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Australia has received the first two AN/SPY-1D(V) phased radar array faces for installation onboard the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Hobart-class air warfare destroyers (AWDs), defence materiel minister Jason Clare has said.
According to Clare, the multi-function SPY radar will provide Hobart-class destroyers with search, automatic detection, tracking of air and surface targets and missile engagement support.
"It works to distinguish signals from stationary or moving targets and to identify and reject ‘clutter’, such as clouds and flocks of birds," he said.
Capable of providing comprehensive surveillance around the ship, the AN/SPY-1D(V) phased array radar serves as the main sensor for the Aegis weapon system.
AN/SPY-1D(V) is recognisable by the four octagonal-shaped array faces of the ship, which transmits electromagnetic energy in all directions to provide continuous search and tracking capability for targets.
"All three AWDs will be armed with a 48 cell vertical launch system, Mk45 5-in gun, phalanx close-in weapon system, torpedoes, anti-ship harpoon missiles, Nulka missile decoy system and hull mounted sonar, as well as variable depth sonar for detection and defence against enemy submarines and torpedoes," Clare said.
Combined with the SPQ-9B horizon search radar, the SPY radar will ensure AWDs with state-of-the-art radar packages for operational deployment with the navy.
"This gives each destroyer an air defence, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities, as well as the ability to embark a helicopter at sea," Clare said.
Work on the first and second AWDs, HMAS Hobart and HMAS Brisbane is currently in progress at Techport in Osborne, with deliveries scheduled in December 2014 and 2016 respectively.
The last in the AWD programme, the HMAS Sydney is scheduled for delivery in mid-2017 with work to start before the end of the year.
Image: The Australian Navy’s Hobart-class destroyers will be similar to that of Spanish Navy’s Álvaro de Bazán-class frigates. Photo: courtesy of Brian Burnell.
