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Watch as BAE Systems Australia lifts and rotates the first prototype block for the Hunter Class Frigate Program, alongside Adelaide-based MG Engineering.
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BAE Systems Australia has documented another prototyping milestone for the Hunter Class Frigate Program, lifting and rotating the first half prototype block made up of two fabricated steel units.
According to the company, each half block weighs 90 tonnes – with local business MG Engineering manufacturing the 12-metre-long lifting beam to help BAE Systems Australia successfully complete the prototype. The lifting beam, manufactured by MG Engineering’s team of eight, can lift up to 170 tonnes.
Already, BAE Systems Australia has contracted over 45 local businesses to support the prototyping of the Hunter Class Frigate, with more expected as the program progresses.
The lift and rotate took approximately one hour, with the next milestone scheduled for August as the company looks to complete the first block made up of four steel units.
“Uplifting Australian small and medium enterprises on the Hunter Class Frigate Program is a key focus for our supply chain,” Craig Lockhart, managing director – maritime, BAE Systems Australia, said.
“Engaging Australian businesses provides them with the ability to invest in their facilities and employ more local people, as well as build sovereign capability that supports continuous naval shipbuilding for our nation.
“Hunter is a national program and there will be many opportunities for businesses around Australia to work on Hunter; I look forward to more companies like MG Engineering being involved.”
Anthony Brdar, managing director, MG Engineering, welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with BAE Systems Australia to achieve the milestone.
“MG Engineering is proud to have assisted BAE Systems Australia in the provision of a specially designed lifting beam which will be used to rotate the first half prototype ship block,” Brdar said.
“The project required eight MG Engineering personnel to complete over a four-week period.
“Two of the employees working on the beam were apprentices, both of whom made a significant contribution towards the beam manufacture.
“As the naval shipbuilding industry continues to ramp-up, MG Engineering will be looking to attract and train more local people who want to secure long-term careers within an industry which has a guaranteed future.”
[Related: BAE Systems Australia, Flinders Uni trial AR headset]
