“We are delighted to have STS Defence on board as a key supplier for the HCFP,” said Gareth Evans, Managing Director of Rohde & Schwarz Australia. “STS Defence’s expertise in the design and manufacture of high-quality communications masts will be essential in ensuring the success of the Hunter program.”
Ben Stancliffe, Managing Director of STS Defence, said: “We are thrilled to be a part of this flagship program for STS Defence, which showcases our technology, design, and integration capabilities. We are immensely proud to be providing this mission-critical system to one of the most advanced warships in the world.”
STS Defence is the Design Authority for the masts and has completed scoping, risk reduction, and detailed design studies, leading to Lloyd’s Certification. The design is based on the main communications mast supplied by STS Defence for the UK Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigates.
Mr Evans added: “We are confident that STS Defence will deliver high-quality communications masts that integrate with the ship and the NAVICS MLS system to meet the Royal Australian Navy’s requirements.” The masts will be designed and manufactured by Mainstay Marine Solutions Ltd in Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire, before being shipped to Adelaide for installation at the Osborne Naval Shipyard.
The communications masts will support antennas providing line-of-sight communications across various frequency bands, along with Mast Head Steaming Navigation Lights. Special isolation screens made from composite materials will ensure separation between the different frequency bands.
