Austal and CEA Technologies are showcasing their products at Euronaval in Paris on 25-29 October 2010.
CEA and Austal have enjoyed a close working relationship for a number of years, working together on several domestic and international projects.
One such partnership was the Armidale Class Patrol Boat (ACPB) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
A model of the ACPB is on show during the exhibition at the Austal/CEA stand. Austal completed the fleet of 14 vessels in 2007 and CEA equipped each with its fully integrated communications system, providing an extensive range of modern and advanced internal and external communication capabilities.
A model of the RAN’s ANZAC Class Frigate, HMAS Perth, is also on display, demonstrating CEA supplied system components incorporated through the Anti Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) system upgrade.
These components include two of CEA’s core products, the CEAFAR S-Band, multi-function scalable active phase array radar and CEAMOUNT X-Band active phased array illuminator.
The ASMD upgrade installation on the first vessel (HMAS Perth) has been completed and will undergo a rigorous regime of harbour and at-sea testing during the next few months, after which time upgrades to the rest of the fleet will be progressively rolled out.
Austal is also displaying a model of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Independence, showcasing the latest in advanced combat ship technology.
The LCS utilises the advanced aluminium trimaran hull form, designed and developed by Austal for the commercial and defence purposes.
The LCS offers high speed, increased manoeuvrability, shallow draft, high payload and dual H-60 helicopter operations.
Austal is currently constructing a second 127-metre LCS for the US Navy at its Mobile, Alabama shipyard.
Austal recently received word to move forward with the construction contract for the fourth and fifth vessels of the US Department of Defense’s next generation multi-use platform, the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), as part of a program potentially worth over US$1.6 billion.
Austal received funding previously from the Navy, valued at US$99,557,548, to acquire long lead-time material, to include diesel engines, water jets and reduction gears, for these two vessels in June 2010.
The additional work is valued at approximately US$204.6 million.