Australia receives first air warfare destroyer
HMAS Hobart (DDG-39) has been delivered to Australian Navy.
HMAS Hobart is the first Aegis-equipped ship to be delivered to Australia.
Hobart is 146.7 metres long, has a top speed of 28 knots (52km/h), a range of about 5000 nautical miles and room for more than 200 crew.
Australia Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne said: “The acceptance of this first-of-class ship is a further demonstration of the success of the Government-led reform initiative, with the program meeting all budget and schedule targets, Hobart will enter into service later this year.
“Hobart will play a critical role for Defence by providing new interoperable capabilities for the Royal Australian Navy.”
The Aegis weapon system has been designed as a total combat management system from detection to engagement.
Lockheed noted that the centralised, automated, command-and-control weapons control enables multi-mission capability, network centric warfare, cooperative engagement capability and growth to SM-6 and future capabilities.
She carries a range of weapons, detection and electronic warfare systems onboard, which include an Aegis threat tracking system, SPQ Horizon Search Radar, 48 vertical launch missile cells, a 5″ gun for coastal operations and two quad launchers of anti-ship HARPOON weapon systems.
The AWDs have also been equipped with anti-surface, anti-submarine and naval gunfire capabilities.