Under construction at South Australia’s Osborne Naval Shipyard, the Hunter Class Frigates build program is the centrepiece of the Australian Government’s 30-year plan redeveloping, growing and hardening the local maritime defence industry. The Innovation team’s projects are augmenting, optimising and future proofing that vision.
“Because our innovation projects have a direct line of sight throughout the frigates’ lifecycle, we can solve real problems using capabilities to support key elements better, faster and more cost effectively for the customer,” Program Manager – Innovation, Evangelos Lambrinos, said.
“This could be improving shipyard safety, streamlining the workload and workflow at Osborne and looking at ways to best sustain the vessels when they enter service. All projects are helping to ensure the Hunters are delivered on time and to the highest standards.”
The program’s close collaboration with the Osborne teams has delivered several impactful innovations into the shipyard. One example is the Crane Request Tool that provides a shared view of crane availability and planned activities. This helps teams coordinate work, de-conflict competing priorities and make faster planning decisions. By improving the visibility of a critical shipyard resource, the tool supports a safer work environment, more efficient operations and contributes to a more connected and digitally enabled workplace.
The Innovation team is based at the Tonsley Innovation District, 10 kilometres south of Adelaide’s CBD, that is building on the past to create the future.
Now redeveloped, it was the former home to a 61-hectare car assembly site that operated for decades before closing down in the late 2000s.
Still with the roof but without the walls of the former assembly plant, the great building’s interior embraces the ghosts of its car manufacturing heritage, while greenery in its common spaces invites new conversations and collaborations.
At the centre of this technology hub with the Innovation team are leading-edge start-ups, small-to-medium enterprises, educational institutions and businesses.
“Tonsley is a unique location and wherever you look, you’ll find inspiration in the pursuit of knowledge,” Evangelos said.
“We experiment and trial in our industrial laboratory called Line Zero. It’s been a major collaboration with Flinders University and think of it like a sandpit where fresh ideas are sparked, accelerated and foster deeper engagements across partners and industry.”
Continuing to look towards the future, the Innovation Program is exploring other opportunities in the defence industry where its work can make the biggest impact.
Summing up some of the projects:
- Part Marking & Tracking (PM&T): a digital platform that uses the latest wireless tracking technologies in conjunction with human and machine-readable marking solutions. PM&T records an item’s location — in a warehouse, production building or on a platform — making the information available in real time to users at the touch of a button. It has created a pathway for future digital capabilities that is enabling improved visibility, interoperability and decision making.
- Digital Weld Quality: an innovative technology trial project capturing welding data in real time. The analysations are optimising equipment, increasing production performance and providing earlier detection of weld anomalies. The initiative is demonstrating how digital technologies can enhance manufacturing quality and productivity.
- Hunter Explorer (HuX) Visualisation Engine: a Shipyard Utilisation Tool that supports planning, streamlines activities and aids decision making. The digital 3D tool provides authorised staff with a visual representation of relevant ship and shipyard environments, supporting improved coordination and familiarisation. It reduces reliance on manual processes and specialist support, while providing a scalable foundation for future planning, scheduling and operational management initiatives.
- Additive Materials: a project exploring how 3D printing, through Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) capabilities, can be utilised in shipbuilding. With the possibility of reducing future supply chain risk, it’s developing a comprehensive understanding of how alternatively manufacturing can meet fit, form and functional requirements of complex parts.