An expanded Phase 2 with
a secure area is scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2016.
The laboratory includes a reconfigurable submarine command centre to
test and validate the Royal Australian Navy’s concept of operations
in a simulated operational environment. The lab will feature advanced
computer processing with reconfigurable hardware, and collaboration
space dedicated to bringing known and proven technologies to the next
generation of Australian submarines.
“A submarine’s combat system is essentially the eyes, ears
and sword of the boat,” said Raydon Gates, chief executive, Lockheed
Martin Australia & New Zealand. “A submarine’s tactical
effectiveness depends on a fully integrated suite of the best technologies
from Australia and around the world. The ability to seamlessly integrate
the best sensors, sonar, radar, navigation, imagery systems and weapons
will give Australia’s future submarine the tactical advantage
it needs– and that is what Lockheed Martin Australia will deliver.”
Establishing a submarine combat system laboratory in parallel with early
stages of submarine design leverages a key lesson learned from the success
of the US Navy’s Virginia class submarine program. The philosophy
we’ve adapted as the Navy’s submarine combat system integrator
is one of an open business model based on the premise that no one company
has all the answers. The lab will leverage Lockheed Martin’s presence
and Australian industry cooperation.
Lockheed Martin will collaborate with Saab Australia and Thales Australia
& New Zealand in the submarine combat system laboratory initiative.
Collectively, Lockheed Martin, Saab and Thales have a very strong record
and well-respected maritime domain knowledge and expertise.
The lab is all about risk reduction. It gives us the flexibility to
work with the SEA 1000 hull designers and combat subsystem providers
in every step of the process. It is proven methodology that also reduces
development costs and ensures continued interoperability with an affordable,
disciplined plan for sustainment.”
The laboratory capitalises on Lockheed Martin’s heritage of more
than 40 years of demonstrated submarine combat systems integration methodology
on submarines for more than seven nations. Lockheed Martin is a full
life cycle combat system integrator with expertise in all phases of
design, test, integration, certification, delivery and sustainment.
The
facility will open in Mawson Lakes in November. Image: Lockheed Martin