Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates

[battlensign]

I spoke to a fellow ADF applicant this morning, he was going in as a aircraft technician in the Air Force, and cited the cap as the first reason he was not going navy.

I'm going navy, and can confirm sailors (especially experienced ones) are still very traditional, I think it has to do with seamanship being part art, part science. A strong belief in supernatural forces can be psychologically comforting, and very useful in a practical sense, if you're at sea, hundreds of miles from land or other ships, and something goes very wrong.

From my perspective, the best thing about my promotion to Cadet Midshipman was the transition from Lid to Officer's cap . At that point my problems were merely limited to my dad having more rings......

 

[Tasman]

Sydney to visit North America to test aspects of upgrade program

The following was released today by the ADF media unit:

HMAS SYDNEY DEPARTS FOR NORTH AMERICA



Royal Australian Navy (RAN) frigate HMAS Sydney deployed from Fleet Base East (FBE) Garden Island this morning, for her first visit to mainland North America since her launch on 26 September 1980.



The purpose of the deployment is to complete testing of functionality of the Adelaide Class Frigate Upgrade (FFGUP). While off the coast of Hawaii, Sydney will participate in Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) firings at the Barking Sands Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF).



The firing will demonstrate the integration of the Baseline Build 2 Combat System software and the MK41 Vertical Launch system recently installed as part of FFGUP.



The ship now is equipped with two missile systems to combat anti-ship missiles and aircraft.



While deployed, Sydney will also conduct underwater trials using facilities at Nanoose Bay, Vancouver. The trial will tender evidence of the capabilities of the Torpedo Decoy System, installed during the FFGUP.



The ship’s company will also get the opportunity to promote the RAN’s relationship with the United States and Canada through port visits to Pearl Harbour, Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco and San Diego. The deployment reflects the ongoing importance of the relationship between the three nations.

http://www.defence.gov.au/media/DepartmentalTpl.cfm?CurrentId=7074

The visit to the USA follows the successful firing of ESSM last week and is a further indication that the FFGUP is now on track (unless, of course, the US trials turn out to be unsuccessful :shudder ).

Tas

 

[contedicavour]

You folks in Sydney are lucky to have a naval base that can be photographed so easily (from the sightseeing deck of the tower I mean ). May not be a good thing for secrecy but we all appreciate

cheers

 

[icelord]

You folks in Sydney are lucky to have a naval base that can be photographed so easily (from the sightseeing deck of the tower I mean ). May not be a good thing for secrecy but we all appreciate

cheers

One for the public(sydney) and one for the Navy Security(rockingham)
Gotta show off the shiny boats, while the real boys get to work in the west.

 

[erich hartman]

I spoke to a fellow ADF applicant this morning, he was going in as a aircraft technician in the Air Force, and cited the cap as the first reason he was not going navy.

I'm going navy, and can confirm sailors (especially experienced ones) are still very traditional, I think it has to do with seamanship being part art, part science. A strong belief in supernatural forces can be psychologically comforting, and very useful in a practical sense, if you're at sea, hundreds of miles from land or other ships, and something goes very wrong.

when you cross the equator for the first time you will perform a very weird ritual and be forced to perform some unpleasant things...

 

[AegisFC]

when you cross the equator for the first time you will perform a very weird ritual and be forced to perform some unpleasant things...

I've always wanted to do an equator crossing, it looks like fun and you get a really cool certificate to hang on your wall!

 

[Aussie Digger]

At least four of the Anzac class FFH's are now fitted with launchers for Harpoon but they only seem to carry the full outfit of missiles when on operational deployment. For example Warramunga and Anzac both shipped the full outfit of eight canisters (2x4) during their most recent Gulf deployments.

During the last three visits to Tasmania by an Anzac class frigate, Warramunga shipped two canisters, Stuart had two, and Arunta's launchers were 'empty'.

When the Spanish F-100 class frigate, Álvaro de Bazán (F101), visited Australia recently she only had four (2x2) instead of eight (2x4) Harpoon canisters shipped so it seems that the RAN is not alone in not fitting the full outfit of missiles during normal peacetime cruises.

I am wondering what the RAN's present policy is re the shipping of Harpoon. Perhaps one of our naval members may be able to answer (if the info is not classified). Also I would be interested in observations re the carrying of Harpoon from members able to observe movements of FFH's from Fleet Base East or Fleet Base West.

Here is a photo of Stuart during her recent visit to Devonport. Note that she is shipping just one Harpoon canister on each launcher. It is not one of mine. The original link is:

http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=498284&cid=23


Tas

HMAS Parramatta is fitted out with Harpoon now too, as evidenced by this photo from the latest "Navy News"

http://www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/editions/5017/images/7-parramatta.jpg

That makes at least 5x now...

 

[Tasman]

HMAS Parramatta is fitted out with Harpoon now too, as evidenced by this photo from the latest "Navy News"

http://www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/editions/5017/images/7-parramatta.jpg

That makes at least 5x now...

I notice that the full complement of missiles is still not being shipped. I could only count three canisters in the photo. However, this is probably a reasonable peacetime option.

Tas

 

[battlensign]

I notice that the full complement of missiles is still not being shipped. I could only count three canisters in the photo. However, this is probably a reasonable peacetime option.

Tas

To be fair, wouldn't one be potentially obscured from view as a result of the presence of another canister directly overlapping the area where the second canister on the starboard side ought to be (from the perspective of the camera)?

 

[Aussie Digger]

I notice that the full complement of missiles is still not being shipped. I could only count three canisters in the photo. However, this is probably a reasonable peacetime option.

Tas

I don't think it matters ALL that much. When was the last time RAN live fired a Harpoon anyway?

The only ADF firings of Harpoon I can recall at all in recent years, was an AP-3C firing 2x "telemetry" missiles during a RIMPAC exercise some years ago...

I think the important thing on this visit is to provide a rough idea of the capabilities of the vessel to the locals anyway...

 

[Tasman]

I don't think it matters ALL that much. When was the last time RAN live fired a Harpoon anyway?

The only ADF firings of Harpoon I can recall at all in recent years, was an AP-3C firing 2x "telemetry" missiles during a RIMPAC exercise some years ago...

I think the important thing on this visit is to provide a rough idea of the capabilities of the vessel to the locals anyway...

Agreed. The important thing is that the RAN now has Harpoon capability on at least 5 of its Anzacs and it has sufficient stocks of Harpoon missiles (on order if not already supplied) to outfit each ship with up to 8 canisters if the situation requires.

Re the firing of Harpoon by the RAN, according to NAVY News the installation has been tested by Warramunga by conducting the first-of-class firing, utilising a Blast Test Vehicle (BTV).

http://www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS/EDITIONS/4722/topstories/story03.htm

Here is a video of the trial:

http://www.ausmarinetech.com.au/ind...5867&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&page=article

N.B. Click on Successful Harpoon Test Firing in the left hand menu.

Tas

 

[Aussie Digger]

Agreed. The important thing is that the RAN now has Harpoon capability on at least 5 of its Anzacs and it has sufficient stocks of Harpoon missiles (on order if not already supplied) to outfit each ship with up to 8 canisters if the situation requires.

Re the firing of Harpoon by the RAN, according to NAVY News the installation has been tested by Warramunga by conducting the first-of-class firing, utilising a Blast Test Vehicle (BTV).

http://www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS/EDITIONS/4722/topstories/story03.htm

Here is a video of the trial:

http://www.ausmarinetech.com.au/ind...5867&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&page=article

N.B. Click on Successful Harpoon Test Firing in the left hand menu.

Tas

That was nearly 3 years ago...

I would not mind seeing RAN do some development work on the Harpoon II's abiility to strike land targets. Afterall it's RAN's only "long range" land strike capability until the AWD's come along...

 

[Tasman]

That was nearly 3 years ago...

Crickey, time flies when you get to my age!

I agree with you re the value of the RAN doing some development work to enable it to be able to exploit the land attack capability of Harpoon II. It doesn't seem likely that Australia will get the TLACM in the near future so developing some ability in this area would be nice. I guess it would require the purchase of a follow on batch of missiles to enable test firing to be carried out.

Tas

 

[Markus40]

Hi Tassie, i suggest that the AWDs will be TLACM capable (fitted for but not with). Even the MK41 VLS has this capability on the ANZACs or FFGs, so i wouldnt be too worried about this. If there is some security reason to arm them i wouldnt doubt that the RAN will have this capability sometime in the future. I think its way things are going in the region.

I might be wrong but the Harpoon 11s can be launched from the Collins>?

Cheers.

Crickey, time flies when you get to my age!

I agree with you re the value of the RAN doing some development work to enable it to be able to exploit the land attack capability of Harpoon II. It doesn't seem likely that Australia will get the TLACM in the near future so developing some ability in this area would be nice. I guess it would require the purchase of a follow on batch of missiles to enable test firing to be carried out.

Tas

 

[Tasman]

Hi Tassie, i suggest that the AWDs will be TLACM capable (fitted for but not with). Even the MK41 VLS has this capability on the ANZACs or FFGs, so i wouldnt be too worried about this. If there is some security reason to arm them i wouldnt doubt that the RAN will have this capability sometime in the future. I think its way things are going in the region.

I might be wrong but the Harpoon 11s can be launched from the Collins>?

Cheers.

Hi Markus

I agree that Australia would probably acquire TLACM's if the strategic situation warranted it. At this stage government is fairly coy about the idea. Basically they don't want to start a regional arms race with cruise missiles. However, if another country in the region were to go this way I am sure Australia would follow fairly quickly.

Harpoon can be launched from the Collins class but my understanding is that Sub-Harpoon is seen primarily as an anti ship weapon. Australia's earlier stock of Harpoon missiles is being updated to MkII standard and the 64 missiles purchased recently for the FFH's are all MkII's.

Tas

 

[Tasman]

A few more photos of HMAS Parramatta from the ADF site:

http://www.navy.gov.au/gallery/index.php?search=Parramatta&id=1633
http://www.navy.gov.au/gallery/index.php?search=Parramatta&id=1634
http://www.navy.gov.au/gallery/index.php?search=Parramatta&id=1635

She is clearly carrying four harpoon cannisters in these photos.

Tas

 

[enghave]

when you cross the equator for the first time you will perform a very weird ritual and be forced to perform some unpleasant things...

Is it true that the XO plays the role of King Neptune? :shudder

Also, I heard (from the head of the Australian Defence Association Neil James) that the bulk of inmates at the ADF prison (DFCE) are sailors, and this has always been the case. Anyone have any idea why this is?

 

[battlensign]

Is it true that the XO plays the role of King Neptune? :shudder

Also, I heard (from the head of the Australian Defence Association Neil James) that the bulk of inmates at the ADF prison (DFCE) are sailors, and this has always been the case. Anyone have any idea why this is?

First of all.....As Neil himself reminded me yesturday he is the "Executive Director" of the ADA. Dr Brian Ridge is the current National President of the association. Neil is the public face (the ADAs Media Tart : - he better not hear me say it that way! )

Second, the DFCE's "visitors" would most certainly comprise a number of sailors, but a majority?

In relation to the XO being Neptune, I wouldn't be suprised, but I would have thought the more likely option was a SNCO. (Anyone with better knowledge of this who can provide assistance would be most welcome on this point).

 

[enghave]

Second, the DFCE's "visitors" would most certainly comprise a number of sailors, but a majority?

Executive Director Neil James himself said so, on an ABC 4 Corners forum after the @nzacs programme. Google "dfce sailors" for the link (I can't post it because I have less than 15 posts), the relevant text is below.


Author Neil James (Australia Defence Association)
Date/Time 16 Oct 2006 11:25:35pm
Subject >Re: Suicides in Army
Most inmates at DFCE are sailors and this has always been the case.

 

[battlensign]

Executive Director Neil James himself said so, on an ABC 4 Corners forum after the @nzacs programme. Google "dfce sailors" for the link (I can't post it because I have less than 15 posts), the relevant text is below.


Author Neil James (Australia Defence Association)
Date/Time 16 Oct 2006 11:25:35pm
Subject >Re: Suicides in Army
Most inmates at DFCE are sailors and this has always been the case.

Hey that seems fair enough then..you are definately correct Neil did say that.

Its actually pretty funny though........drunken brawling sailors etc.....good to see the stereotype still has some merit to it (even if in a limited sense).