AWD Pilot Block Under Construction

28 Oct 09

The $8 billion Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) project is progressing well and will commence hull construction in the next few months, Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science announced during a visit to Adelaide to inspect the progress of the project.

Work had now begun on fabricating the pilot block‚ at ASC's shipyard in Adelaide.

This followed the successful testing of the steel plate cutting capabilities of South Australian company Ferrocut.

The AWDs are being constructed using the block method, with 30 per cent of the blocks being made at ASC in Adelaide and 70 per cent at BAE Systems in Victoria and at Forgacs in NSW.

Similar fabrication of blocks will commence in November at BAE's facilities in Williamstown, Victoria and in December at the Forgacs facilities in Newcastle, NSW.

The AWD Alliance has recently signed six contracts worth approximately $18 million with Australian companies for the supply of a wide range of services and equipment for the three AWDs.

"Scientific Management Associates has won a contract initially worth $13 million to supply a range of integrated logistic support services to the project," Combet said.

"Ottoway Engineering, based in Adelaide, has won a contract potentially worth up to $3.7 million and United Fasteners, Priority Engineering Services, Century Products and Whyalla Fabrications have also won work on the AWD project to provide a range of materials and services," he said.

The AWD Alliance has also signed a $12 million contract with Eurotorp for the provision of the torpedo launch system for the three ships.

Source: Defence News

Subscribe free-of-charge to the Advanced Manufacturing Bulletin and be kept informed about manufacturing industry news and new manufacturing technology.