JAN-MAR 2010 VOL 72 No1 - Navy League of Australia

FLASH TRAFFIC
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01
FIRST AUSTRALIAN LHD TAKES
SHAPE
Spanish shipbuilder Navantia has laid the keel
for Australia’s first Canberra-class LHDs in a
ceremony at the company’s shipyard in Ferrol,
Spain, on 23 September 09.
Three of the four keel blocks for the 27,000 ton
CANBERRA (LHD-01) - out of a total of 104 -
were erected on the slipway. Steel-cutting on the
ship started in September 2008 and the ship is
expected to be launched in March 2011.
Following the launch the ship’s hull will be
transported to Melbourne on the back of a ship
for handover to BAE Systems Australia shipyard in
Williamstown in 2012.
Work on LHD 02, ADELAIDE, is expected to begin
at Ferrol in 2010 and commissioning of the ships
will take place in 2014.
The Canberra-class LHD design is almost identical
to the Spanish Navy’s Strategic Projection
Ship JUAN CARLOS I , which was launched at
Navantia’s Ferrol yard on 10 March 2008 and
recently started sea trials.
02
UK AND FRANCE TO COLLABORATE
ON ANTI-SHIP MISSILE
The UK and French governments have announced
the start of a joint assessment phase to develop
systems and technologies for a new helicopterlaunched
anti-surface missile to replace the
British Sea Skua and the French AS-15.
The announcement was made at last year’s
Defence Systems Exhibition International (DSEi) at
the Excel Centre in London, a biannual gathering
of the world’s largest defence companies.
The weapon is being developed for use initially
in the naval environment and to be launched
from different helicopters, including the British
Lynx Wildcat and the French NH-90 and Panther
platforms.
This co-operative project, which meets the UK’s
Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon (FASGW) and
the French Anti-Navire Léger (ANL) requirements,
is the latest in a long history of co-operation
between the two nations on missile projects,
which has most recently included Meteor and
the Sea Viper (Principal Anti Air Missile System -
PAAMS).
The project will begin with an assessment phase
expected to last just over two years and will cost
£35m, to be shared between both nations. Work
will be undertaken in the UK and France, using
industries within their respective supply chains.
BRAVERY AWARDS FOR SUB CREW
Three Australian submariners have been awarded
Bravery Medals by the Australian Bravery
Decorations Council for their extraordinary efforts
to rescue shipmates who had been washed
overboard in bad weather during a night operation.
The medals were announced by Her Excellency
the Governor General.
Chief Petty Officer Rohan Pugh, Petty Officer Greg
Langshaw and Leading Seaman Steven Rowell
did not hesitate to respond when five personnel
were washed overboard from HMAS FARNCOMB
by a large wave on the night of 19 March 2007.
The three Bravery Medallists were members
of the recovery party and entered the turbulent
water at great risk to themselves to ensure that
their shipmates were all safely recovered.
FARNCOMB, a Collins class submarine, was
conducting a dived open ocean transit when
she surfaced to clear fouling on her casing
and propeller. The sailors who were washed
overboard were part of a team working to free
the obstructions. A full safety assessment had
been conducted but rapidly worsening weather
conditions meant their clearing operations were
cancelled soon after they started. However, before
the fouling party could return to the boat, a single
wave washed them into the sea. The recovery
teams worked for an hour and a half in extremely
difficult weather conditions to recover the men
overboard.
Chief Petty Officer Pugh, Petty Officer Langshaw
and Leading Seaman Rowell displayed remarkable
and selfless bravery in swimming to, supporting
and helping bring their shipmates back on-board.
Several other members of the Ship’s Company
received Commendations from Chief of Navy,
Vice Admiral Russ Crane, AM, CSM, RAN, for their
actions during the FARNCOMB man overboard
recovery.
“All of FARNCOMB’s personnel who were involved
showed significant fortitude, teamwork and
courage to ensure that all sailors were returned to
the submarine without major injuries and no loss
of life,” Vice Admiral Crane said.
“Among them, the courage and actions of Chief
Petty Officer Pugh, Petty Officer Langshaw and
Leading Seaman Rowell are worthy of the highest
admiration from all of us.”
The Bravery Medals will be presented at an official
investiture ceremony in the near future.
ASC WELCOMES NEW CEO
Australian submarine and shipbuilder ASC
has welcomed the appointment of Mr Stephen
Ludlam as the company’s new Managing Director
and Chief Executive Officer.
Mr Ludlam is the President – Submarines for
Rolls Royce (UK) and has been appointed to the
position following a global executive search.
ASC’s Chairman, Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie AO
said that Mr Ludlam has exactly the skills and
01A
The keel for Australia’s first Canberra-class LHD being
lowered onto the slipway at Navantia’s ship yard in Ferrol,
Spain, on 23 September 09. (Navantia)
01B
The Spanish Navy’s Strategic Projection Ship JUAN CARLOS I
starting sea trials. (Navantia)
16 THE NAVY VOL. 72 NO. 1