 |
|
CAPABILITY UPGRADE: HMAS Waller is on track to have its heavyweight torpedo upgraded.
Photo: ABPH Bill Louys |
Volume 49, No. 18 , October 05, 2006
By Michael Brooke
HMAS WALLER’s test-firing of the new MK 48 Advanced Capability Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System (ADCAP CBASS) Mod 7 heavyweight torpedo is on target to take place in 2007.
Project SEA 1429 Replacement Heavyweight Torpedo (HWT) took a vital step forward recently when it received approval to proceed to Full Rate Production.
The MK 48 ADCAP CBASS Mod 7 HWT will replace the Mk 48 Mod 4 HWT currently in service with Collins class submarines.
The torpedo is a product of a joint engineering, development, manufacturing and support project between Australia and the United States and will be the primary weapon aboard both nations’ submarines.
This important milestone demonstrates the continuing success of the joint program which was first demonstrated in test firings in December 2005 in shallow water off the Western Australian coast by a United States Navy (USN) submarine against the RAN’s world-class Collins diesel submarines.
Meanwhile, work on installation on Waller of the new Replacement Combat System (RCS) being procured under project SEA 1439 Phase 4A is progressing well. Waller is the first of six Collins Class submarines to be fitted with the new combat system, which is being undertaken during her first Full Cycle Docking at ASC’s facility in Osborne, Adelaide.
Set-to-work activities for the new system began on schedule during May, with the majority of work on target to be completed by the end of November. Final integration testing will completed by early 2007 after the submarine has undocked.
The new system is based on the AN/BYG-1 tactical command and control system that is being fitted across the USN’s submarine fleet.
This system represents a significant capability enhancement on the existing Collins combat system and will improve interoperability and logistics with the USN. The third of the Collins Class Submarines to enter service, Waller’s operational characteristics and range have been tailored specifically for its defence and two ocean surveillance role in the RAN.
