The Hobart Class will be capable across the full spectrum of joint maritime operations, from area air defence and escort duties, right through to peacetime national tasking and diplomatic missions. The Air Warfare Destroyer project will provide the Royal Australian Navy with one of the world's most capable multi-mission warships.
In selecting Navantia's F100 as the baseline platform design and coupling it with the Aegis Weapon System, the Australian Government has ensured tomorrow's Navy has the best equipment to defend Australia and its national interests. The Aegis Weapon System will allow the Navy unprecedented interoperability with Australia's allies.
The Hobart Class AWDs, equipped with the SM-2 missile, will provide air defence for accompanying ships in addition to land forces and infrastructure in coastal areas, and for self-protection against missiles and aircraft. They will also be equipped with the SM-6 long-range anti-aircraft missile, the most advanced weapon of its type, with a range of more than 370 kilometres. The missiles combined with the Aegis Weapon System, incorporating the state-of-the-art phased array radar AN/SPY 1D(V), will effectively extend the air defence protection offered by these superior ships.
The AWDs will 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.
As they enter service, the AWDs will be equipped with a sophisticated Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC), which will enable each vessel to act as a part of a wider 'grid' of sensor and weapon platforms that can share surveillance and targeting information.
The Hobart Class AWDs will also conduct undersea warfare and be equipped with modern sonar systems, decoys, surface-launched torpedoes and an array of effective close-in defensive weapons.
These capabilities will ensure the AWDs have the layered defensive and offensive capability required to counter conventional and asymmetic threats.
When the Hobart Class AWDs enter service in the middle of the next decade, there will be around 100 Aegis equipped ships operating across the globe.
Air Warfare Destroyer Capability
This video showcases the operational capabilities of an air warfare destroyer in dealing with threats from the air, sea surface and underwater.
View video [2.01MB]
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