Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim), a wholly owned subsidiary of BAE Systems, Inc., has been awarded a contract to support the Royal Australian Navy’s Hunter Class Frigate Program, providing its Virtual Battlespace (VBS) software as the synthetic test environment for the Land-Based Test Site (LBTS).
Under the contract, BISim’s Virtual Battlespace (VBS) software will serve as the core simulation platform at the program’s LBTS. This digital environment will be used to verify the integration, interoperability, and performance of the frigates’ systems prior to installation aboard the ships.
“Every modern ship class requires a way to validate system integration and performance before deployment,” said Ryan Stephenson, managing director of the Australian branch of BISim. “The synthetic test environment powered by VBS provides that capability safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively. As the first Hunter class frigate approaches delivery in 2032, BISim’s synthetic environment will help ensure the Royal Australian Navy’s most advanced surface combatants are equipped with fully integrated, battle-ready systems from the outset.”
BISim’s VBS software creates a unified, real-time simulation environment that allows various combat and navigation systems — typically developed independently — to interact as they would aboard an operational vessel. The software enables data-level interaction, including ship movement, sensor inputs, targeting data, and command decisions, providing a highly realistic operational testbed.
Beyond system integration testing, VBS also supports training, mission planning, and rehearsal. Once validated, the same synthetic foundation can be adapted for part-task training on remote weapon stations, uncrewed aerial vehicle operations, Phalanx CIWS, and small boat handling — all without the risks or costs of live system use.
AERIUS Marine Australia to supply HVAC systems for Hunter class frigates
AERIUS Marine Australia (AERIUS) will deliver the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems for the first three Hunter class frigates under a contract with BAE Systems Maritime Australia. The contract will see AERIUS design, manufacture and install three shipsets of HVAC equipment which will control the complete onboard climate for the frigates. The Hobart-based supplier is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the HVAC system on the Type 26 frigates being built by BAE Systems for the Royal Navy in the UK. While the system has been altered to fit the Hunter class anti-submarine warfare frigates, AERIUS is able to leverage its knowledge and expertise as the OEM to deliver the more than 900 unique equipment parts that make up the HVAC system. This contract is the last Long Lead Time Items (LLTI) contract for the first three frigates and marks the completion of all platform and combat contracts for Batch 1 of the Hunter Class Frigate Program.
Andy Coxall, Delivery Director – Acquisition, BAE Systems Maritime Australia, said: “We welcome AERIUS Marine Australia to the Hunter Class Frigate Program and look forward to working closely with a leading provider of global maritime HVAC solutions. The Hunter class frigates are the bedrock of continuous naval shipbuilding in Australia, and we are committed to developing Australian industry capability. With over 80 Australian companies now contracted to supply into the first three frigates we are on track to create and sustain more than 5,000 jobs across BAE Systems Australia and the wider defence supply chain over the life of the program.”
Shankar Rasiah, Managing Director, AERIUS Marine Australia, said: “AERIUS Marine Australia also look forward to continuing their involvement in the Hunter Class Frigate Program. We have been engaged to date in the design and 3D modelling of the HVAC System with a core team of Australian engineers and draftspersons undertaking this design work. These engineers and draftspersons together with specialist engineering service providers, manufacturers and contractors, each drawn from Australia’s marine industry, will form part of the AERIUS capability necessary to deliver the HVAC System for the frigates.”
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