Ultra Electronics Australia (Ultra) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus Defence and Space to work together for the potential in-country manufacture and supply of the Airbus Regenerative Carbon Dioxide (CO2) removal systems for programs including the Future Submarine and Collins Life-of-Type Extension (LOTE) projects.
Airbus has experience supplying air contamination control devices for space applications. It developed a regenerative CO2 removal system that will be deployed on the International Space Station (ISS) late in 2018, which has also been adapted for use on board submarines.
Airbus supplies the Regenerative CO2 Removal System to Naval Group for the Barracuda-class submarines, the reference design for Australia’s Future Submarine. A similar system has also been selected for the Swedish A26 submarine program.
Business Line Space Systems VP Oliver Juckenhöfel said the MOU defines Airbus' target to transfer the knowledge and technology to Australia through a potential export license, to enable in-country delivery, licenced manufacture and sovereign sustainment under any future submarine program.
“This MOU between Airbus Defence and Space and Ultra Australia is an example of the growing cooperation between Australian and European industries and demonstrates our commitment to growing Australian Industry Capability," Dr Juckenhöfel said.
Ultra Australia’s Managing Director Doug Burd said the MOU allows Ultra to expand its incountry capabilities and provide further jobs and opportunities for its SA workforce and supply chain in an area critical to submarine capability.
“Ultra is a long term supplier of specialist equipment to the RAN and we’re very excited about working with such an iconic global organisation such as Airbus and its Defence and Space Division, and welcome the opportunity to share our skills and Australian Defence experience," Burd said.
Ultra Electronics will be presenting on the Airbus system at the 9th Submarine Institute of Australia Biennial Conference in Canberra this week.