Lockheed Martin [LMT] is set to open a new submarine combat system laboratory in November to support its pursuit of the Royal Australian Navy’s Future Submarine project SEA 1000 Phase 1, the company said Sept. 25.
Construction of the submarine laboratory began at Mawson Lakes, Australia on July 27. It is expected to open by late November with an expanded Phase 2 secure area set to open in the third quarter of 2016, Lockheed Martin said.
The laboratory contains a reconfigurable submarine command center to test and validate the Royal Australian Navy’s concept of operations in a simulated operational environment. It also will include advanced computer processing with reconfigurable hardware and collaboration space to bring proven technologies to the new Australian submarines, the company said.
“The ability to seamlessly integrate the best sensors, sonar, radar, navigation, imagery systems and weapons will give Australia’s future submarine the tactical advantage it needs– and that is what Lockheed Martin Australia will deliver,” Raydon Gates, chief executive of Lockheed Martin Australia & New Zealand, said in a statement.
Lockheed Martin is establishing the combat system laboratory concurrently with early submarine design stages because of a lesson learned from the success of the U.S. Navy Virginia-class submarine program.
“The lab is all about risk reduction. It gives us the flexibility to work with the SEA 1000 hull designers and combat subsystem providers in every step of the process. It’s a proven methodology that also reduces development costs and ensures continued interoperability with an affordable, disciplined plan for sustainment,” Gates added.