Projects

SEA 1439 Phase 4A - COLLINS Class Replacement Combat System

Project Mission Statement

To provide the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) with an enhanced submarine capability by providing a highly capable and supportable combat system for the COLLINS Class Submarine based upon the existing United States Navy submarine tactical capability (AN/BYG-1) and the sonar capability established through the RAN’s Combat System Augmentation project.

Australia ’s new Submarine Combat System is a Joint venture with the United States Navy under a Armaments Cooperative Project Arrangement

Project Overview

Project SEA 1439 Phase 4A is acquiring a Replacement Combat System (RCS) and its associated support infrastructure for the COLLINS Class Submarine.

Major acquisition contracts have been established for the following:

• The US Navy Tactical Command and Control Sub-system consisting of the AN/BYG-1(V)8 which includes the Weapons Direction equipment;
  

• Rationalisation and improvements to the Sonar processing solution previously trialed in the COLLINS Class as part of the Combat System Augmentation (CSA) Initiative (Project SEA 1446); and
  

• New training and support infrastructure being located at the RAN’s Submarine Training Systems Centre (STSC) in HMAS STIRLING, Western Australia.

The system outline is contained in the following schematic

RCS Physical Architecture

The Ambitious Schedule

The schedule provides for the replacement combat system to be introduced progressively, in conjunction with the Replacement Heavyweight Torpedo (Project SEA 1429), as part of a Submarines' routine docking program from 2005 through to 2013. Although the Combat Systems are ready the Project has been hampered by changes in the Docking Schedule.

An ongoing joint cooperative project with the USN Combat and Weapon Control System Program Office (PMS 425) will provide enhancements to the tactical system for the benefit of both Navies.

Current Status

Where we are today (24 July 2009)
As of 22 July 2009, the Project Team is pleased to announce that :

• HMAS WALLER achieved Initial Operational Release 7 May 2008.

• HMAS FARNCOMB Initial Operational Release is expected by October 2009.

• Operational Release for the CS04 Combat System Baseline expected later in 2009 or early first quarter 2010 depending on the completion of Sonar Trials.

• Installation of the latest AN/BYG 1 V(8) TI06 (CS05) system in HMAS DECHAINEUX is complete. CAT 4 Testing scheduled late July 2009 to Mid November 2009. Initial Operational Release for the CS05 Baseline (as installed in HMAS DECHAINEUX) is expected first half 2010.

The Background:

In late 2004, the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperatively develop, produce and support the AN/BYG-1 Submarine Combat Control System. PEO Submarines Rear Admiral Butler USN, signed the MOU on 5th November 2004 in Washington DC, and Head of Maritime Systems (DMO) RADM Ruting signed the MOU on the 18th Nov 2004 on behalf of the Commonwealth. This MOU is in the process of final negotiations for a 10 year extension.

A Joint Project Office (JPO) is currently established in Washington DC to manage the RCS program under an Armaments Cooperative Project arrangement rather than the standard Foreign Military Sales arrangement. In addition, Project officers are providing support at the Naval Undersea Warfare Centre (NUWC) in Newport, Rhode Island in the United States of America, to assist with the integration and testing program which is being undertaken in support of the RCS program.

Co-operating with the US Navy means we have the opportunity to influence the design and development of the systems and to participate in a continuous upgrade process that will provide the latest advances while continuing to meet the Royal Australian Navy’s particular requirements.

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Contact

RCS Project Manager
Commander Steve O’Hearn, RAN
Replacement Combat System Project Manager
Submarine Combat SPO (DMO)

Phone: +61 2 62 66 7009
Mobile: +61 408 657 871
Fax: +61 2 62 66 7007

Last updated: 30 July 2009