New Maritime Underwater Tracking Range to be built off WA

A new Maritime Underwater Tracking Range will be built in Western Australia to replace the original system that ceased operating in 2012 and will provide the Navy with sub-surface tracking capability and optimised preparedness.

FILE PHOTO: A C-130J Hercules overflies a Royal Australian Navy Collins-class submarine off the WA coast. Photo by Corporal David Gibbs.

Through a series of sensors, the tracking range will capture and relay information on the location and movement of assets that are operating within the tracking field.

Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said the capability would provide Navy with vital information on the performance of its maritime warfare assets and tactics.

“Similar to a three-dimensional laboratory, the range will allow our Navy, our allies and partners to fine tune anti-submarine warfare tactics to deliver the technology edge needed in the future,” Minister Reynolds said.

“The delivery of this sovereign capability is also expected to provide a much needed boost for Australian industry by creating opportunities for businesses to participate in the installation and ongoing sustainment of the range.

“There will also be longer term opportunities created for Australian Industry, academia, research and innovation sectors to develop sovereign advanced signal processing, anti-submarine and unmanned system capabilities.”

Defence will undertake a tender process to identify industry partners to deliver the Maritime Underwater Tracking Range in Western Australia.

Information about the tender process will be released through AusTender.

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