Tag Archives: Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD)

Navy

Warship Sydney

The Royal Australian Navy has welcomed its newest Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) into the Fleet in the first commissioning of an Australian warship at sea since the Second World War.

The crew of HMAS Sydney (DDG-42) ‘cheer ship’ inside Jervis Bay, NSW following the ship’s commissioning ceremony at sea

The ceremony, conducted off the coast of New South Wales on Monday, 18 May 2020, marked the moment the 147-metre long Air Warfare Destroyer HMAS Sydney (DDG-42) became one of Her Majesty’s Australian Ships.

Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, and Commander of the Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, were aboard the guided missile destroyer, to officially welcome Sydney into service.

Vice Admiral Noonan told the commissioning crew that Sydney’s history was of a legendary pedigree.

«You will all form part of the HMAS Sydney (DDG-42) fabric. You are sailors and officers who will all continue the proud Sydney legacy. It is a great responsibility – one I know each and every one of you is capable of honouring and carrying forward into the future. HMAS Sydney (DDG-42), welcome home, welcome back to our Fleet. Your name once again takes pride and its rightful place in Her Majesty’s Fleet», Vice Admiral Noonan said.

During the ceremony the ship received a blessing and Sydney’s Commanding Officer, Commander Edward Seymour, read the ship’s commissioning order before the Australian White Ensign was hoisted, signifying completion of the commissioning.

The crew also watched video messages of congratulations from Governor-General David Hurley, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds, and the ship’s sponsor, Mrs. Judy Shalders.

Commander Seymour said he was proud to lead the ship’s company and carry forward the legacy of previous Australian warships that carried the name: «It isn’t often in a naval career that you are part of commissioning a brand new warship, but to do so at sea and carrying the significant legacy behind the name Sydney, is a special feeling for the entire ship’s company. A lot of hard teamwork has led us to this moment of bringing a world-class warship into the fleet and we’re eager to now prove what Sydney can do. She brings an outstanding, Australian-built air warfare capability over an exceptional range and gives Navy a surface combat capability like never before».

HMAS Sydney (DDG-42) is the last of three Hobart Class vessels built for Navy at Osborne in South Australia and is based on the Navantia F100 frigate design.

She is equipped with advanced combat systems, providing the ship with layered offensive and defensive capabilities to counter conventional and asymmetric threats.

HMAS Sydney (DDG-42) will now undergo her test and evaluation period where she will integrate into the fleet and Navy personnel will develop their proficiencies with her cutting-edge Aegis combat system.

Sydney’s sister ships, HMAS Hobart (DDG-39) and HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41), commissioned in 2017 and 2018 respectively and all three vessels are homeported at Fleet Base East in Sydney.

The first Royal Australian Navy vessel to be commissioned at sea was HMAS Matafele. The World War II stores carrier was commissioned on 1 January 1943.

 

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)

 

Navy

Advanced Warship

On Friday 28 February, 2020, ASC joined its Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance partners in delivering the third and final AWD, NUSHIP Sydney, to the Australian Government.

ASC helps deliver final Air Warfare Destroyer, as part of the AWD Alliance

ASC Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Stuart Whiley said ASC, as lead platform shipbuilder for the program since its inception in 2005, was enormously proud of helping deliver the final warship of the three-ship program.

«To the more than 1,700 shipbuilding employees who worked on this program for us, peaking in 2015, along with the hundreds of contractors, I say a big ‘thank you’», Mr. Whiley said.

Mr. Whiley represented ASC on 28 February, 2020 at the hand-over ceremony for Sydney at the Osborne Naval Shipyard, South Australia, attended by Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral (VADM) Mike Noonan: «ASC is incredibly proud of all the shipbuilders responsible for the construction of the Sydney, their skill, resilience and hard work, over more than a decade of a highly challenging program. In terms of ASC’s history, today compares only to the delivery of the sixth and final Collins Class submarine, the Rankin, achieved in 2003, also at the Osborne Naval shipyard. With the AWD program, our shipbuilders proved that sovereign Australian shipbuilding could deliver world-leading warship platforms at increasing productivity levels, while supporting project partners within the Alliance. The Sydney, like the two AWDs which preceded her, HMAS Hobart (DDG-39) and HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41), are the Navy’s most complex and potent warships and will be critical for Royal Australian Navy (RAN) force protection and naval power projection in the Indo-Pacific for decades to come. It is pleasing to note, also, the role ASC’s shipbuilders played in completing the aviation upgrade to the Sydney in recent months, along with our Alliance partners, making her the most up-to-date AWD in the fleet, from a platform point of view».

While speaking briefly at the ceremony, Mr. Whiley wished all of Sydney’s future crews well: «Central to everything ASC does is the safety of our workforce and those who sail on the warships and submarines we deliver. Wherever Sydney sails, in friendly or not-so-friendly waters, she goes with the best wishes for a safe return from everyone who helped construct her».

ASC was selected in 2005 as the lead shipbuilder for the AWD program, following a competitive process. ASC worked with shipyards in Melbourne, Newcastle and Spain to build ship blocks, and consolidated the blocks at the Osborne Naval Shipyard. ASC worked as part of the AWD Alliance, along with combat system integrator Raytheon Australia and the Department of Defence’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group – joined in 2015 by the warship’s designer, Navantia.

The first AWD, HMAS Hobart (DDG-39), was delivered to the Government in 2017 and the second, HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41), in 2018. Both have since been commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy and have been met with widespread praise.

 

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)

 

Navy

Sea Trials

The Australian Defence Force’s third Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD), HMAS Sydney (DDG-42), has commenced its first phase of sea trials which will test the ship’s hull, propulsion and navigation systems.

HMAS Sydney (DDG-42), the third and final Australian Air Warfare Destroyer, sailed for the first time as she commenced her Builder’s Sea Trials today, September 16. She will undergo various trials and her commissioning is scheduled for early May 2020 (RAN photo)

The initial trial phase will be followed by a more advanced phase of sea trials in October to test the ship’s combat and communications systems in preparation for delivery next year.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said industry played a fundamental role in the input into Defence capability.

«Over the past decade, more than 5,000 people from across the Department of Defence, ASC, Raytheon Australia and Navantia have dedicated millions of hours of work towards delivering the most capable warships ever to be operated by the Royal Australian Navy», Minister Reynolds said.

«This is underpinned by over 2,700 suppliers who have supported the AWD Alliance in its efforts to expand Australian Industry Capability for the overall Program. Through the AWD program we have created a local workforce with specialist shipbuilding and complex systems integration skills that will form the foundation for future shipbuilding projects in Australia».

 

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)

 

Navy

Brisbane Delivered

27 July 2018, Osborne Naval Shipyard: The Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance celebrated the Government’s acceptance of the second destroyer, NUSHIP Brisbane at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.

Second Air Warfare Destroyer NUSHIP Brisbane accepted by Defence
Second Air Warfare Destroyer NUSHIP Brisbane accepted by Defence

NUSHIP Brisbane is the second of three destroyers being built and integrated by the AWD Alliance, comprised of the Department of Defence, Raytheon Australia and ASC Shipbuilding with support from Navantia Australia. In the coming months, NUSHIP Brisbane will sail from Adelaide to Sydney where she will be commissioned into service by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

The successful delivery of both HMAS Hobart and NUSHIP Brisbane is a further demonstration of the truly sovereign and unique shipbuilding and systems integration capability that the AWD program has built for Australia.

«The AWD program has proven that Australia is able to build and integrate ships from the ground up – evolving our understanding as we go, and generating further improvements along the way», said AWD Alliance General Manager, Paul Evans. «We have implemented learnings from ship to ship in order to deliver better outcomes, faster outcomes, create more skills, more efficiency and ultimately deliver a better capability».

«The complexity of this project is reflected in the sophistication of the Air Warfare Destroyers which are providing a step-change in capability for the Australian Defence Force», Director General Naval Construction Branch, Commodore (CDRE) Steve Tiffen said.

«As the most lethal warships Australia has ever possessed, all three destroyers feature an advanced anti-submarine warfare capability, state-of-the-art radar technology and an air defence system capable of engaging enemy aircraft and missiles at an extended range», said CDRE Tiffen.

Raytheon Australia Managing Director, Michael Ward said that the company is extremely proud to be part of the team that is delivering the Hobart class AWDs to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

«Today, in conjunction with our AWD Alliance partners we take great pride in delivering the second AWD, NUSHIP Brisbane, to Defence. The delivery of this ship signifies a decade of collaboration between Defence and industry, and further demonstrates all that can be achieved when we work together to deliver complex Australian defence capabilities», said Mr. Ward.

«Together we have delivered two warships equipped with a powerful, integrated combat system, making them the most advanced warships ever operated by the RAN. This Australian combat system is the result of millions of hours of effort from our highly skilled Adelaide workforce, which includes more than 350 combat systems integrators, engineers and program managers as well as the 500 combat systems suppliers who have directly contributed to the AWD program. The AWD program’s combat systems integration activities represent some of the most advanced engineering and project management skills in this country. Through our work to deliver the AWD combat system on time and to budget, we have ultimately created a unique combat systems integration capability for Australia», said Mr. Ward.

ASC Shipbuilding Acting Chief Executive Officer, Jim Cuthill said, «With the Commonwealth’s acceptance of the second AWD NUSHIP Brisbane, we have demonstrated the quality of our product and confirmed our place as the builder of the most capable class of warships ever produced in Australia».

«Our extraordinary team at ASC Shipbuilding has successfully produced one of Australia’s most complex naval vessels and has done Australia and Australians proud. What we are achieving here puts us amongst the global leaders in this specialist field», said Mr. Cuthill.

For Navantia Australia chairman, Mr. Warren King, the delivery of NUSHIP Brisbane is a source of immense pride for Navantia Australia in collaboration with the AWD Alliance. «This achievement not only marks another significant milestone in the AWD program, but also for the Australian shipbuilding industry and Australian capability. We look forward to seeing NUSHIP Brisbane join her sister ship HMAS Hobart in service with the Royal Australian Navy in the near future».

 

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)

 

Navy

CAT 5 trials

HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41) has recently completed her Category 5 (CAT 5) Sea Trials off the coast of Adelaide. During CAT 5 Sea Trials, the functional performance of the Mission System as a whole is verified. This verification is a pre-requisite to enable the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance to deliver Brisbane to the Department of Defence for provisional acceptance.

HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41) at sea conducting CAT 5 trials assisted by HMAS Hobart (DDG-39)
HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41) at sea conducting CAT 5 trials assisted by HMAS Hobart (DDG-39)

During this phase of trials, testing of key components of both the platform and combat systems occurred. Achieving this key milestone represents an important step closer to becoming the RAN’s newest DDG.

During this period some of Brisbane’s crew were fortunate enough to participate and support the trial process and played a crucial role in assisting the civilian contractors through this process to achieve the desired outcome.

Brisbane’s first catering team, led by POML-C Nicholas Pearce, provided an impressive level of catering support to the 220 Navy and contracted personnel onboard throughout the trial.

Maritime Logistics Officer HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41), Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Warren Lynch, said through careful planning and liaison with uniformed and civilian stakeholders, Brisbane’s chefs were able to provide a high quality of service for the entire period that the ship was at sea.

«The food and service provided by Brisbane’s chefs was consumed with hearty enthusiasm, and thoroughly enjoyed by all», he said. «With introducing a new capability into service, there are always some teething issues and challenges associated with setting to work a new ship and finding your ‘zen’ within a new work space; however, the team performed exceptionally well and were able to adapt quickly and professionally to the new environment».

One of the main challenges encountered by the team was the distance between the main servery line and the galley, which is physically separated by two watertight bulkheads.

After close liaising with the team on HMAS Hobart (DDG-39), the HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41) catering team was able to implement the same measures to ensure that an effective mitigation could be implemented to support a high quality of service throughout the trial.

The successful completion of NUSHIP Brisbane’s CAT 5 trials is another critical milestone that places HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41) within firing distance of her October commissioning date.

 

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)

 

Navy

Second Destroyer

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
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)
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)

 

Navy

Acceptance of the first
AWD

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, on 16 June 2017 attended a ceremony at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide to mark the Government’s provisional acceptance of the first Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Hobart.

Defence accepts delivery of first Air Warfare Destroyer Hobart
Defence accepts delivery of first Air Warfare Destroyer Hobart

Minister Pyne said Hobart is the first of three AWD’s being built and integrated by the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance which comprises the Department of Defence, Raytheon Australia, ASC and support from Navantia.

«The acceptance of this first of class ship is a further demonstration of the success of the Government-led reform initiative, with the program meeting all budget and schedule targets, Hobart will enter into service later this year», Minister Pyne said.

«Hobart will play a critical role for Defence by providing new interoperable capabilities for the Royal Australian Navy. By using a combination of U.S. and Australian technologies, these ships will allow us to work even closer with our allies. Importantly, these ships will provide a safer environment for Australia’s entire Defence Force, as they have the ability to move faster for longer, whilst forming a protective bubble around themselves and other assets in a task force», he said.

Over the last decade, more than 5,000 skilled Australians have constructed all three AWD’s whilst also creating a new combat and support system to meet the unique needs of the Australian Defence Force.

Minister Pyne said provisional acceptance represented some of the most complex and innovative engineering accomplishments ever undertaken in Australia.

«These skills have taken over a decade to build and position Australia well to support the Government’s new Naval Shipbuilding Plan», he said. «The AWD program underscores the importance of Australia’s defence industry as a fundamental input into capability. Rather than just being a supplier for Defence, this program proves how Australian defence industry is truly a strategic partner with Defence».

 

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)