Article Posted on : - Jun 01, 2011

HMAS PERTH after her modernisation. Photo: Saab.

JERVIS BAY (BNS): Saab the prime contractor for the ANZAC frigate ASMD project has announced the successful firing of an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile from HMAS PERTH off Jervis Bay, Australia.

The new development has marked the most important milestone of the project.

In 2004, the Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) programme was commenced for the redesigning and modernisaton of the ship’s critical combat capability. Its prime role was to prepare the ship’s defences for the potential missile threats of the 21st century.

”The ANZAC ship now has a very sophisticated combat system which is clearly a world leader. The ship’s weapons, sensors and command and control capabilities are now highly prioritised towards defence in a hostile anti-ship missile defence scenario,” Managing Director of Saab Systems in Australia, Mr Richard Price said.

A major part of this project has been to upgrade weapons capability through introduction of the CEA Technologies CEAFAR active phased array radar and CEAMOUNT missile illuminator.

Detection of small, fast missiles by Sagem Vampir infrared search and track sensor has also been added and the ship’s data links will be extended by the addition of Link 16, VMF (Virtual Message Format) and satellite capability.

Another vital part of the upgrade has been to enhance the fully integrated combat management system performed by Saab’s 9LV 453 Mk 3E.