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The company celebrated the completion of the first year of the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) capability life cycle manager (CLCM) contract with Defence.
According to Raytheon Australia, the OPV program is a critical test for the Commonwealth’s Plan Galileo - Maritime Sustainment model, developed to support Australia’s ongoing maritime warfighting capability despite increased hurdles posed by a larger and more advanced naval fleet.
Under the agreement, key organisations including Raytheon Australia are expected to work closely with the OPV Systems Program Office (SPO) to deliver program requirements.
The vessels are currently under construction in WA’s Henderson maritime precinct by Luerssen Australia and Civmec.
“Many significant milestones have been achieved in the first year of the CLCM contract,” said Raytheon Australia’s managing director Michael Ward.
“Leveraging our experience in complex program management for Australia’s defence, we have completed continuous improvement training for all SPO personnel, delivered documentation for ISO quality audit accreditation activities and led activities for the establishment of the SPO required to underpin the through-life sustainment of the OPV fleet prior to the arrival of NUSHIP Arafura in 2022.”
Raytheon Australia explained that the entire engagement – from the Raytheon Australia Above Water Systems team’s arrival on site to their integration with SMEs – was completed on time.
The company’s CLCM unit oversaw enterprise management, transition-to-service, asset management, supply chain management as well as seaworthiness assurance.
The second phase of the program is expected to commence mid-year, as the Arafura transitions to the OPV SPO for sustainment.
Key lessons from the sustainment project are expected to be shared across the OPV Enterprise.
[Related: First Arafura Class offshore patrol vessel launches in Osborne]
