Very Short Range Air and Surface Defence

Overview The Department of Defence has a requirement for a Very Short Range Aerial and Surface Defence (VSRASD) system to identify, engage and defeat emerging threats from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). UAV and USV technologies are rapidly evolving offensive capabilities that pose real threats to commercial and military shipping. The Commonwealth invites industry to propose counter-drone solutions that are compatible with ship systems, but may also be capable of fully functional independent operation. The Commonwealth also wishes to understand the Respondent's approach to monitoring technological and tactical developments and adjusting their systems to meet evolving threats. About The VSRASD System is to be installed on the Hunter Class Frigate (HCF), which is currently under construction. A total of six (6) HCF are planned for delivery between 2032 and 2040. Support (home) bases will be at Fleet Base East (Woolloomooloo, Sydney) and Fleet Base West (Garden Island, Perth). The HCF has two (2) allocated spaces to accommodate the System, or two (2) 'Effector Stations' (above deck equipment), one each on the port and starboard side of the ship, and provision for processing and operator input equipment ('below deck equipment'). Physical characteristics and limitations are detailed in Section 2.3 of the Scope of Requirements (SOR). Purpose The Commonwealth acknowledges that minimal information is provided on which to base a response. The intent of this RFP is for the Commonwealth to gain an understanding of the types of technologies available, potential compatibility with HCF and possibly other Royal Australian Navy (RAN) vessels, Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Costs, and the Respondents' ability to adapt their proposed System to changing environments. Scope The scope includes: Identification of multiple threats at a distance of up to 5,000 metres and defeat of these threats before they pose an actual threat to the vessel Provision of a System that is fully functional as a stand-alone system, independent of the ship combat system, but also able to be integrated into the ship systems Information Requested Respondents are requested to provide: Information for designs consisting of a single Effector Station and also dual Effector Stations (i.e. port/starboard layout) Advice on whether live-fire demonstrations to RAN representatives are possible Information on the Respondent's approach to monitoring technological and tactical developments and adjusting their systems to meet evolving threats Instructions to Tenderers Respondents are requested to respond to each of the elements of Section 2 of the Scope of Requirements (SOR), and annotate their response in the Statement of Compliance, at Annex A-4 to Attachment A of the Conditions of Proposal. Please refer to the Statement of Compliance for response requirements to all parts of this RFP. Enquiries Contracts Support Officer: gweo.systemsmeospovsrasd@defence.gov.au