Navantia Australia’s design capabilities drive Hobart Class Destroyer Upgrade forward
Navantia Australia Advances SEA4000 Phase 6 Capability Upgrade with Initial ShipAlt Drawings Release
Navantia Australia, in collaboration with its newly established Technical Partner Network (TPN), has achieved a significant milestone by releasing the first set of Ship Alterations (ShipAlt) drawings for the Hobart Class Guided Missile Destroyers (DDG) as part of the SEA4000 Phase 6 Capability Upgrade. The ShipAlt, adhering to the U.S. Navy standard, outlines the manufacturing and installation instructions necessary to implement new systems and equipment on active warships. This release marks the second primary focus of Navantia Australia’s efforts in the SEA4000 Phase 6 project, alongside developing the main engineering work products and Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) artefacts.
The process of creating ShipAlt drawings is a collaborative effort between Navantia Australia’s Naval Design and Engineering Centre in Docklands, Victoria, and its TPN partners. The design work is being carried out simultaneously with the class detailed design drawings, ensuring a cohesive approach to the SEA4000 Phase 6 activities. The inclusion of TPN industry partner, Design Technology Company (DTCo), in both Melbourne and the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide, highlights the seamless integration of expertise across different locations to produce these critical ShipAlt drawings.
Despite earlier delays caused by ITAR and export control issues, Navantia Australia successfully released the first set of ShipAlt drawings only a month later than planned. This accomplishment underscores the organization’s resilience and capability in delivering complex naval engineering projects. The ongoing development of the ShipAlt work is expected to continue throughout 2024, with the final set of drawings anticipated for release in the first quarter of 2025, maintaining alignment with the original project schedule.
Navantia Australia’s Naval Design and Engineering Centre also had the opportunity to showcase its growing sovereign design capability to senior Royal Australian Navy officers during the first half of 2024. With over 120 engineers based in Docklands and a rapidly expanding TPN, which now includes 24 member companies, Navantia Australia demonstrates a robust commitment to supporting Australian maritime defense projects through its integrated and highly skilled engineering teams.
