FFG Upgrade Project

The FFG Upgrade Project is the most sophisticated enhancement ever undertaken of Australian warships in this country. The $1billion project will upgrade the combat systems of the Royal Australian Navy's guided missile frigates (FFG) to ensure their operational effectiveness against regional threats. It will also ensure the supportability of the FFGs as the RAN's principal surface combatants throughout the remainder of their life.

The upgrade at ADI's Garden Island facility in Sydney commenced on HMAS SYDNEY on 22 September 2003. Work on the remaining frigates is due to be completed in 2008.

The upgrade will see enhancements to the FFGs' self-defence and attack capabilities and to their reliability, maintainability, availability and supportability.

Key elements include:

• The command and control capability will be upgraded, primarily to enable the effective integration of new and existing sensors and effectors.
• The long-range air surveillance, target indication and automatic detect and track functions will be enhanced, allowing low elevation performance and increased detection range.
• The upgrade of the Mk 92 Mod 12 fire control system integrated with the VLS-41 evolved sea sparrow missile will improve air warfare performance against very small sea skimming missiles in high clutter conditions as well as reliability and maintainability.
• A multi layered approach to the detection and classification of torpedoes will be provided by new hull mounted sonars and the addition of a passive towed array. Mine detection has been significantly improved by the addition of a dedicated high frequency mine detecting sonar.

Contact details:

Geoff Smith
Group Manager, Strategy and Business Development
Naval Group
ADI Limited
Level 2, Building 51
Garden Island, NSW 2011
Tel: +61 2 9562 3131 Fax: +61 2 9562 3637