Adelaide Class
The RAN originally had six of these multi-purpose warships divided between its two main bases; Fleet Base East in Sydney and Fleet Base West in Perth. There are now only four ships still in service, with HMA Ships Adelaide and Canberra decommissioning in recent years.
These Adelaide Class frigates are based on the US Navy Oliver Hazard Perry design. The first four ships were built in the USA with subsequent modifications undertaken in Australia. The last two were constructed in Australia with all modifications incorporated.
Each FFG ship is a long-range escort ship with roles including air defence, anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, interdiction and reconnaissance. The ship is capable of countering simultaneous threats from the air, surface and sub-surface.
These ships were the first RAN ships to be powered by gas turbine for the main propulsion and can be underway from cold in less than 30 minutes. Two forward mounted, retractable auxiliary propulsion units provide a secondary means of propulsion plus excellent manoeuvrability in confined waters.
The FFG's principal weapons are the Standard medium range anti-aircraft missile and the Harpoon anti-ship missile. A 76mm gun to counter both air and surface threats is fitted forward of the funnel and one 20mm Phalanx close-in-weapon system for anti-missile defence is located above the helicopter hangers.
For long range anti-submarine tasks, the FFG is equipped with a flight deck and hangers for two S-70B-2 Sea hawk helicopters. For close in anti-submarine defence, the ships are fitted with two Mk32 triple torpedo tubes.
The FFG's sensor package includes long range radars for air and surface surveillance, electronic warfare surveillance sensors and a medium range sonar for the detection of submarines. A computer based command and control system processes information as well as target data received by data link from other ships and aircraft.
Ships
| Ship | Pennant | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMAS Adelaide | FFG 01 | Adelaide Class | 34305480015 November 1980 | 120066120019 January 2008 |
| HMAS Darwin | FFG 04 | Adelaide Class | 45918000021 July 1984 | |
| HMAS Melbourne | FFG 05 | Adelaide Class | 69807240015 February 1992 | |
| HMAS Newcastle | FFG 06 | Adelaide Class | 75552840011 December 1993 | |
| HMAS Sydney | FFG 03 | Adelaide Class | 41260680029 January 1983 |
