By
Louise Butcher
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The
Alvaro De Bazan Class Spanish frigate is one of the designs
under consideration.
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The
Arleigh Burke Class DDG/83 guided missile destroyer USS
Howard.
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The
Sachsen Class (Type 24) is a German frigate with strong
pedigree.
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Three
international ship building companies have been chosen to develop
designs for the RAN’s new Air Warfare Destroyers, due to be delivered
in 2013.
When delivered, the new ships will be capable of detecting and
shooting down aircraft at extended ranges and protecting deployed
forces from air and missile attack.
They will support land forces in coastal areas and aircraft such
as the Airborne Early Warning and Control, AP3 Orions and C130
Hercules.
IZAR, Blohm and Voss and Gibbs and Cox will base the concept ship
designs on existing ship classes, developing the designs to meet
the specific capability requirements of the ADF.
Once completed, the ships will ensure that Australia’s amphibious
and support ships can operate with 24-hour air defence.
Each of the ship building companies will incorporate elements
of design from other ships that have successfully included Air
Warfare Systems in their capabilities.
IZAR, the ship building company from Spain will base their design
on the Alvaro De Bazan Class Frigate (F100), which has already
successfully integrated the US Aegis Air Warfare System and is
currently in service with the Spanish Navy.
The German company, Blohm and Voss will produce a design based
on the Sachsen Class Frigate (F124), presently in service with
the German Navy.
Although this ship uses a European Air Warfare System the concept
design also offered a version of the Aegis system.
Gibbs and Cox of the United States will design a modified version
of the Arleigh Burke Class Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG-51),
currently in service with the US Navy.
The project, which will cost between $4.5 to $6 billion, falls
under the recently signed Statement of Principles between the
RAN and the US Navy for collaboration on surface ships.
Chosen because of their experience in building large warships,
Tenix and the Australian Submarine Corporation will be asked to
assist Defence in the assessment of the designs and to advise
the Government on the opportunities to maximise potential for
Australian industry involvement in the project.
The design process for the Air Warfare destroyers will occur in
parallel with the design for the Air Warfare Systems to be used
on board.
The Government has also requested that the US Navy assist with
the integration of the Aegis Air Warfare System into the designs.
Selection of the preferred designer will be announced mid 2005.
