Ultra Maritime has recently finalized a significant contract to supply torpedo defense technologies for Australia’s upcoming Hunter-class frigates. The deal, awarded by BAE Systems Maritime Australia, includes the highly sophisticated Surface Ship Torpedo Defence (SSTD) system, aimed at enhancing the maritime defense capabilities of the Royal Australian Navy.
The SSTD system is engineered for the detection and neutralization of incoming torpedoes using a streamlined in-line towed array. It boasts an automatic threat-alert function designed to minimize false alarms and decrease the workload on operators, ensuring more efficient and reliable operations in critical scenarios.
Supporting this program, Ultra Maritime plans to leverage its Adelaide facility in South Australia, integrating local manufacturing capabilities with its extensive experience in undersea warfare. This move is expected to bolster Australia’s maritime defense posture and contribute to the broader defense industry within the region.
In addition to the SSTD system, Ultra Maritime’s hull-mounted 2150 Bow Sonar was chosen earlier this year for the design of the Hunter-class vessels. Together, these systems will form an integral part of the frigates’ anti-submarine warfare suite, which is developed based on BAE Systems’ Global Combat Ship design philosophy. This design framework is not only significant for Australia but also serves as a standardized architecture for allied surface combatants in the UK, Canada, and Norway.
The Hunter-class project is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at modernizing Australia’s naval capabilities through the construction of a new generation of multi-role warships. Comprising a fleet of six frigates, the vessels are currently being built at the Osborne Naval Shipyard by BAE Systems Maritime Australia.
These ships are modeled after the UK’s Type 26 design and are primarily optimized for anti-submarine warfare, although they are also equipped for air defense, surface warfare, surveillance, and humanitarian missions. Each frigate will be heavily armed and equipped, weighing approximately 8,200 tons when fully ready for operations and measuring 151 meters (495 feet) in length. The frigates are expected to achieve speeds exceeding 27 knots (50 kilometers/31 miles per hour).
In terms of onboard technology, the frigates will combine the advanced Aegis combat system utilized by the US Navy with a tailored Australian interface developed by Saab Australia. Crew composition includes 183 personnel, expanded to accommodate up to 208 including helicopter teams, ensuring the ships are equipped to handle a variety of operational tasks.
The service entry for the Hunter-class frigates is anticipated in the early 2030s, marking a significant advancement in Australia’s maritime defense capabilities.
