Digital shipbuilding is all about connectivity – not just within the physical and digital shipyard, but also with our supply chain and customer, the Royal Australia Navy.
To create an enduring sovereign industrial capability that supports Australia’s continuous naval shipbuilding strategy for future generations, we require a connected ship design, a connected shipyard, a connected worker, a connected ship and a connected fleet.
The Hunter Class Frigate Program represents significant step-change to shipbuilding programs of the past. It will deliver a highly skilled workforce equipped to use Industry 4.0 technologies at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia – one of the most technologically advanced shipyards in the world.
Simultaneously, the program is supported by the engineering team at Red Ochre Labs, our hub for disruptive technology and early product development.
Red Ochre Labs is working alongside our shipbuilding team to examine data analytics more closely, including the design of future sustainment technologies and exploring how they can be incorporated into block builds early in the process.
Line Zero: Tonsley Innovation District
Line Zero is a collaborative venture embedded within the Tonsley Innovation District, in Adelaide’s south, which allows us to solve real-world shipyard problems in a safe and intelligent environment.
In collaboration with our academic partners, researchers, Government bodies and Australian businesses, we develop and trial new manufacturing technologies and techniques to improve productivity, quality and safety outcomes at Osborne.
Developing and testing digital solutions in a controlled environment removes risk during the construction phase. Our Osborne team is trialling multiple innovative technologies, including an innovative autonomous robotic blast solution and a lighting solution designed to save on costs and reduce environmental impacts.
The visualisation suite
Osborne's state-of-the-art visualisation suite - or vis suite - is designed perfectly to scale, providing our design engineers with the ability to digitally review interior and exterior specifications and make modifications before frigate construction begins – saving cost, schedule and rework.
The digital design of the Hunter class frigates provides us the opportunity to invest in the development of new technologies and solutions that will transform continuous naval shipbuilding, ensuring the our navy maintains its competitive edge.
Diploma of Digital Technologies
A prominent feature of our digital shipbuilding strategy is Australia's first digital shipbuilding course, the Diploma of Digital Technologies. The curriculum is the result of collaboration between BAE Systems, Flinders University, the Commonwealth and the South Australian Government.
The qualification equips employees with digital skills for modern shipbuilding, combining theoretical approaches with hands -on skills.