Czech optical specialist Meopta will support vital line-of-sight technology for BAE Systems’ CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) as part of a Memorandum of Understanding with defence and security company Saab.
Czech precision optical systems producer to support line-of-sight technology for BAE Systems’ CV90
The agreement, signed at NATO Days 2017 in Ostrava, the Czech Republic, will cover potential local production of key components for the CV90’s fire control system, of which Meopta and Saab are subcontractors.
The Universal Tank and Anti-Aircraft Fire Control System (UTAAS), developed by Saab with production supplier Meopta, is produced specifically for the combat-proven CV90. There are more than 1,200 CV90s in operation with seven nations: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. BAE Systems is offering the CV90 to replace the Czech Army’s fleet of BMP II IFVs, and has joined forces with Czech industry to strengthen the offer while promoting local investment and job creation. Adding Meopta to a team already consisting of numerous Czech companies, among them VOP CZ and Ray Service, further builds on BAE Systems’ relationship with Czech industry.
«BAE Systems is committed to offering the Czech Army a modern, adaptable combat vehicle with cutting edge technologies», said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, general manager of BAE Systems’ Hägglunds business. «As we continue to pursue the BMP II replacement program, we are pleased to see one of our key suppliers expand their own range of services in support of one of the nation’s most important defence programs».
The modular integrated UTAAS technology provides direct fire capability, which is a critical operational feature. This allows the CV90’s gunner to take aim independently of the vehicle’s movements while the fire control system automatically aligns the gun. In combat situations, this means firing can commence quicker than with conventional target alignment technology, providing a crucial advantage in battle. Meopta’s participation in BAE Systems’ Czech CV90 offering could extend to other future opportunities.
BAE Systems recently participated in the Czech-Swedish Industry Days organized by the Czech Ministry of Defence in Prague. Representatives from 20 local Czech companies – including Meopta, Ray Service, and VOP CZ – were joined by Swedish businesses for a three-day event focused on building local industry relationships across the defence sector.
The U.S. Air Force’s third GPS III satellite in production flow at Lockheed Martin’s advanced satellite manufacturing facility here is now fully integrated into a complete space vehicle.
The U.S. Air Force’s third GPS III satellite, GPS III SV03, is now fully integrated and ready to begin environmental tests. Lockheed Martin is in full production on ten contracted GPS III satellites at its GPS III Processing Facility near Denver
GPS III Space Vehicle 03 (GPS III SV03) followed the first two GPS III satellites on a streamlined assembly and test production line. Technicians successfully integrated the satellite’s major components – its system module, navigation payload and propulsion core – into one fully-assembled space vehicle on August 14.
GPS III SV03 was assembled in Lockheed Martin’s GPS III Processing Facility, a $128 million, cleanroom factory designed in a virtual reality environment to drive efficiency and reduce costs in satellite production. Now fully assembled, the third satellite is being prepared to begin environmental testing.
GPS III SV03 closely follows the company’s second satellite in production flow. GPS III SV02 completed integration in May, finished acoustic testing in July and moved into thermal vacuum testing in August. The second GPS III satellite is expected to be delivered to the U.S. Air Force in 2018.
The fourth GPS III satellite is close behind the third. Lockheed Martin received the navigation payload for GPS III SV04 in October and the payload is now integrated with the space vehicle. The satellite is expected to be integrated into a complete space vehicle in January 2018.
In August, Lockheed Martin technicians began major assembly work on GPS III SV05.
All of these satellites are following Lockheed Martin’s first GPS III satellite, GPS III SV01, through production flow. In September, the Air Force accepted and declared GPS III SV01 «Available For Launch», with launch expected in 2018.
«GPS III is the most powerful and complex GPS satellite ever designed and built, and it’s now into a smooth production flow. The real credit goes to the Air Force for all the Back to Basics work done in advance, reducing program risk for all the GPS III satellites going forward», said Mark Stewart, Lockheed Martin’s vice president for Navigation Systems. «We are looking forward to bringing GPS III’s advanced capabilities to our warfighters in 2018».
Lockheed Martin is under contract for ten next generation GPS III satellites as part of the Air Force’s modernized Global Positioning System. GPS III will have three times better accuracy and up to eight times improved anti-jamming capabilities. Spacecraft life will extend to 15 years, 25 percent longer than the newest GPS satellites on-orbit today. GPS III’s new L1C civil signal also will make it the first GPS satellite to be interoperable with other international global navigation satellite systems.
Lockheed Martin’s unique GPS III satellite design includes a flexible, modular architecture that allows for the insertion of new technology as it becomes available in the future or if the Air Force’s mission needs change. Satellites based off this design are already proven compatible with both the Air Force’s next generation Operational Control System (OCX) and the existing GPS constellation.
The GPS III team is led by the Global Positioning Systems Directorate at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center. Air Force Space Command’s 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2SOPS), based at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, manages and operates the GPS constellation for both civil and military users.
The New York Army National Guard’s 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) formally took command of the Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine (JMTG-U) from the Oklahoma National Guard’s 45th IBCT during a Transfer of Authority ceremony here November 22.
Colonel Dennis Deeley, the Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine commander, and Command Sergeant Major Thomas Ciampolillo uncases the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s colors during a JMTG-U Transfer of Authority ceremony here November 22. During the ceremony Soldiers from the New York Army National Guard’s 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) took command of the JMTG-U from the Oklahoma National Guard’s 45th IBCT, who have been in Ukraine since January (Photo Credit: Sergeant Alexander Rector)
Approximately 250 U.S. Soldiers from the 27th IBCT assigned to the JMTG-U will take the lessons learned from the 45th and build upon their successes as they further assist in developing the capabilities of Ukrainian ground forces during their time in country, which is expected to last until late next summer.
The 27th IBCT is headquartered out of Syracuse, New York with most of the Soldiers assigned to task force Orion coming from the 2nd Squadron 101st Cavalry headquartered at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in Niagara Falls, New York. The squadron also has troops in Jamestown, Geneva, and Buffalo.
The 45th IBCT has been deployed in Ukraine since January where they have worked together with Ukrainian forces in developing a Combat Training Center (CTC).
The goal of the CTC is to provide Ukrainian troops with the facilities, experience, and knowledge to develop their warfighting capabilities to achieve NATO interoperability.
Engaged in this effort along with the U.S. and Ukraine, are soldiers from Canada, Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
During the ceremony, Madam Marie L. Yovanovitch, The United States ambassador to Ukraine addressed the troops where she praised the successes of the 45th IBCT, and charged the incoming 27th IBCT Soldiers to build upon their legacy.
«This is a bittersweet day for the Thunderbirds», said Colonel Dave Jordan, the 45th IBCT Commander. «We are certainly excited to get back home and see our families and return to our civilian jobs, but it’s difficult to leave our friends and comrades in arms. The capacity that you have helped build at this combat training center will help serve Ukraine for decades», said Jordan. «I believe we have all learned as many lessons as we’ve taught. We must now return to our home nations and pass on what we’ve learned from our Ukrainian brothers to our own formations».
Soldiers from the 27th arrived in Ukraine early this November after completing pre-mobilization training at Fort Bliss, TX and additional training with the 7th Army Training Command at Grafenwohr, Germany.
«Today is exciting for the 27th IBCT’s task force Orion as we assume this important mission», said Colonel Dennis Deeley, the 27th IBCT (forward) commander. «This is a complex mission, however Colonel Jordan and the entire 45th IBCT have done an outstanding job preparing us», said Deeley. «It is your time now to carry the torch and bring this mission to the next level of success».
A delegation including ambassador Yovanovitch, Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, Major General John Gronski, and Brigadier General Tony Aguto welcomed the incoming JMTG-U commander, Colonel Deeley and Task Force Orion and said their goodbyes to Colonel Jordan and his Thunderbirds.
The 27th IBCT (forward) is now officially set in motion as the third iteration of the JMTG-U and looks to make a significant impact on the Ukrainian Armed Forces and their training facilities. Each day will present opportunities to form relationships and build cohesion amongst the various nations involved.
The much awaited announcement for the replacement to the current Armidale Class patrol boats was announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at Russell Offices in Canberra on 24 November 2017.
An Offshore Patrol Vessel, designed by Lürssen
Lürssen was named as the prime contractor for the 12 new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) with the Australian PV80 variant. It will be 80 meters/262.5 feet in length with a displacement of 1700 tonnes and a draught of 4 meters/13 feet.
The vessels will be fitted with a 40-mm gun for self-protection, three 8.4 m/27.5 feet sea boats, state of the art sensors as well as command and communication systems. This will allow the OPVs to operate alongside Australian Border Force vessels, other Australian Defence Force units and our regional partners.
The vessels will accommodate up to 60 personnel, including a crew of around 40 Navy personnel and have the ability to accept modular mission packs such as unmanned aerial systems.
At the launch the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, said the Lürssen ship will meet the Navy’s needs.
«The new OPV will go further and will be able to be at for sea longer than our current Patrol Boat fleet», Vice Admiral Barrett said. «It will achieve the task that we have already been doing successfully, even better. The decision has been made with the team we acknowledged today and our role is to now deliver on the decision. Now let’s get on with it».
Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division launched the National Security Cutter (NSC) USCGC Midgett (WMSL-757) on Wednesday, November 22. Midgett is the eighth NSC Ingalls has built for the U.S. Coast Guard. It will be christened during a ceremony on December 9.
Ingalls Shipbuilding launched the National Security Cutter USCGC Midgett (WMSL-757) on November 22 (Photo by Lance Davis/HII)
«As the National Security Cutter program continues to mature, we are providing our Coast Guard customer the best ships in their fleet», said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias. «Our shipbuilders know and understand the importance of quality in building these highly capable cutters so the men and women of the Coast Guard can perform their important national security missions».
USCGC Midgett (WMSL-757) was translated via Ingalls’ rail car system to the floating dry dock last week, and the dock was moved away from the pier on Tuesday night. With the assistance of tugboats, Midgett launched off the dock early Wednesday morning.
«We’ve become very good at building these ships and continue to improve with the incorporation of lessons learned from previous cutters», said Derek Murphy, Ingalls’ NSC program manager. «Launch is a much-anticipated and exciting event, but it’s still just one step in bringing this cutter to life. Our shipbuilders are ready to get back to work to ensure Midgett is the best NSC to date».
The ship is named to honor John Allen Midgett, who was awarded the Silver Cup by the U.K. Board of Trade in 1918 for the renowned rescue of 42 British sailors aboard the British tanker Mirlo after it was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of North Carolina. He was also awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1924. Midgett was a senior enlisted member of the U.S. Lifesaving Service when it merged with the U.S. Lighthouse Service and U.S. Revenue Cutter Service to become today’s U.S. Coast Guard.
Legend-class NSCs are the flagships of the Coast Guard’s cutter fleet. Designed to replace the 378-foot/115-meter Hamilton-class high-endurance cutters that entered service in the 1960s, they are 418 feet/127 m long with a 54-foot/16-meter beam and displace 4,500 tons with a full load. They have a top speed of 28 knots/32 mph/52 km/h, a range of 12,000 NM/13,809 miles/22,224 km, an endurance of 60 days and a crew of 110.
NSCs are capable of meeting all maritime security mission needs required of the high-endurance cutter. They include an aft launch and recovery area for two rigid hull inflatable boats and a flight deck to accommodate a range of manned and unmanned rotary wing aircraft. The Legend class is the largest and most technologically advanced class of cutter in the Coast Guard, with robust capabilities for maritime homeland security, law enforcement, marine safety, environmental protection and national defense missions. NSCs play an important role enhancing the Coast Guard’s operational readiness, capacity and effectiveness at a time when the demand for their services has never been greater.
Leonardo is pleased to announce that the first of 16 AW101 all-weather search and rescue helicopters has been delivered to the Norwegian Ministry of Justice & Public Security. The aircraft departed Leonardo’s Yeovil facility on November 17th for Sola Air Base in southern Norway where the aircraft will enter a period of Operational Test & Evaluation (OT&E) before entering service with the Royal Norwegian Air Force in 2018. Aircraft deliveries will continue through to 2020 with Search and Rescue (SAR) operations being established with the aircraft deployed across each of the six main operating bases.
Leonardo starts delivery of 16 AW101 Norwegian All-Weather SAR Helicopters
Bjørn Ivar Aarseth Norwegian All-Weather Search and Rescue Helicopter (NAWSARH) Project Manager, Ministry of Justice & Public Security said: «The delivery of the first aircraft marks a major milestone for the Norwegian All-Weather Search and Rescue Helicopter programme and everyone is delighted to see the first AW101 in Norway. I would like to congratulate my team in the Ministry of Justice, key contributors within the Norwegian Defence sector, Leonardo and all other industry partners on achieving this milestone».
Jon Clark, Leonardo’s Programme Manager said: «The AW101 we have developed for Norway is undoubtedly the world’s most capable SAR helicopter and it is with great pride that we have delivered the first aircraft that will serve the people of Norway for decades to come. This contract is very much a long-term partnership, consisting of industry, the Ministry of Justice & Public Security, the Royal Norwegian Air Force and the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, which has a common goal to deliver a SAR service second to none – we are all looking forward to the aircraft entering operational service in 2018».
The AW101 benefits from three-engine safety, a full ice protection system for flight in known icing conditions, long range and endurance, a proven 30-minute «run dry» gearbox as well as multiple redundancy features in the avionic and mission systems. The large cabin doors and rear ramp provide easy access for personnel, survivors and equipment into the 27 m3 cabin which has stand-up head room throughout.
The aircraft is equipped with an advanced SAR equipment package including a multi-panel Osprey Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) surveillance radar system from Leonardo that provides 360° coverage, 4-axis digital Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS), two rescue hoists, searchlight, electro optical device and a fully integrated avionics and mission system. Other systems and equipment include a mobile telephone detection system, obstacle proximity warning system, weather radar, complete medical station and mission console.
Leonardo is providing initial support and training services, including spares at each of the operating bases and has recently completed the aircrew training for the initial group of aircrew. It will then provide performance based logistic support to deliver approximately 90,000 flying hours across the fleet of 16 helicopters over the initial 15-year period.
Leonardo has partnered with Norwegian companies AIM Aviation to provide maintenance services at the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s six operating bases and with Kongsberg Defence Systems to provide helicopter transmission repair and overhaul services in Norway.
An AW101 full flight simulator was commissioned in June 2017 at Sola Airport to provide in country training for aircrew in advance of aircraft deliveries and will be used by Norwegian aircrew and third parties to provide training that will both reduce training costs and improve safety by allowing crews to practice the full range of emergency procedures.
Lockheed Martin completed a rigorous Critical Design Review (CDR) on September 28 with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) for the Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR), demonstrating compliance to all technical performance measures and requirements. The radar system will support a layered ballistic missile defense strategy to protect the U.S. homeland from ballistic missile attacks.
Lockheed Martin’s new SSRIS in Moorestown, New Jersey, provides significant risk reduction for the development of the Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) and future solid state radar systems. Lockheed Martin made the investment to build the new test site (Photo courtesy Lockheed Martin)
The MDA awarded the $784 million contract to Lockheed Martin in 2015 to develop, build and test LRDR, and the company is on track on an aggressive schedule to deliver the radar to Clear, Alaska in 2020. Teams from Lockheed Martin, MDA Sensors Directorate and the Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications or C2BMC have worked interfaces closely to ensure seamless integration.
Successfully executing CDR validates that the LRDR system is ready to proceed into fabrication, demonstration, and test and that the hardware and software component have achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 and Manufacturing Readiness Level 7.
With the completion of CDR, the program now begins the start of low rate manufacturing which began in October. In preparation for full rate manufacturing starting in mid-2018, Lockheed Martin will be utilizing production hardware in combination with prototype systems, tactical back-end processing equipment as well as tactical software to demonstrate system performance in an operational environment to achieve system TRL 7. Lockheed Martin will be performing a series of tests in the Solid State Radar Integration Site (SSRIS) including a closed loop satellite track test.
«We remain committed to support the MDA’s Ballistic Missile Defense and Homeland Defense Missions», said Chandra Marshall, LRDR program director, Lockheed Martin. «I am extremely proud of the team for their dedication and commitment to the successful execution of the LRDR program. This team has achieved every milestone, including this CDR, on schedule since contract award in 2015».
Marshall continued, «I am extremely pleased with the progress the entire LRDR team has made in the two years since contract award. With the success of CDR, LRDR is on track for Initial Operating Capability or IOC in 2020».
In addition to CDR, Lockheed Martin conducted a Facilities Design Review in October for the LRDR equipment shelter design. Lockheed Martin will run a full and open competition for the construction of the equipment shelter in Clear, Alaska and will begin construction of the shelter in the first half of 2019. The MDA team is preparing the site for Radar System Installation and checkout mobilization, constructing the Mission Control Facility and starting the foundation for the LRDR equipment shelter.
Similar to Lockheed Martin’s Space Fence radar system, LRDR is a high-powered S-Band radar incorporating solid-state Gallium Nitride (GaN) components. LRDR adds the capability of discriminating threats at extreme distances using the inherent wideband capability of the hardware coupled with advanced software algorithms.
LRDR is a strategic national asset of the MDA’s Ballistic Missile Defense System and will provide 24/7/365 acquisition, tracking and discrimination data to enable defense systems to lock on and engage ballistic missile threats, a capability that stems from Lockheed Martin’s decades of experience in creating ballistic missile defense systems for the U.S. and allied governments.
Lockheed Martin is well positioned to provide low risk, scalable radar solutions that address critical homeland defense needs; providing a persistent capability to keep pace with evolving threats, delivering unmatched discrimination capability in the Pacific architecture, and increasing the defensive capability of Ground Based Interceptors.
Work on LRDR is primarily performed in New Jersey, Alaska, Alabama, Florida and New York.
As a proven world leader in systems integration and development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, Lockheed Martin delivers high-quality missile defense solutions that protect citizens, critical assets and deployed forces from current and future threats. The company’s experience spans radar and signal processing, missile design and production, hit-to-kill capabilities, infrared seekers, command and control/battle management, and communications, precision pointing and tracking optics, as well as threat-representative targets for missile defense tests.
The Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) is a high-powered S-Band radar incorporating solid-state Gallium Nitride (GaN) components capable of discriminating threats at extreme distances. LRDR is a strategic national asset of the Missile Defense Agency’s Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) and will provide 24/7/365 acquisition, tracking and discrimination data to enable separate defense systems to lock on and engage ballistic missile threats (Image courtesy Lockheed Martin)
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Georgia for Javelin Missiles and Command Launch Units for an estimated cost of $75 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on November 17, 2017.
U.S. Clears $75 million Sale of Javelin Missiles to Georgia
The Government of Georgia has requested to purchase four hundred ten (410) Javelin Missiles, and seventy-two (72) Javelin Command Launch Units (CLUs) (includes two (2) Javelin Block 1 CLUs to be used as spares). Also included are ten (10) Basic Skills Trainers (BST); up to seventy (70) simulated rounds; U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance; transportation; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated cost is $75 million.
This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of Georgia. The Javelin system will provide Georgia with increased capacity to meet its national defense requirements. Georgia will have no difficulty absorbing this system into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The prime contractors will be Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture of Orlando, Florida, and Tucson, Arizona. However, these missiles are being provided from U.S. Army stock and the CLUs will be obtained from on-hand Special Defense Acquisition Fund (SDAF)-purchased stock. There are no known offset agreements proposed in conjunction with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of approximately one (1) U.S. Government and two (2) contractor representatives to Georgia.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, hosted a ‘first of its kind’ orientation flight in the CH-53K King Stallion for Brigadier General Nir Nin-Nun, Israeli Air Force, Commander, Air Support and Helicopter Division, during a test flight November 7.
Israeli General Given Demo Flight on CH-53K Helicopter
The 90-minute orientation flight included various operational maneuvers, landings and takeoffs, providing Nin-Nun a firsthand look at the unique and capabilities of the CH-53K King Stallion available through full authority fly-by-wire flight controls.
«This is the first time we have flown an international ally in the CH-53K», said U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Hank Vanderborght, program manager for the H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters program office, PMA-261. «Flights like this give us an opportunity to strengthen relationships with our allies while sharing a taste of America’s next generation heavy lift helicopter».
The flight was arranged based on a government-to-government request from Brig. Gen. Nin-Nun and made possible through a contract modification between Sikorsky and NAVAIR.
«It was a great honor being hosted by the Marines and having a chance to fly on two outstanding platforms as we ramp up to decide on our future heavy lift», said Nin-Nun.
The orientation flight was conducted during an already planned test flight and piloted by Stephen McCulley, Sikorsky chief experimental test pilot. Prior to the flight, Brigadier General Nin-Nun completed a familiarization flight in the simulator and safety brief prior to take-off.
The two-day visit also included simulator flights, relevant program briefs, and a tour of the NAVAIR Internal Cargo Lab.
Currently, there are four Engineering Development and Manufacturing Model aircraft in test and one Ground Test Vehicle, which have logged more than 606 cumulative flight hours. Initial operational capability remains on pace for 2019 and is defined as having four aircraft, with combat-ready crews logistically prepared to deploy. The DOD’s program of record remains at 200 aircraft.
PMA-261 continually works with international partners through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program to potentially meet the international partners’ heavy lift helicopter requirements. FMS aircraft increase the total aircraft procured above the program of record and will decrease the unit cost for all users.
With more than triple the payload capability and a 12-inch/30.5-cm wider internal cabin than its predecessor (CH-53E Super Stallion), the CH-53K’s payload capability can take the form of a variety of relevant payloads ranging from an internally loaded High Mobility, Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle or the European Fennek armored personnel carrier. In addition, it can handle up to three independent external loads at once, which gives mission flexibility and system efficiency.
The second Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41) has entered the first phase of sea trials which will take place over the coming weeks, marking further progress towards her delivery to the Royal Australian Navy next year.
Second Air Warfare Destroyer Enters Sea Trials
This first phase of sea trials will test the ship’s propulsion, manoeuvring, control and navigation systems and will be followed by a more advanced phase of sea trials next year to test Brisbane’s combat and communications systems.
«More broadly, the AWD program continues to meet or exceed our milestone targets since the Government’s successful reform initiative, demonstrating our contribution to industry’s role as a fundamental input into Defence capability», said Mr. Evans.
«Our workforce of more than 1,700 in Adelaide has improved and evolved the production and set to work of these ships, with our whole team working hard to achieve this milestone ahead of post-reform schedule targets», said Paul Evans, AWD Alliance General Manager.
AWD Program Manager Commodore Craig Bourke also acknowledged the collaboration between industry and Government on the program. «The AWD program has built the foundation of Australia’s shipbuilding and systems integration industry, with more than 60 per cent Australian Industry Capability to date», he said.
The AWD enterprise partners include the Department of Defence, Raytheon Australia as the combat systems integrator, ASC as the shipbuilder and Navantia as the shipbuilder manager, all whom emphasised the commitment of the AWD workforce.
Raytheon Australia Managing Director Michael Ward commended the team on today’s achievement. «As the combat systems integrator for the AWD program, Raytheon Australia has applied its highly skilled Australian workforce of 350 architects, systems engineers and project managers to the AWD program over the last decade», he said.
«Raytheon Australia is responsible for the integration of ten major subsystems, including the Aegis Weapon System, which is provided through Foreign Military Sales, and associated delivery of more than 3,500 major pieces of combat system equipment required to establish the warfighting capability of the AWD. This will contribute to making the AWD the most sophisticated warship ever operated by the Royal Australian Navy».
«The commencement of Brisbane’s sea trials is a source of tremendous pride for Raytheon Australia and our home-grown Australian workforce that has built a national asset in complex combat system integration», said Mr. Ward.
ASC Shipbuilding Chief Executive Officer Mark Lamarre said that today’s milestone signifies further progress across the program. «Today marks another big step forward on the journey of delivering three complex surface combatants to the Royal Australian Navy, with the commencement of Builders Sea Trials for the second future destroyer Brisbane», he said.
«Fundamentally, shipbuilding is about people – talented, skilled and experienced people. Our shipbuilding team and their immense skill, capability and pride continues to deliver and demonstrate our strength as a highly capable, sovereign shipbuilder», he said.
«In collaboration with our Alliance partners, including Navantia, we are excited by this great achievement – it is something we should all be proud of, and continues to show the way forward for future shipbuilding in Australia», said Mr. Lamarre.
Navantia Australia’s Managing Director Donato Martínez commented on the sense of pride felt throughout the workforce noting today’s achievement. «It is always an exciting moment for a shipbuilder when a new vessel goes to sea for the first time. Following the commissioning of HMAS Hobart (DDG-39) earlier this year, the sea trials phase for Brisbane demonstrates the success of the Adelaide shipbuilding enterprise», said Mr. Martínez.
«We are proud of the role Navantia has played in meeting the goals of the AWD reform initiative and we look forward to successfully delivering a highly capable warship to the Royal Australian Navy next year», said Mr. Martínez.
Mid-next year, HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41) will be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy to join her sister ship, HMAS Hobart (DDG-39), and will be followed in quick succession by the delivery of the third and final Air Warfare Destroyer, Sydney, in 2019.
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)
