Pacific 2010: More upgrades on the horizon for the Collins fleet | ADM Dec 09/Jan 10
Tom Muir | Canberra
But distinct from the combat system replacement, these will be progressed under various phases of Sea 1439.
• Phase 3.1 Collins Obsolescence Management will see the replacement of the existing integrated ship control monitoring and management system (ISCMMS).
• Phase 5B.2 Collins Continuous Improvement is for the acquisition of a high data rate satellite communications capability, replacement of the existing communications centre, and enhancements to the fitted electronic warfare capability.
• Phase 6 Collins Sonar Replacement is self explanatory.
According to the Defence Capability Plan 2009, it is likely that replacement systems will be based on similar and proven systems currently in service in other navies.
It is anticipated that the project phases will utilise significant levels of in-country capacity for project management, equipment assembly, system integration, training development and support.
Phase 3.1 Ship control system
The current ISCMMS is a complex system using 19 computers with Motorola processors sited around the submarine to monitor more than 5,000 data points.
It was based on the system developed by Saab Instruments for Swedish submarines and escaped attempts to reconfigure it other than as an adaptation to the demands of the larger Australian design.
In an RFP issued in July 2009, Defence sought costed options for the partial and/or complete replacement of the currently obsolete ISCMMS, to be available for platform integration within 12 to 18 months of government approval.
The RFP process will be followed by an open Invitation to Register (ITR) process in 2010, followed by a restricted Request for Tender (RFT) process in 2011 to finalise a system provider prior to 2nd Pass approval.
The DCP anticipates acquisition cost of up to $100 million.
An obvious contender for the replacement ISCMMS is the OEM, involved in ship control systems since the 1970s, when the first of the company's manoeuvring control systems was designed and fielded for the Swedish Näcken class submarines.
Saab ship control systems were also fitted to the Västergötland class and later to the Norwegian ULA class submarines.
Phase 5B2 Collins communications
Seen as woefully outdated since its original specification, the Collins Internal and External Communications (IEC) system has been upgraded in fits and starts but a major boost has been the class fit of multi-functional antennas, to be followed by a high data rate EHF antenna and mast, which have prepared the ground for the upgrade/replacement of the external communications system including the communications centre.
With these improvements the Collins submarines will have access to fast developing SATCOM capabilities with bandwidth and data rates unimagined when they were first designed.
One driver for higher data rates and more comprehensive communications capabilities has surely been the new AN/BYG-1 replacement combat system with its own demand for higher tactical throughput and assured interoperability as well as the demands of a less benign strategic outlook.
But beyond this, if the Collins submarines are to operate effectively as nodes in joint and coalition net centric operations they must have the capacity for high data rate communications across the air, land and maritime domains, allowing the submarines to share a common operating picture with ADF and allied forces.
Boeing was responsible for earlier communication systems upgrades on submarines as part of the Fast Track program and subsequent endeavours included both internal and external communications systems upgrades, as communications equipment design authority.
When it was introduced, the Continuous Improvement Program marked a new direction in the through-life management of submarine capability through the provision of regular capability upgrades-such as the provision of third-generation propellers-rather than having a mid-life upgrade for the class.
Activities under the program included the class fit of multi-functional communications antenna and mast, prototyped under SEA 1439 Ph 4B, which is to be followed by the class fit of an extremely high frequency communications antenna and mast.
OE-538 antenna
Following a competitive tender under Phase 5B(1), a joint bid by MacTaggart Scott of Scotland, and US firm Sippican (a Lockheed Martin subsidiary) was selected in 2006 to provide the OE-538 communications antenna and associated Quiet Modular Mast.
The OE-538 is reported as covering typical military communications bands, including VLF, HF, VHF, UHF (SATCOM and LOS) communications.
Currently, all US Navy submarines operating at periscope depth, including the new Virginia class attack submarines, use the OE-538 antenna system as their primary method of communicating with aircraft, surface ships and land-based assets.
The system provides high-performance, erectable mast-mounted communication and navigation capabilities.
In a subsequent development, the US Navy recently awarded Sippican/GSM a $US6.9 million contract for the further development of the OE-538 antenna mast system.
Once upgraded, it will provide submarine communications with improved performance in the UHF signal band.
It also will add Link 16, Iridium and Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) UHF satellite communications capabilities, while maintaining performance in legacy bands.
The MUOS capability is of special interest to Australia with an MOU agreed between the Department of Defence and the US Navy setting out the joint military governing arrangements for a MUOS ground station collocated with the Australian Defence Satellite Communications Station at Kojarena, east of Geraldton.
Completed in late 2009 the station is scheduled to become operational by March 2010.
In addition to providing the Collins submarines with access to the MUOS system, which should be fully operational by 2014, the upgrade also provides access to the Iridium network, which is unique in that it covers the whole earth, including poles, oceans and airways.
The ADF currently utilises the Iridium fleet for paging, voice and data communications and its use of this low-cost satellite capability is currently being renewed.
Interestingly Northrop Grumman's new satellite-based blue-force tracking system, named Kodiak, uses a "hub-and-spoke" architecture to provide a global two-way blue-force tracking situational awareness capability, running over the Iridium L-band satellite network.
High data rate EHF antenna
Under Phase 5B2 a separate high data rate (HDR) satellite antenna is sought with proposals possibly under current consideration.
Higher data rate communications are seen as necessary for ships to participate fully in network centric warfare.
Raytheon's Sub HDR is a multi-band satellite communication system being installed in US nuclear-powered attack submarines including the new Virginia class.
The system consists of a mast-mounted antenna that can be deployed by raising it above the ocean's surface while the submarine remains submerged at periscope depth.
Sub HDR supports submarines with high capacity (up to 256 kbs) connectivity for transfer of imagery, data and video.
The terminal operates in either the extremely high frequency (EHF) or super high frequency (SHF) mode and includes technology improvements for GBS capability.
The terminal consists of a non-penetrating SATCOM mast (electrical only penetration) and appropriate inboard equipment.
For Australia one of the main advantages would be access to the USAF's Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) system which is backwards-compatible with the previous generation of MILSTAR tactical communications satellites.
AEHF offers significantly higher bandwidth and, managed by the US Air Force, it is common to other US military services, and also is joint with Canada, the Netherlands and the UK.
In the AEHF system uplinks and crosslinks are in the EHF while the downlinks use SHF.
The variety of frequencies used, as well as the desire to have tightly focused downlinks for security, require a range of antennas on each satellite.
Insofar as first pass has been achieved it is anticipated that the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) will release its requirements for the Collins external communications around mid-next year either through an RFP or possibly an RFT.
Potential contenders for this requirement include the following:
Rohde & Schwarz
ADM understands that Rohde & Schwarz (Australia) will be a contender for the Collins external communications replacement with the SubICS system developed by EID for submarines of both the Portuguese and Spanish Navies.
EID, which is jointly owned by the Portuguese Government and Rohde & Schwarz, provides the Integrated Communications Control System (ICCS) which comprises all internal communications (including voice switching etc). R&S provides the external communications, including VLF, LF, HF, VHF and UHF communications.
SATCOM, GMDSS and Crypto components are sourced from qualified third-party vendors.
For the Collins external communications upgrade the proposed system will be provided by R&S (Australia), with EID as a major sub-contractor.
R&S (Australia) is the in-country representative for EID and would conduct all follow-on support and maintenance of EID products in country.
So far the SubICS is fitted to the Spanish and Portuguese submarines.
ADM understands that negotiations are underway in several South American countries, but nothing has yet been signed contractually.
L-3 Communications
Another important contender has to be L-3 Communications (East) offering their MarCom Integrated Digital Switch as the foundation of what the company describes as its single system approach which started with the integrated radio room for the Trident submarine and continues with its fielding on US Navy attack submarines.
L-3 Communications was selected to provide the communications for the two Canberra class LHDs comprising all external and internal communication subsystems, Maritime Tactical WAN, IT Networks, CCTV, Data Links, Entertainment and Training subsystems and the Broadcast and Alarm System.
This role builds on L-3's on-time delivery of the integrated communication switching system for HMAS Sirius.
Thales Group
Thales may be offering its FICS, a fully integrated communications system for surface vessels, submarines and ground centres, offering centralised communications management.
It comprises a multi-level secure local IP network providing high data rate connections between local users and external communications equipment such as modems, terminals, radio, and SATCOM, and a broad range of services including voice, data, intercom, conferencing, databases and video.
USN Common Submarine Radio Room
Is there a possibility that Australia may decide to re-equip the Collins submarine communications centres along the lines of the USN's Common Submarine Radio Room (CSRR)?
This network-based communications architecture is now being installed on a variety of submarine types, including the Virginia class, to use bandwidth more effectively.
The CSRR technology automates functions and requires less equipment and fewer personnel than current systems.
Unlike older technologies, the CSRR includes network-based architecture that is not baseband limited to 64-kilobyte-per-second limitations.
The CSRR also has lower modernisation costs because its open architectures are easier to upgrade, as opposed to those of closed systems, which have greater limitations.
Lockheed Martin developed the CSRR so one might suspect a strong interest in proposing it for the Collins communications upgrade.
Phase 5B2 ESM upgrade
The Collins fleet are equipped with the ITT (EDO) ES-5600 electronic support system sensor.
The system operates in the 2GHz to 18GHz radar band, extendable to include 0.5-2 and 18-40 GHz.
It provides automatic detection, direction finding and identification of radar signals.
An EDO Argo Systems AR-740 radar warner is also fitted.
There is considerable Australian content in the Collins ESM antenna design and this combined ESM and RWR system was developed to provide an improved performance replacement for all of the lower performance, simple design, amplitude monopulse systems currently used on ships and submarines.
ADM is unaware of the upgrade sought for the ESM under Phase 5B2 but suspects that it is to do with extending its ELINT capabilities and that Avalon Systems, a specialist defence electronics company now operating as a subsidiary of Ultra Electronics, may currently be involved in this classified task.
Jenkins Engineering Defence Systems, (JEDS) which represents ES-5600 supplier ITT Systems (having acquired EDO in 2007), was awarded CTD funding for the development of a Low Band Direction Finding Sub-System to enhance existing electronic support measures (ESM) used on naval vessels to determine the angle of arrival of signals from external sources.
This assists the operational effectiveness and safety of the vessels and according to the DSTO, this project will improve the Navy's low band ESM system and assist in the development of Australian industry's indigenous electronic warfare capabilities.
However ADM understands the Phase 5B2 EW upgrade does not include a low band requirement nor would the existing ESM antenna be suitable.
Phase 6 Sonar replacement
The Collins submarine fleet is currently equipped with the Thales Underwater Systems Scylla active and passive bow array sonar and passive flank, intercept and ranging arrays.
The planar sonar array provides bearing data to determine range using low frequencies up to 10kHz.
Collins can be fitted with either the Kariwara or the Namara thin-line reelable array.
Phase 6 aims to upgrade the sonar system in the Collins class submarines through a program of replacement and improvement of onboard processors and outboard sonar arrays to meet a range of capability improvement requirements.
Defence's preference is for an incremental approach to the upgrade, using COTS-based Open Architecture (OA) permitting the insertion of products from multiple vendors.
It would also provide a path for subsequent incremental improvements and capability insertions through a regular technical refresh program.
The Navy is adopting OA as a way to reduce the rising cost of naval warfare systems and platforms and to increase the capabilities of systems.
OA will contribute to greater competition among system developers through the use of open standards and standard, published interfaces.
It will also require their greater collaboration between competitors.
First pass approval for the sonar upgrade project was to have been sought in late 2009 but this appears to have slipped by a couple of years.
It now has a current provision in the DCP of approximately $350-450 million with a YOD of 2011/2012 to 2012/2013.
Phase 6 was intended to be a two-stage project, the first stage being to upgrade the onboard sonar signal processing while retaining the current wet-end sonar arrays.
The second stage was to address the upgrade of the existing sonar arrays through improvement or replacement; and a program of evolutionary addition, upgrading or replacement of sonar signal processing.
Delay with this project may be due to consideration being given to combining the two stages as one task, a possibility that may have been proposed by the RPDE Quicklook study on the sonar system upgrade.
The delay could also be due to the DMO wrestling with the recommendations of their consultant Advansys Solutions Ltd of the UK, who suggested a virtualisation solution for the sonar processing system in their study as a preliminary to the upgrade of the Collins sonar system.
Advansys had worked closely with the UK MoD on resolving technical and programmatic issues associated with introducing open systems standards and architectures into the UK's legacy defence capability.
At a briefing on the study findings held in late 2008, industry representatives were told that the classical approach to implementing an open architecture system, using systems/components (granules) from various suppliers, was through the provision of common processing nodes with system-wide middleware providing common services and isolating applications from hardware.
But while this approach had been proven to work-the US ARCI program was the best example-it might not work for Australia due to cost and restrictions on the supply chain.
Since most suppliers now offered COTS solutions and all used COTS operating systems (Linux, Solaris, Windows) industry was told that this opened the opportunity for an alternative to the classical approach, viz.Virtual Environments.
Advansys proposed a Virtual Machine solution that would see virtualisation software ‘sitting' on hardware and emulating a number of computing nodes.
While Defence mulls over whatever feedback it obtained from those attending the Advansys briefing as to whether the virtual environment OA concept would, or would not work with their systems, ADM looks briefly at some potential contenders for this project and some of their recent developments.
Thales
As mentioned, the Collins submarines are currently equipped with the Thales Scylla sonar and related systems, augmented with a Scylla Sonar Interface (SSI).
The Collins can be fitted with either the Kariwara or the Namara thin-line reelable high-gain digital surveillance streamers supplied by Thales Underwater Systems.
S-Cube is the latest generation of Thales many, long-serving and widely fielded submarine sonar systems, and an evolution of the successful TSM 2233 series.
Based on OA architecture, S-Cube uses COTS hardware and software, together with standard interfaces, services and supporting format.
Portability of interfaces and protocols secures connection with any combat system.
For those concerned with cost, Thales offers initial capabilities through a Multi-Mission Sonar Suite which can be expanded at contract award or at a later date by porting capability from a range of sources, either Thales or others, as appropriate.
The customer can therefore prioritise the initial capability requirements and spread the budget for enhanced or additional capabilities over time, a flexibility previously unavailable.
Ultra Electronics sonars
ADM understands that Ultra Electronics has yet to decide whether it will bid for the Collins sonar upgrade.
Ultra's Sonar Systems business is supplying the integrated sonar suite consisting of hull mounted and variable depth sonars for the Air Warfare Destroyer program, as well as the medium frequency sonar to the Royal Navy's new Type 45 destroyer.
These systems represent a modular, integrated suite of sonars for advanced anti-submarine warfare and will detect a range of threats including submarines, torpedoes and mines.
The system is also capable of providing bi-static and multi-static capability integrating all ASW assets in the force.
The group's Ocean Systems business developed and supplies the MK54 torpedo array nose assembly and the TR-317 spherical array transducers, the chin array, the low-cost conformal array, and the high frequency sonar sail array for the US submarine fleet.
Sonartech Atlas
Sonartech Atlas has developed unique intercept and transient processing technology that has been taken up by a diverse range of operators, including the RAN, USN and various NATO and other navies.
The Collins is currently equipped with Sonartech Atlas sonar processors for the distributed array, flank array and towed array, as well as the Sonartech Atlas Submarine Acoustic Transient Event Processing System (SATEPS) for sonar distributed array audio, detection and ranging.
This technology provides automatic or manual detection of active intercepts and transients from a variety of sources including active sonar transmissions, sonarbuoys, torpedo transmissions, weapon or countermeasure deployment events, underwater communication systems, platform mechanicals such as door opening and weapon discharge, and crew transients.
Readers will recall that the company's ISUS combat system, now in wide use including a recent order to equip six new Korean submarines, was originally selected for the Collins replacement combat system, but then cancelled in favour of the USN combat system (now termed the AN/BYG-1) for strategic reasons.
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin has confirmed that it will be proposing the US Navy's Acoustic Rapid COTS Insertion (A-RCI), a sonar system upgrade installed on the US's entire submarine fleet, including the pending Tactical Trident special ops and strike subs.
Now known formally as the AN/BQQ-10 (V) Sonar, A-RCI is a four-phase program for transforming existing USN submarine sonar systems from legacy systems to a more capable and flexible COTS/Open System Architecture (OSA) and also providing the submarine force with a common sonar system.
The use of COTS/OSA technologies and systems will enable rapid periodic updates to both software and hardware.
COTS-based processors will allow computer power growth at a rate commensurate with the commercial industry.
The concept uses installed legacy sensors and replaces central processors with COTS personal computer technology and software installed in an open architecture.
A-RCI allows for faster, more economical, and more frequent hardware and/or software upgrades.
Of seeming relevance to potential RAN needs, these improvements provide expanded capabilities, particularly in littoral waters, for covert intelligence collection and surveillance and covert insertion and support of Special Forces.
The expanded capabilities for anti-submarine warfare focused on diesel-electric submarines, covert mining, and covert strike of targets ashore.
Under a USN contract Lockheed Martin is providing engineering, technical services and associated materials for the design and development of upgrades and systems support for the A-RCI program.
Work performed under the contract will include interfaces to the legacy systems; signal processing enhancements; display enhancements; and incorporation of improved computing algorithms.