Historical Overview
Produced as part of our 21st birthday celebrations in 2006, this video traces ASC's growth and achievements, from our inception in 1985 as a small bid team vying for the Collins Class submarine build contract.
2008
Official opening of ASC West, our new $35 million submarine maintenance and support facility located at the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson, Western Australia.
Construction work formally begins on $100 million upgrade of shipyard at Osborne, South Australia, with completion scheduled for late 2009.
Completion of major infrastructure upgrades at ASC Osborne, including new 4,500m2 warehouse and electrical workshops.
Named State Employer of the Year by the Defence Reserves Support Council for our support of reservists across all three Defence services (Navy, Army and Air Force). 2007
Completion of HMAS
Waller's full-cycle docking, including first-time implementation of the replacement combat system and heavyweight torpedo capability upgrades.
Enters the Alliance Based Target Incentive Agreement (ABTIA) with other members of the Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance, securing the construction and delivery of three AWDs to the Royal Australian Navy.
Selection of construction contractor Hansen Yuncken to develop $100 million shipyard upgrade at Osborne, South Australia.
Full-cycle docking of HMAS
Waller - incorporating some 1.25 million manhours and 7,500 tasks - awarded Australian Institute of Project Manager's national Project of the Year and Best Defence/Aerospace project.
2006
2005
Materiel control of HMAS
Collins was transferred to the
Royal Australian Navy (RAN) on 29 July 2005, concluding HMAS
Collins’ Full-Cycle Docking, which included repairs to sections 300/600 and special forces’ modifications.
ASC and the RAN signed a $20 million contract for the continuation of submarine training for the RAN on 24 June 2005.
ASC selected as the shipbuilder for Australia’s
Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyer Program on 31 May 2005.
ASC becomes Australia’s only technical design authority for the Collins Class submarines, recognising that ASC has an engineering organisation with the size, depth, breadth and experience to be a capable submarine designer.
ASC awarded an Engineers Australia Excellence Award for the in situ main motor repairs on HMAS Farncomb.
2004
The company changed its name and corporate identity on 5 October 2004 from ‘Australian Submarine Corporation’ to ‘ASC Pty Ltd’ to better reflect ASC’s future business and shipbuilding endeavours.
ASC won South Australia’s 2004 Safety Employer of the Year award for Medium/Large Business – South Australia’s highest safety achievement.
ASC completed its first Collins Class Full-Cycle Docking on HMAS Farncomb in August 2004.
All disputes between Kockums and ASC, and the Commonwealth and ASC, were settled on 27 June 2004.
General Dynamics Bath Iron Works entered into a strategic capability partnership with ASC for the provision of project management, technical and production management support for ASC’s future shipbuilding activities.
The RAN accepted ‘operational release’ of the six Collins Class submarines on 3 March 2004, representing formal acceptance of the Class into naval service and acknowledgement of the submarines’ ability to achieve defined operational outcomes.
Establishment of ASC’s shipbuilding operations.
2003
A multi-billion Through-Life Support contract for the ongoing design, maintenance and enhancements of the Collins Class submarines was signed on 8 December 2003. The 25 year contract awards ASC with responsibility for maintenance, design upgrades and support until the end of the submarines’ operational lives.
The sixth Collins Class submarine - HMAS Rankin - was delivered to the RAN on 26 March 2003. This marked the end of ASC's Submarine Build contract for the Collins Class.
2002
General Dynamics Electric Boat was engaged as a capability partner to assist ASC in its transition from a builder of submarines to a provider of design, engineering, upgrade and maintenance services.
2000
The Australian Federal Government acquired the portion of the shareholding in ASC that it did not own in November 2000. ASC then became wholly-owned by the Australian Government.
The fifth Collins Class submarine - HMAS Sheean - was delivered to the RAN on 21 August 2000.
The fourth Collins Class submarine - HMAS Dechaineux - was delivered to the RAN on 25 July 2000.
1999
The third Collins Class submarine - HMAS Waller - was delivered to the RAN on 20 April 1999.
1997
The second Collins Class submarine - HMAS Farncomb - was delivered to the RAN on 15 December 1997.
1996
The first of six Collins Class submarines - HMAS Collins - was delivered to the RAN on 15 July 1996.
ASC expanded its presence at HMAS Stirling to assist the RAN with in-service support of the submarine fleet in August 1996.
1992
The RAN's Submarine School (where ASC assists in the training of submariners and RAN submarine maintainers) opened at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia in July 1992.
1990
The Chief of Navy announced the names chosen for the Collins Class submarines at the Keel Laying Ceremony for HMAS Collins. The names commemorate the memory of six members of the RAN who served their country with distinction: HMAS Collins, HMAS Farncomb, HMAS Waller, HMAS Dechaineux, HMAS Sheean and HMAS Rankin.
The two original shareholders of ASC sold their respective holdings and later that year James Hardie Industries acquired a small share holding in ASC, which then became 51% Australian-owned and 49% Swedish-owned.
1989
The Prime Minister opened ASC's Osborne facility in South Australia (which became the established headquarters of ASC) on 16 November 1989. Osborne offered easy access to the Port River, good road and rail connections and plenty of room for expansion.
1987
The $5 billion contract between the Australian Government and ASC for the design and manufacture of six Collins Class submarines was signed on 3 June 1987. It was the largest defence contract signed in Australia to that date.
1985
ASC was formed in August 1985 to tender and, once successful, design and build the new fleet of submarines for the RAN.
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