Ultra (Australia) has entered into agreement for the fifth year of in-service support for the Hobart Class guided-missile destroyer (DDG) ships together with Raytheon Australia.
"This contract ensures that the Integrated Sonar System installed on the RAN's DDGs, which is comprised of a Hull Mounted Sonar and a Towed Variable Depth Sonar joined by an integrated sonar processing suite to provide an advanced multi-sensor sonar capability, continues to support the operational requirements of the RAN," the company said in a brief statement.
“Ultra is committed to work closely with Raytheon and our other support partners to maximise the availability and operational capability of the Hobart Class Destroyer for the Royal Australian Navy," Bernard Mills, President of Ultra Sonar Systems said.
Navy’s Hobart class Air Warfare Destroyers recently reached final operational capability after the third ship, HMAS Sydney, completed a successful test and evaluation period off the coast of the US and Canada.
Chief of the RAN, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, said the milestone ushered in a new era for the Navy.
“Navy’s three Hobart class destroyers use a number of systems in common with the US Navy, which allows our ships to be fully interchangeable with the most advanced allied naval force in the Indo-Pacific region,” Vice Admiral Noonan said.
“Australian destroyers are a key contribution to the Australia-US alliance and will be employed in maintaining the peace and prosperity of our region for the next 30 years.
“Due to the ever-changing strategic environment, the Hobart class will continue to be upgraded with the latest weapons and sensors over coming years in order to maintain a capability edge.”