Royal Australian Navy Gunnery Skills

[Aussie Digger]

Aussie ships leave a big Bang

By CMDR Mike Noonan

HMAS Parramatta (CMDR Mike Noonan) proved its firepower during a live-fire gunnery exercise against the decommissioned Spruence Class destroyer Harry W.

Hill during RIMPAC 2004. The conditions were almost perfect for surface gunnery and the target was positioned well within the maximum range of Parramatta’s main armament.

The 3,400 tonne Anzac Class frigate was the 10th ship in the firing column, with HMAS Newcastle positioned astern.

At 0801, Parramatta opened fire with Mount 51, and by 0817, the target was well on its way to its final resting place some 3000 metres beneath the waves.

At the time Parramatta commenced firing her 5-inch gun, the target had sustained extensive damage to its mast and superstructure.

However, few of the previous firing ships had inflicted any serious damage at, or below the waterline.

As a result, the target was still floating. In all, Parramatta fired 28 point detonating high explosive rounds, 24 of which were seen to strike the target at, or slightly below the waterline.

Two other rounds were seen to hit the target’s superstructure.

The grouping of the rounds that struck at the waterline was extremely tight and clearly precipitated the target’s bow first sinking.

After the 28th round, the foc’sle of the target had sunk beneath the waterline and the ship began sinking.

At this point, the commanding officer gave the order to “cease fire” in order to allow Newcastle (CAPT Trevor Jones) the opportunity to fire at the target before it became fully submerged.

Newcastle fired 80 rounds from her 76 mm gun at a blistering rate of fire and was able to achieve a number of hits against the target’s mast and superstructure before it slipped silently beneath the waves.

Needless to say, the remaining six ships in the firing column did not have anything to shoot at. This was indeed an impressive display of gunnery firepower, not just from Parramatta, but from all ships.

The 30- year-old Chilean ship CS Lynch delivered a very accurately placed salvo of 4.5-inch shells, proving that effective gunnery is a combination of gun calibre, system performance and good training.

Parramatta is very lucky and extremely proud to have all three of these.

Obtained from:

http://www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/editions/4714/topstories/story18.htm


http://www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/editions/4714/images/12-newk%20fire.jpg

http://www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/editions/4714/images/12-parra%20astern.jpg

[P.A.F]

thanxs for that aussie

[Aussie Digger]

That's okay. The RAN also showed very impressive Naval Gunnery Support skills in Iraq last year when the British Royal Marines were assaulting Um Qasr. The British Frigates in the area were unable to effectively support the Royal Marines due to range deficiencies with their 4.5inch guns, (highlighted by a recent decision to upgrade these guns).

HMAS Anzac subsequently fired in excess of 80 rounds of 5 inch HE in support to silence the Iraqi artillery batteries which were firing on the Royal Marines at the time... They unofficially dubbed the action "5 inch Friday"...

[Aussie Digger]

Here's some pics taken during HMAS ANZAC's aforementioned fire support missions during the recent unpleasantness in Iraq...

http://www.defence.gov.au/opfalconer/images/gallery/070403/NGS%20Picture%202_lo.jpg

http://www.defence.gov.au/opfalconer/images/gallery/070403/NGS%20Picture%201_lo.jpg

http://www.defence.gov.au/opfalconer/images/gallery/070403/NGS%20Spotter_lo.jpg

http://www.defence.gov.au/opfalconer/images/gallery/070403/NGS%20Picture%203_lo.jpg

http://www.defence.gov.au/opfalconer/images/gallery/070403/RAN%20Battle%20Ensign_lo.jpg

These and other pics and video footage are available at:

http://www.defence.gov.au/opfalconer/images/gallery/070403/070403.htm

[yasin_khan]

Great pics aussie. :)

[lalith prasad]

hey guys the aussie warship hmas stuart is making a port call to mumbai call anyone tell what type of vessel it is and post its specifications.

[Aussie Digger]

HMAS Stuart is an ANZAC Class frigate of the same class as the Frigate in the pics above. Here's the detailed specs.

ANZAC CLASS FRIGATES, AUSTRALIA
In November 1989, the Australian/New Zealand frigate building project contracted Australian shipbuilders Tenix Defence Systems to construct ten Anzac Class frigates; eight for Australia, two for New Zealand. The first frigate for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), HMAS Anzac was commissioned in May 1996. HMAS Arunta, HMAS Warramunga, HMAS Stuart and HMAS Parramatta are also in service. HMAS Ballarat was commissioned in June 2004. HMAS Toowoomba was launched in May 2003 with delivery in 2005. The last, HMAS Perth, is due for delivery in 2006. The two frigates for New Zealand, HMNZS Te Kaha and Te Mana, were commissioned in 1997 and 1999.

Tenix Defence Systems is the prime contractor, with responsibility for design and systems integration of the ship; sub-contractors Blohm + Voss Australia provides the platform design and combat system integration; and SaabTech Australia provides electronic integration and combat system design.

The 3,600t frigates are being built at Tenix’s Williamstown yard in Victoria, Australia. The design is based on the Blohm + Voss’ Meko 200 modular design which utilises a basic hull and construction concept to provide flexibility in the choice of command and control, weapons, equipment and sensors.

In March 2003, HMAS Anzac was deployed in support of coalition forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Both of the New Zealand frigates have been deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

COMMAND AND CONTROL

The Anzac's combat data system is built around the SaabTech 9LV 453 Mk 3 combat management system, with Link 11 and SHF satellite commmunications. The 9LV Mk 3E will be fitted in the last vessel for the RAN. MILSATCOM communications system has been installed in HMAS Warramunga and subsequent vessels, which facilitates joint exercises with US and allied navies.

Weapons control is managed by the SaabTech 9LV 453 optronic director with SaabTech J-band radar. Raytheon CW Mk 73 is the fire control system for the Seasparrow missile. This has been replaced with the CEA Technologies Solid State Continuous Wave Illuminator Transmitter (SSCWI) on Warramunga and will be fitted to all Anzac vessels.

WEAPONS

The Anzac is armed with one eight-cell Mk 41 vertical launching system for NATO Seasparrow surface-to-air missiles. Seasparrow is a semi-active radar missile with a range of 14.5km. Seasparrow has been replaced by the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) in HMAS Warramunga, Stuart and Parramunga, increasing the capacity from eight to 32 missiles, and the weapon system was declared operational on these vessels in June 2004. ESSM will be retrofitted in the first two Australian ships. HMAS Warramunga was the first vessel in the world to be fitted with the ESSM.

ESSM has been developed by Raytheon with an international co-operative of ten NATO countries and is designed to counter high-speed anti-ship missiles. It has the same semi-active radar guidance and warhead as the Seasparrow but has a new rocket motor and tail control to provide increased speed, range and manoeuvrability. ESSM was passed for full-rate production by the US Navy in April 2004.

Capacity to launch eight Boeing Harpoon anti-ship missiles is to be added under Project SEA 1348. Anzac will be fitted with Harpoon Block II missiles, which have new inertial/GPS (Global Positioning System) guidance for precision targeting, and will be among the first vessels to have the new missile.

The main gun is a United Defense 127mm Mk 45 Mod 2 gun, which can fire at a rate of 20 rounds/min to a range of over 20km.

Two triple 324mm Mk 32 torpedo tubes for Mk 46 anti-submarine torpedoes are fitted. Mk 46 is an active/passive torpedo with a range of 11km. The RAN has selected the Eurotorp MU90 Advanced Lightweight Torpedo, which will be fitted to Anzac frigates and Seasprite ASW helicopters.

COUNTERMEASURES

The frigate is equipped with Thales Defence Sceptre A radar warner. Decoy systems consist of SLQ-25A towed torpedo decoys and Mk 36 launchers, initially for Sea Gnat decoys but now used to launch BAE Systems Australia Nulka anti-missile hovering offboard decoy, which provides protection against radio frequency seeker anti-ship missiles.

SENSORS

Air search is by Raytheon SPS-49(V)8 ANZ radar, operating at C/D band, and air/surface search by SaabTech Vectronics 9LV 453TIR G-band radar. The I-band navigation radar is STN Atlas Electronik 9600 ARPA.

Thales Underwater Systems Pacific Spherion B hull-mounted sonar is fitted. Spherion B is a medium frequency, active search and attack sonar. A Kariwara towed array sonar may be fitted.

In December 2003, Thales Underwater Systems Pty Ltd was awarded a contract to supply the Petrel mine and obstacle avoidance sonar for the Anzac.

WARFIGHTING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME

In December 2003, the Australian Department of Defence announced a project to upgrade the Anzac Class anti-ship missile defences (ASMD). The work is being contracted through the ANZAC Alliance between Tenix Defence, Saab and the department of Defence. A previous programme, the ANZAC Warfighting Improvement Program was cancelled in 1999.

The improvements include: installation of an infrared search and track (IRST) system for detection and tracking of low-level aircraft and anti-ship missiles; improved fire control radar to increase engagement range against anti-ship missiles; and installation of two very short range air defence weapon systems to provide 360° close-in protection. A phased array radar to detect supersonic anti-ship missiles may be included following current trials of the CEA Technologies CEA-FAR 3D fixed active phased array radar. The first upgraded vessels will enter service in 2007.

HELICOPTER

Each ship is designed to accommodate, operate and maintain its own helicopter. The RAN is using its Sikorsky Seahawk S-70B2s initially but has ordered 11 Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopters. Deliveries began in 2001 and are due to complete in 2004. The SH-2G(A) received provisional acceptance into service in October 2003. Full acceptance is expected by the end of 2004. The RAN SH-2G(A) are armed with Kongsberg Penguin Mk 2 Mod 7 air-to-surface missiles, with a range of over 30km.

The Royal Navy of New Zealand (RNZN) has ordered five SH-2Gs, two for the Anzac frigates. Deliveries completed in March 2003 and all five have entered service. These are armed with the Raytheon Maverick missile.

PROPULSION

It is driven by a CODOG (combined diesel or gas turbine) system; one GE LM 2,500 gas turbine rated at 33,600hp with a power turbine speed of 3,600rpm; two MTU 12V 1163 TB83 diesels each rated at 4828hp at 1200rpm, twin shaft with controllable pitch propellers.

Obtained from: http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/anzac/index.html

Here's a side on pic of HMAS ANZAC. Stuart is basically identical.

http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/anzac/images/anz1.jpg

[tatra]

Cool, they caught the shell on film as well!
Here's some pics taken during HMAS ANZAC's aforementioned fire support missions during the recent unpleasantness in Iraq...
http://www.defence.gov.au/opfalconer/images/gallery/070403/NGS%20Picture%201_lo.jpg

[Aussie Digger]

Mmm, I'm thinking the photographer was using a VERY fast shutter speed on that pic...

[Aussie Digger]

Here's HMAS Stuart Lalith.

http://www.navy.gov.au/gallery/ships/images/ANZ012.jpg

[adsH]

Here's HMAS Stuart Lalith.

http://www.navy.gov.au/gallery/ships/images/ANZ012.jpg

it looks very similar to the chinese Frigates.

[tatra]

it looks very similar to the chinese Frigates.

Which chinese frigates are you referring to? Could you place a pic side by side for comparison?

[Nulla]

I had the chance to get onboard the Ballarat. They are well designed FFH's with very highly trained crews. Eventually they will be armed with Harpoon quad packs that will give them one hell of an extra punch. Along with the mod's they are doing to the last four of the Adelaide class FFG, it will give our navy the capabilities that it requires.

[Aussie Digger]

Yes the RAN DOES need these capabilities, but it should have had them for a long time. Who builds a major surface combatant these days without an anti-ship missile,close in missile defence system or a torpedo system? A "tight arse" one that's who!!!

These capabilities are essential for a warship to do anything much other than deter illegal immigrants and conduct naval gunnery support missions. The Bureaucrats in Canberra even grumbled about putting a 5inch Gun on the ANZAC Class frigates ("at a cost of $500 Million"...) and wouldn't have if they had their way...

The ANZACS should have had these capabilities from day 1 of their service, not 5 years after they entered service. The air warfare capabilities the FFG's are getting should have already been in service. The DDG capability should have been replaced immediately not in 2013 (in service date of our AWD's)...

[tatra]

the mod's they are doing to the last four of the Adelaide class FFG.

How are these coming along? Any images?

[Nulla]

the mod's they are doing to the last four of the Adelaide class FFG.

How are these coming along? Any images?

I have some photo's of HMAS Sydney(The first of the FFG's to go into refit) in dry dock, but there is so much coverring over the foreward section of the ship, you cant see anything. I will be going down to the docks today & I will try and get some more photo's of Sydney. Sydney has got her feet wet These are major refits for these ships & It will make them extremly useful missle platforms.

[Nulla]

Yes the RAN DOES need these capabilities, but it should have had them for a long time. Who builds a major surface combatant these days without an anti-ship missile,close in missile defence system or a torpedo system? A "tight arse" one that's who!!!

These capabilities are essential for a warship to do anything much other than deter illegal immigrants and conduct naval gunnery support missions. The Bureaucrats in Canberra even grumbled about putting a 5inch Gun on the ANZAC Class frigates ("at a cost of $500 Million"...) and wouldn't have if they had their way...

The ANZACS should have had these capabilities from day 1 of their service, not 5 years after they entered service. The air warfare capabilities the FFG's are getting should have already been in service. The DDG capability should have been replaced immediately not in 2013 (in service date of our AWD's)...

I could not agree more, they do 2x tripple Mk46 Torps onboard now. I was onboard Ballaratt, leaning on a tripple laucher, when my relative told me they were loaded with war shot!

[armage]

He's probably thinking the new FFG (Type 054)

[Nulla]

No, actually Aussie Digger was right. When they left the shipyards at Williamstown(VIC) they did not have torp launchers. We did not even have dedicated helo's until the Seasprite came along. Australia only has the two types of Frigates FFG(Adelaide class or as the Americans call them Oliver Hazard Perry class) & FFH(ANZAC class).

[armage]

ANZAC class is a FFH? and it was built in 1989?

[Nulla]

HMAS ANZAC was Laid down 5th November 1993, Launched 16th September 1994 & Commissioned 3th May 1996. She is th first in the class, Where did you get the info about 1989???

[Aussie Digger]

The FFH stands for Fast Frigate Helicopter. It is a NATO designation for this class of ship, just as FFG Fast Frigate Guided (Missile) stands for our Adelaide Class ships (US Oliver Hazard Perry Class).

The SH-SG (A) Super Seasprite still hasn't entered "full" service yet with the RAN, nor has it's Penguin Anti-Ship Missile system, the major anti-ship capability the ANZAC Class frigates were meant to possess in 1997...

A number of them have been provisionally accepted by te RAN for flight training purposes and flight trials. The initial operationing capability is set for late 05, early 06 provided there are no further problems...

The 5 years bit was a throwaway line during the middle of my rant I couldn't actually remember the in-service date of HMAS ANZAC...

[Nulla]

Hey Digger, you know your stuff !. I really ment to direct the comment back to Armage. In a way you were right, project was accepted back in 89, but keel was not laid for another four years.

[Aussie Digger]

Thanks mate, I haven't actually had a tour of an ANZAC class frigate, but I've had a good close look at one at Garden Island. (HMAS Stuart I think)...

They will be a reasonably well armed ship when the current upgrades are completed (Harpoon Block 2, Evolved Sea Sparrow SAM's, a short range air defence missile {most likely 2x 6 round Mistral launchers}, MU-90 Torpedo's and of course the Penguin ASM's on the Sea Sprite), but all these capabilities should have been present from day one. The "fitted for but not with" policy of the Labor party was an absolute disgrace.

They are nice looking ships though and have done a great job since entering service (no thanks to the ALP), thanks to the Pusser's... :D: