HMAS Sydney taking shape
The Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) third Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) is taking shape, with the vessel's Aegis block now consolidated, the RAN announced on 23 April.
Block 709, which will contain the Aegis weapon system, weighs 202 tonnes. In March the block was lifted onto the top of the hull using a crane, where it was joined to blocks 703 and 705 of what will be HMAS Sydney.
Before consolidation, the aft diesel generator exhaust stack was capped, full paint system applied internally and externally, the combat system was prepared along with the full-fitting of all four Array foundations and lining. To attain the fitting of the Array foundations, the team had to work closely with the accuracy control team to achieve foundation flatness of 0.02 millimetres.
Ship three block consolidation continued with blocks 717 and 713 in April, and will be followed by the mast lift, which is expected in early May.
The AWD programme has reached a number of new milestones recently, including the delivery of the Hobart Class Command Team Trainer. The shore-based support system will enable the RAN to train future crew members on the combat system prior to operational deployment on the AWD destroyers.
More from Naval Warfare
-
BlueWhale - A True Submarine Force Multiplier
The seventh annual REPMUS* and Dynamic Messenger naval exercises, organized and led by the Portuguese Navy and NATO, were held over a three-week period in September 2023.
-
What is happening with the Greek corvette competition?
The Hellenic Navy has been in the process of replacing its nine remaining Elli-class (Kortaener/S-type) frigates with two new acquisition programmes for frigates and corvettes. The US offer of second-hand US Navy (USN) Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) as potential corvette replacement, however, has given the Greek government pause for thought.
-
UK and Australian defence deal agreed as BAE wins nuclear submarine contract
Deal signed in Canberra will see Australia and the UK bolster their defence partnership via operational agreements, security consultancy and further deals for their primary defence firms.
-
Netherlands selects Barracuda submarine as Australia looks on
With the Netherlands selecting the Barracuda design for its new Orka-class submarines, it will give Australia a chance to see what it could have had after it cancelled its conventional submarine (SSK) project based on Barracuda, opting instead for a nuclear-powered submarine (SSN).