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Melbourne-based Marand Precision Engineering has announced the successful passing of the factory acceptance test (FAT) to produce the first of type Launcher Ramp System for the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy as part of the SEA 1300 Phase 1 - Navy Guided Weapons program.
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This key production milestone comes following the 2022 announcement by the Commonwealth that the Kongsberg-designed Naval Strike Missile (NSM) would replace the ageing Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile currently deployed on the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac Class frigates and Hobart Class destroyers.
The program of works includes the large-scale fabrication of the Launcher Ramp Systems that are fitted to each class of ship and supports the Launcher Missile Modules (LMM).
Rohan Stocker, Marand chief executive officer, welcomed this milestone, saying, “This milestone is a credit to the contribution and hard work of the Marand team, and also to the support and partnership we have built with Kongsberg. Our role on SEA 1300 provides the opportunity to demonstrate that Marand are capable and ready to contribute quickly to the equipment and capability of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).”
In October, Marand welcomed visitors from Defence and representatives from both Kongsberg in Norway and Australia to their Moorabbin facility to complete the FAT.
“In the case of the launcher ramps, we have procured the materials, completed all the fabrication, welding and machining into our process to ensure the high accuracy of the critical interfaces and ultimately a successful factory acceptance test. We now look forward to managing a steady drum beat of production units,” Stocker added.
John Fry, general manager, Kongsberg Defence Australia, expanded on the comments made by his Marand counterpart, saying, “It is fantastic to see this critical milestone has been reached, just eight months after Marand was awarded the contract to manufacture the Launcher Ramp Systems. We have been impressed by Marand’s responsiveness and workmanship this far. We will manufacture almost all the Launcher Ramp Systems in Australia, demonstrating Kongsberg’s commitment to maximising local content and generating domestic manufacturing capability.”
Air Marshal Leon Phillips OAM, Chief of Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO), Defence added, “The Naval Strike Missile will enhance the ADF’s ability to precisely strike maritime targets at extended range. We are committed to uplifting Australian industry involvement. I am pleased that through our partnership with Kongsberg, the first Australian-built launch ramps are being produced by Marand.
“The local production of bespoke elements of complex weapon systems demonstrates the capabilities that reside in Australian small-to-medium enterprises. These highly skilled SMEs underpin the complex weapon systems delivered by primes. In partnership with Kongsberg, this is the first of many locally produced precision components that make up the weapon system," AIRMSHL Phillips explained.
The group inspected the first unit and reviewed all documentation including manufacturing and test data. After the declaration of a successful FAT milestone achievement, the group witnessed a trial assembly and disassembly sequence.
The NSM contains leading-edge technology that will provide Royal Australian Navy ships with a powerful maritime strike capability. This contract announcement comes following the formal signature and order by the Commonwealth for Kongsberg to deliver the NSM in January 2023.
The Naval Strike Missile is a long-range, precision strike weapon that seeks and destroys enemy ships at distances greater than 100 nautical miles. The Naval Strike Missile is designed to elude enemy radar and defence systems by performing evasive manoeuvres and flying at sea-skimming altitude. NSM uses an advanced seeker for precise targeting and carries a 500-pound class warhead with a programmable fuse.
