A
$400 million replacement combat system for the Collins Class submarines
has been announced by the Federal Government.
Defence Minister Robert Hill said the new system would be based
on the Raytheon CCS Mark II tactical command and control system,
currently in use by the United States Navy.
The Raytheon system will be sourced through the US Navy.
Senator Hill said further improvements to the sonar processing
solution currently installed in the submarines would also be undertaken
within the project budget.
The decision comes as the Government prepares to sign a capability
agreement with Electric Boat Corporation, under which Electric
Boat will provide technical and commercial support to Australian
Submarine Corporation. The Government expects to sign the agreement
in the near future.
In September 2001, the RAN and the United States Navy signed a
Statement of Principles providing for the two navies to assist
each other in maintaining fully capable, sustainable and interoperable
submarine forces.
“The replacement Combat System represents a significant capability
enhancement on the existing combat system, which was identified
in 1999 as the principal technical challenge for the Collins Class,”
Senator Hill said.
“Defence will now proceed with detailed negotiations, with
the new systems to be introduced as soon as possible.”
