Sagem Défense Sécurité has won a contract from BAE Systems Australia, in an international call for tenders, to supply VAMPIR NG (Veille Air-Mer Panoramique Infrarouge Nouvelle Génération – New Generation Infrared Panoramic Air-Sea Surveillance) infrared surveillance systems for the Royal Australian Navy’s future Canberra class LHD (Landing Helicopter Deck) amphibious assault ships.

Vampir NG is a new-generation infrared search and track (IRST) system. Designed to cope with both symmetrical and asymmetrical threats, at sea and along coastlines, it calls on state-of-the-art image processing technology, and deploys third-generation gyrostabilized infrared sensors for maximum efficiency.

Sagem Défense Sécurité’s VAMPIR NG is integrated in the ship’s own combat system. Offering a high-resolution panoramic image, it provides surveillance and warning functions to contribute to the ship’s self-defense capabilities. It can also be used as a helicopter landing aid, and to help control the movements of landing craft.

VAMPIR NG has been already selected for Australia’s Anzac class frigates.

On 23rd. September 2008, Navantia’s Fene-Ferrol shipyard had officially started the construction of the first of two LHDS for the Australian Navy, cutting the steel for two blocks, 1.87 tones and 3.5 tones weight.

This contract was signed on 9th. October 2007 in Melbourne and includes the design and construction of 2 LHD’s, as well as some equipments on board, similar to the LHD “Juan Carlos I” currently being built by Navantia for the Spanish Navy. Navantia and the Australian shipbuilder, Tenix, will take on the building work of both ships, with the tasks being shared approximately 80% – 20%, respectively.

Main characteristics of these ships are:

- Lenght overall: 230.82 m
- Maximum breath: 32 m
- Height to flight deck: 27.5 m
- Design draught: 7.18 m
- Speed at full load: 20.5 knuts
- Range: + than 6.000 nm
- Crew: 243 people (+ 36 additional)
- Embarked forces: 978 people (+146 additional)

As far as the ship’s cargo capacity is concerned, worth noting among other aspects is that it has a 990 sq. m. hangar, a 1,165 sq. m. dock, a 4,750 sq. m. flight deck and 3,290 sq. m. of garage space.