (CWL), and Torpedo Guidance and Control Subsystems.