The main
radar tower for the first of Australia’s three Air Warfare Destroyers, Hobart, has been
successfully lifted into position.
Minister
for Defence Senator David Johnston
confirmed progress on the Hobart was well advanced, with the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance
successfully lifting the Aegis tower
onto the ship structure.
“The
Aegis tower is a complex block on the AWD because of specific requirements to
ensure accuracy in build and the effectiveness of the SPY radar’s operation,”
Senator Johnston said.
Senator
Johnston said the Aegis tower, constructed onsite at the ASC Shipyard at Techport, Adelaide, will house the four
octagonal-shaped phased array panels of the Aegis AN/SPY-1D (V) search radar.
The
achievement comes on the back of the significant milestone of the US Navy’s
recommendation that the Aegis Weapon System computer programs are ready for the
on-board trial and activation of the combat system.
“The
Aegis Weapon System is the nerve-centre of the destroyers and integrates a
number of sensors and effectors to simultaneously detect, track and engage
multiple air, surface and subsurface targets,” Senator Johnston said.
“The
multi-function SPY radar is the main sensor for Aegis. The array faces send out
beams of electromagnetic energy in all directions, providing a simultaneous and
continuous search and tracking capability for hundreds of targets, providing
the Royal Australian Navy with one of the most advanced warships in the world.”
The
acceptance of the Aegis computer programs by the US Navy follows extensive
testing last year by developer Lockheed
Martin and the US Navy, with involvement of the Defence Materiel Organisation and Royal Australian Navy.