The FSU project was a major mid-life combat system upgrade of the Royal New Zealand Navy ANZAC Class frigates, involving replacement, addition, and modification of most combat system equipment and associated spaces, including a significant redesign of ship topsides.
The FSU program delivered a step change in combat capability and operational utility for the Royal New Zealand Navy, aligning the ANZAC Class frigates with modern threat environments. The most visible change was the replacement of the forward and aft masts, now supporting a range of advanced sensors and combat system equipment.
AMT, now part of BMT, was a key design and integration partner from the outset of the program. We worked closely with the New Zealand Ministry of Defence project team to develop and de-risk early acquisition and integration concepts, supporting the progression from initial ideas through to concept and preliminary design as part of the Crown team.
Following completion of preliminary design in 2015, we were contracted by the Prime Contractor, Lockheed Martin Canada, to deliver detailed design for full ship integration. During this phase, we worked closely with the Canadian shipyard to optimise design outputs for production, ensuring build efficiency while minimising installation time and disruption.
Critical design review for the lead ship was successfully completed in May 2017, with prefabrication commencing at Victoria Shipyards in late 2017. Our team provided on-site design support during production to assist with implementation and resolve technical issues as they arose.
Despite schedule impacts during COVID-19, HMNZS Te Kaha departed Canada in late 2020, followed by HMNZS Te Mana in May 2022 after completion of final testing and trials. The upgraded frigates now provide a significant enhancement to RNZN combat capability and form the core surface combatant capability for New Zealand.
We are proud to have played a whole-of-ship design role across the full lifecycle of this complex and internationally delivered program.
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