Australia’s future Air Warfare Destroyers are derived from the Spanish Navy’s F101 frigate design, whose lead ship, Alvaro de Bazan, is seen here. (US Navy photo)
Construction of Air Warfare Destroyers Underway
(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued April 15, 2010)
Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Materiel and Science, announced today that full production of Australia’s three Hobart-Class Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD) is now underway.
In a ceremony at the BAE Systems shipyard in Melbourne, Mr Combet announced that full production of hull blocks has now commenced at three shipyards: ASC in Adelaide, BAE Systems in Melbourne and Forgacs in Newcastle.
“More than 500 people are now working on building hull blocks for the AWDs, and this will grow to a total workforce in the three shipyards of over 1,000 people,” said Mr Combet.
“Overall, more than 3,000 people will be working to build these warships around Australia and importantly, about 200 apprentices will join the project in the next few years.
“Each ship will be made up of 31 blocks fabricated at the three shipyards. The construction of each ship will require 51 kilometres of piping, 427 kilometres of electrical cable, 4,700 tonnes of steel, 138,000 litres of paint, 4,700 mechanical valves and 1.5 million fasteners.
“By mid-2011, completed hull blocks will begin to arrive in Adelaide for consolidation into the complete warship at the Government of South Australia’s Common User Facility.
“Successful completion of pilot fabrication work and production readiness reviews has finalised the transition of the project from detailed design into full production of the ships.
“This is an important milestone for this national project, and I wish to congratulate everyone involved in helping us reach this point,” Mr Combet said.
The project is on track to deliver the first AWD, HMAS Hobart, in December 2014. HMAS Brisbane is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2016 and HMAS Sydney in mid 2017. (ends)
AWD Construction Commences in Victoria, NSW and South Australia
(Source: ASC; issued April 15, 2010)
Construction of Australia’s air warfare destroyer (AWD) capability is underway, with three Australian shipyards simultaneously building destroyer blocks.
Adelaide-based ASC, shipbuilder for the AWD Project, has congratulated its block subcontractors - BAE Systems (Williamstown, Victoria) and FORGACS (Newcastle, New South Wales) - for commencing their build programs on time.
ASC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Steve Ludlam said the simultaneous construction of AWD blocks in multiple Australian shipyards reflected a truly national commitment to building the three AWDs.
“A critical part of ASC’s AWD bid in 2005 was to share block construction with other companies across Australia that have the capability to build blocks for three AWDs,” Mr Ludlam said.
“This vision is now a reality with shipyards in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales simultaneously building blocks for the largest defence project in the nation’s history.”
ASC has subcontracted the construction of 65 blocks to BAE Systems and FORGACS over the life of the AWD Project. ASC will build 28 blocks, and integrate and consolidate all 93 blocks into three next generation warships.
ASC will undertake its own fabrication and construction of ship blocks in its dedicated AWD shipyard, which was officially opened in January 2010.
The $120 million shipyard will also be home to the assembly of the AWDs (including handling and transport), outfitting work, set-to-work of equipment and systems, and trial activities.
AWD BLOCKS
The AWDs will be constructed using the block build method.
Thirty per cent of the blocks will be constructed by ASC at its Osborne, South Australia shipyard with the other 70 per cent to be built by BAE Systems in Williamstown, Victoria and FORGACS in Newcastle, New South Wales.
The blocks constructed off site will be transported by sea to Adelaide for block erection and integration by ASC.
Blocks will average 15 metres by 12 metres by 9 metres, and weigh around 200 tonnes each.
ASC (formerly known as Australian Submarine Corporation) is the nation’s last remaining Australian-owned prime defence contractor. The company constructed the Collins Class submarines and today delivers design, upgrade and maintenance services for the submarines through-life. ASC is also the shipbuilder of Australia’s next generation warships – the Hobart Class air warfare destroyers. ASC employs over 1,600 personnel in South Australia and Western Australia, including 280 engineering and technical specialists.
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