Australian Navy's destroyer HMAS Hobart has returned to the water ready for the next major phase of work under the Destroyer Capability Enhancement (DCE) program, shipbuilder BAE Systems Australia revealed.
Known as the float off, this milestone marks the transition from large-scale modification works to the next stage of integration and capability development.
Over the past year, since arriving at South Australia’s Osborne Naval Shipyard and entering the land-based dock, HMAS Hobart has undergone extensive upgrades, including the removal and disposal of outdated equipment and the installation of new combat systems hardware.
Together, these production activities represent one of the most significant phases of the DCE program.
The availability period also enabled a range of maintenance works across the vessel. This included refurbishment of the Mk 45 naval gun system; an overhaul of the bow thrusters; repainting of the hull and exterior areas; resurfacing of radar array faces for the first time in Australia; revamp of anchor, chains and windlasses; and removal and replacement of diesel generator, fin stabilisers, shaft bearings and propeller blades.
The work was led by BAE Systems Australia, Naval Construction Branch, Commonwealth Concurrent Work and the Combat System Integration – Integrated Project Team (CSI-IPT), the collaboration between the Commonwealth of Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia, Saab Australia and BAE Systems Australia, delivering the Hobart class destroyers’ upgraded Aegis combat system.
With HMAS Hobart back in the water, the program will now focus on systems integration, assurance activities and preparation for combat systems light off (CSLO).
As the DCE’s next major milestone, CSLO will see the ship’s upgraded combat system powered up for the first time. The DCE Program will upgrade HMAS Hobart’s Aegis combat system from Baseline 8 to 9 and integrate Tomahawk cruise missile and Naval Strike Missile systems.
"Returning HMAS Hobart to the water is a significant achievement and reflects the extraordinary amount of work completed by our teams over the past year. The DCE was established in a condensed timeframe and has continued to build momentum as Defence, industry and our partners have come together to deliver this important program in support of the Royal Australian Navy," Shaun Connelly, DDG Program Director, BAE Systems Australia – Surface Ships, said.
The Royal Australian Navy’s other Hobart class destroyers, HMA Ships Brisbane and Sydney, will undergo similar upgrades in the coming years under the DCE, the navy’s largest upgrade program.