Babcock Australasia today announced it will partner with Shoal Group, Buzzworks and Bond University to deliver the Land 125 Phase 4 Integrated Soldier System Program, alongside its plans to establish a Future Australian Soldier System Technology Centre (FASST-C), should it be successful.
Babcock’s Head of Customer Solutions (Defence & Security) Craig Schwartz made the announcement at the Land Forces Conference in Brisbane.
“A key tenet of our approach includes engaging with adjacent programs to understand their needs and requirements – working collaboratively to manage integration risk and unlock opportunities. The net result is what we call 'best for soldier'. This provides a better outcome for the country than project decisions made in isolation,” he said.
Shoal Group will provide systems engineering and verification and validation services for the program, centred on providing sophisticated digital capability models to the FASST-C to ensure that operational needs are identified and met. Buzzworks will provide subject matter expertise and integration support in next-generation soldier combat systems and related technology, and Bond University’s Tactical Research Unit will provide specialist capability regarding human factors and biomechanical studies on current, in-development and future soldier system capability.
Babcock says the FASST-C will be designed to support 'new and disruptive technologies that enhance the lethality, range and survivability of the Australian soldier.'
The new facility will be complemented by a Technical Support Network of organisations that bring the specific domain knowledge needed for the integration of soldier systems with adjacent defence capability, according to the company.
It will be equipped with a range of capabilities tailored to the requirements of the Land 125-4 program including a Digital Engineering Environment, and bespoke physical development, integration, and testing environment to bring together soldiers and systems.
“Public-facing zones will host and support visiting suppliers to support, incubate and grow local industry to meet the needs of the Commonwealth, and be internationally competitive," said Schwartz.
“Our approach to Land 125-4 centres on an operating model that attracts innovation, rewards collaboration and avoids creating risk of commercial and intellectual property friction."