Navy's Air Defence Capability Grows Stronger
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Government - Defence Press Release18th December 2009, 06:14pm - Views: 718
 THE HON. GREG COMBET MP Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science Friday, 18 December 2009 133/2009 NAVY’S AIR DEFENCE CAPABILITY GROWS STRONGER Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science today announced that HMAS Melbourne has fired a Standard Missile (SM 2) in the East Australian Exercise Area off Jervis Bay. “The launch of the SM 2 demonstrates an updated Naval Air Defence capability for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), which will be further enhanced over the next year,” Mr Combet said. “This missile firing was the first time a SM 2 has been fired from an Adelaide class frigate. The missile was prepared, launched and supported in flight before engaging a target. “HMAS Melbourne is an Adelaide class guided missile frigate (FFG) that has completed the multi-million dollar FFG Upgrade Program and has recently undergone additional SM-2 related alterations to its combat system. “HMAS Melbourne is now equipped with two modern missile systems to combat anti-ship missiles and aircraft. “The missile was fired from the Missile Launching System that has recently been modified as part of the project to replace the SM 1 in the Upgraded FFG. This firing is a significant achievement and provides confidence in the ship’s updated weapon control system. “The firing was supported by the combat system installed during the FFG Upgrade Project with revised Weapon Control System software being developed by an international team to employ the SM 2,” Mr Combet said. Although variations of the Adelaide class guided missile frigates are in service with many navies around the world, only the RAN Adelaide class FFG have been fitted with SM 2. Media note: Vision and stills of the firing can be found at Media contacts: Rod Hilton (Greg Combet): 02 6277 7620 or 0458 276 619 Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664 |
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