The Royal Australian Navy and its contractor JFD have been conducting simulated submarine rescue missions off the coast of Western Australia, testing the LR5 rescue sub, a system described as a “lifeline” for submariners in distress. The $23 million per annum contract ensures the vessel can be deployed within 12 hours to retrieve stranded crew from depths of hundreds of metres.
For a submariner trapped hundreds of metres underwater, the LR5 rescue submarine offers a narrow steel tube just two metres wide, no windows, and condensation dripping from the roof. But boarding the vessel would feel like getting into the back of a Rolls Royce, according to WAtoday’s account.
The LR5 is one of only six air-dispatchable rescue submarines in the world. For the past few weeks, JFD and Royal Australian Navy personnel have been running full-scale training simulations at the bottom of Cockburn Sound and off Rottnest Island to ensure the system is ready for a real emergency.
WAtoday joined a recent simulation in which the LR5 had to locate and connect to a target plate 20 metres underwater, a stand-in for a submarine hatch. The process of connecting, disconnecting and returning to the surface took about two hours. In a genuine rescue, depending on depth and conditions, a round trip could exceed six hours, and the LR5 can carry 14 to 16 people per trip. For a fully manned Collins Class submarine, that translates into days of ferrying.
“This is the hope that we have that we will get home to our loved ones, back to Australia and to where we’ve come from in one piece, safe and sound,” said Commodore Dan Sutherland, commander of the RAN Submarine Force.
JFD has held the rescue contract since 2017. The cost is approximately $23 million per year, covering at least two full-scale training simulations annually. JFD Australia managing director Adrian Capner said the investment was justified when weighed against human life. “We’re only going to get one chance in a generation to prove ourselves with this system,” he said, adding that a real rescue would likely occur at an inconvenient time, requiring the team to be ready “fully booted and spurred.”
Looking ahead, both JFD and the Navy are considering how to scale up rescue capacity. Under AUKUS, Australia plans to acquire Virginia-class submarines from the United States, which can carry more than 130 crew members, far exceeding the LR5’s per-trip capacity. The current system is expected to reach end of life by 2032, and discussions are underway about a successor.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The LR5 is the only rescue option for Australian submariners stranded deep underwater; its readiness is a matter of life and death.
- With Australia acquiring Virginia-class submarines under AUKUS, carrying up to 130 crew, current rescue capacity may need significant expansion.
- The system must be available 24/7 with 12-hour notice, highlighting the importance of continuous training and investment.
Background
Submarine rescue systems are rare worldwide, with only six air-dispatchable rescue submarines in existence. Australia’s LR5 has been under contract with JFD since 2017, providing assurance for the Collins-class fleet. Under the AUKUS pact, Australia plans to acquire US Virginia-class submarines, which have larger crews, necessitating a review of rescue capacity when the LR5 reaches end of life in 2032.
The simulations conducted off Western Australia test every part of the rescue chain: deploying the vessel, locating the submarine, rescuing the crew, and bringing them back to the surface where they exit directly into hyperbaric chambers.
Key Perspectives
Royal Australian Navy: Commodore Dan Sutherland describes the LR5 as a “lifeline” that provides assurance that crew can be rescued in the event of a catastrophe. The system gives submariners hope of returning home safely.
JFD Australia: Managing director Adrian Capner emphasizes the value of human life and the need to be ready at all times, noting that a real rescue would likely occur at an inconvenient time. The company is already contemplating scaling up capacity to meet future needs.
Future capacity considerations: Both the Navy and JFD are looking at how to handle the larger crews of Virginia-class submarines. A fully manned Virginia could mean rescuing more than 130 people, compared to the LR5’s 14-16 per trip, and the current system ends its service life in 2032.
What to Watch
- Plans for a successor to the LR5 before its end-of-life in 2032.
- Any announcements on expanded rescue capacity under AUKUS.
- Success of future full-scale training simulations and any changes to contract terms.