User:Saberwyn/HMAS Hobart (DDGH 39)
| History | |
|---|---|
 Australia | |
| Namesake | City of Hobart, Tasmania |
| Ordered | 4 October 2007 |
| Builder | list error: <br /> list (help) Navantia (designer) AWD Alliance (project coordinator) ASC (primary shipbuilder) Forgacs Group and BAE Systems Australia (module builders) |
| Laid down | 6 September 2012 |
| Launched | 23 May 2015 |
| Completed | June 2017 (planned) |
| Honours and awards | Nine inherited battle honours |
| Status | Under construction |
| General characteristics (as designed) | |
| Type | Air warfare destroyer |
| Displacement | 6,250 tonnes (6,150 long tons; 6,890 short tons) full load |
| Length | 147.2 metres (483 ft) |
| Beam | 18.6 metres (61 ft) maximum |
| Draught | 5.17 metres (17.0 ft) |
| Propulsion | list error: <br /> list (help) Combined diesel or gas (CODOG) arrangement 2 x General Electric Marine model 7LM2500-SA-MLG38 gas turbines, 17,500 kilowatts (23,500 hp) each 2 x Caterpillar Bravo 16 V Bravo diesel engines, 5,650 kilowatts (7,580 hp) each 2 x controllable pitch propellers |
| Speed | Over 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph) |
| Range | Over 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) |
| Complement | list error: <br /> list (help) 186 + 16 aircrew Accommodation for 234 |
| Sensors and processing systems | list error: <br /> list (help) Aegis combat system Lockheed Martin AN/SPY-1D(V) S-band radar Northrop Grumman AN/SPQ-9B X-band pulse Doppler horizon search radar Raytheon Mark 99 fire-control system with two continuous wave illuminating radars 2 x L-3 Communications SAM Electronics X-band navigation radars Ultra Electronics Sonar Systems' Integrated Sonar System Ultra Electronics Series 2500 electro-optical director Sagem VAMPIR IR search and track system Rafael Toplite stabilised target acquisition sights |
| Electronic warfare & decoys | list error: <br /> list (help) ITT EDO Reconnaissance and Surveillance Systems ES-3701 ESM radar SwRI MBS-567A communications ESM system Ultra Electronics Avalon Systems multipurpose digital receiver Jenkins Engineering Defence Systems low-band receiver 4 x Nulka decoy launchers 4 x 6-tube multipurpose decoy launchers |
| Armament | list error: <br /> list (help) 48-cell Mark 41 Vertical Launch System • RIM-66 Standard 2 missile • RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow missile 2 x 4-canister Harpoon missile launchers 1 x Mark 45 Mod 4 5-inch gun 2 x Mark 32 Mod 9 two-tube torpedo launchers • Eurotorp MU90 torpedoes 1 x Phalanx CIWS 2 x 25mm M242 Bushmaster autocannons in Typhoon mounts |
| Aircraft carried | 1 x MH-60R Seahawk |
HMAS Hobart (DDGH 39), named after the city of Hobart, Tasmania, is the lead ship of the Hobart-class air warfare destroyers operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The ship, based on the Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate designed by Navantia, was built at ASC's shipyard in Osborne, South Australia from modules fabricated by ASC, BAE Systems Australia in Victoria, and Forgacs Group in New South Wales. Hobart was ordered in 2007, but errors and delays in construction have caused extensive schedule slippage. Despite commissioning initially planned for December 2014, the ship was not laid down until September 2012, and launched in May 2015, with completion planned for June 2017.
Design
[edit]The Australian Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) project commenced in 2000, to replace the Adelaide-class frigates and restore the capability last exhibited by the Perth-class destroyers.[1][2] The AWD Alliance (a consortium of the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO), shipbuilder ASC, and combat system designer Raytheon) was created to oversee the acquisition project.[2] In August 2005, Gibbs & Cox's Evolved Flight II Arleigh Burke-class destroyer concept and the Navantia-designed Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate were selected from the initial round of tendering for further study.[3][4] Although the Arleigh Burke concept was larger, better-armed, and more capable on paper, the Álvaro de Bazán class was selected June 2007 as the basis of the AWD as they had seen active service, could be in Australian service earlier and for cheaper.[5][3] Three ships were ordered on 4 October 2007, with an unexercised option for a fourth.[2][6]
Hobart will have a full-load displacement at launch of 6,250 tonnes (6,150 long tons; 6,890 short tons), a length overall of 147.2 metres (483 ft), a maximum beam of 18.6 metres (61 ft), and a draught of 5.17 metres (17.0 ft).[2][7] The combined diesel or gas turbine (CODOG) propulsion arrangement consists of two General Electric Marine model 7LM2500-SA-MLG38 gas turbines, each generating 17,500 kilowatts (23,500 hp), and two Caterpillar Bravo 16 V Bravo diesel engines, each providing 5,650 kilowatts (7,580 hp).[2] These drive two propeller shafts, fitted with Wärtsilä controllable pitch propellers.[2] The ships' maximum speed is over 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph), with a range of over 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph); although slower that equivalent designs, the greater range and endurance is more important for Australian operating conditions.[2] She is also fitted with a bow thruster.[2] The standard ship's company is 186-strong, plus 16 additional personnel to operate and maintain the ship's helicopter, with maximum accommodation for 234.[2]
The destroyer's main weapon is a 48-cell Mark 41 Vertical Launch System, capable of firing RIM-66 Standard 2 anti-aircraft missile or quad-packed RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow point-defence missiles, with likely upgrades to carry RIM-174 Standard 6 anti-aircraft missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles.[2][8] This will be supplemented by two four-canister Harpoon anti-ship missile launchers, and a BAE Systems 5-inch/62 calibre Mark 45 gun.[2] Two Mark 32 Mod 9 two-tube launchers fitted with Eurotorp MU90 torpedoes will be carried for anti-submarine warfare .[2] For close-in defence, an aft-facing Phalanx CIWS system and two M242 Bushmaster autocannons in Typhoon mounts sited on the bridge wings are fitted.[9] A single MH-60 Romeo Seahawk will be embarked.[7]
The ship's sensors are built around the Aegis combat system, with a Lockheed Martin AN/SPY-1D(V) S-band main radar, a Northrop Grumman AN/SPQ-9B X-band search radar, a Raytheon Mark 99 fire-control system with two continuous wave illuminating radars for missile direction, and two L-3 Communications SAM Electronics X-band navigation radars.[2] An Ultra Electronics Sonar Systems' Integrated Sonar System is fitted, which includes a hull-mounted sonar and a towed variable depth sonar built up from a quad directional active-passive receive array, a passive torpedo detection array and a high-powered towed sonar source.[2] Other sensors include an Ultra Electronics Series 2500 electro-optical director, a Sagem VAMPIR IR search and track system, and Rafael Toplite stabilised target acquisition sights for each ship's Typhoons.[2] Electronic warfare sensors consist of the ITT EDO Reconnaissance and Surveillance Systems ES-3701 electronic support measures (ESM) radar, a SwRI MBS-567A communications ESM system, an Ultra Electronics Avalon Systems multipurpose digital receiver, and a Jenkins Engineering Defence Systems low-band receiver.[2] Countermeasures include four launchers for Nulka decoy missiles, plus four six-tube launchers for radio frequency, infrared, and underwater acoustic decoys.[2]
Construction
[edit]The ship was assembled from 31 pre-fabricated modules ('blocks'): 12 for the hull, 9 for the forward superstructure, and 10 for the aft superstructure.[10][11] Modules were fabricated by ASC in South Australia, BAE Systems Australia in Victoria, and Forgacs Group in New South Wales, with final assembly of the ship at ASC's shipyard in Osborne, South Australia.[2][6][10][11] Delays and project slippage resulted in the redistribution of block construction across the three shipbuilders, and the bow hull block was constructed by Navantia.[12][13]
In October 2010, the 20-by-17-metre (66 by 56 ft) central keel block for Hobart was found to be distorted and incompatible with other hull sections.[14] Incorrect drawings from designer Navantia and first-of-kind manufacturing errors by manufacturer BAE were blamed, and the delay in reworking the block set construction back at least six months.[14][15] Other major issues during construction included the need to replace 25% of the destroyer's internal pipework due to faulty manufacture, and the initial rejection of the ship's mainmast block because of defects in the cabling and combat system equipment.[16][17]
Hobart's keel was laid down on 6 September 2012.[18] The ship is to be launched on 23 May 2015, with 76% of construction complete.[19] Construction of Hobart and her sister ships saw numerous delays: a planned December 2014 commissioning for Hobart was pushed back in September 2012 to March 2016, then again in May 2015 to delivery in June 2017.[2][18][20] On commissioning, Hobart will be assigned the pennant number "DDGH 39".[21]
Citations
[edit]- ^ Gulber, Growth in Strength, p. 5
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Pengelley, Aussie rules
- ^ a b Brown, Spanish designs are Australia's choice for warship programmes
- ^ Department of Defence, Preferred designer chosen for AWD contract
- ^ Shackleton, Choices and consequences
- ^ a b Kerr, Australia seeks to extend AWD options
- ^ a b Gulber, Growth in Strength, p. 8
- ^ Thornhill, Force 2030, pp. 9–10
- ^ Gulber, Growth in Strength, p. 7
- ^ a b Grevatt, AWD Alliance admits destroyer contract hit by construction 'difficulties'
- ^ a b Grevatt, NQEA loses block-building deal for Australian destroyers
- ^ Stewart, Overdue and over budget
- ^ Royal Australian Navy, Changes to Air Warfare Destroyer Construction Program
- ^ a b Stewart, $8bn navy flagship founders after construction bungle
- ^ Stewart, BAE shipyard to blame for destroyer delays: Defence
- ^ McPhedran, Navy warships project heading for cost blowout
- ^ Greene, Companies building multi-billion-dollar warships feared defects would damage their reputations, leaked documents show
- ^ a b Cullen, Work on $8bn destroyer fleet delayed
- ^ Starick, First look aboard Adelaide-built air warfare destroyer, the Hobart
- ^ Sheridan, Warships cost blows out to $9bn
- ^ Andrew, AWD, Hobart, MFU or DDGH – What's in a name?
References
[edit]- Journal articles
- Andrew, Gordon (September 2010). "AWD, Hobart, MFU or DDGH – What's in a name?". Semaphore. 2010 (07). Sea Power Centre-Australia. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
- Brown, Nick (28 June 2007). "Spanish designs are Australia's choice for warship programmes". International Defence review. Jane's Information Group.
- Grevatt, Jon (30 June 2009). "NQEA loses block-building deal for Australian destroyers". Jane's Navy International. Jane's information Group.
- Grevatt, Jon (26 October 2010). "AWD Alliance admits destroyer contract hit by construction 'difficulties'". Jane's Defence Industry. Jane's Information Group.
- Gulber, Abraham (October 2009). "Growth in Strength: The Hobart class AWD". The Navy. 71 (4). Navy League of Australia: 4–8.
- Kerr, Julian (25 September 2008). "Australia seeks to extend AWD options". Jane's Defence Weekly. Jane's Information Group.
- Pengelley, Rupert (26 September 2011). "Aussie rules: air warfare destroyers push boundaries". Jane's Navy International. Jane's Information Group.
- Shackleton, David (February 2007). "Choices and consequences: choosing the AWD design". Australian Defence Magazine: 20–24.
- Thornhill, Roger (July 2009). "Force 2030: The Defence White Paper". The Navy. 71 (3). Navy League of Australia: 8–13.
- News articles
- Cullen, Simon (6 September 2012). "Work on $8bn destroyer fleet delayed". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
- Greene, Andrew (9 May 2015). "Companies building multi-billion-dollar warships feared defects would damage their reputations, leaked documents show". Radio National. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
- McPhedran, Ian (6 March 2014). "Navy warships project heading for cost blowout". News.com.au. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
- "Changes to Air Warfare Destroyer Construction Program". News and Events. Royal Australian Navy. 26 May 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
- Sheridan, Greg (22 May 2015). "Warships cost blows out to $9bn". The Australian. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
- Starick, Paul (21 May 2015). "First look aboard Adelaide-built air warfare destroyer, the Hobart". News.com.au. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
- Stewart, Cameron (26 October 2010). "$8bn navy flagship founders after construction bungle". The Australian. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
- Stewart, Cameron (27 May 2011). "Overdue and over budget: $8bn destroyer plan in crisis". The Australian. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
- Stewart, Cameron (31 May 2011). "BAE shipyard to blame for destroyer delays: Defence". The Australian. p. 6.
- Press releases
- "Preferred designer chosen for AWD contract" (Press release). Department of Defence. 16 August 2005. Archived from the original on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2011.