Final RAN Anzac frigate completes upgrade

The Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) Anzac class frigate, HMAS Stuart, has been undocked at BAE System's Henderson Dockyard in Western Australia after completing its anti-ship missile defence (ASMD) upgrade, the RAN announced on 26 March.

HMAS Stuart, which was the last RAN Anzac class frigate to receive the ASMD upgrade, will now undergo trials of its systems and modifications.

The upgrade includes the installation of an improved combat system and the Australian designed CEAFar active phased array radar suite.

The frigate has also been modified to embark the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter. Stuart will complete several months of harbour acceptance trials to test the upgraded systems while the ship's company reconstitutes the platform.

RAN vessels Perth, Arunta, Anzac, Warramunga, Ballarat, Parramatta and Toowoomba have all cycled through the programme with crews transferring between in-going and outgoing platforms.

HMAS Stuart is expected to complete the upgrade process by late 2017, representing full delivery of the project to the navy.

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MH-60R/MH-60S Seahawk

CEAFar