MEDIA RELEASE
Navantia Australia and SAGE Automation leverage technology transfer for Future Frigate IPMS
Adelaide, 1 March 2018
The Navantia SAGE Automation Group (NSAG) is pleased to announce it has been selected to supply the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) for the Navantia Australia’s Future Frigate bid. The selection follows the transfer of IPMS technology to Australia in support of the Navantia Australia designed Canberra Class amphibious ships and Hobart Class destroyers.
Established in 2016 as a joint venture between Navantia Australia and SAGE Automation, NSAG is responsible for the regional management, development and sustainment of the IPMS system which is used by more than 60 ships across multiple navies around the world.
The NSAG IPMS is already on board the Royal Australian Navy (RAN)’s Canberra Class amphibious ships, Hobart Class destroyers, and will be installed on the replenishment ships Supply and Stalwart currently being constructed by Navantia. By 2020, almost 2,000 RAN servicemen and women will be trained and operate in the NSAG IPMS environment.
If Navantia Australia’s F-5000 is selected, the number of RAN ships with the NSAG IPMS will rise to 16. This unparalleled commonality will provide the RAN with benefits in crew training, crew optimisation, sustainment and other areas.
Based on the Hobart Class destroyers already being built in Australia, Navantia Australia’s F-5000 will provide the RAN with the most capable anti-submarine warfare vessels in its history.
Quotes to attribute to SAGE Automation CEO Adrian Fahey
“This latest opportunity is about transfer of technology and skills to bolster Australia’s sovereign capability in defence.”
“NSAG has brought international technology to Australia through the transfer of software development, support and manufacture for the IPMS.”
“Since its formation in 2016 NSAG has been growing Australia’s defence capability through the upskilling of Australian engineers and technicians in the Navantia IPMS, and through its Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Tonsley.”
Quotes to attribute to Navantia Australia Managing Director Donato Martinez
“The joint venture of NSAG between Navantia Australia and SAGE Automation demonstrates our partnership with Australian industry. The technology transfer which has taken place to bring the IPMS to Australia demonstrates Australian companies’ ability to be globally competitive in the naval shipbuilding sector.”
“The NSAG IPMS is already providing a high level of interoperability across the RAN fleet, bringing down Navy’s costs through economies of scale for shipbuilding, training, through life support, and future capability upgrades.”
“The selection of the Australian NSAG IPMS for the F-5000 is part of our plan to grow Australian industry and increase Australia’s sovereign capability through the Future Frigate program.”
About the NSAG IPMS
The NSAG Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) is an integrated and distributed system that allows the remote control and monitoring of platform systems on board naval vessels.
The IPMS features commercial off the shelf (COTS) hardware and comprises of multi-function HMI control consoles for system operators at various shipboard locations and PLCs used for data acquisition and control. In emergency situations, it provides the mission-critical functionality of all systems, making its reliability, availability and straight forward operation crucial.
About the Navantia-SAGE Automation Group (NSAG)
NSAG is the Navantia Australia and SAGE Automation joint venture, committed to the development, delivery and support of Navantia’s IPMS monitoring and control solutions in Australia and New Zealand.
About Navantia Australia
Navantia Australia’s roots date back hundreds of years. Since 2006 we have been Australia’s shipbuilding partner. At Navantia Australia, we are committed to growing our local workforce and links to the Australian supply chain to best support the growth of a truly Australian shipbuilding industry.
About SAGE Automation
SAGE Automation is Australia’s largest independent industrial automation and control systems integrator that delivers solutions to clients across the Defence, Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Resources and Utilities sectors. Since 2009, SAGE Defence has delivered fit for purpose, electrical and control systems to OEMs, Primes and major sub-contractors such as ASC, Navantia, Thales, Ultra Electronics, Daronmont, and Chemring.