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LHD Begins Final Leg of Journey to Australia

25 September 2012

LHD01 is being transported to Australia (photo : heavyliftspecialist)

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that the hull of the first of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) new amphibious ships has begun the final leg of its journey to Australia.

Mr Clare said the Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) 01 hull has rounded the Cape of Good Hope and is expected to arrive in Melbourne in the next few weeks.

The LHD hull left Ferrol, Spain in August and is being transported by the Heavy Lift Ship, Blue Marlin. The hull was built in the Navantia shipyard in Spain.

“The Blue Marlin is making good progress and we expect the LHD to arrive in Melbourne by mid October,” Mr Clare said.

The Canberra Class LHDs are bigger than Australia’s last aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne. When completed they will be more than 230 metres long, 27.5 metres high and weigh around 27,500 tonnes.

Each ship can carry a combined arms battle group of more than 1100 personnel, 100 armoured vehicles and 12 helicopters and features a 40-bed hospital.

“From Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, the LHD will then travel to the Williamstown dockyard for consolidation of the superstructure and installation of the combat and communications and navigation systems,” Mr Clare said.

The vessel is scheduled to be delivered to the RAN in early 2014.

(Aus DoD)

Premature Ageing Found Found on HMAS Choules

24 September 2012

HMAS Choules Landing Ship Dock (photo : glenn kasner)

On 18 June 2012 a media statement was released detailing the initial circumstances surrounding the defect which occurred on one of the propulsion transformers in HMAS Choules on 14 June 2012. This is an update to that release.

At the time of the incident all other transformers were checked by the transformer manufacturer (Siemens) and found to be within specification.

Following the removal of the two starboard side propulsion transformers, further investigation has been possible and this has indicated signs of premature ageing.

Deeper level inspections of all remaining transformers in the ship have now revealed similar problems but at varying levels.

The transformer manufacturer is yet to confirm that this contributed to the failure of the starboard propulsion transformer.

Work is now underway in conjunction with the transformer manufacturer, the on-site support agencies and Defence Science and Technology Organisation to determine when the remaining transformers need to be replaced.

The Defence Materiel Organisation is also contacting the UK Ministry of Defence to coordinate further investigations.

Should HMAS Choules be further delayed in her return to service, HMAS Tobruk and Australian Defence Vessel Ocean Shield will provide any humanitarian assistance or disaster relief response if required by the Government.

(Aus DoD)

LHD 01 “Canberra” Departs Spain, Australia Bound

20 Agustus 2012

Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) "Canberra" loaded onto the MV Blue Marlin semi-submersible heavy lift ship. (all photos : Aus DoD)

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced the departure of the hull of the first of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) new amphibious ships from Ferrol in northern Spain.

Mr Clare said the Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) 01 hull will be transported to Melbourne, Australia, by the Heavy Lift Ship, Blue Marlin. The hull was built in the Navantia shipyard in Spain.

“The trip is expected to take approximately seven weeks depending on weather conditions,” Mr Clare said.

The Canberra Class LHDs are bigger than Australia’s last aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne. When completed they will be more than 230 metres long, 27.5 metres high and weigh around 27,500 tonnes.

Mr Clare said each ship can carry a combined arms battle group of more than 1100 personnel, 100 armoured vehicles and 12 helicopters and features a 40-bed hospital.

“On arrival in Australian waters the ship will transit to Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne and then on to the Williamstown dockyard for consolidation of the superstructure and installation of the combat and communications and navigation systems. This will be followed by sea trials,” he said.

The vessel is scheduled to be delivered to the RAN in early 2014.

The hull of LHD 02 was launched on 4 July from the Navantia shipyard in a ceremony attended by the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs. When complete, LHD 02 will be commissioned as HMAS Adelaide.

(Aus DoD)

LHD Canberra Hull to be Carried on Heavy Transport Vessel

07 Agustus 2012

Canberra hull ready for transport (photo : JR Montero)

Aircraft Carrier Hullto be Carried on Dockwise HTV

Australian Landing Helicopter Dock (ALHD) ship hull is for onboard Heavy Transport Vessel (HTV) delivery to Australiafrom Spain.

Blue Marlin, the largest semi-submersible HTV available to date, is to load shortly the Navantia manufactured hull (230 meters in length) of the amphibious ALHD flagship Canberrafor delivery to the Royal Australian Navy.

Canberra hull has entered Blue Marlin vessel (photo : Gustavo Rivas)

A complex technical challenge emerged: the aircraft carrier hull was calculated to protrude 55 meters from the aft end of the Blue Marlin. To meet this challenge Dockwise marine engineers had to work closely with the Navantia team to develop a new grillage and sea-fastening design to safeguard the hull against forces that may be encountered on the voyage.

Blue Marlin preparing to entered by the Canberra hull (photo : Dockwise)

Dockwise has been awarded contracts to transport two ALHD hulls from Punta Langosteira, Spain to Melbourne, Australia.

The ALHD Canberra is the first of two cargoes to commence the 12,000 nautical mile voyage around Cape of Good Hopeestimated to be completed in 45 days.

Blue Marlin heavy transport vessel (photo : JR Montero)

The second, the ALHD Adelaide, will be transported in early 2014. Both hulls are built along the lines of the Juan Carlos 1 of the Spanish Navy by the naval shipyard in Ferrol that is now managed by Navantia.

Canberra LHD hull (photo : JR Montero)

The Heavy Marine Transport vessel Blue Marlin was built in 2000. She is the largest semi-submersible vessel afloat measuring 224 meters by 63 meters and capable of transporting cargo of up to 76,000 tons.

(Maritime Professional)

Navantia Launches the Second Amphibious LHD for Australia

05 Juli 2012

HMAS Adelaide, second LHD for Royal Australian Navy (photo : Navantia)

The second amphibious ship for the Royal Australian Navy was launched by Navantia shipyard at its Ferrol facilities. The Ship’s launching lady, Mrs. Maureen Banks, as well as the Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, together with representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, BAE Systems, SEPI and Navantia have attended the event.

Construction of “HMAS Adelaide” started with the steel cutting ceremony on the 2nd of February 2010, followed by the keel laying on the 18th of February 2011.

This early launch provides additional time for the equipment and testing until early 2014, in which the hull will be transported to Australia for completion and delivery by BAE Systems Australia in Williamstown.

These two amphibious ships were contracted on November 23, 2007 in Melbourne and will be delivered by BAE Systems to the Australia in 2014 and 2015.

The design of the Australian LHDs is based on the “Juan Carlos I” of the Spanish Navy Armada.

(Navantia)

Kelvin Hughes to Develop Training System for BAE Systems Australia Defence

18 Mei 2012

Canberra Class Amphibious Ships equipped with the Naval MantaDigital™ radar display and SharpEye™ solid state radar sensor functions and tactical features. (all photos : Kelvin Hughes)

Kelvin Hughes has announced it has been contracted to provide the training system for its dedicated short range helicopter control radar (SRHCR) to BAE Systems Australia Defence. BAE Systems Australia Defence are contracted to the Defence Material Organisation to train the initial crews for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) new Canberra Class Amphibious Ships.

The innovative landing solution has been integrated into Canberra Class Amphibious Ships being built by BAE Systems Australia and Navantia. The ships will enter service during 2014 and 2015 and will be the largest warships ever operated by the Royal Australian Navy.

The Kelvin Hughes training system is expected to be commissioned in November 2012 at a new training facility, in Sydney, Australia, enabling operators and maintenance personnel to learn about the Naval MantaDigital™ radar display and SharpEye™ solid state radar sensor functions and tactical features.

The training system has been developed to allow operators to experience and practice on-board fault-finding and then follow protocol on how to correct potential problems that may occur during live operations on the Amphibious Ships.

Simulated errors are created in the system for trainees to fault-find using the system schedule and procedures, enabling the operator to understand the layout, functions and radar tactical features of the radar display system.

Barry Wade, managing director of Kelvin Hughes Surveillance Systems, said the training solution has been developed as part of Kelvin Hughes commitment to supplying a complete radar solution including training and support to the customer.

He added: “We are very pleased to be providing a training system that enables a direct comparison between the simulation environment and the operational environment, and is testament to the flexibility of Naval MantaDigital™ and SharpEye™ open architecture radar equipment.”

(Kelvin Hughes)

Malaysia Ingin Membeli Fregat Bekas dan Kapal LSD Eks US

25 April 2012

Fregat Oliver Hazard Perry class versi lambung panjang (photo : Seaforces)

Hari ini JDW dan Tsamto memberitakan bahwa Angkatan Laut Malaysia berminat untuk mengakuisisi dua jenis kapal perang US yang akan memasuki masa pensiun pada tahun 2013.

Kedua jenis kapal perang tersebut adalah fregat (FFG) dari kelas Oliver Hazard Perry dan kapal amfibi (LSD) dari kelas Whidbey Island.

Kemungkinan frigat yang akan diakuisisi berjumlah dua buah sedangkan kapal amfibi berjumlah satu buah.

Kapal LSD Whitbey Island (photo : US Navy)

Kelas Oliver Hazard Perry class merupakan fregat dengan berat 4.100 ton dengan panjang 136 m. Angkatan Laut Australia juga mengoperasikan fregat kelas ini sebanyak 4 buah (dinamai lokal sebagai Adelaide class) yang beberapa kali diupgrade kemampuannya, dan akan digantikan oleh kapal perusak kelas Hobart.

Whidbey Island class merupakan kapal landing ship dock dengan berat 16.100 ton dengan panjang 186m. Rencananya kapal LSD ini akan menggantikan LST KD Sri Inderapura yang telah mengalami kebakaran hebat dan akhirnya dipensiunkan.

(Defense Studies)

Navy Officially Welcomes HTMS Ang Thong to Fleet

22 April 2012

Thailand’s first ship of this kind was built in Singapore at a cost of 4.94 billion baht. The navy plans to order more ships of the same type, because it decommissioned five old auxiliary vessels. (all photos : Bangkok Post, RTN, thaidefensenews)

CHON BURI : The navy officially received its new landing platform dock ship, HTMS Ang Thong, at Laem Thien port at Sattahip naval base yesterday.

HTMS Ang Thong is Thailand's first ship of this kind. It was built in Singapore at a cost of 4.94 billion baht.

Royal Thai Fleet commander Kanat Thongpoon said buying HTMS Ang Thong was worthwhile as it had a displacement of 7,600 tonnes and could carry up to 360 personnel for landing operations and 30 administrative officers.

It will be deployed during the US-Thai Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Carat) exercise next month and on a peace-keeping mission together with HTMSSimilan to tackle Somali pirates next year.

According to Adm Kanat, HTMSAng Thong is also suitable for rescue missions because it has a sick bay, a minor operation room and a dentist room and has doctors on board.

The navy needs more landing ships, of this type he said. It has decommissioned five old auxiliary vessels and HTMS Ang Thong is the only replacement so far. The navy plans to order more ships of the same type.

According to HTMS Ang Thong commander Teerasan Khongman, the new landing craft has a well dock to conveniently launch tanks and boats. It can carry four landing craft with vehicles and personnel.

Also welcomed at the ceremony yesterday were the ship's crew numbering about 150 officers and men.

HTMS Ang Thong's crew members started training on the ship in Singapore two months ago and they will be ready for drills next month. In the Carat exercise, the ship will be used to receive and launch helicopters and amphibious assault vehicles.

(Bangkok Post)

ST Marine Delivers 141M Landing Platform Dock to Royal Thai Navy

04 April 2012

HTMS Angthong 791 (all photos : Jojoelee Poonyaput - thaidefensenews)

Singapore, – ST Marine on 3 April held a ceremony for preliminary acceptance and delivery of the 141m Landing Platform Dock (LPD), which it designed and built for Royal Thai Navy at its Benoi yard. The ceremony held in the morning was graced by Admiral Surasak Rounroengrom, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, and His Excellency Mr Marut Jitpatima, Ambassador of Thailand to Singapore.

The design of the LPD is proprietary to ST Marine and is based on its Endurance Class of LPDs. The design is proven by the four 141m Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs) that ST Marine built for theRepublicofSingapore Navy. The LSTs have been deployed successfully on many occasions to provide peacekeeping duties in the Gulf, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts during the 2004 Indonesian tsunami and more recently as part of the international anti-piracy Combined Task Force in the Gulf of Aden.

With a displacement of about 7600 tonnes, the LPD has a well-dock with a stern as well as a side ramp designed for expedient embarkation and disembarkation of equipment and personnel. This versatile vessel is capable of supporting myriad missions, ranging from sea transportation, naval support operations, civil search and rescue to disaster relief missions. To support these missions, its heli-deck can land up to two medium-sized helicopters of about 10-tonnes each.

ST Marine secured this contract worth some S$200m, to design and build this LPD as well as two units of 23m Landing Craft Mechanised and two units of 13m Landing Craft Vehicle and Personnel. Work for the LPD commenced in mid 2009 and the vessel was launched in March last year. After going through the mandatory and comprehensive acceptance sea trials, the LPD is now ready to sail to its base in Thailand for the final acceptance trials. Final delivery of the LPD is expected to be by 2Q2012.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to ST Marine for their efficient supervision and construction of the ship as well as their kind support to the Royal Thai Navy personnel throughout the period when they were working here at the yard.” ~ Admiral Surasak Rounroengrom, Commander-in-Chief, Royal Thai Navy.

“ST Marine has always pride itself on our design capability as well as being able to deliver quality ships and excellent services to our customers. Through this LPD programme, we hope to be able to continue to build on our precious relationships with the Kingdom of Thailand and Royal Thai Navy in the years to come. We are very proud that we have once again delivered on our promise.” ~ NG Sing Chan, President, ST Marine.

(STEngg)

Philippine Navy to Sign Contract for MRVs this July

23 Maret 2012

Two MultiRole Vessels (MRVs) along with three new helicopters will be ordered to the Navy. While PT PAL offers Strategic Sealift Vessel LPD for Philippines Navy (photo : Defense Studies)

MANILA — Philippine Navy (PN) flag-officer-in charge Vice Admiral Alexander Pama on Thursday expressed optimism that the contracts for the service's two multi-role vessels (MRVs) will be signed by July this year.

With the expected signing of this vital document, the contracting shipbuilder can proceed ahead with the construction of the above-mentioned ships as per design specification of the Philippine government.

The acquisition cost for the two MRVs is estimated to be worth P10 billion.

Pama said that the two vessels would greatly increase the PN's patrolling and disaster relief mission capabilities as the proposed ships are capable of cruising even at the heaviest seas,aside from being equipped with helicopters and and LCMs, allowing them easy access to calamity-stricken communities.

Aside from the MRVs contract, the PN chief stated that the contract for the three brand-new helicopters for the naval service will also be signed by the end of the year, giving the command's air arm new equipment to fulfill its mandate of patrolling and securing Philippine maritime sovereignty.

(Zamboa Times)

HMAS Choules Passes First Capability Test

20 Maret 2012

HMAS Choules during Squadex Ecxercise photos : Aus DoD)

The Royal Australian Navy’s new amphibious ship HMAS Choules has successfully completed its first major amphibious training tasks.

Navy and Army have come together during the last three weeks for the amphibious exercises SQUADEX and SEA LION.

Exercise SQUADEX provided practice for drivers of Army and Navy landing craft along with a variety of vehicle types as they drive on and off HMAS Choules.

HMAS Choules is significantly larger than the amphibious ships she replaced and gives the ADF new capabilities such as a floating dock.

The internal docking facility (or well dock) can be flooded to a depth of up to three metres so landing craft and the ship’s own landing barges actually drive inside the hull while the ship is at sea, taking on their cargo of vehicles and people in safe and controlled conditions.

Army Blackhawk helicopter pilots from 5 Aviation Regiment have also put the ship to the test, flying constant sorties to confirm their deck landing qualifications and practice cargo and personnel transfers.

For exercise SEA LION, HMAS Choules was joined by the New Zealand amphibious ship HMNZS Canterbury, Australian Army personnel from Townsville’s 3rd Brigade and planning staff from all three services around Australia. This exercise focused on ensuring the ADF is prepared for a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief incident in our region.

HMAS Choules’ Commanding Officer, Commander John Cowan, said Choules had the capacity to conduct simultaneous landing craft and helicopter operations, day and night, to support humanitarian and disaster relief operations.

“Using Choules’ well dock to move personnel and equipment ashore allows a significant increase in the speed of transfer compared with the Navy’s previous Landing Platform Amphibious ships,” Commander Cowan said.

Choules has a crew of 158 officers and sailors, including a permanently embarked Ships Army Department of 22. The ship can accommodate two large helicopters, 150 light trucks and 350 troops.

(Aus DoD)

HTMS Angthong 791 Undergoes Sea Trial

19 Maret 2012

Royal Thai Navy HTMS Angthong LPD (all photos : thaifighterclub)

In November 2008, ST Marine was awarded contract by Thailand to deliver one LPD and associated landing craft. Construction of the Thai LPD started in mid-2009 and delivery is scheduled for the second half of 2012.

The new ship, named HTMS Angthong (LPD-791), was launched in March 2011 and now undergoing sea trials by ST Marine.

The following are photos while undergoing sea trials, all these pictures were taken from thaifighterclub.

76mm Oto Melara super rapid naval gun has mounted

Well dock for fast craft utility

Heli deck attempted to be landed by chinook helicopter

(Defense Studies)

DSME Offers DW3000H Frigates to RTN and Negotiates Two Dokdo-class to RMN

13 Maret 2012

DSME DW3000H 3.000 tonnes frigates (photo : ADJ)

DSME–The Korean Ship Building Giant

Thailand

Bangkok: South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) made its presence felt in Defense & Security 2012 by showcasing its range of shipbuilding skills and technologies. DSME is at the Bangkok show to propose its latest frigate design to the Thai Royal Navy. The vessel proposed is a DW 3000H with 3,000 tonnes displacement and 114 metres in length.

DSME and NGVTech jointly build three training ship (1.270 tons and 75.9 m length) for Royal Malaysian Navy (photo : standdupper)

Malaysia

DSME is very active especially in the AsiaPacific. Last year the Korean giant signed an agreement with the Royal Malaysian Navy to build three training vessels and currently in negotiations with the RMN to build at least two Dokdo-class multi-purpose ship around 20,000 tonnage.

Malaysian sources said that the RMN need LPD similar to Dokdo, but weighs less than 8,000 tons. The similar ship was Italian San Giorgio class (7.650 tons and 133m length) that can carry 350 troops, 30 MBT or 36 APC, five Bell 412 helicopters. (photo : Italy DoD)

Indonesia

DSME recently won the bid in the Indonesian submarine programme when the shipyard is contracted to build three diesel-electric submarines.

United Kingdom

DSME hit another big contract in the European market last February. The Korean shipbuilder has won a £452 million ($715.2 million) deal to equip Britain’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) with new naval tankers. DSME was to build four 37,000 tonnes auxiliary oilers using a design from leading British naval consultants BMT Defence Services in South Korea. Sang-Tae Nam, the president and executive of Daewoo Shipbuilding, said: “This significant win in the UK, coupled with our recent Indonesian submarine order, helps to further broaden our international business credentials. Exporting these MARS tankers to the UK adds to our already strong and competitive portfolio”.

(ADJ-Defense & Security 2012 News)

Helicopter Dock Ships Boost Defence

23 Februari 2012

Canberra class LHD (image : McConrads)

THE arrival in 2014 of the first of two 27,000-tonne Landing Helicopter Dock warships represents the biggest change to Australia's "force projection capability" since the navy's first aircraft carrier was acquired more than 60 years ago, Defence Force chief General David Hurley said yesterday.
Speaking at a key defence conference in Canberra, General Hurley said restructuring of the army's three combat brigades into an amphibious assault force - the most ambitious revamp of Australian Defence Force doctrine in decades - was on track to enable company-size ship-to-shore landings by 2018.

He acknowledged "disappointment at the state of the amphibious fleet" and pledged new maintenance practices that would ensure ships "in the right condition" were available for future missions.

Last year, the Royal Australian Navy was unable to provide support to victims of Cyclone Yasi because none of its amphibious vessels was seaworthy.

The challenges in creating an Amphibious Task Force (ATF) should not be underestimated, he warned.

Much would be learnt from the shared experiences of the US Marine Corps, units of which will soon to be based in Darwin, and its British counterpart, the Royal Marines, General Hurley said.

As reported in The Australian in December, the testbed for the new capability will be the Townsville-based 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, just returned from Afghanistan.

However, outside Afghanistan, the Australian Defence Force's primary operating environment extends from the eastern approaches of the Indian Ocean to the island states of Polynesia and from the equator to the Southern Ocean.

"This area encompasses 25,000 islands, 85,000km of navigable waterways.

"The ADF must be able to maintain situational awareness across this vast area and must be capable of responding swiftly and decisively to a range of scenarios," General Hurley said.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith told the conference it was likely Canberra would follow Washington's lead and postpone the purchase of 54 of the stealthy F-35 Joint Strike Fighters (JSFs) beyond the 14 the federal government is committed to buy.

"It won't be a priority in my view this year to make judgments about the receipt or the delivery or the arrival of future or additional Joint Strike Fighters," Mr Smith warned.

Experts said that was likely to translate into a decision to upgrade at least six of the new 24 F/A-18F Super Hornet fleet to advanced electronic warfare variants.

The federal government had 12 Super Hornets hard-wired on the assembly line for possible conversion as EA-18G Growlers - a move that would give the air force a formidable new .

(The Australian)

Navy Revives Plan to Buy P5-b Ship

06 Desember 2011

Indonesia and South Korea will compete for the tender of MRV ship for Philippine navy (photo : Kaskus Militer)

The Navy has been cleared to begin negotiations for the purchase of a multirole vessel from any of the friendly nations, Rear Admiral Alexander Pama said on Sunday.

“The latest process that we had undergone with the Department of National Defense had good results and we did not encounter anymore objections,” Pama said.

“Hopefully, all the procedures required by the defense acquisition system would be finalized and early next year we can start negotiations for the acquisition,” Pama said.

But Pama said the Navy has yet to obtain President Aquino’s approval for the purchase plan, which is part of the military’s modernization.

An MRV, which costs at least P5 billion, will serve as a mother ship equipped with state-of-the-art radars and sensors for monitoring aircrafts and patrol boats, Pama said.

Early this year, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin temporarily dropped the acquisition of an MRV

from the list of big-ticket items and gave priority to light sea-crafts for internal security operations and disaster response.

Gazmin changed his mind following China’s alleged intrusions into Philippine territorial waters particularly in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) where the hotly disputed Spratly islands is situated.

Last August, the Philippines acquired a patrol vessel—Hamilton-class cutter—from the United States Coast Guard for P423 million to beef up security at the Malampaya gas project. The Navy renamed it BRP Gregorio del Pilar.

“The dry-docking and repainting of PF15 costs P47.914 million while the refitting to our Navy configuration is P13.872 million. It was funded by the Department of Energy.”

On Dec. 14, the Navy with Aquino as the guest of honor will launch the commissioning of the vessel together with a Philippine-made Landing Utility Craft called BRP Tagbanua (AT296), a BO105 Helicopter (PNH422) and a refurbished Presidential Yacht called BRP Ang Pangulo (AT25).

The P189 million- BRP Tagbanua, made in Misamis Oriental, is configured to transport combat personnel, tanks, vehicles, artillery equipment, and cargoes in support of military operations and perform medical assistance as well as disaster, rescue and relief operations.

(Manila Standard Today)

BAE Systems Contracted For LHD Training

21 September 2011

Canberra class LHD (image : shipsmodel)

Williamstown, Australia - BAE Systems has been engaged by the Commonwealth for the development and delivery of training for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships.

The training will rely heavily on simulation and virtual scenarios using the latest technology, including avatars.

BAE Systems Director of Maritime, Harry Bradford, said the use of advanced, computer-based technology for training had a number of advantages for the customer in terms of both cost and flexibility.

“The most obvious benefit in using computer simulation is that the technology allows us to recreate, and for the crew to interact with the LHD environment, without the actual completed ship. This means greater flexibility and lower cost for our customer.

“For instance the system is capable of familiarising various elements of the defence forces, including both army and navy, with the ship in terms of systems, capability, size and layout and these defence personnel can be in separate geographical locations across the country.

“With training commencing prior to delivery of the first ship, the flexibility of being able to train and familiarise defence forces at their home bases represents substantial cost savings for the Commonwealth.”

Mr Bradford said in addition to familiarising personnel with the LHD the training being developed by BAE Systems also included simulating emergency procedures and failure modes, all in a safe environment.

“This is also a major benefit for the crews of these ships in that we can recreate and test emergency procedures in a safe environment before procedures are implemented on the ship.”

There are also flow-on benefits from the creation of these training packages for other navy vessels.
Mr Bradford said once created, these simulator programs can be easily migrated to AWDs, ANZACs and FFGs which could benefit the navy for all future training programs.

Work is underway on the development of some of the simulated training through KBR, which developed the avatar technology used in the Virtual Ship Training and Information System (ViSTIS), to be used for the LHD. BAE Systems has also recently awarded a contract to Kongsberg Maritime to provide a custom engine room simulator for the engineers who will serve aboard the LHDs.

A team of approximately 30 people at BAE Systems will manage the training process for the LHD Project. BAE Systems is the prime contractor. The first hull is expected to arrive in Williamstown in August 2012. Delivery of the first training packages is expected in 2013 ahead of the completion of the first ship.

(BAE System)

Japan to Build New Helicopter Carrier by 2012

15 September 2011

Japan already has two helicopter carriers (photo : Chosun Ilbo)

Japan plans to build a 19,500-ton aircraft carrier capable of housing helicopters after China launched its first own aircraft carrier, Chinese media reported on Wednesday. Japan already has two helicopter carriers -- the Hyuga deployed in March 2009 and the Ise deployed in March 2011 -- but the planned new vessel will be bigger.

The 22DDH is scheduled for deployment in 2015. It will be 248 m long and cost around US$1.04 billion. It is 30 percent bigger than the Ise and can carry 14 helicopters. The Ise measures 197 m, has a displacement of 13,500 tons and can carry 11 helicopters.

Although dwarfed by China's aircraft carrier, which is 320 m long and can carry 50 fighter jets, the Japanese vessel will be equipped with the latest U.S. weapons systems to maximize its capability. It will be equipped with the Raytheon air and missile defense system, which has so far only been installed on U.S. vessels, and 11 missile launchers.

Japan had several aircraft carriers during World War II, but since its defeat it has focused on developing helicopter carriers, which are deemed purely defensive. It appears to be bolstering defenses to counter China's increasing submarine warfare capabilities. The new carrier will house mainly helicopters designed for anti-submarine warfare operations.

The new carrier is expected to be used to carry F-35B VSTOL aircraft (image : connect.in)

There are increasing calls within Japan to modify the 22DDH for fighter jets. But critics say it would be unrealistic to build such an aircraft carrier since its navy has only 45,000 personnel, and the already indebted government would run deeper into debt.

Chinese media speculated that Japan could buy Lookheed Martin F-35B stealth fighters capable of vertical takeoff and landing and base them on the new carrier.

Japan is also speeding up the development of stealth fighters and drones. Since 2009, it has invested 39 billion yen (around W562.2 billion) on development of an indigenous stealth fighter codenamed ATD-X. A prototype is expected to be unveiled in 2014, and development is to be complete in 2016.

Japan's Defense Ministry is also spending 15 billion yen this year on developing drones and robots. One unmanned helicopter has already been deployed with the Self-Defense Forces, while four prototype drones have been developed.

(Chosun Ilbo)

Kelvin Hughes Develops Innovative Helicopter Landing Solution

11 Agustus 2011

HMAS Canberra LHD (photo : MurdocOnline)

Kelvin Hughes has developed an innovative helicopter landing solution on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy.

The dedicated short range helicopter control radar (SRHCR) has recently passed factory acceptance testing and will now be integrated into the Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Docks being built by BAE Systems Australia and Navantia.

It’s expected that the ships will enter service during 2014 and 2015 and will be the largest warships ever operated by the Royal Australian Navy.

IMO regulations which prevent the use of navigation radars for helicopter control led to the requirement for a customised SRHCR.

Kelvin Hughes’ experience in naval navigation radar combined with its SharpEye™ solid state sensor technology provided the perfect solution for developing a cost-effective dedicated sensor for the landing of helicopters.

The marine navigation and surveillance specialist delivered the first system from project concept in less than 18 months, and the radar system has now passed the trials testing phase following the technical design review in December 2010.

The Kelvin Hughes Surveillance solution provides up-mast S-Band SharpEye™ solid state radar transceiver, 3.9m low profile antenna, state-of-the-art tracking software produced in conjunction with QintetiQ, providing helicopter track data to the command system with no operator intervention.

The ATC room houses a Kelvin Hughes MantaDigital™ processor and display console with a slave display connected via fibre optic cables in the operations room. The system can also be used as a stand-alone manned station, providing a back-up solution based-on mission requirements.

Gary Potts, LHD Combat & Communications Manager, for BAE Systems Australia said: I have been most impressed with Kelvin Hughes’ dedication and responsiveness.

Barry Wade, Managing Director Kelvin Hughes Surveillance business said: We are delighted that BAE Systems selected SharpEye™ for this application, within its class the performance and flexibility of SharpEye™ is second to none as illustrated on this prestigious programme.

(Kelvin Hughes)

Philippines Expresses Interest in Spanish LPD and OPV Designs

03 Agustus 2011

Galicia class LPD (photo : Militaryphotos)

Spanish shipbuilder Navantia sent a sales team to the Philippines in July to follow up on initial interest from the archipelagic nation in regenerating its antiquated naval fleet.

Designs were presented for a landing platform dock (LPD) and offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), the company said on 2 August. Noone was available for further comment "because of the summer holidays".

Navantia built two 14,000-tonne Galicia-class LPDs for the Spanish Navy (Armada Española) in the late 1990s; SPS Galicia and SPS Castilla have both been employed on disaster relief/humanitarian aid operations - a capability that would be called upon frequently in and around the Philippines, an area prone to extreme seismic and weather events.

Avante class OPV (image : Navantia)

The company is also offering its Avante 1400 OPV design. Nearly 80 m long and displacing about 1,500 tonnes, this vessel is based on the POVZEE (Patrullero Oceánico para la Vigilancia de la Zona Económica Exclusiva) ships on order for the Venezuelan Navy.

Navantia said that it sent a team to Manila at the beginning of 2011 to "sound out the possible future needs" of the Philippine Navy. The follow-up visit in July came after the Philippines government "asked Navantia to present officially these two products that fit the future needs of their navy".

Navantia's workload has become increasingly export-oriented as its main client, the Armada, has been restricted by three consecutive years of defence budget cuts. The company's director of new construction, Angel Recaman, told Jane's earlier this year that around half its work was now for foreign customers.

(Jane's)

Installation Complete on LHD Land-Based Test Site

28 Juli 2011

Canberra class LHD (photo : Mashpedia)

WILLIAMSTOWN, Australia - The Land-Based Test Site (LBTS) at BAE Systems in Williamstown for the Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) project is now complete.

BAE Systems, Saab and L-3 Communications (L-3) completed the installation in July 2011 as a key milestone in the development of the integrated combat and communications systems.

Director BAE Systems Maritime Business Unit Harry Bradford said testing in the LBTS will commence immediately with the final testing concluding next year.

“The major activity of the test site is risk mitigation of equipment integration prior to installation on the ship. The equipment will undergo significant testing to ensure all systems, including those supplied by several sensor manufacturers, are properly integrated and working effectively.

“The Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) installed in the Land-Based Test Site are to be installed on the second LHD, with the first ship receiving new equipment.

“While not fully operational, we are seeing real benefits from the test site as the team has discovered some issues that will require system modification, and these are much less costly when uncovered early in the program,” he said.

L-3 has supplied a large and complex communications suite, while Saab has installed the Combat Direction System which will provide the core command and control system for the ship. The CDS is based on a derivative of Saab's latest 9LV Mk 3E Combat Management System implemented on the ANZAC-class frigates, with added capability for helicopter and watercraft control for the LHD's amphibious warfare roles.

Design work began on the test site in 2008 with outfitting and installation of equipment having commenced in the latter half of last year. The first ship is expected to arrive in August 2012.

(BAE System)

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