Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates

[DDG38]

Section 82 of the Defence Act states (link) :
"If:
(a) a person makes a sketch, drawing, photograph, picture or painting of any defence installation in Australia or of any part of one; and
(b) the person has no lawful authority to do so;
then:
(c) the person commits an offence; and
(d) all sketches, drawings, photographs, pictures, and paintings, and all tools and all materials or apparatus for sketching, drawing, photographing or painting found in his or her possession are forfeited and may be destroyed, sold, or otherwise disposed of, as the Governor‑General directs.
(1A) The maximum penalty for an offence under subsection (1) is imprisonment for 6 months or a fine of 2 penalty units, or both."

Having said that, I think there's some level of common sense applied especially in this day of smart phones with relatively high resolution cameras in them (even with shitty digital zoom). It's very easy to stand at Mrs Macquaries chair and take photos of MFUs alongside FBE. And in the past the RAAF has held air shows allowing professsionals with 800mm zooms to stand there and take photos of all their aircraft.
The fact is that imagery intel is collected by all and sundry and has been since the invention of the camera. Some do it better than others.

 

[alexsa]

It’s about 2,185 nms following the rhumb line across the Bight so at 16kts (around 400nms/day) about 6 days if they go direct which rarely happens.
Some smart arse Navigating Officers have tried the Great Circle route which takes you a long way South in the Bight and have been bitten on the bum by bad weather, HMAS Supply I in 1980 but that’s another soggy beer storey.

Ha.... I understand that was Beer and toilet paper. My brother was on HMAS Melbourne (R21) during a crossing of the bight and it is not an evolution to be taken lightly in a fully developed sea. Submarines are not immune either.

 

[spoz]

Ha.... I understand that was Beer and toilet paper. My brother was on HMAS Melbourne (R21) during a crossing of the bight and it is not an evolution to be taken lightly in a fully developed sea. Submarines are not immune either.

Him, me and Assail and about 1200 others, on the way to the Indian Ocean. And we needed that beer!

Before construction of the new shipyard at Osborne it was quite possible to take photos of ships in build on the dry berth from quite close up (albeit with a chain link fence in the way) without going onto CoA property (which the shipyards are). Now it's more difficult in that the only real .land view is from about a kilometre away on Pelican Point Road. However, when there is a ship or ships at the wharf photos are relatively easy to take from public spaces. And, the Dolphin cruise goes by everyday; if you wanted to you could take photos from the upperdeck of that, as of course could people onboard any of the many Merships, yachts and other craft that pass everyday.

 

[ASSAIL]

Him, me and Assail and about 1200 others, on the way to the Indian Ocean. And we needed that beer!

Before construction of the new shipyard at Osborne it was quite possible to take photos of ships in build on the dry berth from quite close up (albeit with a chain link fence in the way) without going onto CoA property (which the shipyards are). Now it's more difficult in that the only real .land view is from about a kilometre away on Pelican Point Road. However, when there is a ship or ships at the wharf photos are relatively easy to take from public spaces. And, the Dolphin cruise goes by everyday; if you wanted to you could take photos from the upperdeck of that, as of course could people onboard any of the many Merships, yachts and other craft that pass everyday.

Yep (3 months worth for 2,000 men) 26oz steel cans of Reschs Pilsener all without cartons floating around in seawater in the forward hold. Forgot about the arsewipes!

 

[oldsig127]

NUSHIP Supply now berthing in Sydney. Live coverage on ABC News24 from time to time. She looks terrific -and for once the ABC seems to be approving about something so unpeaceable

oldsig

 

[John Newman]

NUSHIP Supply now berthing in Sydney. Live coverage on ABC News24 from time to time. She looks terrific -and for once the ABC seems to be approving about something so unpeaceable

oldsig

I can’t bring myself to watch the ABC anymore (I’d rather chew my little finger off), so I’ll just have to take your word for it!

Cheers,

 

[DDG38]

RAN video of NUSHIP Supply's arrival in Sydney this morning. Worth a watch as it also shows Canberra in the CCD and a good view of the redeveloped Oil and Cruiser wharves in FBE.

 

[John Newman]

RAN video of NUSHIP Supply's arrival in Sydney this morning. Worth a watch as it also shows Canberra in the CCD and a good view of the redeveloped Oil and Cruiser wharves in FBE.

Thanks mate, great video!

Certainly good to see the redevelopment of the Oil and Cruiser wharves, I was wondering how the progress was going, looks like a few dockside cranes is all that’s needed.

Not a big fan of the size and location of the pennant number, just doesn’t look right on an RAN ship.

All we need now is a decision on the planned new fleet of utility helicopters for the RAN, hopefully sooner than later.

Cheers,

 

[DDG38]

Some of my shots of NUSHIP Supply pulling into FBE for the first time this morning. Shot from Bradley's Head. Nice morning chatting to 2 IS sailors who were taking some video and stills. Good to see all the weapon systems already fitted.

Just noticed there's one thing missing on her, anyone else spot it ?

 

[Redlands18]

Just noticed there's one thing missing on her, anyone else spot it ?

National Flag? She is not commissioned yet so i believe she can’t fly the White Ensign yet.

 

[DDG38]

National Flag? She is not commissioned yet so i believe she can’t fly the White Ensign yet.

Nope, no skippy.

 

[buffy9]

Nope, no skippy.

To be honest I was gonna say stores, she is sitting pretty high in the water. No doubt it will be painted on soonish.

 

[Antipode]

Not sure I see much of a problem of a AOR sporting just a single Phalanx (with nice arcs of what ~300degrees? ) in peacetime. The Anzacs have none and the DDG have only one? You still have 2 x 25mm typhoons as well. While it could always have something a little more, I think priorities lie elsewhere.

Aren't 6 of the Phalanx's being mounted to the LHD's as we speak, replacing the typhoons?

Phalanx Close-In Weapons System Block Upgrade | Defence

CASG Phalanx Close-In Weapons System Block Upgrade

www1.defence.gov.au

At least 2 are being upgraded, 3 are on the DDG's, I presume 2 are on or going on the AOR, and 6 are going onto the Canberra's. They would have seen some use in commissioning the DDG's weapon systems? I would imagine they would be hesitant to bolt the un-upgraded versions onto ships, they wouldn't want to risk stuffing up the schedule for upgrades, plus I assume they shipped them all over and are just shipping them back when upgrades.

They look nice, the Spanish have come through, again. I wonder what they would quote for a 3rd LHD now the yards quiet.

Well, Spanish Armada's two Galicia class LPDs are due to replacement in the near future, perhaps by LHDs. The more the merrier!

On regards to CIWS: wouldn't a combination of two systems make good sense? Phalanx/SEARAM, for example. The capability to intercept an incoming threat at a distance further than Phalanx's reach would be desirable IMHO, given the size of the ship and the nature of its load.

Could a Phalanx intercept incoming debris caused by a SEARAM interception? Thank you in advance for your insights!

 

[Antipode]

Just noticed there's one thing missing on her, anyone else spot it ?

Well it is a wild shot, but some of the CGI shown two painted red Kangaroos! XD

Great video! The shot from above while docking was really nice. The famous Phalanx can be greatly appreciated, and the capabilities procured by the assets docked nearby are really impressive. Congratulations Australia!

 

[swerve]

Well, Spanish Armada's two Galicia class LPDs are due to replacement in the near future, perhaps by LHDs. The more the merrier!

Commissioned 1998 & 2000, & AFAIK not overworked. Probably got quite a few years left in 'em. Slightly more tonnage combined than JC1, so the Armada may find it hard to justify one for one replacement by more JC1s.

 

[Antipode]

One JC1 for the two of them wouldn't be so bad. The LPDs could be refitted to be sold, and if another country (say Australia for a third LHD) hops in, getting a one for one replacement could go from hard to feasible. The amount of work and national investment may justify that growth in the view of the taxpayers.

A man can dream, anyway! Sorry for the off topic discussion

Antipode

 

[swerve]

There are some countries that might want a pair of used LPDs, e.g. in South America, where they could replace older used LPDs.

 

[Stampede]

One JC1 for the two of them wouldn't be so bad. The LPDs could be refitted to be sold, and if another country (say Australia for a third LHD) hops in, getting a one for one replacement could go from hard to feasible. The amount of work and national investment may justify that growth in the view of the taxpayers.

A man can dream, anyway! Sorry for the off topic discussion

Antipode

Are you suggesting Navantia setting up a JC1 production line?
I actually like it and not so crazy as I see a growing market for such ships.
Three nations already have this design, with other nations aspiring to have an LHD capability there is a market for such a ship.
A proven design in a continuous build program.

Yep I can only dream of a third LHD for the RAN, but if the price is good!!!!!!

You never know what's around the corner.


Regards S

 

[ngatimozart]

In history, the skippy was only for surface combatants. Certainly, for a long time Tobruk and the LCH had a joint badge, and patrol boats had a variety of geographical reference. Major ships (CVS, AO etc) had nothing. It may be that they are going back to that. OTOH, it may just be they haven’t been fitted yet.

Just an observation. I would have thought that Skippy would have graced all RAN ships, regardless of classification, because they are commissioned ships in the RAN. I really don't see the reasoning for such discrimination. After all a commissioned ship is warship regardless of its employment.

 

[ASSAIL]

Just an observation. I would have thought that Skippy would have graced all RAN ships, regardless of classification, because they are commissioned ships in the RAN. I really don't see the reasoning for such discrimination. After all a commissioned ship is warship regardless of its employment.

The PB force used to have “squadrons”. AUSPABRON 1, 2 and 3 Sydney, Cairns and Darwin based.
In Darwin we proudly wore our Buffaloes horns insignia on the funnel (we had a majestic 3mtr spread set of horns which we mounted in front of the bridge windows on entering and leaving harbour) as did the Cairns Squadron with their Sun and Marlin.
No Northern boat would stoop to displaying something as common as a skippy!