ngah-ngoh

Home » Posts filed under Destroyer

Tampilkan postingan dengan label Destroyer. Tampilkan semua postingan

First AWD Blocks Fabricated by Forgacs Head for Adelaide

14 September 2012

Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare, Federal Newcastle MP Sharon Grierson and Forgacs' Tony Lobb visit to the company's Newcastle Shipyard at Carrington. (photo : ABC)

First Newcastle AWD Blocks Head for Adelaide

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare has announced the first three Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) blocks fabricated by Newcastle shipbuilder Forgacs Engineering have started their journey to Adelaide.

The blocks will be transported from Forgacs Tomago Shipyard by barge and two tugs along the North Arm of the Hunter River.

The barge will then be transferred to a single ocean going tug, which will tow the blocks through Newcastle Harbour and on to the Government of South Australia’s Common User Facility at Techport. The blocks will arrive in just over a week, depending on weather conditions.

“Forgacs are building around half the blocks for these ships. They are doing outstanding work on some of the most advanced warships in the world,” Mr Clare said.

“Last week I attended the keel-laying ceremony in Adelaide for the first destroyer Hobart. The ceremony was a significant milestone in the AWD project and marked the start of the next phase in the delivery of these warships,” Mr Clare said.

Forgacs are constructing 44 blocks for the AWD project, including 14 blocks for the first destroyer. The remaining Forgacs blocks for the first AWD will arrive in Adelaide over the next 12 months.

The AWD project directly employs more than 2,500 people, with almost 700 based in Newcastle.

The AWD will have anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capability and will be able to embark a helicopter at sea.

(Aus DoD)

The First AWD would be Late to 2016

06 September 2012

Keel laying ceremony held for the first ship in the AWD project. The re-baselined schedule will mean the delivery dates for the ships will be for HMAS Hobart (AWD01) – March 2016; HMAS Brisbane (AWD02) – September 2017 and HMAS Sydney (AWD03) – March 2019. (photo : ABC News)

Future Submarine Centre for Adelaide

Australia's systems centre for the next generation of submarines will be based in Adelaide, the Federal Government has announced.

It will be similar to a facility established for the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) project.

The Systems Centre will be established shortly and is to be expanded over the next few years to include hundreds of defence personnel from the Navy, Defence Materiel Organisation and other defence sectors.

The Government said the first staff already were working in Adelaide, based temporarily at defence builder ASC.

There is a long-term plan to acquire 12 new submarines, which would be assembled in South Australia.

Deadlines Pushed Back

Three federal ministers have been in Adelaide to attend the laying of the keel of the first Air Warfare Destroyer today.

The Government said the keel laying for the Hobart was a significant stage for the AWD project.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith also announced the AWD construction schedule was being pushed back, after consultation with industry and the navy.

He said the keel to keel interval was set to be extended to 18 months between each ship, as it would create a seamless pipeline of work between the end of the destroyer project and the start of the next submarine program.

When the $8 billion AWD project was first commissioned, the Hobart was supposed to be finished in 2014, but last year that date was pushed back to 2015 and now Mr Smith said it would be a year later again.

The last of the three ships, the Sydney, is now not due to be ready until 2019.

Mr Smith said there was no cost blowout. But the decision allows the Government to delay $100 million of spending.

SA Premier Jay Weatherill said the delay would not prove negative for the South Australian workforce.

"What we've seen is the avoidance of what was going to be a gap in the project and we're seeing a ramping up of employment here at Techcorp and instead of that falling off before we got to the Future Submarines project, we now see a steady flow of work," he said.

(ABC News)

‘Spy’ Radar Arrays Arrive in Adelaide

05 Juli 2012

AN/SPY-1D(V) phased array radar for Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers (all photos : Lockheed Martin)

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced the arrival in Adelaide of the first two state of the art ‘SPY’ radar array faces that will be installed on the Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs).

“The multi-function SPY radar is capable of search, automatic detection, tracking of air and surface targets and missile engagement support,” Mr Clare said.

“It works to distinguish signals from stationary or moving targets and to identify and reject ‘clutter’ such as clouds and flocks of birds.”

The AN/SPY-1D(V) phased array radar will provide the Hobart Class destroyers with comprehensive surveillance around the ship.

The SPY radar is the main sensor for the Aegis Weapon System and is readily recognisable by the four octagonal-shaped array faces that are located on the superstructure of the ship.

The four array faces send out beams of electromagnetic energy in all directions, providing a continuous search and tracking capability for hundreds of targets.

The SPY radar, combined with the SPQ-9B horizon search radar, will ensure each of the AWDs go into service with state-of-the-art radar packages.

“Work on the future HMAS Hobart and HMAS Brisbane is well underway at Techport Australia, and work on the future HMAS Sydney will commence later this year,” Mr Clare said.

“All three AWDs will be armed with a 48 cell Vertical Launch System, Mk 45 5″ gun, phalanx close-in weapon system, torpedoes, anti-ship harpoon missiles, Nulka missile decoy system and hull mounted sonar, as well as variable depth sonar for detection and defence against enemy submarines and torpedoes.”

“This gives each destroyer an air defence, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capability as well as the ability to embark a helicopter at sea.”

The AWDs will provide greater protection for Australian Defence Force personnel by providing air defence for accompanying ships as well as land forces and infrastructure on nearby coastal areas. The AWDs will also provide self-protection against attacking missiles and aircraft.

The AN/SPY-1D (V) radar was supplied by United States company Lockheed Martin and acquired by the Australian Government through the Foreign Military Sales program.

(Aus DoD)

Lockheed Martin’s Aegis Computer Program Development Approved by U.S. Navy for Australian Warfare Destroyer

22 Mei 2012

Hobart class Air Warfare Destroyer (image : MConrads)

MOORESTOWN, NJ –Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has completed computer program development and testing for the HOBART class Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD), the Royal Australian Navy’s Aegis-equipped ships. The computer programs have been approved by the U.S. Navy.

Tests were conducted over a two-week period at the Navy's land-based test facility, the Vice Admiral James H. Doyle Combat Systems Engineering Development Site in New Jersey.

"The Aegis Weapon System enables navies around the world to protect their citizens and their nations from continuously evolving threats,” said Doug Wilhelm, director of international Aegis programs for Lockheed Martin’s Mission Systems & Sensors business. “We look forward to working with the U.S and allied navies to continue to provide proven anti-air warfare capability on a global scale.”

The HOBART class will be capable of simultaneous operations in a multi-warfare environment, including anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine and naval gunfire support roles.

Lockheed Martin is a leader in combat systems integration and the development of integrated air and missile defense systems and technologies. Manufacturing work for this program will occur in Moorestown, N.J.

In addition to the U.S. and Australian navies, Aegis is also the weapon system for the navies of Japan, Norway, the Republic of Korea and Spain. The 100 Aegis-equipped ships in service around the globe have more than 1,250 years of at-sea operational experience and have launched more than 3,800 missiles in tests and real-world operations.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 123,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

(Lockheed Martin)

State-of-the-Art Radars Delivered for AWDs

24 April 2012

Northrop Grumman AN/SPQ-9 Surface Surveillance and Tracking Radar, is a track-while-scan radar used with the MK-86 Gunfire Control system on surface combatants. It detects sea skimming missiles at the horizon even in heavy clutter while simultaneously providing detection and tracking of surface targets and beacon responses. (photo : Armybase)

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced the arrival in Adelaide of the first of three state of the art horizon-search radars for the Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs).

“The AN/SPQ-9B radar is located on the main mast of the destroyers and can track over 200 radar contacts simultaneously with a high level of accuracy”, Mr Clare said.

“It will be used to search and track targets immediately above the sea surface, such as low-flying aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles.

“The Royal Australian Navy is the first Navy outside of the United States to receive the radar which is manufactured by US company Northrop Grumman.

“It was purchased by the Australian Government through the United States Foreign Military Sales program at a cost of around $10 million each.”

“This is an important milestone in the AWD Project, which involves the construction of three new warships.

“The new ships are based on a proven design from the Spanish Navy. When complete, the AWD will be one of the most capable warships of its size in the world.

“Each AWD will have anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capability as well as the ability to embark a helicopter at sea.

Construction of the AWDs involves the fabrication of 90 separate steel blocks, 30 for each ship, as well as three additional sonar blocks at a number of shipyards in Australia and overseas.

These blocks will be brought together by ASC at the South Australian Government’s Common User Facility in Adelaide where the ships are being assembled.

5 blocks have already been delivered from Williamstown shipyard in Melbourne, with a further 12 planned to be delivered this year from shipyards in Williamstown, Newcastle and Spain including a sonar block for HMAS Hobart.

So far this year the gun software and gun weapon systems have been received, and the combat system is currently being tested in the United States.

By the end of 2013, 34 more blocks are due to be completed, work will have begun on the third ship HMAS Sydney and trials of crew training will have commenced.

(Aus DoD)

Allocation of Block Construction Work for the Third Air Warfare Destroyer

09 Maret 2012

Air Warfare Destroyer for Royal Australian Navy (image : Aus DoD)

The Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and the Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced the allocation of construction work for the third ship of the $8 billion Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Project.

The allocation of block construction work for ship three is as follows:

• Forgacs (Newcastle) – 15 blocks;

• ASC (Adelaide) – eight blocks;

• Navantia (Spain) – five blocks; and

• BAE Systems (Melbourne) – two blocks.

This means the four shipyards will construct the same blocks for ship three that they are constructing for ship two. The construction arrangements for block structure and block pre-outfit are:

• Ship 1: BAE Systems 7, Forgacs 14, ASC 9

• Ship 2: BAE Systems 2, Forgacs 15, ASC 8, Navantia 5

• Ship 3: BAE Systems 2, Forgacs 15, ASC 8, Navantia 5

Getting the same shipyards to build the same blocks for ships two and three will enable the AWD Project to take advantage of lessons the shipyards have learnt and the experience they have gained from building the same blocks.

The AWD project involves the construction of 90 separate steel blocks being built at four shipyards in Adelaide (ASC), Melbourne (BAE Systems), Newcastle (Forgacs) and Spain (Navantia) as well as the three sonar block assemblies being built in Spain and the United Kingdom.

In May last year the Government announced the reallocation of 18 blocks for AWD Ships one and two. Thirteen blocks were divided between Forgacs, ASC and BAE with five allocated to Navantia.
The reallocation of work for ship three means that overall division of block construction across the project is:

• Forgacs – 44 blocks;

• ASC – 25 blocks;

• BAE Systems – 11 blocks; and

• Navantia – 10 blocks.

(Aus DoD)

BAE Systems Ships More AWD Blocks to Adelaide

03 Maret 2012

Total number of blocks delivered by BAE to ASC to five (photo : AusAWD)

Two more keel blocks constructed by BAE Systems for the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) program have been shipped to the ASC facility in Osborne South Australia.

Each of these blocks weighs approximately 100 tonnes and are approximately 14 metres long, 17 metres wide and 5 metres high. Both of the blocks left BAE Systems Williamstown shipyard on Monday by barge.

BAE Systems Director of Maritime, Bill Saltzer, said the delivery brought the total number of blocks delivered to ASC to five (the first three having been delivered during 2011) and marked another significant milestone achieved on this important project.

“Construction of another six blocks is already underway in Williamstown, with two more to be delivered in a couple of months and the other four scheduled for completion later this year,” he said.

Mr Saltzer congratulated the BAE Systems staff for achieving further success on this project.

The $8 billion AWD project comprises three ships and will provide the Royal Australian Navy with one of the world’s most capable multi-mission warships. ASC is a member of the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance which is responsible for delivering the ships to Navy. The five blocks now delivered to ASC will form a large part of the keel of the first ship HMAS Hobart.

(BAE Systems)

Babcock Tests AWD Torpedo Launcher

03 Februari 2012

Mk32 torpedo launcher (photo : Seaforce)

Assembly of the Mk32 Mod 9 torpedo launchers for the Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers is now underway at Babcock's Techport Australia premises, marking an important milestone in the contract. Babcock Pty Ltd, part of Babcock International Group, was awarded the contract in December 2008 by Raytheon Australia Pty Ltd, on behalf of the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance.

Two Mk32 Mod 9 torpedo launcher assemblies will be mounted in magazine compartments, port and starboard, on each of the three Hobart class AWDs. Originally designed for the US Navy, the Mod 9 launcher is a twin barrelled variant of the Mk32 launchers currently in operation on Anzac and FFG frigates in Australia and will be modified to discharge Eurotorp MU90 torpedoes.

Babcock engineers and technicians are now commencing assembly of the launchers, which will take around seven months for all six launchers (three ship sets), and will be followed by Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) of each set at Babcock's newly developed facility at Techport, South Australia. FAT will involve safety and interlock checks and the measurement of additional system parameters during the discharge of a dummy weapon from the launchers into a specially designed rig.

Under the contract to date, the first phase has seen Babcock working closely with the US Naval Underwater Weapons Centre at Rhode Island, and transfer of a technical data pack to Australia under a license granted by the US Department of State, in accordance with appropriate US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). The data pack provides the basis for the procurement, manufacture, assembly and test of the equipment in Australia. Babcock now has the system and processes in place to handle ITAR controlled design information and procure ITAR controlled hardware through its US network.

Manufacture of component parts, including barrels, quadrants, breech locking rings, and air charging panels, as well as a number of major sub-assemblies, has also been on-going during the first phase of the contract. While some equipment has been sourced from specialist international suppliers, all other work is being carried out in Australia, representing around 60% of the contract value.

"Having the component parts and sub-assemblies arrive at our Techport Australia site, and starting the assembly process, marks an exciting and important milestone in this contract," Babcock director Pat Donovan comments. "Delivery of the completed launchers is on track against our project schedule, and ahead of the customer's required delivery date of September 2011 for the first ship set."

(Babcock)

Navantia Begins Construction Second Australian AWD

18 Oktober 2011

The five blocks to be built in Ferrol and Fene (image : Navantia)

On 18 October, Navantia-Ferrol Fene has begun the construction of five blocks for the second Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) of the Royal Australian Navy.

Such a start was made on the premises of Aceros de Ferrol, with cut sheet for the block number 109.

The five blocks to be built will be the 109, 103 and 101, to be held in the premises of Ferrol, and 107 and 105 to be made in Fene facilities. Previously block 603 for the dome area of the ship, was also built at Fene.

It is expected that the contract for the execution of these five blocks, which was approved by the Australian Government last May, be signed shortly, once the scope of all technical requirements have been agreed. The realization of these blocks will be a workload of 410,000 man-hours.

In 2007, Navantia won the contract to design and support of three AWD, based on the proposed F-105 Frigate of the Spanish Armada, as well as certain equipment and systems for these vessels.

(Navantia)

AWD : Another Two Blocks Delivered

27 September 2011

Two more keel blocks had been delivered to Adelaide to construct Australia’s first Air Warfare Destroyer. This follows the delivery of the first keel block last month. The blocks were constructed at the Williamstown shipyard in Melbourne. They were loaded on to barges last week and transported to Adelaide over the weekend. (photo : Aus DoD)

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that two more keel blocks had been delivered to Adelaide to construct Australia’s first Air Warfare Destroyer.

This follows the delivery of the first keel block last month.

The blocks were constructed at the Williamstown shipyard in Melbourne.

They were loaded on to barges last week and transported to Adelaide over the weekend.

Mr Clare said this was another step forward in the $8 billion project to construct three new warships for the Royal Australian Navy.

“This is Australia’s biggest shipbuilding project,” Mr Clare said.

“90 separate blocks will be constructed to build the three most powerful warships the Royal Australian Navy has ever operated.

“About 70 blocks like this will be shipped to Adelaide over the next four years to be consolidated into Air Warfare Destroyers.

“These blocks weigh approximately 190 tonnes each. They are about 19 metres long, 17 metres wide and five metres high and will form part of the keel of the first warship – HMAS Hobart.”

The steel blocks are being built at shipyards in Adelaide (ASC), Melbourne (BAE Systems), Newcastle (Forgacs) and Ferrol, Spain (Navantia).

Three sonar blocks are being constructed in Spain and the United Kingdom.

The blocks will now be removed from the barge and transported by a large multi-wheeled vehicle to the pre-fit-out facility.

Further work on the blocks will then be completed including blast and paint, fitting pipes, installing communications and electrical cables and fitting internal walls.

Construction has begun on all main blocks for the first ship and work has also begun on blocks for the second ship, HMAS Brisbane.

Next year work will begin on blocks for the third ship, HMAS Sydney and the first ship will start to be consolidated in Adelaide.

Mr Clare thanked the more than 1,000 people currently working on the ships across the three Australian shipyards.

“The workers constructing these blocks are doing important work – building new warships for the Royal Australian Navy,” Mr Clare said.

“They’re working hard and I thank them for their efforts.”

(Aus DoD)

First Keel Block Delivered for New Australian Warship

18 Agustus 2011

The first Air Warfare Destroyer block to arrive in Adelaide was successfully rolled off the barge at the Government of South Australia’s Common User Facility wharf and into the ASC’s AWD shipyard on Wednesday 17 August. (all photos : Aus DoD)

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced the delivery to Adelaide of the first keel block that will be used to construct HMASHobart – Australia’s first Air Warfare Destroyer.

“This is an important step forward in the $8 billion project to construct three new warships,” Mr Clare said.

Construction of the AWDs involves 90 separate steel blocks being built at shipyards in Adelaide (ASC), Melbourne (BAE Systems), Newcastle (Forgacs) and Ferrol, Spain (Navantia).

Three sonar blocks are being constructed in Spain and the United Kingdom.

“Approximately 70 blocks will be shipped to Adelaide over the next four years where they will be consolidated into three new warships,” Mr Clare said.

Over the next six months it is expected that six blocks will be delivered from Melbourne and Newcastle to Adelaide.

This first block weighs around 180 tonnes. It is 18 metres long, 16 metres wide and five metres high and will form part of the keel of HMASHobart.

It was loaded on to a barge at BAE System’s Melbourne shipyard on 11 August.

The barge was towed by tug boat to the Common User Facility in Adelaide arriving on 15 August.

Last night it was removed from the barge and transported by a large multi-wheeled vehicle to the pre-fit-out facility.

Further work on the block including blast and paint, fitting pipes, installing communications and electrical cables and fitting internal walls will now be completed.

Two other hull blocks are currently being prepared for shipment from Melbourne to Adelaide.

Construction has begun on all main blocks for the first ship and work has also begun on blocks for the second ship, HMAS Brisbane.

Next year work will begin on blocks for the third ship, HMAS Sydney and the first ship will start to be consolidated in Adelaide.

Mr Clare thanked the more than 1,000 people currently working on the ships across the three Australian shipyards.

In May, the Government announced that the AWD Alliance had reallocated construction work on the project to reduce the schedule risk to both the AWD and Landing Helicopter Dock ship projects.

“The delivery of the first keel block is an important step forward in this project,” Mr Clare said.

(Aus DoD)

Air Warfare Destroyer Gun Mounts Have Arrived

27 Juli 2011

BAE Mk 45 main gun (photo : BAE Systems)

The Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced in Adelaide today that the $8 billion Air Warfare Destroyer project has taken delivery of three main gun mounts of the Air Warfare Destroyers.

The gun mounts, manufactured by BAE Systems in the United States, are valued at $80 million and will be placed into a controlled storage facility in Adelaide until they are installed on HMA Ships Hobart, Brisbane and Sydney.

“The guns will be able to hit targets on land, air and at sea. They are capable of firing both Royal Australian Navy standard munitions and future extended range munitions,” Mr Clare said.

Similar gun mounts are installed on the Royal Australian Navy’s ANZAC Class frigates, the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke Class destroyers, the Spanish F-100 frigates and on ships within the South Korean, Japanese and Danish navies.

More than 1,000 people are currently working on the construction of the ships across three shipyards in Australia; at ASC in South Australia, Forgacs in New South Wales and BAE Systems in Victoria.

“This is an important project for the Australian Defence Force. These destroyers will be among the most advanced and capable warships in the world,” Mr Clare said.

(Aus DoD)

Navy Looks to the Future

09 Juli 2011

AWD evolved (image : AusAWD)

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) got a glimpse into its high-tech war-fighting future this week when personnel were welcomed aboard two of the US Navy’s Guided Missile Destroyers.

The Destroyers, USSMcCampbell and USSFitzgerald, were visiting Sydney’s Fleet Base East ahead of their involvement in Exercise Talisman Sabre, 2011.

During their stay the USNships invited an Australian contingent into their operation rooms for a series of familiarisation sessions with the AEGIS System – technology which will be used in the new Hobart Class Destroyers currently being built for the RAN.

The hands-on ‘AEGIS School Ship’ sessions gave the RAN’s future AEGIS users access to US Navy operators who shared experience gained from more than 30 years of working with various versions of the technology.

The AEGIS System is designed to integrate the overall management of a task group's combat assets for air, surface and underwater operations. It can react quickly, and with enough firepower, to destroy fast and intelligent targets in dynamic environments. The system is comprised of four main components: the SPY-1D(V) phased array multi-function radar, the command and decision system, the AEGIS display system and the weapon control system.

Chief Petty Officer Damon Young from the Air Warfare Destroyer Capability Implementation Team said using the AEGIS capability will require significant shore support.

“We need to have our support organisations shaped to be able to support that ship at sea and its task at sea and it’s quite a complex environment,” CPO Young said.

CPO Young believes that maximising exposure to the systems that will be installed in the Hobart Class Destroyers will ensure the Navy is ready to fight and win at sea when the platforms join the Australian Fleet.

“The whole AEGIS School Ship program is that first snapshot for not just our sailors, but whole support organisations from Defence civilians to uniformed personnel, to see what it will take to support this.

“This way we can shape our organisations, our understanding, and our expectations, so we can hit the ground running,” Young said.

Lieutenant Beck Russell is a Maritime Warfare Officer who has her sights firmly set on a career as a Principal Warfare Officer (PWO). She says the hands-on introduction to the AEGIS System will prove invaluable.

“Hopefully I’ll be going onto an Air Warfare Destroyer as a PWO.”

‘So, any insight that I can get into the AEGIS system, the ops room, and DDGs (Guided Missile Destroyers) is really beneficial to me.” says LEUT Russell.

The success of the School Ship program to date has ensured more sessions will be held in the lead-up to the commissioning of the Hobart Class Destroyers.

(Royal Australia Navy)

Spain Gets its Share of Australian AWD

31 Mei 2011

Hobart class AWD (image : MConrads)

Facing growing delays in the parallel construction of three Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD) and two Landing Helicopter Dock Ships (LHD), the Australian Ministry of defense and program manager AWD Alliance decided to redistribute the construction work among three Australian shipyards currently involved in the program, and transfer part of the work to the Navantia shipyard in Spain. This move will relieve the pressure from the BAE Systems Shipyard in Melbourne. The new plan will enable the consortium to minimize delay of the completion of the first ship by up to 12 months, and of all three AWDs by up to 12 months.

The recent decision follows the relocation of nine steel blocks constructions, from BAE Systems’ Melbourne to the Forgacs Shipyard in Newcastle, Australia. According to Australian Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and the Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announcing the plan today, the construction of 18 steel blocks related to the first two ships will reduce the schedule risk to both this project and to the two LHD ships project currently underway in Australia. Up to 13 steel blocks will be reallocated among the three Australian shipyards in Adelaide, Melbourne and Newcastle. Seven blocks will be for advanced fit out and six for construction. Up to five steel blocks will be reallocated to Navantia in Ferrol, Spain. A decision on the reallocation of blocks on the third AWD will be made later in the project.

The AWD program encountered engineering and construction delays, related to some of the hull blocks. It seems that the delays resulted in the Melbourne BAE Systems shipyard, stretched over two major projects at the same time – constructing steel blocks for the Air Warfare Destroyers and 14 steel blocks for the superstructure of the two 27,500 ton LHD Ships, due to delivery in 2014 and 2015. According to the AWD Alliance, the industry consortium managing the program, these obstacles could push back the delivery of the first AWD ship by two years. Under the new plan, BAE will complete the structural steel and initial outfitting work on the seven steel blocks for the AWD, it is currently working on, as well as all its work on the 14 blocks for the superstructure of the Landing Helicopter Dock Ships and the integration work. The LHD ships were due to be delivered from December 2014.

The AWD Project is an important element of Force 2030. The AWD is based on Navantia’s F-100 design, similar to the AEGIS equipped vessels operated by the Spanish Navy. According to the Australian Defense, when complete, the AWD will be one of the more capable types of warship of its size in the world. Overall, the AWD program involves the construction of 90 separate steel blocks, being built at three Australian shipyards – in Adelaide (ASC), Melbourne (BAE Systems) and Newcastle (Forgacs). Three additional sonar block assemblies are being built in Spain and the United Kingdom. The total cost of the program is estimated at A$8 billion. The AWD Alliance consists of ASC, the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) and Raytheon.

(Defense Update)

Changes to Air Warfare Destroyer Construction Program

27 Mei 2011

Air Warfare Destroyer (photo : Australian DoD)

The Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and the Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced the reallocation of construction work for the $8 billion Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Project.

Australia is constructing three AWDs based on a proven design from the Spanish Navy. The ships are due to be delivered from December 2014. When complete, the AWD will be one of the more capable types of warship of its size in the world.

The AWD Project is an important element of Force 2030. The Government and Defence have been actively working with Defence Industry and the AWD Alliance, which is managing the AWD project, to deliver the project. The AWD Alliance consists of ASC, the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) and Raytheon.

Construction of the AWDs involves 90 separate steel blocks being built at three shipyards in Adelaide (ASC), Melbourne (BAE Systems) and Newcastle (Forgacs). Three additional sonar block assemblies are being built in Spain and the United Kingdom.

The Melbourne BAE Systems shipyard is also building 14 steel blocks for the superstructure of two new 27,500 tonne Landing Helicopter Dock ships (LHDs) due for delivery in 2014 and 2015.

Last year the project encountered difficulties in relation to engineering and construction of some of the first AWD hull blocks. To assist the AWD project schedule, earlier this year the AWD Alliance reallocated construction of nine steel blocks from BAE Systems in Melbourne to the Forgacs shipyard in Newcastle.

The Melbourne BAE Systems shipyard remains stretched, working on two major projects at the same time – steel blocks for the Air Warfare Destroyers and the superstructure and integration of the Landing Helicopter Dock Ships.

The Government, the AWD Alliance and BAE Systems take the schedule for both these important projects extremely seriously.

In February 2011, BAE Systems advised the AWD Alliance of potential schedule delays. Over the last few months, the AWD Alliance and BAE Systems have been working closely to develop options to improve the production program.

In March, the Minister for Defence met with Guy Griffiths, the Group Managing Director - International of BAE Systems UK, in London to discuss this project.

The Minister for Defence Materiel has also met with the CEO of BAE Australia, Jim McDowell, on a number of occasions about this project.

Earlier this month BAE Systems presented the AWD Alliance with a plan to adjust its workload on the AWD Project.

The advice of the AWD Alliance is that if no action is taken to relieve the pressure on the Melbourne BAE Systems shipyard the first ship would be two years late, approximately 25 per cent over schedule.

The AWD Alliance (with the support of BAE Systems) therefore proposes to take the following action:

Up to 13 steel blocks will be reallocated among the three Australian shipyards in Adelaide, Melbourneand Newcastle – seven for advanced fit out and six for construction; and
Up to five steel blocks will be reallocated to Navantia in Ferrol, Spain.

These changes involve the reallocation of blocks for the first two ships only and are subject in the usual way to satisfactory commercial arrangements with the shipyards.

BAE will complete the structural steel and initial outfitting work on the seven steel blocks it is currently working on, as well as all its work on the 14 blocks for the superstructure of the Landing Helicopter Dock Ships and the integration work.

A decision on the reallocation of blocks, if any, on the third AWD will be made later in the project.

This action will reduce the schedule risk to both this project and to the LHD ships project.

The AWD Alliance has advised that this action will reduce the delay of the completion of Ship 1 by up to 12 months, and of all three AWDs by up to 12 months.

It will also reduce the pressure on BAE Systems to complete the construction of the superstructure and the integration of Australia’s two new LHD ships.

Defence will plan its comprehensive options to manage the transition from the current Adelaide Class frigates to the AWDs taking into account the agreed reallocation of blocks.

(Australian DoD)

Babcock AWD Torpedo Launcher Contract Moves Into Next Phase

16 Februari 2011

Mk32 Mod torpedo launcher (photo : Naval History)

The Anti Submarine Torpedo MU-90 M/04 in its transport cannister (Photo : EuroTorp)

(Babcock International)

Tods Bow Sonar Domes for Australian Air Warfare Destroyers

17 Januari 2011

Tod's bow sonar dome (photo : Tods Defence)

Composite materials specialists Tods Defence have secured the order for three Bow Sonar Domes for the new fleet of Royal Australian Navy 'Air Warfare Destroyers' (Hobart Class) which are due to start coming into service from 2013/14. The Class is a derivative of the Spanish F105 design and is being developed by the Air Warfare Alliance comprising the Defence Material Organisation, Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) and Raytheon Australia. It will be built at a new facility adjacent to the ASC facilities in Adelaide.

The design and build Bow Sonar Dome contract for Tods Defence is part of a continuing partnership with the Australian naval industry, with each of the new units being produced in the UK to coincide with the ship build programme.

Bow Sonar Dome enclosures are specifically designed to house underwater warfare detection systems and sensors. Variants of Tods products are now installed numerous platforms worldwide including F100 and F310 frigates, on the RN Type 45 destroyers and US Navy DDG 1000 Zumwalt Class ships.

Steve Burton, Managing Director Tods Defence say: "Although our design concept has been in proven service with a number of navies for thirty years, with each new class of vessel we have to work closely with international systems providers in their development so that we can fine tune particular customer requirements to provide the optimum performance"

(ASDNews)

Thales Signs Deal for AWD SATCOMs

09 Desember 2010

Hobart class destroyer (image : Ausawd)

Defence company Thales Australia has signed a deal to supply satellite communications (SATCOM) systems for Australia's three new air-warfare destroyers (AWDs).

Thales Australia chief executive Chris Jenkins said the company would use its extensive experience in naval communications to provide a satellite communications capability to meet the current and future needs of the AWDs.

"The AWDs will be at the core of Australia's upgraded naval capability and we will use our systems integration expertise to deliver a solution that makes cost-effective use of proven commercial off-the-shelf and military off-the-shelf components," he said in a statement.

Under the $8 billion AWD program launched in 2007, Australia will build three advanced warships based on the Spanish-designed Navantia F100. There may be a fourth.

The three will be named Hobart, Brisbane and Sydney with the first, HMAS Hobart, scheduled for delivery in December 2014.

Mr Jenkins said under their contract, Thales would provide the Australian navy with a global data transfer capability based on traditional dedicated US military satellites, as well as commercial maritime satellites providing Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) access.

The SATCOM system will also provide access to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and other low data rate civilian maritime functions such as telex, remote monitoring, tracking and position reporting, and chart and weather updates.

Mr Jenkins said Thales would work with Australian small and medium sized enterprises where possible to supply and support the new equipment.

Ultra high frequency SATCOM transceivers and modems will be sourced through Spirit River, Western Australia, an antenna system from SITEP and INMARSAT Fleet Broadband and INMARSAT C equipment from Electrotech.

All design and integration work will be performed in Australia at Garden Island, Sydney, he said.

(Sidney Morning Herald)

Lockheed Wins $ 211M for Australian Aegis

20 September 2010

Australian Hobart class destroyer (image : AusAWD)

Lockheed Martin Mission Systems & Sensors, Moorestown, N.J., is being awarded a $197,500,977 cost-plus-fixed-fee, performance incentives contract for post-Critical Design Review (CDR) Aegis Combat Systems Engineering to support the government of Australia (case AT-P-LCQ) under the Foreign Military Sales program.

The government of Australia selected the Aegis Combat System for its Australian Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) program. These requirements include the necessary combat systems engineering, computer program development, ship integration and test, logistics technical services, technical manuals and staging support to design and build an Aegis Weapon System (AWS) to support the AWD program.

The AWD AWS baseline will be derived from a technology refreshed variant of the U.S. Navy AWS Baseline 7 Phase I.

Naval Sea Systems Command contract N00024-09-C-5104 supported these efforts through Aegis Combat System Critical Design Review.

This contract will support all post-CDR efforts. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $211,425,860. Work will be performed in Moorestown, N.J. (86 percent), and Adelaide, Australia (14 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured.

The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-10-C-5125).

(Defense Aerospace)

Rohde & Schwarz Radios for AWDs

02 September 2010

The $8 billion AWD project is the biggest Defence procurement ever undertaken in Australia (image : AusAWD).

Rohde and Schwarz Australia has been selected as the preferred supplier for the radio equipment suite to equip the Royal Australian Navy's Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs).

The approximately $30 million comms procurement is already included in the budget, through the $8 billion AWD Program in Defence’s Approved Major Capital Investment Program.

The AWD project is the biggest Defence procurement ever undertaken in Australia, and is expected to create 3,000 jobs over the life of the project.

HMAS Hobart is the first of three AWDs to be built, and is currently under construction at three shipyards across the country – ASC in Adelaide, BAE Systems in Melbourne and Forgacs in Newcastle.

The first of the warships is expected to be completed by 2014 and will significantly strengthen the RAN.

(ADM)

informasi