BAE Systems Australia completes Hunter-class prototyping, clearing way for first frigate build and follow-on ship production

BAE Systems Australia completes Hunter-class prototyping, clearing way for first frigate build and follow-on ship production

The prototyping effort tested and refined production processes, systems, tooling, facilities and workforce skills before their wider use in the shipbuilding program. The work covered structural construction, mast manufacturing and outfitting, providing practical experience for the transition into frigate production. Five prototype blocks — 03, 04, 05, 10 and 16 — were built using the UK Type 26 City-class frigate as the Hunter design reference. …