Rohde & Schwarz completes Hunter Preliminary Design Review for the Integrated Communications System

Rohde & Schwarz Australia and BAE Systems Maritime Australia (BAESMA) have successfully completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for delivery of NAVICS for the Hunter Class Frigate Program (HCFP).

Sydney, July 6, 2026 – Rohde & Schwarz Australia has recently achieved a significant milestone in the delivery of the Integrated Communication System (ICS) for the Royal Australian Navy’s HCFP with the completion of the PDR.

Preliminary design demonstrates the system maturity where requirements are allocated to sub-systems, and a system architecture is defined to represent all external and internal interfaces.

Rohde & Schwarz Australia has partnered with BAESMA to deliver the ICS, comprising a multi-domain product suite of internal and external communications, for the first three Hunter class frigates, including NAVICS.

NAVICS will be the central nervous system of the Hunter class frigate’s communications system, providing integrated and reliable communications, alongside the processing of classified information, within a multi-level security environment.

“I’m proud to say the design deliverables were very well received, and good discussions were held with [BAESMA] and the Commonwealth on design direction for the next phase,” said Rohde & Schwarz Australia Head of Programs (Navy) Paul Chisholm.

“The achievement of this milestone demonstrates Rohde & Schwarz Australia’s adherence to delivering on its commitments, with flawless execution and strong collaboration with BAESMA to ensure successful platform integration. The next significant phase of the program will culminate with the Critical Design Review (CDR) scheduled this Q2 and Q4 of 2026,” he added.

Rohde & Schwarz Australia’s workforce has already doubled to deliver on engineering services for the design and manufacture of the ICS and will continue to grow with support of the HCFP.

Rohde & Schwarz Australia Managing Director Gareth Evans attributed the good discussions between the company and BAESMA to a trusted and collaborative partnership developed over many years: “This is an important step in the delivery of our ICS for the Hunter Class Frigate Program. The working relationship between Rohde & Schwarz, BAESMA and the Commonwealth has been extremely positive, as we work together to achieve our common objectives for the Royal Australian Navy.”

BAE Systems Maritime Australia Managing Director, David Shepherd, highlighted the strong industry relationships being developed by the Hunter Class Frigate Program.

“Hunter is not only about delivering a Tier 1 warship optimised for Anti-Submarine Warfare to the Royal Australian Navy – it is also about regenerating Australia’s sovereign shipbuilding capability. The way we work with our suppliers, including key partners like Rohde & Schwarz Australia, is paramount to enabling Australia’s continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment endeavour”

photo courtesy Rhode & Schwarz