Article Posted on : - Sep 06, 2011

Anzac-class frigate HMAS Perth. An Australian MoD photo.

SYDNEY (BNS): Australian Navy’s new anti-ship missile defence radar system has been released for operational use after achieving outstanding trial results.

The new multi-phased array radar system has been installed on the Anzac-class frigate HMAS Perth, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. The radar can identify, track and guide missiles to multiple targets simultaneously.

Defence Minister Materiel Jason Clare “This is the latest weapon in Navy’s arsenal. It means our Anzac frigates will be a lot more capable.”

“At the moment our Anzac frigates can track and destroy one target at a time. This new radar means they will now be able to track and destroy multiple targets at the same time.

“This is also a great Australian success story. Its cutting-edge technology developed right here in Australia by CEA Technologies,” he added.

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs said HMAS Perth had just returned from testing the system on the United States Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii with tremendous results.

“The tests proved that the new system can defend the ship from modern cruise missile attack. This is a significant enhancement for the Anzac-class frigates.”

HMAS Perth is the lead ship in this project. Following the successful testing of the system on this ship, the Government will soon make a decision about upgrading the other seven Anzac-class frigates, it said.