USS Hawaii (SSN-776) - one of four Block I Virginia class nuclear-powered attack submarines - arrived at HMAS Stirling in late August to undergo a Submarine Tendered Maintenance Period (STMP). The STMP will be conducted by a combined US Navy (USN) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) crew embarked aboard the US Navy submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39).
More than 30 RAN personnel will perform the STMP with support from ASC personnel. Their work will be supervised and supported by US personnel aboard USS Emory S. Land. The STMP - which generally take around three weeks - will include the removal and reinstallation of an antenna on USS Hawaii's sail, replacement of an important hydraulic valve, and inspections of the hull by divers.
"This is an important moment for the Royal Australian Navy, for the first time, we have Australians who were trained and certified aboard Emory S. Land using their skills on a US SSN in Australian waters," said the Australian Submarine Agency's Head of Submarine Capability, Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley.
“The STMP is the AUKUS partnership in action. Working together, Navy-to-Navy, to share our knowledge, strengthen our skills, and keep our countries safe, secure, and strong," said the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond.
One RAN Officer, Lieutenant Will, is part of USS Hawaii's crew, having graduated the Submarine Officer Basic Course and naval nuclear training in the US.
"I congratulate the Navy officers and sailors aboard USS Emory S. Land and USS Hawaii. I know that they will make the Navy, their families, and our countries proud," he added.
"RTX (Raytheon Australia and Collins Aerospace) are proud contributors to the global expertise and involvement that goes into supporting the Virginia-class of submarines, and we stand ready to support Australia’s future submarine fleet," said Raytheon Australia's Interim Managing Director, Ohad Katz.