HMAS Adelaide

Elbit Systems has been awarded a contract by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to provide battle management systems (BMS) for use on the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) landing crafts.

Under the contract, Elbit Systems will deliver BMS for integration onto landing craft that are installed onboard the Canberra-class amphibious ships (LHD).

In addition to enabling communication and connectivity for the infantry forces in joint missions, the landing crafts can transport troops and equipment from LHDs where no fixed port facilities are available.

Elbit Systems’s Land and C[4]I Division general manager Bezhalel Machlis said the decision to equip the navy with BMS certified maturity of the system.

"This decision also reflects the need of world leading armies to enhance the connectivity and communication between their divisions, and we trust that additional customers will follow and select our advanced battle management systems," Machlis said.

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The Elbit-built BMS provides optimum precision for battalion-and-below tactical units to conduct operational needs, such as direct fire engagement and manoeuvre, indirect fire support, intelligence and logistics.

"This decision also reflects the need of world leading armies to enhance the connectivity and communication between their divisions, and we trust that additional customers will follow and select our advanced battle management systems."

It also provides combat networking capabilities and simplified operational interface, enhanced situational awareness and data communication capabilities for personnel.

BAE Systems was awarded a contract by RAN to build two amphibious ships as part of the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) broader amphibious deployment and sustainment system.

RAN is expected to receive the first LHD, HMAS Canberra in January 2014, while HMAS Adelaide is scheduled for commissioning in June 2015.

The 230m-long LHDs will be used to support humanitarian missions and to transport combined armed forces of more than 1,100 personnel, 100 armoured vehicles and 12 helicopters.

Elbit Systems has also been providing support services for the Australian Army’s Land 75/125 battle management system (BMS) capability programme.

Image: The second Canberra-class landing helicopter dock (LHD), HMAS Adelaide, at Navantia shipyard, Spain. Photo: courtesy of Royal Navy.