Navy

Hobart Sea Trials

On September 13, the Air Warfare Destroyer Project enters an exciting new phase with Hobart commencing its first series of sea trials, Builder’s Sea Trials. This phase will demonstrate the functionality of the ship’s propulsion, maneuvering, auxiliary, control and navigation systems. Following Builder’s Sea Trials, in early 2017 HMAS Hobart (DDGH-39) will undertake Category 5 (CAT5) trials to test and demonstrate the ship’s more advanced systems and the combat system performance.

Hobart being turned with tug assistance to enable further testing on her port side
Hobart being turned with tug assistance to enable further testing on her port side

HMAS Hobart (DDGH-39) will conduct Builder’s Sea Trials off the coast of South Australia over several days in September. Throughout this period the ship will be operated under the command of a civilian Master and crew, augmented by specialists from the Alliance and key equipment suppliers who will perform the system testing and trials.

Before the ship is put to sea, the AWD Alliance will conduct a comprehensive assessment to ensure the safety of the ship, embarked personnel, the environment and other seafarers. This assessment is defined as the Alliance Sea Trials Release Process and has three major steps; the Sea Worthiness Assessment, Ship Sea Trials Release and Sea Readiness Confirmation.

During Builder’s Sea Trials, whilst the ship is at sea, a dedicated shore support team will remain in constant communications with the Ship’s Master to assist the ship and ensure the success of the trials. In the lead up to Builder Sea Trials the AWD Alliance continues to complete a number of important alongside dock trials – testing the ships systems before it departs to sea for the first time. Tests include Inclining Trials, measuring the ship’s stability and vertical center of gravity, and Bollard Trials, testing the ship’s propulsion system.

Hobart, the first of Australia’s three new Air Warfare Destroyers, left the shipyard to begin her initial Builder Sea Trials. The second ship is due to be launched in December, and the third is about half-built (AWDA photo)
Hobart, the first of Australia’s three new Air Warfare Destroyers, left the shipyard to begin her initial Builder Sea Trials. The second ship is due to be launched in December, and the third is about half-built (AWDA photo)

 

Characteristics

Length 481.3 feet/146.7 m
Beam 61 feet/18.6 m
Draft 23.6 feet/7.2 m
Full load displacement 7,000 tonnes
Main Engine 36 MW/48,276 hp
Top speed 28+ knots/32 mph/52 km/h
Range at 18+ knots/21 mph/33 km/h 5,000+ NM/5,779 miles/9,300 km
Crew 186
Accommodation 234
Combat System Aegis Weapon System Baseline 7.1
AN/SPY-1D(V) Phased Array Radar (81 NM/93 miles/150 km)
AN/SPQ-9B Horizon Search Radar
Mk-41 Vertical Launch System (48 VLS cells: RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM)/Standard Missile-2 (SM-2)/SM-6)
Mk-45 Mod.4 5” (127-mm) 62 Calibre Gun (Range: 20 NM/23 miles/37 km)
Advanced Harpoon Weapon Control (2 × 4 launchers)
Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite
Very Short Range Air and Surface Defence
Nulka Active Missile Decoy system
Integrated Sonar System incorporating a hull mounted and towed array sonar
Communications Suite
Aviation Flightdeck and hangar for one helicopter
Boats Two Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIBs)

Royal Australian Navy Air Warfare Destroyer Hobart Sea Trials