Naval Today said:Australian Navy’s HMAS Warramunga returned to the water on 8 April after over a year out of the water in upgrade.
Warramunga is the fourth Anzac class frigate to undergo the Anti-Ship Missile Defence upgrade program, a world class program that provides an enhanced sensor and weapons systems capability.
The upgrade showcases Australian design and integration capability, with new Phased Array Radar technology designed by CEA Technologies in Canberra, upgrades to combat systems performed by Saab Systems in South Australia, and platform integration design by BAE Systems in Victoria. In addition to this a substantial maintenance package is also completed to ensure compliance with the tenets of seaworthiness.
HMAS Warramunga will remain at Fleet Base West to complete the maintenance package and the long process of Harbour Acceptance Trials and seaworthiness boards. Concurrent with this effort, the ship’s company is also preparing HMAS Parramatta to enter the upgrade in the coming weeks.
On completion of trials, Warramunga will return to her new home port – Sydney, in September 2015.
The new upgrade incorporates a CEAFAR/CEAMOUNT phased array radar, a Vampir NG system, and a Sharpeye Navigational Radar System. Here's a pic of that new main mast:
These eight froigates have been regularly upgradedto keep them capable and effective.
For example:
From 2003 on trhey began receiving and using the ESSM in the eight cell VLS instead of the earlier Sea-Sparrw. These are better missiles, and allow them to be quad-packed, increasing their armament to 32 missiles instead of eight. The Warramunga was actually the 1st ship in the world to be fitted with the ESSM back then.
From 2005 on the ships began receiving the HArpoon BLock II missiles. Eight of them which they had been fitted for...but never installed until that time.
From 2010 on they began the current Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) upgrade and now Warramunga is the 4th ship to complete it, and the 5th, Parramatta, is under going the upgrade now. All vessels will be upgraded by 2017.
Beginning in 2016, a further upgrade is planned which will further upgrade their missile defense with the independently-guided Sea Ceptor missiles. That upgrade will also modernize the core combat system to the Saab/Lockheed CanACCS 9LV standard, and integrate it with other radar improvements.
So, these eight have the following specs to date:
4,000 ton displacement
1 x 127mm DP main gun
8 x Harpoon Block II missiles
1 x 8 cell VLS with 32 ESSM missiles
2 x Mark 32 Triple torpedo launchers for MU90 torpedoes
2 x 12.7mm Mini Typhoon munts
1 x 20mm Phalanx CIWS (fitted for, but not with)
1 x Medium ASW helo, hanger, and pad
Note: Thanks to Skywatcher for the info on the Phalanx being fitted for but not with on the RAN Anzacs.
Last edited: