HMAS Hobart Air Warfare Destroyer launched

[dimsum]

The first of three ships being built as part of the Federal Government's Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) program, HMAS Hobart, has been launched, with thousands of workers attending the milestone event at Techport in Adelaide.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-23/crowds-gather-for-launch-of-air-warfare-destroyer-hmas-hobart/6491948

However, the cost has been estimated to blow out to $9 Billion for the 3 AWDs:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-22/air-warfare-destroyer-hobart-launch-techport-adelaide/6487870

 

[Infanteer]

So, two major war vessels put in the water this year, meanwhile we are looking to convert civilian scows into refuellers... :not-again:

 

[Sub_Guy]

It looks like they get taken to the cleaners too! 

 

[CougarKing]

Perhaps the thread title should be changed to: "RAN Hobart class Destroyers: updates" ?

Defence-Aerospace

Keel Laid for Third Air Warfare Destroyer
(Source: Australian AWD Alliance; issued Nov 19, 2015)
This week marks significant progress on the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) program, as the keel was laid for the third destroyer, Sydney, and initial combat systems activation has commenced on the first destroyer, Hobart.

Sydney is the last of three AWDs currently under construction on this program, which will deliver the most capable warships ever possessed by the Royal Australian Navy.

AWD Alliance CEO, Rod Equid, said that the keel-laying for the third ship is the latest in a series of important achievements across the project, with the start of the hull consolidation phase for Sydney, as well as the progression to the system activation phase for Hobart in advance of sea trials next year. Mr Equid said the second destroyer, Brisbane, is also on track towards meeting the completion of hull consolidation next month.

(...SNIPPED)

 

[CougarKing]

Update: sea trials have begun.

Naval Technology

Australian Navy’s Hobart-class ship begins builder sea trials

14 September 2016

The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) air warfare destroyer, Hobart, has begun its first series of sea trials.

During these trials, the ship’s propulsion, maneuvering, auxiliary, control and navigation systems performance will be validated.

The builder’s sea trials will be conducted off the coast of South Australia throughout this month.
"The ship will be operated under the command of a civilian master and crew, and key equipment suppliers."

During this period, the ship will be operated under the command of a civilian master and crew, and key equipment suppliers who will perform the system testing and trials.

(...SNIPPED)

 

[OTR1]

Some pics attached.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

She is a beauty!

 

[Kirkhill]

Quick question:  Is that best available technology?

 

[dimsum]

That class looks a lot like an Arleigh Burke with a taller main mast (and AEGIS).

 

[jollyjacktar]

Yes the Foscle looks decidedly US-ish with the rake angle of the bow and the little dip before the Bridge Face.

 

[Good2Golf]

She is a beauty!

x 2

Certainly a lot more "out there, and capable" than "stealthy"....seems to fit the Aussies "idiom" well as hegemon of the region... ;D

 

[Sub_Guy]

Looks good.

Looks like a larger Spanish F100 with a Roo painted on the side...

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

Quick question:  Is that best available technology?

Yes. The Europeans will say that  APAR is, but the latest Aegis radars are still the best.

That class looks a lot like an Arleigh Burke with a taller main mast (and AEGIS).

It's because the americans don't put the Aegis system in a mast: They put on the superstructure, which becomes very high as a result, with the bridge deck on top of the aegis antennas. This set up, also used by the Spaniards, makes for  a lower bridge height, but also a less top heavy ship than the Arleigh Burke. The result is that the Hobarts can do this on ship at 2,000 tons lighter than the A.B.'s.

 

[Karel Doorman]

Yes. The Europeans will say that  APAR is, but the latest Aegis radars are still the best.

It's because the americans don't put the Aegis system in a mast: They put on the superstructure, which becomes very high as a result, with the bridge deck on top of the aegis antennas. This set up, also used by the Spaniards, makes for  a lower bridge height, but also a less top heavy ship than the Arleigh Burke. The result is that the Hobarts can do this on ship at 2,000 tons lighter than the A.B.'s.

only wanted to comment on the first part  [

As I've learned you're mixing antenna and combatsystem,APAR is a antenna and the one used for the AEGIS system is SPY(in whatever form)APAR is used (dutch)in conjuntion with SAWAECO system

The newest versions of SPY are basically modeled on the APAR/Sampson radars(antenna's),bandthwith,active phased arrays etc, so it must be true that for a (short)while the europen radars where in front of the Americans,but this is just a good thing .
I mean 1 pushes the other to upgrade/do better etc.

I don't want to pretend i know all about this stuff(because i don't,not an expert in any way or form)

Personally i like our ones the best,ships(LCF)they're just beauties(my opinion)

But Australia got some nice ships(and more coming),hopefully we'll do the same(M-class replacement,Walrus replacement,mine hunters,etc)

gr,walter

 

[RDBZ]

Some video from builder's sea trials..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4lDG64rcyQ&app=desktop

 

[OTR1]

Second DDG - Brisbane - hits the drink this Thursday.

BTW an east coast fleet concentration period of 11 ships is currently winding up. As per last year's biggie, it's geared towards task group ops, which the RAN abandoned after carrier capability was scrubbed in the early 80s. From late 2018 single-ship work ends - except as part of a combined allied TF - and task group patrols resume in normal tasking. ADF official pic attached.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Second DDG - Brisbane - hits the drink this Thursday.

BTW an east coast fleet concentration period of 11 ships is currently winding up. As per last year's biggie, it's geared towards task group ops, which the RAN abandoned after carrier capability was scrubbed in the early 80s. From late 2018 single-ship work ends - except as part of a combined allied TF - and task group patrols resume in normal tasking. ADF official pic attached.

Does that photo qualify as 'submariner porn'?  [

 

[OTR1]

Does that photo qualify as 'submariner porn'?  [

Yup!  [ As RAN submariners wear black overalls it's very easy to tell who got a bit too excited about finding a skimmer...........  [ [

Worth noting that the nine frigates coming down the pipe will be optimized for ASW, and that the LHDs will, in due course, get helo ASW as a swing tasking. More Romeos to come.