Navy to Flex Missile Muscle in the Pacific
20 May 2011
The Royal Australian Navy’s missile capability is set to be tested during a mid-pacific deployment involving two frigates in a missile range off Hawaii. HMA Ships Sydney and Perth have departed Garden Island in Sydney on a two month deployment which will see them involved in testing and trials for various missile system capabilities at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. As one of the upgraded Adelaide Class frigates (FFG), HMAS Sydney is the ‘first of class ship’ to conduct acceptance testing of their recently acquired standard block 2 missile (SM-2).
Commanding Officer of Sydney, Captain Peter Leavy, said his crew will fire up to six missiles over six days.
“Sydney’s SM-2 firings in Hawaii will provide critical data for the ongoing development on the FFG combat system software. Once accepted into service, the SM-2 will provide a significant and credible Area Air Defence capability for the ADF.”
The deployment will include a number of port visits in the region with the ships scheduled to return to Australia in July.
blog comments powered by Disqus
