The AWD program has demonstrated that sovereign Australian shipbuilding can deliver world-leading warship platforms at increasing productivity levels.

In 2019/20 ASC continued its role as Australia’s proven builder of major warships with the finalisation of the Hobart Class AWD Program and its continuing progress on the Arafura Class OPVs, under contract with prime contractor, Luerssen Australia.

ASC has maintained a strong performance as the shipbuilder for the AWD Program, meeting all scheduled milestones since the last quarter of 2015. Together with the Alliance partners, all ships have been commissioned into service, with HMAS Sydney handed over during 2019/20.

The AWD program has demonstrated that sovereign Australian shipbuilding can deliver world-leading warship platforms at increasing productivity levels.

ASC’s construction of the lead and second OPVs continues to progress, with all contracted milestones achieved in 2019/20. All ship blocks of Arafura, have been consolidated and construction commenced on the second vessel, Eyre after its keel laying in April 2020.

Following the structural separation of ASC in December 2018, ASC Shipbuilding became a subsidiary of BAE Systems Australia to deliver the Hunter Class Frigates. ASC Pty Ltd engages the ASC Shipbuilding workforce under a labour hire contract, to deliver ASC’s shipbuilding programs.

Air Warfare Destroyer Program

As the lead shipbuilder for the Hobart Class Destroyer Program, ASC has successfully concluded its scope at the Osborne Naval Shipyard.

In 2019, HMAS Sydney achieved a number of major program milestones to an exceptional standard. This resulted in the ship being provisionally accepted by the Australian Government in February 2020 and commissioned into service in May 2020.

2019/20 highlights for HMAS Sydney included:

• Completing builder’s sea trials.
• The successful completion of Category 5 sea trials.
• Implementation of the Aviation Upgrade Program capability through MH-60R Seahawk helicopter capability upgrades.
• Introduction of a revised paint scheme; and
• Upgrading of the habitation spaces on-board the vessel.

ASC will continue to support the RAN by managing outstanding delivery certificate scope and its warranty obligations whilst the Hobart Class Destroyers remain in service.

Offshore Patrol Vessel Program

As the shipbuilder of the lead and second OPVs, under contract to prime contractor, Luerssen Australia, ASC has continued to execute its contracted scope of work.

Major achievements during 2019/20 included:

SHIP 1 - ARAFURA

• Installation of the propulsion diesel engines.
• Consolidation of the two half ships on the CUF.
• Conclusion of block construction scope and ship consolidation activities.
• Commencement of propulsion activities.
• Commencement of blast and paint on-board the vessel.

SHIP 2 - EYRE

• Keel laying.
• Commenced consolidation of major hull blocks.
• Commencement of equipment load out.