Director Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Capability Development, Royal Australian Navy Captain John Vandyke, stands beside a full scale replica of the Aegis AN/Spy-1D(V) radar.

Several Defence and industry delegates attending the Pacific Maritime Conference 2006 took a closer look at the Aegis Weapon System when they attended a tour of the USS Pinckney (DDG 91). The USS Pinckney remained docked at Garden Island for a week during the conference held in the beginning of March.

The visit was timely, coinciding with the Government's announcement in December to purchase three Aegis Weapon Systems from the United States Navy - the Aegis Combat System will form part of the core capability of the Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD).

The procurement of the three systems is included as part of the $6 Billion shipbuilding project. The Aegis Weapon System comprises the core command and control system, phased array radar and missile launch system capability.

According to a media release put out by then Defence Minister, Senator Hill, placing the order for the systems now allows the United States to continue manufacturing the systems for Australia without halting its production line, bringing about greater efficiency and achieving considerable savings.

‘The purchase will also maximise opportunity for Australian industry to provide sub-systems such as communications, electronic warfare, sonar, electro-optical sensors and other equipment,’ said former Defence Minister, Senator Hill.

The Aegis system is the world's pre-eminent maritime air warfare system capable of detecting and defeating multiple hostile aircraft and missiles at ranges in excess of 150 kilometres. The AWDs will also have an anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capability, as well as the ability to embark a helicopter at sea.