By
Graham Davis
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After
receiving a major upgrade, water creeps up the hull of HMAS
Sydney in the Captain Cook Dry Dock at Garden Island, Sydney.
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Photo:
ABPH Nina Nikolin
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HMAS
Sydney, (CMDR Peter Quinn) has been high and dry in the Captain
Cook Dry Dock in Sydney for the last six months receiving her
$200 million FFG upgrade.
She refloated on Saturday, March 27, 100 tonnes heavier but a
much more “lethal lady.”
She should begin sea trials in August. Built into her foredeck
was a Mk41 vertical launch system for 32 Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles.
A new Mk92 Model 12 missile and gunfire control system was installed
along with the Australian Distributed Architecture Combat System
(ADACS). Below the waterline, a new Spherion hull mounted sonar
and Albatross torpedo detection towed array were fitted.
There is a new mine and obstacle avoidance sonar (MOAS) and modifications
have been made to reduce transmission of machinery noise.
Also installed were new Le Scutt torpedo decoys, Pirate infra-red
missile decoys and Rafale long range chaff rockets.
New Caterpillar diesels will power the ship service generators
and static frequency converters.
For her occupants there have been mess deck habitability improvements
including new top bunks and additional locker space.
ADI Ltd won the contract to upgrade the RAN’s six 4,100 tonne
Oliver Hazard Perry design FFGs . However the Government has decided
to lay up the first two of the six ships, HMA Ships Adelaide and
Canberra, leaving just four younger craft to undergo the upgrade.
Total cost will be $1.4 billion. HMAS Melbourne will enter the
dock for her upgrade once she is back from The Gulf later in April.
Newcastle and Darwin will follow.
