Prototype Ammunition Carrier Contracts Signed

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced BAE Systems Australia and Sea Box International would compete to develop prototype ammunition load carriers.

Both BAE Systems Australia and Sea Box International have committed to undertaking the design and engineering prototype work under the contract in Australia.

Minister Pyne said the project reflected the Government’s strong support for building innovation opportunities between Defence and Australian defence industry.

“This is a wonderful example of the Defence innovation system leveraging world class Australian industry research and development to produce a 155mm ammunition Unit Load Carrier that improves the efficiency of the supply chain and ultimately the safety of Australian soldiers,” Minister Pyne said.

The project focuses industry innovation into prototype development of a single safe Unit Load Carrier that works across the supply chain. The prototype aims to improve operational use and reduce manual handling of 155mm ammunition by combat troops. Development outcomes will inform future Defence procurement of ammunition load carrier solutions.

“We are determined to deliver the Government’s innovation strategy. Collaboration in the Defence innovation system is critical to get the best capability outcomes for Australia,” Minister Pyne said.

“We as a Government are focused on innovation because, in the defence context, that is how we are going to get our warfighting advantages.”

The combined value of the contracts is $3.27 million and funding is being made available through the Rapid Prototyping, Development and Evaluation program. This program is one of the legacy Defence innovation programs that are being integrated into the new Defence Innovation Hub.

The 2016 Defence Industry Policy Statementoutlined the Government’s commitment to building and harnessing the innovation potential of Australia’s defence industry. Defence’s innovation system brings together Defence, industry and academia to resolve complex capability and modernisation challenges.