Navantia promises collaboration with Flinders Uni in SEA 5000 bid

South Australia’s expertise in smart ship technologies is set to be boosted with the establishment of a $3 million Centre of Excellence in Adelaide if Navantia Australia is selected to build the Royal Australian Navy’s Future Frigates.

The Navantia SAGE Automation Group (NSAG) and Flinders University have agreed to develop an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) Centre of Excellence (CoE), as part of Navantia Australia’s SEA 5000 Future Frigate proposal.

The CoE will bolster Australia’s sovereign defence capability through training and research collaboration.

The proposed 200-square-metre facility at Tonsley Innovation District will house simulation rooms for the NSAG’s IPMS – the naval platform control system that allows the remote control and monitoring of platform systems on board Navantia-designed naval vessels.

This, along with a Land Base Test Site for testing of sustainment analysis tools such as ARGOS 21, could provide Royal Australian Navy crews with access to training on the IPMS system.

SAGE Automation CEO Adrian Fahey said this partnership was about bringing together the best minds in industry and research to grow Australia’s sovereign defence capability.

“SAGE, and the NSAG, has strong ties with Flinders University through our engineering graduate program and a number of R&D projects,” Mr Fahey said.

“The IPMS CoE will draw on Flinders University’s strong maritime, automation and robotics research capabilities and the NSAG’s shipbuilding and automation industry experience to actively identify topics for collaborative research and development that will enable the Royal Australian Navy to better adapt their control systems to innovative future technologies.”

Navantia Australia’s managing director Donato Martinez said the company’s IPMS system was already on board the RAN’s Canberra-class amphibious ships, Hobart-class destroyers, and the Supply-class replenishment ships currently being constructed by Navantia.

“By 2020, almost 2000 RAN servicemen and women will be trained and operate in the NSAG IPMS environment,” Mr Martinez said.

“The benefits resulting from the collaboration at this centre will enable the continued development of smart-ship technologies which in turn will provide the RAN with greater cost efficiencies and operational availability of these ships.”

Navantia Australia has committed an early investment of $3 million towards the IPMS CoE and expects to create 10 jobs directly, with benefits expected to flow on through industry R&D and graduate opportunities.

With an aim to build on-ground defence skills and technology in Australia, the IPMS CoE will offer formal training, scholarships, work experience, graduate programs, and staff secondment opportunities.

Flinders Vice-Chancellor Colin Stirling said the university was committed to advancing research and industry collaborations that contribute to the State, and the nation’s economic growth and development.

“I am delighted that Flinders University is partnering with the Navantia SAGE Automation Group in the establishment of a Centre of Excellence that that will help to develop national defence capabilities and create jobs here in South Australia,” Professor Stirling said.

“This agreement demonstrates Flinders University’s commitment to collaboration with industry in ways that will catalyse economic growth through our world-class research, our expertise in advanced manufacturing, robotics and autonomous systems, and the Industry 4.0 capability at our Tonsley Manufacturing Innovation Hub.”

The IPMS CoE announcement comes on the back of NSAG’s selection to supply the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) for the Navantia Australia SEA-5000 frigates bid.

NSAG was established in 2016 as a joint venture between Navantia Australia and SAGE Automation to support of Navantia’s IPMS system including its regional management, development and sustainment.

 

About Finders University
Globally focussed and locally engaged, Flinders University has a well-earned reputation for innovative research and excellence in teaching and learning. 90% of Flinders’ research has been ranked at or above world standard by Excellence in Research for Australia. Research strengths include defence, engineering, molecular science and technology, with key capabilities related to naval shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing sectors.

 

About the Navantia-SAGE Automation Group (NSAG)
NSAG is the Navantia Australia and SAGE Automation joint venture, committed to the development, delivery and support of Navantia’s IPMS monitoring and control solutions in Australia and New Zealand.

About Navantia Australia
Navantia Australia’s roots date back hundreds of years. Since 2006 we have been Australia’s shipbuilding partner. At Navantia Australia, we are committed to growing our local workforce and links to the Australian supply chain to best support the growth of a truly Australian shipbuilding industry.

 

About SAGE Automation
SAGE Automation is Australia’s largest independent industrial automation and control systems integrator that delivers solutions to clients across the Defence, Transport, Manufacturing, Resources and Utilities sectors. Since 2009, SAGE Defence has delivered fit for purpose, electrical and control systems to OEMs, Primes and major sub-contractors such as Navantia, ASC, Thales, Ultra Electronics, Daronmont, and Chemring.

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