West
Australian company Nautronix Ltd has been awarded contracts worth
almost $18 million to enhance the Navy’s maritime test and exercise
and mine warfare capabilities.
Defence Minister Robert Hill said the contracts were for the provision
of a portable tracking range at a cost of $9.248 million and Mine
Counter Measures (MCM) underwater computer systems at a cost of
$8.6 million.
The portable tracking range will be used to conduct new equipment
and systems tests and trials, development programs and tactical
exercises outside the current fixed deep water tracking range
off WA.
The range defines the exercise area and tracks weapons, submarines
or surface ships that are being tested to allow detailed analysis
of the results.
It also provides safety, coverage for the participants. “The Navy
will use the range initially to test the replacement Heavyweight
Torpedoes for the Collins class submarines,” Senator Hill said.
“The range will also be used when the Navy conducts acceptance
trials of the Eurotorp Lightweight Torpedo on surface and air
platforms and for shallow water certification activities for the
Collins class submarines.”
The Mine Counter Measures underwater computer system will give
Clearance Divers a modern electronic means to navigate in open
water, conduct searches of inshore waters and log various data
elements in real time.
This technology was funded through the Defence Capability Technology
Demonstrator program. The new system will be delivered to Navy
in 2006 after prototype tests and trials.
