The Australian Department of Defence awarded L3Harris Technologies a contract, valued at up to AUD$328 million, to deliver new Maritime Underwater Tracking Ranges (MUTR) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
The SEA1350 Phase 3 MUTR program will provide undersea warfare support including a sub-surface tracking capability to aid current and future Australian Defence Force assets, warfighting tactics and proficiency. This program also enables sovereign readiness by safeguarding Australia’s maritime approaches and sea lines of communication.
“We’re committed to growing Australian defence capabilities by leveraging our global technology and experience to develop Australia’s sovereign maritime underwater tracking range approach,” said Alan Clements, Corporate Vice President and Australia Country Executive, L3Harris. “This is an important competence now and into the future as we continue to modernize and enhance maritime platforms and systems.”
Through a series of sensors, the tracking ranges will capture and relay information on the location and movement of assets that are operating within the tracking field. The MUTR will facilitate exercises in de ocean and littoral waters, involving surface and sub-surface assets simultaneously. The ranges are integral to the Commonwealth being able to swiftly test and evaluate the readiness of platforms and the weapon systems, especially in support of Australia’s strategic shipbuilding program.
L3Harris will build the MUTR in Western Australia and will provide the RAN with sub-surface tracking capability and optimized preparedness. The MUTR will support Australia’s emphasis on anti-submarine warfare capability and enable littoral test and evaluation enhancements through the next decade.”
For Editorial Inquiries Contact:
Editor Kym Bergmann at kym.bergmann@venturamedia.net
For Advertising Inquiries Contact:
Director of Sales Graham Joss at graham.joss@venturamedia.net
Good to see another Australian contract. It bodes well.
West Australia South Australia Victoria Queensland (Good to see another Australian contract. It bodes well.)
“L3Harris will build the MUTR in Western Australia and will provide the RAN with sub-surface tracking capability and optimized preparedness”
Is this a similar system to Qinetiq’s series of undersea magnetic and acoustic ranges used by Royal Navy to correct and reduce the magnetic/acoustic signatures of their submarines and surface ships? Or is it more of a SOSUS/IUSS type of system?
I know their is a degaussing facility at FBW but have we lacked magnetic/acoustic range until now?
This appears to be acoustic only, but I can’t be certain. There used to be a separate magnetic range and I assume that’s still operational.