HMAS Ballarat ASMD Milestone

HMAS Ballarat today completed her on-dock production activities associated with the Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) upgrade. Ballarat has now been returned to the Material Control of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and will commence setting to work systems and sea trials.

Ballarat was undocked this morning at the BAE Systems Henderson (WA) shipyard after 56 weeks on the hardstand as part of the ASMD upgrade and vital maintenance work, involving some 600,000 hours by 250 employees and 30 local subcontractors.

Under the ASMD program, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is receiving a world leading defence capability. The combat management system is being upgraded and an infrared search and track system is being introduced as well as a phased array radar and dual navigation radar system. While the ships are on the hard stand for the ASMD upgrade, other complex engineering and structural changes are being made to the frigates. These include enclosing the quarterdeck and modifications to accommodate the MH-60 Romeo naval helicopters.

Ballarat will now be berthed at Henderson to conduct systems set to works and Harbour Trials. The BAE Systems Henderson facility will continue to focus on the ASMD upgrade program. Work on HMAS Parramatta will continue, and preparations to dock HMAS Toowoomba next month (the seventh ANZAC frigate to enter the ASMD program) are escalating.

Director of Maritime Bill Saltzer praised the efforts of the integrated delivery team at Henderson: “BAE Systems, together with our ANZAC Alliance partners, have successfully implemented the ASMD capability and other significant engineering changes on HMAS Perth, Arunta, ANZAC and Warramunga. Productivity has improved significantly from ship to ship demonstrating the value of continuous activity. BAE Systems’ success as prime contractor and platform system integrator also demonstrates the importance of the involvement we had in the original design and construction of the ANZAC ships. The work being undertaken at our Henderson yard is further testament to the skills and capabilities available in our BAE Systems Maritime business and demonstrates the essential role we play in supporting the Australian Defence Force.”

The work was completed through the Anzac Ship Integrated Material Support Program Alliance comprising BAE Systems, Saab Systems and the Department of Defence Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG). The program is on-track to be completed in 2017 and will include upgrades to a further three vessels, including HMAS Parramatta, Toowoomba, and Stuart.