HMAS Arunta II undergoes stability testing

Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Anzac-class frigate, HMAS Arunta II, has undergone stability testing at the Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia following its Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP) upgrade, the RAN announced on 20 May.

The vessel underwent an inclining experiment - a test performed on a ship to determine its stability, lightship weight and the coordinates of its centre of gravity. The experiment is applied to newly constructed ships greater than 24m in length, and to ships altered in ways that could affect stability.

The experiment involves positioning the ship in a still body of water and applying weights in varying configurations throughout the ship and measuring the list of the ship for each configuration.

Arunta is the first of class to undergo the AMCAP upgrade and the data from the experiment will be used as a basis for updating the trim and stability handbook for all future AMCAP ships.

The upgrade includes significant improvements to major platform systems such as the communications centre, and the replacement of the ship’s long range air search radar. The AMCAP aims to remediate obsolescence issues and upgrades ship systems.