Australia: Final Keel Block for Destroyer Hobart Lifted by AWD Alliance (VIDEO)

Minister for Defence Materiel Dr Mike Kelly AM MP announced, on July 2, that the final keel block for the future destroyer, Hobart, has been successfully lifted into place by the AWD Alliance in Adelaide. The AWD Alliance is made up of the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) representing the Australian Government, ASC as the lead shipbuilder and Raytheon Australia as the mission systems integrator.

Dr Kelly said the final keel block is the 18th of 31 blocks to be joined into what is rapidly becoming the recognisable structure of the Hobart.

Each destroyer will have six Vertical Launch System modules containing eight cells which are able to store and launch missiles.

“There are a total of 48 cells in each ship, with each cell able to be armed with either a single Standard Missile 2, or four Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles. The Hobart Class destroyers will provide the Royal Australian Navy with the most capable warships they have ever operated, with a sophisticated range of both offensive and defensive weapons.”

Dr Kelly said the AWD project is the most complex naval ship construction program ever undertaken in Australia.

“This milestone demonstrates the ongoing progress and quality of work being undertaken by the national shipbuilding industry across the country,” Dr Kelly said.

Consolidation of the entire hull will be complete in early 2014 and will be followed by fit-out and testing of the ships’ systems before sea trials are undertaken.

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Australian Navy, July 8, 2013