Top Stories
Waller set for sea trials
By Michael Brooke

Volume 50, No.5, April 05, 2007
 
PERISCOPE DEPTH: Lieutenant Brad Francis with other crew members of HMAS Waller in the Submarine Simulator at the Submarine Training and Systems Centre.
 
The Collins Class Submarine HMAS Waller (CMDR Brett Sampson) is on track to commence sea trials in May after completing Full Cycle Docking (FCD) which included being fitted with the new Replacement Combat System and heavyweight torpedo system.

The FCD and Replacement Combat System (RCS) project is part of an $857 million capability investment project to upgrade all six Collins-class subs by 2010.

CMDR Sampson said Waller was the first Collins Class submarine to be fitted with the AN/BYG-1 combat system and ADCAP/CBASS torpedo – fitted during her first FCD at ASC’s facility in Osborne, Adelaide.

He said Waller had completed manning and the crew were currently undertaking team training activities at HMAS Stirling.

Waller’s crew moved to Adelaide at the end of March prior to assuming control of the submarine in April 2007.

“The submarine will undergo sea trials in the South Australian exercise areas and return to the homeport at Stirling in late 2007,” CMDR Sampson said.

He said in addition to the normal maintenance work package expected during a submarine FCD, Waller had received extensive platform enhancements including the RCS.

The RCS is based on the USN tactical command and control system fitted across the submarine fleet of the United States Navy.

The development of the combat system is part of collaborative RAN/USN efforts.

The RCS complements the new ADCAP (Advanced Capability) and CBASS (Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System) Torpedo which will undergo trials in late 2007.

The RCS is part of defence project SEA 1439 Phase 4A which upgrades the Collins Class Combat System with a new Mission System.

The Mission System provides the submarine with capabilities to achieve its designed missions utilsing detection, tracking, localisation, classification, engagement and navigation functions.

The combat system underwent integration with Australian components and sensors at Stirling, as well as vigorous testing prior to being installed on Waller.

Commander Australian Navy Submarine Group CDRE Rick Shalders said the Collins class boats would be “the cutting edge of diesel-electric submarine technology” when all six boats are fitted with the new technology by 2010.