What We Do

We generally take a set-based design approach to concept options development. Our approach focusses on the inter-relationship between capability requirements, system design, and cost risk. We use a data driven approach to concept analysis, work with clients to assess capability and cost interrelationships, and help identify candidate concept options which best balance the clients’ interests between performance, operability, cost and delivery risk. Gibbs & Cox has extensive experience in ship concept development over a range of different platform types, from autonomous surface vessels, high performance craft, research vessels, to major surface combatants.

Our naval architects have broad experience in a variety of commercial and defence projects.  Our expertise has been developed in tasks ranging from concept design, functional and system design, productionisation, shipbuilding and production assurance, developing naval architecture related technical policy, to analytical technique development, and detailed engineering analysis. We have extensive technical capabilities in all aspects of naval architecture across a range of naval, commercial and recreational ships and boats. 

As naval specialists, we have a strong focus on achieving robust ship survivability characteristics through design and production. These characteristics are critical to provide mission viability and safety for ships operating in contested environments.  Our team has strong capabilities in this specialist area of design.  This includes knowledge and understanding of signatures, weapons effects, shock management, balancing active and passive survivability features, whole of ship vulnerability modelling and simulation, firefighting, and recoverability.  We advise on integrated active and passive survivability trade studies, system functional and physical architecture, and failure modes and effects analysis to help mitigate threat effects and ensure continued capability post-damage. Our team also has practical and design experience in damage assessment and considerations for escape and evacuation. We hold engineering and production experience in developing and managing control programs for complex whole-ship characteristics such as shock sanitation and acoustic signature control.

Our maritime engineering skill base has a mix of both practical and analytical experience. The team has hands-on experience in the design, operation and sustainment of on board maritime systems, including propulsion, electrical, mechanical handling, HVAC, hydraulic, firefighting and chilled water distribution, hotel and deck equipment.  The in-depth knowledge and understanding that resides in the team on the wide range of maritime systems enables us to deliver practical, informed advice and assessment to ensure functional and performance goals are achieved.

Ensuring delivery of a fully integrated support system is a critical factor for an enduring and sustainable capability.  Our team has been involved in production, delivery and in-service maintenance of Integrated Logistics Support products to numerous naval platforms both during acquisition and in service. We are focussed on closely coordinated development of the support system with the mission system during acquisition, to ensure strong alignment between these two systems.  The experience in the team allows us to provide advice at all levels on support system design and development.  Our team supports logistics engineering, support system data architecture and integration of engineering, maintenance, operating, training, supply support deliverables. We have a strong appreciation of modern ILS data techniques. We work in collaboration with our stakeholders to achieve an integrated, optimised, and cost effective support solution.

An increasingly cost-effective national shipbuilding enterprise requires an increasingly skilled and capable maritime engineering and program management labour force. Gibbs & Cox Australia’s skilled workforce is regularly utilised to provide specialist engineering and program management expertise to supplement and augment existing knowledge, skills and capability in technical teams that we support.  We use a range of initiatives and training and education techniques to share knowledge and grow the capability of the teams that we work with, in order to transfer knowledge to client and partner teams and personnel.  This is an important part of Gibbs & Cox Australia’s mission to contribute to a vibrant maritime enterprise in Australia.