A group of defense firms are set to join forces to develop the combat systems of Australia’s future SSN‑AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines.
BAE Systems, Raytheon Australia, General Dynamics Mission Systems, and Thales UK are set to join forces in a collaborative team responsible for the combat systems of Australia’s future SSN‑AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines.
The agreement is planned to be finalized with the Australian and UK governments.
Under the proposed initiative, the group will develop a shared command system for Australia and the UK based on the General Dynamics AN/BYG-1 architecture.
AN/BYG-1 integrates tactical control, sensors, weapons management, and information security within an open architecture.
Already in use in Australia, the system is installed on Collins-class submarines.
It is also deployed on several US Navy vessels, including the Virginia-, Los Angeles-, Columbia-, and Seawolf-class submarines.
Additionally, the agreement aims to increase Australian participation in the AUKUS program and support skills, technology, and knowledge transfer across AUKUS partners to build long-term national capability in submarine combat systems.
Industry Partners’ Role
Under the SSN-AUKUS program, a nuclear-powered submarine project by Australia, the UK, and the US, Canberra will begin building its submarines in Adelaide by the end of the decade.
The first vessel is expected to enter service with the Royal Australian Navy in the early 2040s.
The program involves key defense industry partners from each country.
BAE Systems is the prime contractor for the UK’s SSN‑AUKUS submarine fleet, producing the design and building the vessels in Barrow-in-Furness, UK.
BAE Systems Australia, together with ASC, will use the UK’s SSN‑AUKUS design to construct Australia’s submarines.
Thales UK has been appointed as the sonar designer and integrator for the UK program, handling sonar systems across submarines, surface ships, and airborne platforms.
US-based General Dynamics Mission Systems, in addition to providing the AN/BYG-1 combat control system, also supplies the Common Weapon Launcher and the torpedo guidance and control subsystems.
Raytheon Australia manages and integrates combat systems for the Royal Australian Navy.
