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Subject:
Australian FFG delays continue
AMTP10E
8/20/2005 9:49:12 AM
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INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE REVIEW - SEPTEMBER 01, 2005
Australian FFG delays continue
The AUD1 billion (USD772 million) upgrade of four Adelaide-class guided missile frigates (FFG) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) continues to experience schedule delays as hull-integrity issues impede the start of contractor sea trials of the first upgraded vessel, HMAS Sydney.
Cracking discovered recently in hull sections amidships in Sydney and a sister ship has prevented the former from putting to sea in order to test the effectiveness of the modifications against the RAN's functional specification. Technical solutions to the cracking issues will be found by the RAN and upgrade prime contractor ADI Limited, with the RAN to pay for repairs. Remediation work will be carried out at ADI's Garden Island facility.
Despite contract signature taking place more than six years ago, the FFG Upgrade (Project Sea 1390) is still more than 30 months behind schedule due to continuing problems experienced by ADI in integrating elements of the Australian Distributed Architecture Combat System with other combat system-related, undersea and fire-control software. IDR also understands that the extra weight and changes to the centre of gravity caused by the installation of a below-deck Mk 41 vertical-launch missile system forward of the superstructure has affected the ship's stability.
While sea trials of Sydney were due to commence in mid-2005, these now may not begin until early 2006. Provisional acceptance of Sydney, which was planned for August, will also be delayed until next year.
Until ADI can demonstrate that Sydney complies with the project criteria and performance and functional specification, the RAN will not release another ship for upgrade work. Acceptance of Sydney back into RAN service is now not expected until the second half of 2006.
The FFG Upgrade is the most ambitious of its type attempted by any FFG (Oliver Hazard Perry class) user. Primary enhancements for the Australian ships include: improvements to command-and-control capabilities; the AN/SPS 49A(V)1 long-range air-surveillance radar and electro-optical system; upgrade of the AN/SPS-49A(V)4 to the A(V)1 configuration; upgrade of Mk 92 Mod 2 fire-control system to Mod 12 configuration; replacement of existing hull-mounted sonars; integration of quad-packed launchers for the Evolved SeaSparrow; and adoption of the Standard SM-2 Block III surface-to-air missile to replace the earlier-generation SM-1. |
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