Australian Military pics

[Aussie Digger]

Here's the Australian ANZAC Frigate, MAS ANZAC firing her Mk45 Mod 2 5 Inch gun off the coast of Iraq during GW2. The first time the RAN has undertaken Naval Gunnery Support for land forces since Vietnam.

 

[Aussie Digger]

Here's an obscured pic of an Australian FA-18A Hornet, in Iraq. Here you can see the dual AMRAAM launcher Australian FA-18's carry on Air Defence Ops. This gives them a warload of 6 Amraams, 2 Sidewinders (now they carry AIM 132 ASRAAM) 3 drop tanks and the fully loaded Vulcan cannon.

 

[Aussie Digger]

Here's Australia's current Main Battle Tank, the Leopard AS1 (Leopard 1A3). This tank is fitted with the "Barracuda" camouflage system which assists in concealing the tank both visually and with it's thermal signature and also assists in cooling the interior of the tank and assisting the crewman deal with the normal 50c+ heat that exists inside the tank. This tank is to be shortly replaced either by Leopard 2 or M1 tanks. The challenger 2 has been "unofficially ruled out.

Here's a pic of the "new" Australian upgraded M113 APC, to be known as the M113 AS3/4. It features a new engine/transmission/transfer case, new suspension, new tracks, roadwheels, drive sprockets, an up-armoured hull (armoured against 14.5mm armour piercing ammunition), an air conditioning system, a new electrical driven turret incorporating a computerised fire control and integrated day/night optical sights, a "new" 0.50Cal QCB (quick change barrel) HMG, in addition the infantry carriers will be stretched by 75cms, to allow 10 troops to be carried "comfortably". These vehicles when in service will probably be fitted with a flex mounted MAG 58 7.62mm machine gun, to improve the vehicles somewhat limited firepower...

 

[gf0012-aust]

M113 AS3/4 also has an extended chassis. Its got an extra set of road wheels added.

 

[Aussie Digger]

Here's a pic of th new australian Gunship, the Eurocopter Tiger, due to enter service this year. This helicopter will be fitted with the Hellfire 2 Missile.

 

[Aussie Digger]

Here's the full pic of HMAS Anzac. This class of ship is soon to be updated and armed with the Harpoon 2 Missile, Evolved Sea Sparrow SAM, The Eurotopr MU-90 torpedo, a point air defence missile system (possibly Mistral SAM's or US Ram 16), a CIWS (Phalanx) and the SH-SGA Kaman Super Seasprite Helicopter. This helicopter will employ the MU-90 torpedo and the Konsberg "Penguin" anti-ship missile. These improvements plus updated sensor (electro-optical, radar, sonar etc) will greatly improve the capability and usefulness of these ships. The RAN has 5 currently in service, with 3 more due by March 2006...

 

[Aussie Digger]

Here's the Australian Collins Class Submarine, HMAS Waller. This class has been entirely constructed in Australia and is armed with the Mk 48 torpedo and the sub-harpoon anti-ship missile. It will soon to upgraded with a new fire control system and the new Mk 48 Mod 7 ADCAP torpedo. It is also extremely capable of delivering Special Operations troops, given it's excellent capability in Littoral environments and it's extreme stealth. These subs have performed sensationally since entering service and have "sunk" several US carriers in exercises...

 

[Aussie Digger]

Here's the Australian FFG-7 Class Frigate HMAS Darwin firing a Standard SM-1 SAM. Australia operates 6 of these ships although 2 are to be retired by 2006. The remaining 4 will be upgraded with the Evolved Sea Sparrow SAM and the SM-2 Block 1V ER. This will provide Australia with a fleet of 12 Frigates and 6 Submarines and the (soon to be) 12 strong fleet of patrol boats comprising our combat fleet. The RAN also has plans for a new fleet of 3 or 4 "Air Warfare" Destroyers to add to this fleet, which will massively increase the RAN's combat power.

 

[gf0012-aust]

Thats an early shot of the Collins. Pre upgrade. The revision includes a "sail" that is very similar to the US Seawolf class.

A-D have you got a later shot? Unfort I've only got pics of the 1st gen design as well, and when they were being made (not digitals and I'll try and drag them up for scanning next time I go home in a few weeks)

 

[Aussie Digger]

Not sure what you're referring to GF, but here's a shot of HMAS Waller with 2x rigid Hull inflatable boats tied to the back. The caption says they belong to a clearance diving team, but we wonders precious, aye we wonders...

 

[Aussie Digger]

Here's a picture of the 5/7 RAR (Royal Australian Regiment) Mortar Platoon on a recent qualification course. The pic is very interesting because it shows the mortarmen live firing the Australian Army's new 'Denel' 81mm Mortar ammunition. This ammunition reputedly provides additional range and lethality over our old ammunition. A quick bit of research via Google shows that this Mortar bomb is made by Naschem, a division of Denel and has a range of between 350m's and 7300m's, according to the marketing literature. A fair improvement (about 2k's more...) on the old mortar ammo...