Raytheon Australia launches DDG Australian Industry Panel

Raytheon Australia has launched the DDG Australian Industry Panel offering a Capability Life Cycle Management (CLCM) solution for the Royal Australian Navy’s guided missile destroyers (DDGs). The new panel is an established network of sovereign defence industry capability, comprising 350 naval systems professionals and 21 industry partners, selected for their in-depth knowledge of DDGs and highly relevant experience across the full spectrum of naval sustainment operations. Ready to implement a next-generation sustainment model for the Royal Australian Navy, the DDG Australian Industry Panel is underpinned by Raytheon Australia’s pedigree as a trusted capability partner for the Australian Defence Force for more than two decades. The panel builds on the wealth of knowledge and exemplary record Raytheon Australia has established for successfully delivering complex naval programs on time and on budget, notably as combat system integrator for the Hobart Class DDG and the Collins class submarine programs, and the first CLCM implementation for Navy’s Arafura-class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). Raytheon Australia Managing Director Michael Ward said the new DDG Australian Industry Panel builds on Raytheon Australia’s in-depth understanding of the DDG program, its expertise as a CLCM leader, and its commitment to a ‘whole-of-industry’ approach. “The only way to truly realise the full operational capability of the DDG – while also meeting schedule and budget targets – is to rely on the wide-ranging expertise that exists with industry, both big and small,” he said. “Our experience on the Air Warfare Destroyer program taught us the critical need to work hand-in-hand with other global primes and local SMEs in order to integrate and tailor global systems, practices, tools and process. Defence is now seeing the benefit of these collaborations with industry starting to weave a more strategic collaboration approach that will lead to better operational outcomes for Australia.” Raytheon Australia has an unrivalled DDG pedigree – from its role as combat system integrator within the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance, to leading the project management office ensuring the DDGs were delivered on time and on budget to meet the Australian Government’s industry reform targets. This involved bringing industry together to successfully manage the schedule, budget and supply chain of the overall program while also leading the integration of 10 major subsystems, and the delivery of more than 3,500 major pieces of combat system equipment. Navantia Australia, and Thales Australia, together with local SMEs Willyama, JLB-Yaran and Capability Partners, will join Raytheon Australia’s DDG CLCM team. These critical partners will be supported by a larger group of Australian SMEs who will be engaged when their specialist capabilities are required to optimise whole-of-life support to Navy. Chris Jenkins, Thales Australia CEO said “We have been part of the DDG story for the past decade – from supporting the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance to our engagement in the DDG sustainment enterprise. We stand ready to continue that support and we are thrilled to be part of the DDG Industry Group announced by Raytheon Australia today to support the Capability Life Cycle Management activities for the DDGs.” The DDG Australian Industry Panel also incorporates local defence industry SMEs, including asset management specialist Capability Partners, and Indigenous enterprises JLB-Yaran and Willyama, that have proven technical and commercial expertise in engineering, logistics, quality assurance, supply chain, cyber security and enterprise ICT. Willyama Services owner Kieran Hynes applauded the new collaboration. “Willyama’s inclusion in the DDG Australian Industry Panel is yet another opportunity for our team to contribute to Australia’s sovereign defence capability. We have been working with Raytheon Australia and Defence more broadly to create opportunities in cyber security and IT for Indigenous Australians and veterans through the successful delivery of projects, and we are looking forward to providing our expertise for the DDG Capability Life Cycle Management,” he said. Capability Partners founder Peter Kohler said: “Capability Partners are happy to play a critical role in the DDG Australian Industry Panel through the ongoing development and provision of Asset Management strategic guidance, program optimisation and leadership of the DDG CLCM. We have been working closely with Raytheon Australia during the delivery of the OPV CLCM and look forward to further developing our ongoing partnership in delivering the goals of the Plan Galileo Future Maritime Sustainment Model.” Managing Director of JLB-Yaran, Brendan Dumbrell said the company was pleased to be partnering with Raytheon Australia in the DDG Australian Industry Panel. “We are a trusted partner to CASG, and we look forward to working with Defence and the Australian Industry Panel to enhance the DDG capability with our experienced team of ILS managers. We are excited to support the delivery of the Commonwealth’s Continuous Shipbuilding Program and play our part supporting the development of a resilient National Supply Chain, of a key enabler of Plan Galileo. As an Indigenous and Veteran owned Australian SME, we also look forward developing and championing this opportunity to ensure both opportunities for Indigenous professional development and a strong veteran workforce.” Raytheon Australia has a long history of successful industry collaboration and recently celebrated the successful first year as CLCM for Navy’s OPV program. The program is the first implementation of Navy’s Plan Galileo Future Maritime Sustainment Model and Raytheon Australia has established a world-class integrated asset management approach to facilitate the transition of the first OPVs into sustainment. The DDG Australian Industry Panel is uniquely qualified to deliver CLCM services for Navy. The coalition’s depth of knowledge and experience ensures maintenance and sustainment services are always future ready, keeping pace with the demands of tomorrow’s complex naval programs. 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