Two more keel blocks constructed by BAE Systems for the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) program have been shipped to the ASC facility in Osborne South Australia. Each of these blocks weighs approximately 100 tonnes and are approximately 14 metres long, 17 metres wide and 5 metres high. Both of the blocks left BAE Systems Williamstown shipyard on Monday by barge.
BAE Systems Director of Maritime, Bill Saltzer , said the delivery brought the total number of blocks delivered to ASC to five (the first three having been delivered during 2011) and marked another significant milestone achieved on this important project. “ Construction of another six blocks is already underway in Williamstown, with two more to be delivered in a couple of months and the other four scheduled for completion later this year ,” he said.
Mr Saltzer congratulated the BAE Systems staff for achieving further success on this project.
The $8 billion AWD project comprises three ships and will provide the Royal Australian Navy with one of the world’s most capable multi-mission warships. ASC is a member of the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance which is responsible for delivering the ships to Navy. The five blocks now delivered to ASC will form a large part of the keel of the first ship HMAS Hobart.
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Source: baesystems, March 9, 2012; Image: defencesa