Babcock Australasia (Babcock) has completed the Critical Design Review for the Hunter class frigate Air Weapons Handling System – a key function on the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ship.
“In partnership with BAE Systems Maritime Australia, Babcock is proud to support the delivery of the Hunter class frigates – a critical addition to Royal Australian Navy’s future fleet," Babcock Australasia CEO, Andrew Cridland, stated.
“Babcock’s successful completion of the detailed design of Hunter class frigate Air Weapons Handling System is the culmination of significant efforts by our hardworking team who are experts in the delivery of key marine Defence components for our customers."
The Air Weapons Handling System (AWHS) has provided the ability to stow and handle all air weapons. It is designed to safely store and retrieve munitions within space-constrained magazine environments on ships.
“Babcock’s completion of the Critical Design Review is a significant step forward in the Hunter Class Frigate Program, ensuring we are on track to deliver advanced capability to the Royal Australian Navy," BAE Systems Maritime Australia Hunter Class Frigate Program Director, Jason Loveday, said.
Under the contract with BAE Systems Maritime Australia, Babcock has been tasked with designing, assembling, testing and overseeing the installation of the AWHS on the frigates, based on Babcock’s modified design for the UK’s Type 26 frigates.
The completion of the Detailed Design activity has also marked the transition of Design Authority for the Hunter system to Babcock Australasia to ensure a sovereign capability to support the system through life.
Babcock’s work is the culmination of more than two years of engineering design by an international team, most of whom are based at the company’s new Woodville North facility in Adelaide, and Bristol and Leicester in the UK.
The AWHS can now proceed into the Production Readiness phase followed by manufacturing using predominantly Australian industry.
The AWHS contract, awarded in 2023, is one of two key projects to be delivered by Babcock on this program. In October 2024, Babcock was awarded a $30 million contract to supply stores lifts and food hoists to enhance operational capabilities on the RAN's first three Hunter class frigates.