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April 2012www.marinelink.com 33Global Combat Ship(Copyright © 2011 BAE Systems)armed, but also has positions for STAN- FLEX modules that can give the ship added capability. Cmdr. Oscar Boot of the Royal Nether- lands Navy is the team leader for future vision with his countys Defence Ma- teriel Organization. He discussed key de- cisions that must be made that will drive the design and therefore cost. Do I need a hull mounted sonar or not? Do I need a second missile layer or not. For each cost driver we must design to a perform- ance level.? Additionally, several programs involve close partnerships, such as the Frenchand Italian FREMM frigate and the Dutch replacement for the M-Classfrigates for both the Netherlands and Bel- gium.The NATO SeaSparrow Project was held up as a model for international co-operation, where by the partners share inthe cost, risk, work and product. The consortium has been together for morethan 40 years, and continues to bring rel-evant and updated defensive capability to the member navies. Such an effort is built upon mutual trust and well defined expectations, a key to success in any co- operative effort, according to several of the presenters.This is one of the most brilliant, ef-fective conferences Ive attended,? says Rear Adm. Massimo Annati, a retired Italian Navy officer who attended and presented at the conference. Markussen says its a great idea to have a forum where the users, producers andexperts can meet and talk. As an officer at sea the conference gave me a good up- date on the current developments and fu- ture trends within my area of work. In Denmark we have had a tradition for a strict separation between the military andindustry, but now it seems more legiti- mate to interact. I am aware that industry is there to make money. But I am there to tell them what will make my operations better. If you choose the positive way of looking at it - as I do - it should be a win- win situation.? oulberg agrees. I thought the confer- ence was helpful and, for those of us in this overheated industry who want to suc- ceed, I think it is essential that we gain awareness of others in the industry and learn from their experience and mis- takes.? The conference was sponsored by Na- vantia, DCNS, Raytheon, Lockheed Mar- tine, BAE Systems, Hawk Transit System and Ultra Electronics.Captain Edward Lundquist, U.S. Navy (Ret.), is a principal science writer forMCR Federal, LLC. He was the chair-man of Surface Warships 2012.