With little fanfare but great expectations, HMAS Perth (Captain Malcolm Wise) proceeded into the sea-phase of her Anzac Class Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) trials program.
Perth has undertaken major modifications as part of the ASMD upgrade project, SEA 1448 Phase 2, being undertaken by the Defence Materiel Organisation.
Perth completed her initial phase of the upgrade on 14 October last year, with a cold move from the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson to Fleet Base West (FBW).
She underwent her second phase of system set to work and harbour acceptance trials alongside FBW and has since successfully completed Combat Systems Certification and Mariner Skills Evaluation, allowing her to start sea trials on 21 February.
The extensive sea-trials are intended to verify and validate the ASMD capability changes in addition to other modifications that were made to enhance FFHstability, including enclosing the quarterdeck and adding ballast.
ASMD project modifications centre around the Australian designed and built (by CEA Technologies at Fyshwick, ACT) fourth generation leading edge technology active Phased Array Radar, housed in the distinctive cupola that sits atop the aft mast.
The ship has also received new Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST) systems fore and aft, removed the old Target Indication Radar (TIR) and replaced the entire Operations Room with an updated combat system and revised layout.
HMAS Perth Commanding Officer, CAPT Mal Wise said “the ship handles superbly, with little evidence of the additional top-weight that, amongst other distinctions, makes Perth the second tallest ship in the RAN with a mast-head height of 38.7m (127 feet). CAPT Wise cheekily confirmed “There is no truth to the rumour circulating that Perth will be re-designated as ‘FFF’ – Flashest Frigate in the Fleet!”
Perth will continue her at-sea trials until mid year when she is currently scheduled to participate in Exercise Talisman Sabre.
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