• A low voltage switchboard produced by Lai Switchboards Australia. Credit: Lai Switchboards Australia
    A low voltage switchboard produced by Lai Switchboards Australia. Credit: Lai Switchboards Australia
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Two contracts for development of new technologies for inclusion in existing and future warship designs, including the Sea 5000 Future Frigate program, have been signed by Navantia Australia.

The designer and shipbuilder will work with Lai Switchboards Australia and Airspeed to develop low voltage switchboards and composite materials that can be incorporated into its warship designs, including that for Sea 5000 currently under consideration by the Commonwealth.

According to Navantia Australia managing director Donato Martinez, SA-based, family-owned Lai Switchboards Australia is a leader in the design and manufacture of custom main switchboards and packaged switchroom solutions, and the contract signifies the beginning of what both companies expect to be a collaborative and longstanding relationship.

“Our focus with Lai Switchboards Australia is to ensure they are fully conversant with requirements for equipment installed in naval platforms. We look forward to continuous interactions between the engineers of both Navantia Australia and Lai Switchboards Australia in support of this activity and for the F-5000 frigates.”

Lai Switchboards Australia Director Frank Iarriccio said the contract gave Lai confidence in its abilities to deliver the best outcome for the Royal Australian Navy.

“We will need to expand our Adelaide facility if Navantia Australia is successful in the Sea 5000 bid.”

Another contract with SA composite company Airspeed will allow for the conduct of design studies into the use of composite materials on Navantia Australia’s ships.

Martinez said part of building a sovereign national shipbuilding capability is partnering with Australian companies to develop new technologies and materiel applications, such as composites, which can be rapidly incorporated into existing designs.

“We are nurturing our industry partnerships to face the challenges of new and evolving requirements in the near future”.

Airspeed has successfully undertaken a range of special projects varying from the design of submarine lightweight replacement structures through to radioactive waste storage containers. The company has also designed a cargo pod offering a Military Off The Shelf (MOTS) solution for the carriage of pilot personal equipment and aircraft deployment items on military fast jets such as the RAAF’s Hornets.

Airspeed managing director Steve Barlow said: “Airspeed has practical, demonstrated and local ‘design and build’ capabilities in composite materials and we’re excited about the prospect of working with Navantia Australia on their proposed F-5000”.

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