HMAS Parramatta
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| Commanding Officer | Commander Guy Blackburn |
|---|---|
| Pennant | FFH 154 |
| Type | Surface Combatant |
| Classification | Frigate Helicopter (FFH) |
| Class | Anzac Class |
| Based | Sydney |
| Laid down | 5 June 1999 |
| Launched | 17 June 2000 |
| Commissioned | 4 October 2003 |
| Displacement | 3600 tonnes3,600,000 kg 3,600,000,000 g 7,936,639.2 lb 126,986,263.2 oz |
| Length | 118 metres11,800 cm 0.118 km 0.0733 mi 387.139 ft 4,645.669 in |
| Beam | 14.8 metres1,480 cm 0.0148 km 0.0092 mi 48.556 ft 582.677 in |
| Armament |
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| Main Machinery |
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| Speed | 27 knots13.89 m/s 50.004 km/h 0.0139 km/s 2,734.253 ft/min 45.571 ft/s |
| Company | 177 |
HMAS Parramatta is the fifth of eight Anzac class frigates built for the Royal Australian Navy by Tenix Marine Systems, Williamstown, Victoria.
Parramatta is a long–range frigate capable of air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction. Parramatta is fitted with an advanced package of air and surface surveillance radars, omni-directional hull mounted sonar and electronic support systems which interface with the state-of-the-art 9LV453 Mk3 combat data system. The ship can counter simultaneous threats from aircraft, surface vessels and submarines.
The ship's main armament comprises one five inch (127 mm) gun capable of firing 20 rounds per minute, ship launched torpedoes and a vertical launch system for the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile. Other ship's defence systems include the Nulka active missile decoy system, offboard chaff and a torpedo countermeasures system.
A "combined diesel or gas" (CODOG) propulsion plant enables the ship to sustain sprint speeds of greater than 27 knots and allows an operational range in excess of 6,000 nautical miles at 18 knots.
The ship can embark a multi-role Sikorsky S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopter to enhance anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare and Search and Rescue capabilities. Embarkation of a helicopter also provides the ship with the capability to deliver air-launched torpedoes.
Parramatta is the oldest ship name in the Australian Navy and is the fourth RAN ship to bear the name. Parramatta (I) was the first ship commissioned into the Commonwealth Naval Forces (later to be named the Royal Australian Navy) on 10 September 1910. Parramatta (II) served in World War II and was sunk by a German submarine in the Mediterranean on 27 November 1941 with the loss of 138 lives. Parramatta (III) was a River Class Destroyer Escort that served between 1961 and 1991.
Ship's Badge
The HMAS Parramatta badge design was derived from the Parramatta City Council Seal in 1939. The badge of Parramatta (I) (1916-1928) was a stark Kangaroo. The Aboriginal, with spear in hand, standing in shallow water was utilised with the addition of an impaled and entwined eel on the end of the spear. The addition of the eel was to link the badge design with the ship's name. The aboriginal translation of "Parramatta" means "the place where the eels lie down".
Badge Description
An Aboriginal poised on his right leg immersed in shallow water; right arm raised holding a spear and thereon impaled and entwined an eel.
Badge Motto and Origin
"STRIKE DEEP". The motto "Strike Deep" was suggested by one of the stand-by crew of Parramatta (III) in 1960. The motto was thought to be appropriate in linking the badge design and Parramatta's naval role. It was officially adopted 13 June 1961.
Badge Blazon
"Argent; An Australian Aboriginal Poised On The Dexter Foot Immersed In Water, Dexter Arm Raised Holding A Spear And Thereon Impaled An Eel All Proper".
