Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates

[mug]

Soldier Career Management Agency. I guess you are not in ADF then eh?

Nope, hence the lateral recruiting enquiry! Cheers anyway.

 

[AGRA]

SCMA is only for enlisted Army soldiers. I would assume you are interested in lateral to the Navy as a medical officer? Whatever the category check out the following webpage:

http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/recruitmentCentre/overseasApplicants/

 

[mug]

Yep, checked all the websites and made some phonecalls - just wondering if anyone had a little more on-the-spot info.

Cheers.

 

[Tasman]

New Government endorses LHD and AWD projects

At his opening speech at the Royal Australian Navy Sea Power Conference, the International Maritime Conference and the Pacific 2008 Maritime Exposition the new Defence Minister reafirmed the new government's strong commitment to the two major naval projects, the Hobart class AWDs and the Canberra class LHDs.

Mr Fitzgibbon said:

Importantly, the new Government fully supports the decision to acquire two new amphibious ships and three air warfare destroyers for the Navy. These purchases will increase Australia’s maritime reach, flexibility and adaptability – the critical attributes that I have just mentioned.

In particular, the amphibious ships will be a massive boost to Australia’s ability to deploy and sustain forces offshore. They will significantly enhance Australia’s operational impact where ever they are deployed. In addition to an important combat role, they will also be valuable in support of humanitarian assistance and stabilisation operations.



The air warfare destroyers will be a powerful strategic force that will provide greater protection for ADF operations.



Not only will they be capable of traditional combat roles (including the provision air defence), they will also be significant command and control platforms. This function means that they will be able support a range of other operations.

http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/FitzgibbonSpeechtpl.cfm?CurrentId=7405

This is good news for those of us who are harbouring lingering doubts about the new government's commitment to defence.

Tas

 

[Jezza]

thats great news it would be great to have a fourth awd but
that decesion will be 12mths to 24mths off.

i reakon seasprite will get chopped for more mh-90s maritime.

 

[Ozzy Blizzard]

thats great news it would be great to have a fourth awd but
that decesion will be 12mths to 24mths off.

We can pray, 3rd LHD would be nice too....

i reakon seasprite will get chopped for more mh-90s maritime.

Not a bad idea IMO... i dont know why we didnt just buy more seahawks off the shelf? They're good enough for the USN after all.....

 

[Tasman]

Not a bad idea IMO... i dont know why we didnt just buy more seahawks off the shelf? They're good enough for the USN after all.....

It seems as though the former Defmin, Brendan Nelson, tried to get it axed but was rolled by cabinet. The new government may be looking to make some sort of political statement and the Seasprite program would be a possibility though it would be imperative to get a replacement helo quickly. I think we are too far down the track with the FFG upgrade to back out of that but maybe we will have to accept that it will not provide all that was hoped.

Tas

 

[abramsteve]

Hi guys, long time no post!

This is good news for those of us who are harbouring lingering doubts about the new government's commitment to defence.

Tas

Indeed this is good news! I would add myself to the list of those with lingering doubts, especially after some recent 'decisions'. I still hope for a 4th AWD but perhaps we shouldn't push our luck!

 

[Sea Toby]

Yes, it does seem Labour signed on finally to the LHDs. I only wished a couple of CIWS were included with them, preferably RAMs. I don't like the idea of not having CIWS. I have looked again, the Anzacs are getting Mini-Typhoons, my mistake.

 

[harryriedl]

Yes, it does seem Labour signed on finally to the LHDs. I only wished a couple of CIWS were included with them, preferably RAMs. I don't like the idea of not having CIWS. I have looked again, the Anzacs are getting Mini-Typhoons, my mistake.

the AUS LHD do seem to armed very spartan manner only 4 25mm for something 23-28thousand. it should have at least 2 CIWS it doesn't need to RAM but a proper CIWS rather than something designed to stop small boats

 

[Tasman]

Yes, it does seem Labour signed on finally to the LHDs. I only wished a couple of CIWS were included with them, preferably RAMs. I don't like the idea of not having CIWS. I have looked again, the Anzacs are getting Mini-Typhoons, my mistake.

I agree with you about the LHD armament. I suspect that the RAN is trying to keep the price down to ensure that the ships actually get built. Once in (or near to entering) service I expect there may well be a push for better protection so that they are not solely reliant on their escorts. The addition of a couple of CIWS is a minimal requirement, IMO.

Tas

 

[alexsa]

It will be interesting to sea what happens to the Mk41 launchers off the FFG frigates one they are replaced noting the LHD will have the same SAAB combat system as the ANZAC and has space for Mk41 (according to the Navantia web site at least).

 

[rossfrb_1]

It will be interesting to sea what happens to the Mk41 launchers off the FFG frigates one they are replaced noting the LHD will have the same SAAB combat system as the ANZAC and has space for Mk41 (according to the Navantia web site at least).

You'd like to think that the RAN is also thinking along those lines as well!
The last of the FFGs are due to retire ~2013 which is about the time that the LHDs (and AWDs) are due to enter service....

rb

 

[Tasman]

You'd like to think that the RAN is also thinking along those lines as well!
The last of the FFGs are due to retire ~2013 which is about the time that the LHDs (and AWDs) are due to enter service....

rb

The upgrade program should enable them to remain in service well after 2013 (at least you would hope so after $1.4 bn has been spent on them! ) On the other hand, if the FFGUP stuff up isn't resolved soon, then they may not be worth keeping any longer than absolutely necessary.

It would certainly make sense to recycle equipment from these ships, for example Mk41 VLS, Phalanx CIWS (especially if upgraded), Nulka launchers, triple TT, etc.

Tas

 

[gf0012-aust]

I would imagine that all the combat systems will get shoved in the shed. After all, they pulled Phalanx out to gun up Manoora/Kanimbla when they needed to take on gulf duties....

 

[Sea Toby]

Usually they claim a ship will last 10 years after a Surface Life Extension Program, many times the ships don't. They say that to get the funding, to get a newer capability, in this case longert range surface to air missiles possibly 5 years earlier. They will go after the first ship of the new class, but before the last ship of the new class enters the fleet, or shortly after. I would think with LHDs entering the fleet at the same time, they will use either the first or the last ship to help fill the crew of the last LHD. While the economy may look great now, they will be the target of the first cut in defense spending when the economy sours.

 

[AegisFC]

It would certainly make sense to recycle equipment from these ships, for example Mk41 VLS, Phalanx CIWS (especially if upgraded), Nulka launchers, triple TT, etc.

Tas

Is it worth it to pull the Mk41 off a decommissioning ship? When the USN started to strip the Spruances they removed just about everything, except the Mk-41 launcher itself, I would imagine all the computers and circuitry was removed but the launchers were kept in place.

 

[Tasman]

Is it worth it to pull the Mk41 off a decommissioning ship? When the USN started to strip the Spruances they removed just about everything, except the Mk-41 launcher itself, I would imagine all the computers and circuitry was removed but the launchers were kept in place.

The Mk41 launcher added to the Oz FFGs will be only a few years old when they decommission. They seem to have been fitted as a module (hopefully someone with more technical knowledge will correct me if I am wrong) and it looks to me as though it would be relatively easy to remove the units for fitting (along with their stock of ESSMs) to other ships such as the Canberra class LHDs.

Tas

 

[Sea Toby]

Yes, I would expect a determined navy would or could move either Phalanx CIWS or Mk41 ESSMs from the four FFGs to the two LHDs at a later time.

 

[Tasman]

Navy week and Royal Hobart Regatta

In preparation for Navy week and the Royal Hobart Regatta, HMAS Parramatta entered the Derwent River this morning. As she sailed up the river she was shadowed by an A-109 Power training helicopter which is also visiting Hobart. Other visitors will include the submarine, HMAS Collins, 3 FA-18A Hornets, 1 C-17 Globemaster III and a Caribou. The RAAF aircraft and the naval helo will give displays and Parramatta will be open for inspection. Regatta Week is always a great time to be in Hobart.

This was the first visit to Hobart by Parramatta since she was fitted with Harpoon anti ship missiles.

Tas