Prime contractor: The DMO is the Procurement Coordinator, supported by the US Department of Defense under an FMS arrangement and commercial contracts. Original Equipment Manufacturers are engaged through commercial contracts to mitigate delivery risk of the Standard Missile (SM-2) capability.

This project is to replace the SM-1 missile with a modern variant of the SM-2 and improve the air defence capability of the Guided Missile Frigate fleet, adding to the capability delivered by the FFG Upgrade project.

A mix of US commercial contracts and FMS cases will deliver equipment hardware, software development, integration, equipment installation and system testing. Development work required for the guided missile launching system, onboard training and land-based simulation systems and the fire control system was delivered by commercial contracts with follow-on production contracts awarded for equipment and services. The contract for the guided missile launching system was awarded in January 2008. Production of equipment items is proceeding.

System software development commenced preliminary design review in April 2008, and critical design review is scheduled for August/September 2008. Software development, integration and testing will follow with initial shipboard installation and proving expected in late 2009.

Initial deliveries of SM-2 are scheduled throughout 2008, with arrival in Australia expected around September 2008.