The first of two Landing Helicopter Dock ships, the Canberra built by the BAE Systems dockyard at Williamstown for the Australian Defence Force sailed yesterday for the first time under her own propulsion as part of the sea trials and testing program.
The ship will undergo a series of tests to prove systems and equipment prior to being handed over to the Navy. Along with Project staff from BAE Systems and Defence Materiel Organisation, a significant number of Canberra’s ship’s company also sailed in Canberra for the trials. The first sea trial will culminate after approximately 12 days with the ship entering Sydney Harbour for the first time.
When delivered, the Canberra Class LHDs will be among the biggest vessels in the Royal Australian Fleet. The “Canberra” is more than 230 metres long, 27.5 metres high and weighs around 27,500 tonnes. The vessel can carry a combined armed battle group of more than 1100 personnel, 100 armoured vehicles and 12 helicopters and features a 40-bed hospital.
The ship is scheduled to enter the dry dock at Fleet Base East, where the size and scale of the LHD platform will be readily apparent. Canberra is scheduled to receive a hull clean in the dock before proceeding to sea and returning to Williamstown to commence the final phase of sea trials involving communications and combat systems.
Both LHDs will be home-ported at Fleet Base East, Sydney.
[mappress] SBT Staff, March 4, 2014