HMAS Arunta of Australian Navy Begins SATs After AMCAP Upgrades

On completion of Project SEA 1448 Phase 4/4B AMCAP (ANZAC Middle Life Assurance Capability Program) HMAS Arunta frigate of Royal Australian Navy (RAN) returned to sea in accordance with to conduct Sea Acceptance Tests (SAT).

HMAS Arunta, the first of the ANZAC class to receive upgrades, was out of service at last December and carried out stability tests in May 2019. The upgrade, which included replacing Arunta’s AN / SPS-9 long range radar with the new CEA CEAFAR2-L phased-in radar, new IFF and ship communications system upgrade, took 20 months to complete at Henson Yard. which borders the West Fleet Station south of Perth.

The 4th phase of the AMCAP upgrade is a follow-up to the previous phase 2 / 2A / 2B upgrade of Project SEA 1448 Missile Defense (ASMD) completed on all eight ANZAC ships in 2017. Previous phases saw the SAAB battle system upgrade 9LV 453 Mk.3E, the installation of the IRST search and tracking system, the integration of the CEA CEAFAR phase-controlled radar and a dual navigation radar system.

As Arunta is the first ANZAC class to return to the sea after AMCAP, two more ships are currently being upgraded to Henderson with HMAS ANZAC being introduced last December and HMAS Perth early this year. All eight ANZAC vessels are scheduled to have completed the AMCAP upgrade by 2023.

HMAS Arunta (II) Specifications :

HMAS Arunta (II) is the second of eight Anzac class frigates built by Tenix Defence Systems at Williamstown, Victoria for the Royal Australian Navy. The design is based on the German Meko 200 frigate.

Arunta is a long-range frigate capable of air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction. Arunta’s combat capabilities have been significantly improved under the Anti-Ship Missile Defence upgrade program, a world class program that provides an enhanced sensor and weapons systems capability. The upgrade showcases Australian design and integration capability, with new Phased Array Radar technology designed by CEA Technologies in Canberra, upgrades to combat systems performed by Saab Systems in South Australia, and platform integration design by BAE Systems in Victoria.

Arunta is fitted with an advanced package of air and surface surveillance radars; omni-directional hull mounted sonar and electronic support systems that interface with the state-of-the-art 9LV453 Mk3E combat data system. The ship can counter simultaneous threats from aircraft, surface vessels and submarines.

The ship’s main armament comprises one Mark 45 capable of firing 20 rounds per minute, ship launched Mark 46 torpedoes and a Mark 41 vertical launch system for the Evolved Sea Sparrow missile. Arunta also has eight anti-ship/land attach canister launched harpoon missiles and a vertical launch system for the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile. The ship’s other defence systems include the Nulka active missile decoy system, offboard chaff and a torpedo countermeasures system.