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Two South Australian companies have been selected to support the Hunter Class frigate program, participating in BAE Systems’ new digital supply chain model.
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BAE Systems Australia’s maritime business has announced the introduction of a “strategic supplier panel”, designed to enable the integration of local firms Century Engineering and MG Engineering into the Hunter Class frigate program.
This forms part of the company’s work to digitise the supply chain in a bid to deliver an advanced integrated manufacturing capability.
The pilot initiative features a digital thread from the initial order, through to the manufacture of parts and delivery.
This is also expected to enable the tracking and tracing of parts at any time throughout the process, tipped to support continuous naval shipbuilding.
The newly selected South Australian firms – Century Engineering and MG Engineering – are expected to test the integration methods, processes and technologies, leveraged for the delivery of bulkheads, beams, brackets, transportable sub-assemblies and a station platform as part of the Hunter Class program’s current prototyping phase.
According to BAE Systems, the panel would be expanded to include other local companies.
“Our vision is to be able to see live supply chain status information enabling improved productivity through less supplier follow up, and improved production coordination in the shipyard,” Alastair Bacon, BAE Systems Australia, maritime project director, maritime integration, said.
Jim Cuthill, BAE Systems Australia, maritime, operations director, added: “This is a great test of systems that we will be putting in place throughout the life of the Hunter program, and will help support local suppliers to ensure they have the capability to support us and continuous naval shipbuilding for future generations.”
MG Engineering managing director Anthony Brdar welcomed the opportunity to support the delivery of Australia’s next-generation frigates.
“MG Engineering is excited by the opportunity to work with BAE Systems Australia – Maritime to develop processes and systems that will help support Australia’s continuous naval shipbuilding program, benefiting future generations,” he said.
Century Engineering managing director David Heaslip noted the importance of the new digital supply chain model.
“It means we will be part of a digital thread from conception to installed product on the Hunter Class frigates, and we look forward to providing an agile and responsive service to BAE Systems Australia Maritime, and ultimately to defence.”
[Related: BAE Systems Australia and Score Australasia to supply anti-submarine frigate valves]
