ASC: Latest Blocks Added to the Hobart Class AWD

Australian shipbuilder ASC’s production teams have had to contend with mother nature in the past to get the latest blocks added to the the first Hobart Class air warfare destroyer (AWD).

At the end of September, Block 503, the stern of the ship, was successfully lifted onto the ship structure in the early hours of the morning to avoid heavy winds.

Block 709, which holds the Aegis SPY radar array faces, was also lifted onto the ship structure this month and Block 713 was lifted earlier this week.

Minister for Defence, David Johnston announced the successful lift of Block 709 at the Pacific 2013 International Maritime Conference in Sydney in early October.

The Aegis tower, constructed at ASC South will house the four octagonal-shaped phased array panels of the Aegis AN/SPY-1D (V) search radar.

This brings the total number of blocks lifted onto the structure to date to 25 with only six remaining.

In early October the first of the keel blocks for Ship 2 was successfully lifted into the ships cradles.

Block 107, which weighs 250 tonnes, is the first of five major keel blocks to be lifted into position in preparation for Ship 2 keel laying in February 2014.

The block was constructed in Spain, and was delivered to ASC in August. Block 107 is a major machinery block which will contain both a LM2500 Gas Turbine Engine and a Propulsion Diesel Engine.

In the coming month, the following blocks are due to be erected: Block 601, the bow of the ship, Block 717 and Block 719.

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Press Release, November 3, 2013