- Author
- William F. Cook, MVO, Captain, RAN (Rtd)
- Subjects
- None noted
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- HMAS Waterhen, HMAS Huon II, HMAS Norman II
- Publication
- September 1999 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
The whole project is a highly complex electronic systems task, which ADI’s Managing Director, Mr Ken Harris, says has “turned the conventional notion of ship building on its head”. Basically it is a collection of electronic systems which are proven on shore and the supporting software not installed until the ship has been launched.
There is a 76% Australian industry involvement in the project – the local content requirement being only 60% minimum and local industry will thereafter maintain the six Huon class ships. The risk of failure of any part of the ship’s equipment has been minimised by the shore integration facility. It has allowed the builders to determine that all the systems are functioning satisfactorily before they are installed on board.
ADI has been able to boost Australian industry involvement in the project with contracts totalling $650 million awarded to Australian subcontractors including more than $500m to New South Wales businesses.