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Saab Australia opens Sovereign Combat Systems Collaboration Centre
Saab has officially opened its expanded Australian headquarters and Sovereign Combat Systems Collaboration Centre (SCSCC) in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. Saab and its partners will use the facility to undertake software development, systems integration, testing and prototyping, strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence capability, according to the company.
The SCSCC is focussed on the company’s 9LV Combat Management System, which also functions aboard the RAN’s three Hobart-class destroyers as an Australian Interface. It equips the Hobarts, whose air warfare system is controlled by the Aegis Combat System, the ANZAC-class frigates, the Canberra-class LHDs, the Sirius-class AORs and smaller ships. The 9LV will also equip the RAN’s planned fleet of six Hunter-class frigates, whose air warfare system will also be controlled by the Aegis system, though with a different radar.
The SCSCC is a national asset supported by a $22.6 million grant under the Australian Government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative, the company says. It will be a fundamental input to the development of a sustainable combat systems industry that enables the timely development and deployment of capability to respond to emerging threats.
“The facility will have a primary focus on software development, systems integration, testing and prototyping of our combat systems which are critical to delivering a more capable, integrated and focused Defence Force,” said Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence.
“Saab has been a leader in Australian combat systems capability for more than three decades and we have made this long-term investment in partnership with the Commonwealth to drive that into the future,” said Andy Keough, CSC, Saab Australias Managing Director.
“The Collaboration Centre will be a hub for Saab, our industry and research partners, and Defence, to develop and integrate combat system capabilities at speed to meet the ADF’s operational requirements.
“A core component of ongoing sovereign combat systems capability development is the AusCMS – Australia’s sovereign combat management system.”
The sovereign AusCMS, also known as the 9LV, enables the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) to independently adapt its capabilities through the adoption of evolving and disruptive technologies to meet the continually changing and challenging operational context. AusCMS is a common capability across the RAN surface fleet and will form the Australian Interface for the combat system on the upgraded Hobart-class destroyers and Hunter-class frigates.
However, it is not clear yet if the RAN’s forthcoming General Purpose Frigate will also be equipped with the AusCMS.
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