Australia's first Air Warfare Destroyer has successfully completed weeks of Sea Acceptance Trials off the coast of South Australia.

"Over the past five weeks, the AWD Alliance has conducted some 20 platform system tests and 45 combat system tests, to successfully validate Hobart's complete Mission System," AWD Alliance General Manager Paul Evans said in a press release.

"Completing Acceptance Sea Trials on a first of class ship is a momentous occasion for the Alliance as we move closer to delivering Hobart to [The Department of] Defense. It has been achieved through the extraordinary efforts of the on-board crew and support team, whose dedication and commitment has been instrumental in ensuring the success of Hobart's sea trials."

The Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance, which is delivering the guided missile destroyers, is comprised of Australian shipbuilder ASC, mission systems integrator Raytheon Australia and the Government's Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group.

Shipbuilder Navantia also contributes to the AWD program.

Work on the first-of-class Hobart started in January of 2010. The destroyer was launched in 2015. It is expected to be turned over to the Royal Australian Navy in July.

"Hobart's sensors, weapons and communications systems have been put to the test by Royal Australian Air Force and civilian aircraft, Royal Australian Navy ships and helicopters through a complex series of simulated scenarios and battle space management," AWD Alliance Program Manager Commodore Craig Bourke said of the acceptance trials completed on Monday.

"This achievement demonstrates and proves the capacity of Australia's sovereign defense industry to successfully build and integrate ships for our specific defense needs."

The second of three AWD vessels, the Brisbane, is to begin Builder's Sea Trials this year.

Huntington Ingalls christens 7th National Security Cutter for Coast Guard
Washington DC (UPI) Mar 06, 2017 - Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding Industries christened the seventh National Security Cutter vessel, Kimball, for the U.S. Coast Guard.

Kimball, a Legend-class cutter, was christened during a ceremony attended by roughly 1,000 guests. Coast Guard officials praised the event as a milestone for the program.

"The reason why it matters so much is that in the year 2060, this ship will still be serving with a whole new generation as its crew," U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul F. Zukunft said in a press release. "We are the premier Coast Guard in the world. We would not be that without these magnificent ships being built in Pascagoula today."

National Security Cutters are referred to as the centerpiece of the Coast Guard's fleet. Legend-class vessels are being designed and procured to replace the service's legacy Hamilton-class cutters. The newer ships feature improved transit speeds, greater endurance and range, and the capability of recovering small boats from the rear.

"The National Security Cutter is vital to our national security needs," Rep. Steven Palazzo, R-Miss. added. "Our Coast Guard protects our borders, intercepts drugs up and down our coast, and ensures we are safe here at home. We need these ships now more than ever."

Kimball is scheduled to begin builder's trials during the fourth quarter of 2017. The eighth Legend-class National Security Cutter, Midgett, is slated to launch around the same time.

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Canada picks Seaspan for Joint Support Ship production
Ottawa (UPI) Mar 1, 2017
The government of Canada awarded Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards with a contract to produce Queenston-class Joint Support Ships. The project aims to replace the Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment vessels currently in service with Canada's navy, and has an estimated budget of $1.7 billion. Under the contract, Seaspan will provide production and engineering services to support the program. ... read more

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