Raytheon Australia, BMT and Austal team up for LAND 8710-1A Australian independent littoral manoeuvre vessel
5 May 2022
According to Raytheon Australia, the solution is expected to be a BMT-designed vessel built by Austal at the Henderson shipyard in WA.
Raytheon Australia has confirmed that it is teaming up with BMT and Austal to design and deliver the new Australian independent littoral manoueuvre vessel, to meet the Australian Army’s future littoral manoeuvre requirements.
Raytheon Australia confirmed that it “will lead the team” – delivering a BMT-designed solution built by Austal in the WA’s Henderson Shipyard.
Michael Ward, managing director at Raytheon Australia, explained that the trio were ready to support the Australian Army with a future ready solution.
“Raytheon Australia knows how complex it is to bring a ship design to life – from training to operational testing and evaluation to sea trials and certifications. Our experience has taught us that this is a complex endeavour, requiring unique expertise that we have invested in developing over the past 22 years of delivering large-scale defence projects on time and to budget,” Ward said.
“From our work to deliver the Hobart class destroyers, and our current evergreening activities on the LAND19 Phase 7B program, we have the relevant expertise, processes, tools and capacity to bring this new class of ships to life for the Australian Army. The Australian ILMV is a resilient and flexible vessel that meets Army’s requirements. It is robust and capable, and future ready with clear growth and upgrade opportunities to ensure our solution supports the Army in motion as they respond to accelerated warfare.
“Importantly, we are ready to start work now to meet Army’s timeline and have the experience to work with them to realise the Australian ILMV’s full operational capability.”
Paddy Gregg, chief executive officer at Austal explained that his team was ready to deliver a solution for the LAND 8710-1A program.
“As one of Australia’s largest shipbuilders with an acknowledged world class operation and decades of Australian Defence Force experience, we have an existing workforce that is trusted to deliver on multiple programs from our Henderson shipyard. Our unique ability to do production design in our shipyard will also minimise risk and cost to the LAND 8710-1A program,” Gregg said.
“Our team has a successful track record in delivering ships every three months and this project will be key to providing a continuous ship building program and preserving local jobs in this vital sovereign industry.”
Meanwhile, Trevor Dove, senior business development manager at BMT, described how the solution was specifically tailored for the local environment.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer our customised Australian independent littoral manoeuvre vessel (ILMV) design, optimising stability, speed, endurance, fuel, stores and accommodation for independent and in-company operations. Our Australian ILMV is based on BMT’s existing landing craft hull form, a mature design in the running for LAND 8710-1A,” Dove said.
“It is ready to be delivered, with growth margins for a future ready Army.
“Our partnership with Raytheon Australia and Austal brings the experience and pedigree capable of delivering a low-risk solution designed specifically for current and future Australian Army littoral manoeuvre requirements.”
Source: Defence Connect