Patrick Durrant | Sydney

Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne has announced BAE Systems Australia and Sea Box International will compete to develop prototype ammunition load carriers.

Both BAE Systems Australia and Sea Box International have committed to undertaking the design and engineering prototype work under the contract in Australia.

The combined value of the contracts is $3.27 million and funding is being made available through the Rapid Prototyping, Development and Evaluation (RPDE) program, currently being integrated into the new Defence Innovation Hub.

“Funding is being made available through the RPDE program.”

The project focuses industry innovation into prototype development of a single safe Unit Load Carrier that works across the supply chain. The prototype aims to improve operational use and reduce manual handling of 155mm ammunition by combat troops. Development outcomes will inform future Defence procurement of ammunition load carrier solutions.

CEO Glynn Phillips told ADM that BAE Systems Australia was pleased to be selected to compete and was working with Century Engineering and other local SMEs to leverage its solution.

“It builds on the work we’ve already undertaken to support Unit Load Ammunition Carriers and our long-term support of land systems for the Australian Army.”

Century has performed a significant amount of work for Defence contracts and manufactured Unit Load Ammunition Containers (ULAC) as part of Land 17 Phase 1C.

Shaun Moore, managing director of Sea Box International, told ADM the company “was pleased to have the opportunity to work with RPDE to develop an Australian prototype to carry 155mm ammunition”. The small veteran owned engineering company designs and fabricates solutions using shipping containers and derivatives and supplied the ISO 1C Flatrack for both the ADF and the NZDF working as a sub-contractor for Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia.

“This is a wonderful example of the Defence innovation system leveraging world class Australian industry research and development to produce a 155mm Unit Load Ammunition Carrier that improves the efficiency of the supply chain and ultimately the safety of Australian soldiers,” Minister Pyne said.