Saab has won a contract to provide the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) with an additional AUV62-AT autonomous anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training target.
Saab Australia Managing Director, Andy Keough, said the additional AUV62-AT strengthens Australia’s ASW capabilities.
“The AUV62-AT is part of Saab’s extensive range of technology enabled training solutions designed to provide realistic scenarios to enhance combat skills and preparedness,” Keough stated.
The AUV62-AT is an autonomous underwater vehicle and training target that simulates a submarine, torpedo or uncrewed vehicle and was designed and developed by Saab.
Used by navies around the world, the training solution can replace a live submarine in a wide range of training scenarios, reducing costs without compromising training opportunities.
The AUV62-AT can be launched and recovered from a ship or shore with features ranging from communications software to mission evaluation. Each training program can be personalised to meet a range of demands to accelerate learning and enhance the operational capability of the RAN.
The system can be used as a target for training surface, air and sub-surface ASW assets in any combination and can be programmed to deliver all levels of training from basic to advanced. The system allows training sessions to be longer and more intense, without having to factor in the use of submarines or extra resources.
The AUV62-AT can be configured to conduct training activities with surface vessels, submarines, maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters.
In 2020, Saab Australia signed a contract with the RAN worth approximately $20 million to provide the navy with a AUV62-AT – and five years’ in-service support. The ongoing in-service operational and maintenance support for the 2020 contract runs out in 2027.
“With the growing submarine activity in the Asia-Pacific region, this new training system will strengthen the Navy’s capability to protect our nation," Keough said in 2020.