The Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Program will deliver in a timely and efficient manner an affordable, effective, flexible and sustainable Air Warfare Destroyer capability for the security of Australia.
The HOBART Class AWDs will provide air defence for accompanying ships in addition to land forces and infrastructure in proximate coastal areas, and for self-protection against attacking missiles and aircraft. The Aegis Combat System incorporating the state-of-the-art phased array radar, AN/ SPY 1D(V), in combination with the SM-2 missile, will provide an advanced air defence system capable of engaging enemy aircraft and missiles at ranges in excess of 150km.
The AWDs will also carry a helicopter for surveillance and response to support key warfare areas. The surface warfare function will include long range anti-ship missiles and a naval gun capable of firing extended range munitions in support of land forces. The AWDs will also be able to conduct Undersea Warfare and will be equipped with modern sonar systems, decoys and surface-launched torpedoes.
Coupled with an array of close-in defensive weapons, all of these capabilities ensure the AWDs have the layered defensive and offensive resources required to win the battle against 21st century conventional and asymmetric threats.
The Defence team is lead by the AWD Program Office in the Defence Materiel Organisation, which retains overall responsibility for the project management and delivery of the three Air Warfare Destroyers. The DMO, through the Minister for Defence, is responsible to the people of Australia to ensure that the future AWDs are delivered to the RAN on time, on budget and to the required capability.
In April 2005 the Australian Government selected Raytheon Australia Pty Ltd as the Combat System - Systems Engineer, and in May 2005 selected ASC AWD Shipbuilder Pty Ltd as the Shipbuilder. ASC and Raytheon Australia join the DMO in forming the AWD Alliance which is now working hard to deliver this cutting edge capability to the Navy.
On 20 June 2007, the Australian Government announced that the Navantia designed F100 had been selected as the basis for Australia’s future HOBART Class AWDs. The F100 ensures tomorrow’s Navy has the best equipment to defend Australia and its national interests.
Australia’s new Air Warfare Destroyers will be named HMAS HOBART, HMAS BRISBANE and HMAS SYDNEY ensuring the three ships reflect a rich history of service
