In more news from Land Forces 2021, Babcock and Team SABRE have been down-selected for Land 125 Phase 4. ADM understands the Commonwealth is also considering other proposals.
Team SABRE is a consortium including Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia, Nova Systems Australia & NZ, and BAE Systems Australia.
Land 125 Phase 4 will deliver an integrated soldier system (ISS) integrating all elements and subsystems that are used, worn or carried by soldiers in any operational context or environment, for up to 72 hours without resupply. It excludes personal weapons and communications equipment, which are managed by separate, related projects.
The ISS will also include un-crewed ground and aerial systems and self-learning machines.
"This project will include everything the soldier will require for protection," Mick Burgess, head of Business Development, Babcock Australasia, said. "It also includes autonomous and robotic systems."
According to Burgess, Babcock's approach to the program will build on previous contracts and will engage a range of Australian suppliers. Burgess also emphasised the company's ability to fulfil government requirements for sovereign Australian capability.
"First, we're able to maintain control of the elements that underpin these priorities," Burgess said. "We run our contracts here, decisions are made by Australians in Australia. Second, we retain IP in Australia, and third, we're able to transfer skills from offshore into Australia by working with offshore OEMs, so they manufacture in Australia through Australian companies."
The company will be using its 'prime vendor model' for Land 125 Phase 4, which it uses with Defence for CBRNE work under Land 3025 and in its ADF ground support equipment asset management program.
"This is a supplier agnostic approach," Burgess explained. "Under this model, all suppliers, particularly Australian suppliers, get an equal opportunity to put their product on the table and have them considered fairly. Second, we don't make any products in the land domain – suppliers won't be competing with a Babcock product."
The company is also introducing a digital development environment as part of its offer to the Commonwealth.
Meanwhile, Brad Yelland, Chief Technology Officer, BAE Systems Australia, said Team SABRE will be looking to best-of-breed robotic and autonomous solutions.
“Team SABRE will collaborate to deliver an optimal sovereign ISS solution. We are committed to bringing our diverse expertise in autonomous technologies and putting the best robotic and autonomous systems in the hands of the warfighter," Yelland said.
" Our experience supporting the delivery and assurance of complex programs in the ADF environment means that the warfighter will have more capability sooner," NOVA Systems Australia & NZ Chief Executive Steve Robison said.
The request for tender is due in a month and is expected to close towards the end of 2021 for a Commonwealth decision in early 2022. Delivery to the ADF is expected in 2024.