The Navy Vol_68_No_1 Jan 2006 - Navy League of Australia

More documents

Recommendations

Info

SEA 1390 – The FFG Upgrade Programme Just as one of the RAN’s FFG’s, HMAS CANBERRA, is decommissioned, the first of the upgraded FFG’s, HMAS SYDNEY, is nearing delivery. While the first two FFG’s miss out on the upgrade due to being decommissioned early the capabilities being built into the remaining ships provide a qualitative edge that can make up for the lack of two non-upgraded ships. Thanks to a reshaped project organisation, new management team and sharper project management focus, the FFG Upgrade project (SEA 1390) has turned the corner with the lead ship, HMAS SYDNEY, set to emerge from her successful sea trials as the world’s most capable Oliver Hazard Perry class FFG. SYDNEY slipped out of Sydney heads in October for her first post upgrade sea trials. With ADI Limited having finished their hull doubler plate repairs ahead of schedule and a program of harbour training and basin trials completed, just a short period of basic seamanship training stand between them and their introduction of an enhanced FFG into RAN service. It has been a remarkable turnaround for a project that has been heavily criticised for its delays and labelled by its detractors as overly ambitious. Whilst acknowledging that the delays were regrettable, Vice President Thales Naval Australia and ADI Director Naval, Ali Baghaei is quick to point to the recent successful results. “It’s important to remember that this is the most sophisticated naval systems integration task ever undertaken in Australia and ADI is determined to make this work and see it through. “Testing something this complex is also not easy yet, despite the potential for complications, the trials program has gone smoothly with some aspects being completed ahead of schedule. “The ultimate judges are the operators, and our feedback from HMAS SYDNEY’s crew about their new capabilities has been overwhelmingly positive,” he said. Ali credits the project’s recovery to a sharper schedule focus and a determination to meet customer commitments, borne out in improved project management structures, techniques and accountability. Since his appointment in February 2005, Ai has also appointed a new project director and management team, leading to more efficient use of resources in a competitive employment market. PLATFORM CHANGES The changes to the platform include installation of new Caterpillar 1100kW ship service diesel generators (SSDG) via rectangular holes cut in the ship’s hull – the first time this method had been employed for an Oliver Hazard Perry class FFG SSDG replacement. The electrical system’s reliability has also been improved with the installation of new static frequency converters. The ship’s chilled water has been ungraded to cope with the additional heat created by the new combat system and the hull has been strengthened to accommodate the displacement increase from 4100 to 4200 tons and new fire pumps have also been installed. The tactical 8-cell Mk-41 missile vertical launching system is now fitted forward of the GLMS Mk-13 launcher on the bow. However, it is the integration of new and legacy equipment into a seamless combat system that makes the FFG upgrade the most sophisticated naval systems integration task ever undertaken in Australia. Legacy systems such as the SM-1 Standard missile, the 76mm gun and the Mk-15 Block 1 Phalanx have been integrated into the combat system upgrade. IMPROVED RADARS Improvements to SYDNEY’s air surveillance capability to maximise target detection performance against stealthy targets in challenging electronic warfare environments. has seen both air search radars – the SPS-49 and the MK 92 CAS (Combined Antenna System) – significantly upgraded. The AN/SPS-49 radar has been upgraded to the A(V)1 configuration, adding a high performance automatic detection capability against small and fast targets. It uses modern waveforms and signal processing techniques to maximise detection range as targets cross the radar horizon. It also provides single scan threat alert type processing optimised for detection of high speed targets The upgraded FFG HMAS SYDNEY on sea trials. The upgrade is giving the FFGs destroyer capabilities and enabling them to operate effectively in the future strategic environment in our region (or beyond). (RAN) 4 VOL. 68 NO. 1 THE NAVY
with a low radar cross-section. The SPS-49 is a C-band (850 to 942 MHz sub-band) long-range air surveillance radar operating in 2D with the ability to track up to 255 targets. It has a scan rate of 12 rpm, is accurate to 0.5º in azimuth and 0.06 km in range and thought to have a maximum range of 400kms. The Mk-92 search and fire control radar has been upgraded from the existing Mod 2 to a Mod 1 2 configuration, increasing the radar receiver’s s e n s i t i v i t y to enable detection of very low radar cross-section targets. Like ESSM, SM-1 or the 76mm gun giving the FFGs a second fire control channel that many inaccurately criticise them for not having. Data from these two radars and the existing surface search SPS-55 radar, are combined in a high performance radar data fusion system to automatically provide a coherent air picture with improved track accuracy and the earliest possible track formation ranges and instantaneous notification of highly threatening targets. The original SLQ-32 ESM (electronic support measures) system has been replaced by the Israeli C- Pearl ESM system. This modern high performance system has improved sensitivity and accuracy – providing the ship with enhanced identification and response capability. The C-Pearl is designed for the automatic detection and identification of radar threats in complex electromagnetic environments and is capable of identifying a range of signal types that includes chirp, frequency-agile signals and stagger/jitter pulse repetition intervals. It evaluates signal parameters, and carries out data processing and extraction. The main C-Pearl subsystems are a platform configured antenna assembly (mounted on top on the FFG’s main mast) and a receiver/operator console in the operations room. Of these, the baseline antenna assembly used is a miniaturised element that contains Instantaneous Frequency Measurement (IFM) and Instantaneous Direction-Finding (IDF) t h e SPS-49 upgrade, the Mod 12 uses modern waveforms and signal processing techniques to maximise reaction time against high-speed, low-flying attackers. It can be used for gun or missile tracking for either arrays and an IDF receiver. The IFM receiver, data processing and display are packaged in the single receiver/console. Apart from the existing Super RBOC chaff launchers and 4 Nulka decoy launchers the FFGs are also being fitted with the Elbit EA-2118 radar jammer. ENHANCED COMBAT SYSTEM SYDNEY’s Naval Combat Data System (NCDS) based command and decision system has been replaced by the ADI’s own Australian Distributed Architecture Combat System (ADACS). Using the US Navy AN/UYQ-70 consoles, ADACS provides operators with large-format, high-definition THE NAVY VOL. 68 NO. 1 5
Page 1 and 2: JAN - MAR 2006 www.netspace.net.au/
Page 3 and 4: THE NAVY Volume 68 No. 1 Contents S
Page 5: NAVY WHICH NAVAL CONTRACTOR CAN ACC
Page 9 and 10: Australian Navy League 2005 NAVY LE
Page 11 and 12: The idea to plant a tree was devise
Page 13 and 14: The Danish support ship ESBERN SNAR
Page 15 and 16: MEKO Family Reunion The following i
Page 17 and 18: A close up of the CEA-FAR phased ar
Page 19 and 20: earned its eighth consecutive Battl
Page 21 and 22: expandable magazine that can hold u
Page 23 and 24: Greyhounds of the Sea No More By Ge
Page 25 and 26: The Spruance class destroyer USS O
Page 27 and 28: The Spruance class destroyer USS AR
Page 29 and 30: TF-58 staff took the lead in the es
Page 31 and 32: Hatch, Match & Dispatch HMAS CANBER
Page 33 and 34: AT THE DRAGON’S GATE: WITH THE OS
Page 35 and 36: HMAS ANZAC in company with the new

The Navy Vol_68_No_1 Jan 2006 - Navy League of Australia

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?