RAN conducts advance force training

The Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) HMAS Huon has put its mine countermeasures equipment and helicopter operations to the test as part of Exercise Ocean Explorer, the navy announced on 13 March.

The mine hunter tested its Type 2093 variable depth sonar for accuracy and carried out vertical replenishment and personnel transfers with aircraft from 723 Squadron.

Ocean Explorer was a multinational exercise designed to test the navy's ability to conduct high-end warfare. RAN vessels Huon, Diamantina and Yarra conducted maritime advance force training in various locations around Australia.

Huon successfully conducted all validation trials of the Type 2093 sonar; operational analysis and reports are being compiled. The sonar can be operated in hull-mounted mode or in variable depth mode, with dual-frequency search and classification capability. In the variable depth mode both frequencies operate simultaneously, the lower frequency covering mid-water to surface depths and the higher frequency covering the seabed. The system has a detection range greater than 1000m and a classification range greater than 200m.

Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Jason Mullen, said: 'We need to be fully cognisant of our system's capabilities as this affects how we train and do business.

'The mine hunters ensure a body of water is safe for shipping prior to the arrival of the follow-on forces, such as an amphibious platform. Once the mine hunters, the clearance diving teams and the mine warfare teams have reduced any potential mine threat to a minimum, the amphibious landing can begin.'