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.

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.

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Royal Australian Navy Air Warfare Destroyer Hobart Sea Trials