BAE to Build Hull Blocks for Australian Air Warfare Destroyers

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BAE SYSTEMS SELECTED AS SUPPLIER FOR AIR WARFARE DESTROYER HULL BLOCKS CONTRACT
AUSTRALIA - 29 JUNE 2009

WILLIAMSTOWN, Victoria --– The selection of BAE Systems Australia as the supplier to build hull blocks for the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) program reflected the company’s shipbuilding experience and capability, Jim McDowell, Managing Director, said today.

Mr McDowell said ASC Pty Ltd had reconsidered BAE Systems Australia's offer in recent weeks and the two companies had negotiated to achieve a positive outcome.

“We always felt that we had submitted a very competitive bid, one that was backed up by our proud naval shipbuilding record, our strong balance sheet, and our highly skilled workforce,” Mr McDowell said.

“Now, we are ready to get on with the job. BAE Systems is pleased to be involved in the AWD construction program; on top of contracts we have already secured to supply the maritime satellite communications terminals and Mark 45 deck guns for these warships.”

Mr McDowell said that the latest contract would secure work for up to 400 highly skilled BAE Systems employees at its Williamstown shipyard for the next five years.

“This contract creates the critical mass needed to sustain the shipyard for the medium term,” he said.

Over the period of the contract, BAE Systems will build a total of 36 blocks for all three destroyers. These blocks comprise the hull machinery compartments, and bow and stern sections of the ships which represent the most complex parts of the hull.

To deliver the program, BAE Systems will upgrade the infrastructure at its Williamstown shipyard. Major elements include the construction of Australia’s largest wholly enclosed blast and paint facility, new construction halls and automated fabrication systems. This will create a flow on effect for employment in the Victorian construction industry.

“I am also very grateful to the Victorian Government which is contributing towards the infrastructure upgrade cost for Williamstown,” Mr McDowell said.

Work is scheduled to begin on the first of the blocks towards the end of this year.


Source: BAE Systems Australia


General characteristics Hobart class Australian Air Warfare Destroyers:

HMAS Hobart
HMAS Brisbane
HMAS Sydney

Type:
Air warfare destroyer

Displacement:
6,250 tonnes

Length:
146.7 metres (481 ft)

Beam:
18.8 metres (62 ft)

Draught:
7.2 metres (24 ft)

Speed:
Over 28 knots (52 km/h)

Range:
Over 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km) at 18 knots (33 km/h)

Complement:~180, accommodation for 234

Sensors and processing systems:
AN/SPY-1D(V) phased array radar; Aegis Weapon System Baseline 7.1a; L-3 SAM Electronics X-Band Navigation Radar; VAMPIR Infra-Red Search & Track (IRST) System; Ultra Electronics integrated hull mounted and towed array sonar system; Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC); X/Ka Satcom; INMARSAT Fleet Broadband; INMARSAT C; IFF UPX-29;

Armament:
48 cell Mk 41 vertical launch system capable of firing SM2, SM6 and ESSM SAMs
8 x RGM-84 Harpoon SSM
2x Mk32 Mod9 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes (SVTT) (6 x MU90 torpedoes)
1 x 5"/54 caliber Mark 45 gun
1 x Phalanx Block 1B CIWS
4 x Terma MK-137 130 mm decoy launchers
Nulka Launchers for active missile decoys; ASW decoys for torpedo defence

Aircraft carried:
1 x helicopter

 

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Babcock wins valves contract for Australia's Air Warfare Destroyers
7 APRIL 2010

Babcock Pty has been awarded a $1.6 million (AUD) contract by ASC, shipbuilder for the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) alliance, to supply high pressure (HP) air reduction stations for the three Hobart class AWDs.

Babcock’s Australian operation is the appointed supplier for Thomson Valves Ltd (TVL) and provides in-country support for all TVL marine products in Australia and New Zealand. Under the new contract Babcock will supply eight TVL Reducing Stations on each of the Hobart class AWD fleet (HMAS Hobart, HMAS Sydney, and HMAS Brisbane). Babcock will be responsible for the supply and post-trial maintenance services of the equipment, which will be carried out in Adelaide by experienced Babcock maintenance engineers who have received specialist training at TVL’s UK facility.

The order will be delivered over the next three years for installation on the three AWDs. The Reducing Stations will control air supplied for the operation of emergency low pressure air; starting of the gas turbines; starting of the propulsion diesel engines; and starting of the diesel generator. Each Reducing Station will be similar in design to that supplied to Navantia for the F100 Spanish destroyer on which the AWD is based.

Babcock provides a comprehensive range of depot level and dockside support services for the Australian defence industry, and holds the contract for the through life maintenance and refurbishment of the valves and reducing stations on the Anzac class frigates. This on-going support service is carried out from Babcock’s purpose-designed WA facility, which is equipped with specialist support and test equipment.

Commenting on the contract award, Babcock’s managing director in Australia Pat Donovan said: “We are delighted to have been awarded another contract to support the AWD project which now means that we are supplying in excess of $11 million (AUD) worth of equipment to the project and are continuing to discuss with the team further areas of support that we can offer. Babcock has extensive experience in the supply and through-life support of marine equipment both in Australia and with a number of management contracts for the UK Royal Navy among others. We will be managing the AWD valves contract from our new Techport facility, where our expanding engineering and service support teams are based, together with modern assembly and test workshop areas.”



Source: Babcock

 

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Australia selects electronic warfare system for Air Warfare Destroyer
AUSTRALIA - 14 APRIL 2010

Greg Combet, Minister for Australian Defence Materiel and Science, today announced that the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance has selected ITT–EDO Reconnaissance and Surveillance Systems, Inc as the preferred supplier for the electronic warfare system for the Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs).

“This is a modern electronic warfare system that uses proven technology and delivers the right capability and value for money. The solution also involves Australian companies and incorporates home-grown technology,” Mr Combet said.

“Electronic warfare covers the detection and classification of radar transmissions and the interception of communications signals. This system will allow the AWD to gain increased awareness of land, air and seaborne threats, giving the AWDs a capability edge.

“The ITT solution is based upon equipment used by several navies from around the world. The equipment includes the ITT ES-3701-02S system for the detection and identification of radars, and the Southwest Research Institute MBS-567A system for intercepting communication signals.”

ITT is teaming with Jenkins Engineering Defence Systems, Sydney, and Ultra Electronics Avalon Systems, Adelaide to deliver its solution.

“This strongly supports the Australian Government’s objectives for Priority Industry Capabilities in the area of electronic warfare, by enhancing the knowledge and capability of local industry in this important area.”

“Avalon Systems will be upgrading its multi-purpose digital receiver and integrating it with the ITT system. Jenkins Engineering will supply its low band receiver, integrate and conduct land-based testing of the complete system in Australia.”

“Jenkins Engineering will also install and test the equipment in the AWDs. This work will build upon their experience with the ITT equipment fitted to the Collins class submarines, extending their capability to support latest generation electronic warfare systems.”

The value of the contract is worth around $30 million.


Source: Australian Department of Defence

 

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Construction of Australian Air Warfare Destroyers underway
AUSTRALIA - 15 APRIL 2010

Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Materiel and Science, announced today that full production of Australia’s three Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD) is now underway.

In a ceremony at the BAE Systems shipyard in Melbourne, Mr Combet announced that full production of hull blocks has now commenced at three shipyards: ASC in Adelaide, BAE Systems in Melbourne and Forgacs in Newcastle.

“More than 500 people are now working on building hull blocks for the AWDs, and this will grow to a total workforce in the three shipyards of over 1,000 people,” said Mr Combet.

“Overall, more than 3,000 people will be working to build these warships around Australia and importantly, about 200 apprentices will join the project in the next few years.

“Each ship will be made up of 31 blocks fabricated at the three shipyards. The construction of each ship will require 51 kilometres of piping, 427 kilometres of electrical cable, 4,700 tonnes of steel, 138,000 litres of paint, 4,700 mechanical valves and 1.5 million fasteners.

“By mid-2011, completed hull blocks will begin to arrive in Adelaide for consolidation into the complete warship at the Government of South Australia’s Common User Facility.

“Successful completion of pilot fabrication work and production readiness reviews has finalised the transition of the project from detailed design into full production of the ships.

“This is an important milestone for this national project, and I wish to congratulate everyone involved in helping us reach this point,” Mr Combet said.

The project is on track to deliver the first AWD, HMAS Hobart, in December 2014. HMAS Brisbane is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2016 and HMAS Sydney in mid 2017.

Concept Image: Australia’s Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD):
HMAS Hobart
HMAS Brisbane
HMAS Sydney

Source: Australian Department of Defence

 

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awesome pics.