SHARP END: A Super Seasprite fitted with two MU90 Practice Delivery Torpedoes at HMAS Albatross.

The ADF’s underwater warfare capability is on the verge of a new era.

The Further Revised Alliance Agreement contract for Defence’s acquisition of the MU90 Lightweight ASW torpedo was signed by Ms Shireane McKinnie, the Head of the Electronic and Weapon Systems Division, M. Olivier Duperret from EuroTorp and Mr Ian Irving from Thales Underwater Systems on August 31.

The weapon is being acquired under joint project JP2070, Project Djimindi. Djimindi is an Aboriginal word for a shallow water fishing spear. The MU90 will provide the ADF with advanced anti-submarine capabilities, with particular enhancements in shallow water and against torpedo countermeasures.

The new contract covers the continued integration under phase two and production, under phase three, of the torpedo into ship borne and airborne platforms.

Phase one was the Project Definition Study, which was completed in 2001.

Phase two commenced the integration of the weapon system with the Navy’s Anzac and Adelaide frigates and Seasprite and Seahawk helicopters, and Air Force’s AP-3Cs.

Phase two will also provide a number of European manufactured torpedoes, which are scheduled for delivery to the ADF in 2006. Phase three will then provide Australian assembled torpedoes as operational stocks.

In preparation for the arrival of the torpedo, several Anzac frigates have had the dual Mk46/MU90 Surface Launch Torpedo (SLT) system fitted in an interim stand-alone configuration.

HMAS Arunta had its SLT system integrated with the combat data system in September, while FFG integration will be undertaken as HMA Ships Sydney, Darwin, Melbourne and Newcastle emerge from the FFG Upgrade Program.

In early July, ground-fit checks were conducted with MU90 practice delivery torpedoes on Seasprite and Seahawk helicopters at HMAS Albatross. Similar trials were conducted on AP-3Cs at RAAF Base Edinburgh on August 31. Integration design on the AP-3C is expected to commence early in 2006, with the helicopter designs commencing later in the year.

Meanwhile, the MU90 torpedo is undergoing a rigorous round of operational testing in France and Italy, before being offered to the French and Italian Navies for acceptance in early 2006. The first Australian weapons will be delivered to the new MU90 facilities at the Torpedo Maintenance Facility at Fleet Base West

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