New Australian destroyer passes initial builder sea trials

ADELAIDE, Australia, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- The Australian navy's future air warfare destroyer has successfully completed initial builder sea trials to test its hull, propulsion and navigation systems.

The testing of the Hobart took place over several days off the south coast of Australia and was conducted by the AWD Alliance, consisting of shipbuilder ASC, combat systems integrator Raytheon Australia and the government's Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group.

"The completion of Hobart's Builder Sea Trials is a significant step towards delivery of the first AWD to Defense and the most capable warships ever operated by the Royal Australian Navy," said AWD Alliance Program Manager, Commodore Craig Bourke.

"The AWD Alliance team of shipbuilders and systems integrators can take great pride in attaining this major milestone of sending our first AWD to sea and successfully completing its platform trials."

The Hobart is scheduled for a second phase of more advanced trials early next year, when its combat and communications systems will be tested.

Delivery of the vessel to the Royal Australian Navy is scheduled for June.

The AWD program is for three ships to replace Adelaide-class frigates.

The AWD Alliance said the second Hobart-class ship, the Brisbane, will be launched in December, while hull consolidation of the third destroyer, Sydney, will occur in August of 2017.