Tenix LADS Corporation Awarded Royal Australian Navy Contract

Adelaide-based Tenix LADS Corporation has won a multi-million dollar contract to supply and support the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) with its world-leading Laser Airborne Depth Sounder system. Contract award followed an international tender process including Airborne Laser Bathymetry system submissions from Sweden, Canada and Australia. The RAN will use the new LADS system to continue its program of hydrographic survey to upgrade Australia’s nautical chart series.

The charts are vital for safe navigation of Australia’s coastline and serve as baseline data for marine environmental management programs, particularly on the Great Barrier Reef.
LADS has been developed by scientists at the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) at Salisbury, SA, in the 1970s and 1980s, it has been a major success for the RAN Hydrographic Service. Defence Materiel Organisation Project Manager Mr John Ross said the Commonwealth is looking forward to a successful partnership. Approximately 20 engineers and technicians will be employed for the 20-month development phase of the contract, which will be run from the Tenix LADS South Australian offices. Following the acquisition phase, a team of more than 12 engineers, technicians and pilots will provide technical support for the contract’s remaining six to 10 years.