Rankin’s pre–acceptance trials underway

NUSHIP Rankin at sea. She is on her way to Western Australia for pre acceptance trials. Photo by LAC Jeremy Patten.

Australia’s newest submarine NUSHIP Rankin will undergo two months of extensive testing in Western Australia to prove her sonar sensors and combat systems following the successful completion of initial trials off the coast of South Australia.

Since taking to the sea for the first time on June 8 this year, Rankin and Australian Submarine Corporation personnel have conducted a series of trials in the St Vincent and Spencer Gulfs, including surface and dive trials. In addition, the boat underwent its first Maritime Skills Evaluation on July 24.

The submarine and crew’s performance during the initial period has made it possible to move ahead and undertake more in-depth licensing trials before Rankin is accepted into service, which is expected to occur early next year.

On the way to Western Australia, the submarine’s ships company conducted tests to prove Rankin had the ability to discharge weapons.

This trial saw Rankin stay on the surface as it transited to the deeper waters offered by Investigator Strait, north of South Australia’s Kangaroo Island. Upon arriving in the strait, the boat dived and continued to a position where it rendezvoused with Defence Maritime Services’ tender vessel, Seahorse Spirit.

Rankin then conducted a weapon discharge trial, designed to test the capabilities of the weapons and the tubes from which they are fired. These trials utilised simulated weapons, commonly called ‘shapes’, rather than actual Mk48 wire guided torpedoes.

“The shapes don’t have any propulsion in them, they just float to the surface,” said Executive Officer of Rankin, LCDR David Graham.
“They are really just capsules we fire out of the submarine to record data.
“Once they float to the surface, Seahorse Spirit sends its zodiacs out so personnel can collect the shapes and take them back to the vessel.”

After the shapes were recovered, Rankin headed towards Western Australia for the first time, conducting speed endurance tests to confirm the submarine can cover certain distances within specified time frames.

“We are now in a position to go to the next step where we are able to fight the submarine,” said the Commanding Officer of Rankin, LCDR Doug Theobald.

“During the two months we are in Western Australia we will conduct our sonar trials and also some more weapon discharges.
“We have already done some basic trials and now we are able to go into more depth –— including an assessment of the combat systems.
“It’s a very, very slow process that ensures that safety requirements are met and the crew are in touch with the submarine. You want to be able to crawl before you run.”

• By Deanna Nott
  at sea in NUSHIP Rankin

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