HMAS Sydney taking shape

The Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) third Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) is taking shape, with the vessel's Aegis block now consolidated, the RAN announced on 23 April.

Block 709, which will contain the Aegis weapon system, weighs 202 tonnes. In March the block was lifted onto the top of the hull using a crane, where it was joined to blocks 703 and 705 of what will be HMAS Sydney.

Before consolidation, the aft diesel generator exhaust stack was capped, full paint system applied internally and externally, the combat system was prepared along with the full-fitting of all four Array foundations and lining. To attain the fitting of the Array foundations, the team had to work closely with the accuracy control team to achieve foundation flatness of 0.02 millimetres.

Ship three block consolidation continued with blocks 717 and 713 in April, and will be followed by the mast lift, which is expected in early May.

The AWD programme has reached a number of new milestones recently, including the delivery of the Hobart Class Command Team Trainer. The shore-based support system will enable the RAN to train future crew members on the combat system prior to operational deployment on the AWD destroyers.