Image: Anschütz
Anschütz has passed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for its Warship Integrated Navigation and Bridge Systems (WINBS) on the Royal Australian Navy’s Hunter-class frigates, formally clearing the programme to enter its production and integration phase.
The CDR validates that the system design meets all technical and operational requirements, confirming that architecture, interfaces, safety features and integration pathways are ready for implementation. For BAE Systems Maritime Australia — the Hunter programme’s prime contractor — the milestone provides formal assurance that a mission-critical system is ready to move forward.
A key feature of the WINBS is its integration with the Aegis combat management system. That link allows validated navigational data to distribute across the vessel, feeding tactical decision-making and enhancing situational awareness. The WINBS runs on a software-defined, sensor-agnostic architecture designed for shared computing environments. Multifunctional consoles give officers a unified maritime picture from any position on the bridge or operations room, while built-in redundancies and secure data handling underpin resilience.
Anschütz supplies WINBS systems for the UK Royal Navy’s Type 26 and Type 31 frigates, the German Navy’s F125 and K130 classes and the Brazilian Navy’s Tamandaré class. The Hunter-class solution draws directly from those proven platforms.
The nine planned Hunter-class frigates will replace the Royal Australian Navy’s ageing ANZAC-class ships and form the backbone of its surface combatant force well into the mid-21st century. The CDR clearance is a significant programme health indicator at a stage where design failures carry serious strategic cost.
To reinforce its long-term commitment to the programme, Anschütz has established a dedicated local subsidiary — Anschuetz Australia Pty Ltd. A substantial portion of the contract value will flow to Australian companies. The subsidiary will focus on technology transfer and local engineering expertise, contributing to sovereign capability and the national shipbuilding enterprise — priorities that sit at the centre of Australia’s current defence policy.
With the CDR cleared, Anschütz now moves into production and integration. The next significant test will come when the WINBS is installed and commissioned aboard the first hull.
You can read more about the Hunter-class programme on the Anschütz website.