ANZAC Class Frigate Successful in Anti-Ship Missile Defence with Phase Array Radar Test

08 Juni 2011

The Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile launches from the Vertical Launch System on board HMAS PERTH. HMAS PERTH is the first RAN ship to utilise the Australian designed and developed Phase Array Radar to detect, track and engage the remotely piloted air target (all photos : Australian DoD)

Step forward for Navy’s Anti-Ship Missile Defence

A major milestone in the delivery of an upgraded Anti-Ship Missile Defence for the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac Class frigates has been achieved with the completion of a successful trial of the system.

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare said the project involved a comprehensive upgrade of the HMAS Perth’s anti-ship missile defence systems including a new phased array radar.

“This technology was developed and designed here in Australia by CEA Technologies,” Mr Clare said.

“It’s cutting edge technology which will improve the ability of our frigates to detect and track targets.”
“It also means the Ship is now capable of engaging multiple targets at the same time.”

Test firing was conducted at sea last month and involved the successful firing of an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile using the phased array radar system.

The Ship leaves today for the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii to conduct operational testing.

HMAS Perth is the lead Ship in this project. Defence will now prepare a business case for Government to upgrade the other seven ANZAC Class frigates.

(Australian DoD)