Air Warfare Destroyer Hobart Acceptance Sea Trials Begins

Today marks a significant milestone for the first Air Warfare Destroyer, Hobart, as the next phase of sea trials commence in Adelaide.

Hobart will sail into waters off the coast of South Australia to undertake testing of combat, communications and additional platform systems.

Minister for Defence Industry, The Hon Christopher Pyne said this set of trials, known as sea acceptance trials; represent the beginnings of the formal ship acceptance process in the lead up to delivery later this year.

“These trials are conducted to prove that systems can perform the expected functions they were designed for, in the environment in which they’ll be required to function,” Minister Pyne said.

“In the maritime domain, sea trials are similar to new model cars being tested on the proving grounds, and allow the detection of any issues before the ship is accepted by the Royal Australian Navy.

“I congratulate the AWD Alliance: ASC, Raytheon Australia and the Department of Defence, and ship build manager Navantia, on this important milestone and their continued progress toward delivering the most capable warships ever to be operated by the Royal Australian Navy.

“The construction and integration work occurring here in Adelaide on the AWD program is a vital part of South Australia’s shipbuilding industry.”

The second destroyer, Brisbane, was launched into Australian waters late last year and work continues to progress on the second and third destroyers.