Third AWD embarks on sea trials
The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) third Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD), Sydney, has begun its first phase of sea trials, the Australian Department of Defence announced on 16 September.
The trials will test the ship’s hull, propulsion and navigation systems. A more advanced phase of trials will then begin in October to test the ship’s combat and communications systems in preparation for delivery in 2020.
Sydney is the RAN’s third and final Hobart class AWD being built under the SEA 4000 procurement programme
Minister for Defence, Linda Reynolds, said: ‘Over the past decade, more than 5,000 people from across the Department of Defence, ASC, Raytheon Australia and Navantia have dedicated millions of hours of work towards delivering the most capable warships ever to be operated by the RAN.
‘This is underpinned by over 2,700 suppliers who have supported the AWD Alliance in its efforts to expand Australian industry capability for the overall programme.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates
The Italian Navy is being refreshed with two new ships ordered, while in the past six months steel was cut for a new frigate, an enhanced frigate was delivered and Horizon-class frigates passed a design review.
-
Singapore declassifies SEAL Carrier swimmer delivery vehicle for special forces use
Singapore’s navy has introduced the Combatant Craft Underwater vessel, a multi-mode swimmer delivery vehicle designed to enhance its Naval Diving Unit’s ability to conduct covert maritime special operations.
-
US Navy foresees additional delays in the Columbia-class programme
After estimating that the first Columbia-class submarine would be delivered 16 months late, the US Navy has recently confirmed that an additional month will be required to complete its construction.
-
UK demonstration shows how sensors and C2 can protect ports from multi-domain threats
Naval vessels are at high risk when in harbour, port or dockside and the threat from asymmetric attacks has been shown in the Ukraine war against Russian ships. A demonstration of combined systems in the UK hoped to show a potential solution to defence, government and commercial delegates.
-
Final US Navy Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship concludes acceptance testing
After troubled progress with the Littoral Combat Ship programme, the US Navy plans to commission USS Pierre (LCS 38) this autumn.