The Royal Australian Navy has selected iXblue’s inertial navigation systems and gyrocompasses to equip its new offshore patrol vessels.

Based on fiber-optic gyroscope technology, iXblue’s navigation systems will provide the navy’s 12 new Arafura class patrol vessels with navigation capabilities in all environments, including within GNSS-denied operational areas.

“To be chosen as the supplier of INS and gyrocompass for the first of Australia’s continuous shipbuilding programs is a great recognition of our technology and of our ongoing support to the Royal Australian Navy,” said David Cunningham, commercial director at iXblue.

“It’s also a great opportunity to invest in our Australian workforce and local partners and suppliers. We’re looking forward to our ongoing collaboration in Australia.”

iXblue already equips more than 650 surface ships and underwater platforms in 40 navies and coast guards worldwide and has 15 years of experience working with the Royal Australian Navy.

In addition to supplying equipment to defence, iXblue also supplies specialist geospatial services and recently completed the first commercial hydrographic survey project under the government’s HydroScheme Industry Partnership Programme.

Last year, SSSI awarded iXblue the Hydrographic Excellence Award  in recognition for a hydrographic survey project in the Kingdom of Tonga. The project was the first regional large-scale survey using autonomous surface vessels, and the judges commended it for helping to ensure that the technology was “accepted for use by maritime and hydrographic authorities, thereby paving the way for broader acceptance and utilisation by the industry in this region.”