BAE Systems Australia awards ESSM contracts
Above:
Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) launched by HMAS Brisbane.
Courtesy of Australian Department of Defence
BAE Systems and an expanded network of Australian industry partners will deliver sub-assemblies into Block 2 of the ESSM program under a new three-year full rate production contract with a contracted customer in the United States.
The ESSM is a medium-range surface-to-air missile developed to protect warships from advanced anti-ship cruise missiles. BAE Systems is the Australian industry lead in the NATO ESSM Consortium which oversees the program of up to 12 nations including the United States, Australia, Canada and Norway.
Six Australian companies have been contracted to manufacture and supply parts into BAE Systems’ manufacturing facilities at Edinburgh Parks in South Australia. These companies are:
- Ronson Gears
- Electromold
- Calm Aluminium
- Rosebank Engineering
- Toolcraft Australia
- Russell Symes and Co
The contracts underscore BAE Systems’ guided weapons design and manufacturing credentials and the sovereign capability across Australian industry to deliver this capability into the Australian Defence Force and allied nations.
Each local businesses will enable the growth of a significant sovereign supply chain, providing opportunities for future design, integration and advanced manufacturing in- country.
BAE Systems continues to work with towards achieving additional Australian industry workshare in the ESSM program.
BAE Systems Australia, Managing Director for Defence Delivery, Andrew Gresham said: “BAE Systems Australia is proud to continue its role in the ESSM program, which ensures the protection of naval fleets around the world.
“These contracts continue the important work undertaken by our trusted industry partners across Australia which have been delivering guided weapons capability into domestic and export programs for decades.
“An established sovereign design and manufacturing capability and network of industry suppliers means we are ready today to extend delivery into more guided weapons programs under the Commonwealth’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise.”
BAE Systems Australia has been involved with the ESSM program from the commencement of the Engineering & Manufacturing Development phase in the mid 1990s through to Full Rate Production of the Block 1 missile, continuing its support on Block 2 development commencing in 2015.
The company will deliver a range of sub-assemblies including the missile’s thrust vector controller, aerodynamic control fins, fuselage and internal structure elements, telemetry data transmitting systems as well as sophisticated pitch over autopilot algorithms.
