HMAS Hobart completes builders sea trials
HMAS Hobart, the lead ship of the new Hobart class of Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), has completed its builder sea trials off the South Australian coast.
This marks the latest milestone for the vessel, bringing it closer to final delivery to the RAN. Ship build began in January 2010, followed by hull consolidation in March 2014 and launch in May 2015.
The second destroyer of this class, HMAS Brisbane, will enter the water following its scheduled launch in December 2016. Hull consolidation of the third AWD, Sydney, is scheduled to take place in August 2017.
The AWD Alliance building the ships includes ASC, Raytheon Australia as the combat systems integrator and the Australian Department of Defence's (DoD) Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group.
The team will now continue consolidating and outfitting the remaining two destroyers. HMAS Hobart will undergo further sea trials in early 2017 to test its advanced combat system, followed by delivery of the destroyer to the DoD in June 2017.
More from Naval Warfare
-
What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
-
Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
-
HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.
-
How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China
The offensive against Iran could impact training and maintenance cycles and accelerate the degradation of the US arsenal on top of depleting Washington’s stockpiles.
-
UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet
The UK MoD is scoping out systems to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems, with a focus on low-cost modularity and speed to field.