Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Sydney (V) Completes Sea Trials

The HMAS Sydney (V) is the final Hobart-class air warfare destroyer (AWD) ordered for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has completed sea trial said Australian defence minister, Linda Reynolds on 9 November 2019. It was laid down in November 2015, and launched at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide in May 2018. The HMAS Sydney is being constructed in Australia by the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance.

The first AWD, HMAS Hobart (III), was commissioned in September 2017, while the second-of-class, HMAS Brisbane (III) , was inducted into service in October 2018.

The AWD derives its design from the Spanish Navy’s (Armada Española’s) Alvaro de Bazan (F-100)-class frigate and is coupled it with the Aegis Combat System. It displaces 6,350 tonnes at full load, and has an overall length of 146.7 m, an overall beam of 18.6 m, and a hull draught of 4.9 m.

The HMAS Sydney will provide air defence for accompanying ships in addition to land forces and infrastructure in coastal areas, and for self-protection against missiles and aircraft. The Aegis Combat System incorporating the state-of-the-art phased array radar, AN/SPY 1D(V), in combination with the SM-2 missile, will provide an advanced air defence system capable of engaging enemy aircraft and missiles at ranges in excess of 150km.

The HMAS Sydney will carry a MH-60R helicopter for surveillance and response to support key warfare areas.

The HMAS Sdney will also conduct undersea warfare and be equipped with modern sonar systems, decoys, surface-launched torpedoes and an array of effective close-in defensive weapons.

The warship is equipped with the Aegis combat system incorporating the AN/SPY 1D(V) phased array radar, and is armed with the 48-cell MK 41 strike-length vertical launch system (VLS) that can launch Standard Missile-2 medium-range Block IIIA (SM-2MR Block IIIA) and SM-2MR Block IIIB long-range surface-to-air missiles, also known as RIM-66L and the medium-range RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (ESSMs) Block I. The RIM-66L is a dual seeker missile, first phase of flight path, the missile uses semi-active radar and in the terminal phase, the missile uses infrared seeker to hit the target. The RIM-66L variant is compitable with Aegis Combat System.

The destroyer is also equipped with a 127 mm naval gun in the primary position, the Phalanx Block 1B 20 mm close-in weapon system (CIWS), two Orbital ATK M242 25 mm Bushmaster automatic cannons in Rafael Typhoon stabilised and remotely operated mounts, and launchers for the RGM-84 Harpoon Block II over the horizon anti-ship/land attack missiles capable of hitting a target at 278KM range.

The surface warfare function will include long range anti-ship missiles and a naval gun capable of firing extended range munitions in support of land forces.

The HMAS Sydney’s capabilities ensure that the Hobart-class guided missile destroyers have the layered defensive and offensive capability to counter conventional and asymmetric threats. During peacetime, the HMAS Sydney will engage in interoperable missions with the US Navy and Royal Navy to escort allied warships, aircraft carriers, and engage in naval exercises.

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