Sneak peek at AWD

By Michael Brooke


The Navy got a peek at an example of Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) capability when USS Pinckney, an Arleigh Burke class DDG equipped with the Aegis combat system, visited Fleet Base East during the RAN’s Sea Power Conference.

Chief of Navy VADM Russ Shalders, AO, CSC, RAN, and other senior Navy officers visited Pinckney as guests of the US Pacific Fleet Commander ADM Gary Roughead and the ship’s Commanding Officer, CMDR James Malloy.

The 9,300-ton Pinckney (DDG91) of Destroyer Squadron 23 is equipped with Lockheed Martin’s Aegis combat system, which VADM Shalders said would feature on the RAN’s three Hobart-class AWDs.

He said Aegis was the most capable air defence and surface launched missile system the US Navy had ever put to sea, as it can engage more than 100 air, surface and sub-surface threats simultaneously.

VADM Shalders said the AWDs would enable the RAN to make a quantum leap in capability.

VADM Shalders said SEA 4000 (Air Warfare Destroyer) was one of two important projects aimed at delivering the Future Fleet that will seek to exploit the advantages of new technologies to achieve savings in manpower and operating costs, and to deliver enhanced capability.

“The three AWDs, to be named HMA Ships Hobart, Sydney and Brisbane, will significantly improve the firepower of the fleet,” he said.

The AWDs will be able to operate offensively in a high density, multi-threat environment, and conduct sustained combat operations in support of joint battle groups and amphibious assault groups as an integral part of a modern naval force.

 

 

 

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