BAE delivers two AWD blocks in Australia

BAE Systems has delivered two Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) blocks to Osborne, South Australia, it announced on 26 May. The blocks were manufactured at its Williamstown, Victoria shipyard.

The company is currently continuing work on the remaining eight blocks for ship 3, which is expected to be completed by early 2016.

Bill Saltzer, director of maritime, BAE Systems, said: ‘Our AWD Project team has again delivered a quality product, on schedule. Both blocks (111 and 415) for ship 3 were accepted by AWD lead shipbuilder ASC following inspections at the Williamstown shipyard prior to dispatch.

‘Our shipbuilders deserve recognition for the very high quality and productivity they have achieved for ship 2 and ship 3 blocks. We have made significant investments in improving our shipbuilding capability and this is benefitting our customer. On AWD blocks that we have produced for more than one ship, we have consistently achieved productivity improvements from one block to the next which demonstrates the benefits that can be achieved with continuous production.’