Last week marked a significant progress on the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD)
program, as the keel was laid for the third destroyer, Sydney, and initial
combat systems activation has commenced on the first destroyer, Hobart.
Sydney is the last of three AWDs currently under construction on this
program, which will deliver the most capable warships ever possessed by
the Royal Australian Navy. |
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AWD Alliance CEO, Rod Equid, said that the keel-laying
for the third ship is the latest in a series of important achievements
across the project, with the start of the hull consolidation phase for
Sydney, as well as the progression to the system activation phase for
Hobart in advance of sea trials next year. Mr Equid said the second destroyer,
Brisbane, is also on track towards meeting the completion of hull consolidation
next month.
"We are proud of this further progress. Production is now more than
70 per cent complete across the project and significant productivity improvements
are being realised from ship to ship. We have come a long way since our
first keel-laying ceremony was held three years ago.
"We recognise the importance of the work being done on the third
ship, as this is where we will achieve the highest levels of productivity,
based on the lessons from Sydney’s sister ships," said Mr Equid.
AWD Program Manager Peter Croser commended the work accomplished by the
AWD Alliance over the course of the last year. "We have achieved
a number of critical milestones this year, from launching our first ship
Hobart in May, to achieving 70 per cent completion on our second ship,
Brisbane, and now commencing the hull consolidation phase for our third
ship, Sydney," said Mr Croser.
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