Missile Firing Shows New Navy Air Defence Capability

(September 10, 2007) -- A Royal Australian Navy FFG-7 class guided missile frigate has successfully conducted the inaugural and first-of-class firing against an unmanned aerial target of the new generation Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM).

The frigate HMAS Sydney fired a missile against a Kalkara unmanned airborne target on Monday 20 August 2007. The missile was successfully launched and controlled in flight, resulting in the destruction of the target.

The missile was fired from the Vertical Launch System recently installed in HMAS Sydney as part of the FFG Upgrade Program. The firing was supported by the upgraded combat system and the Australian Distributed Architecture Combat System (ADACS) software being developed and delivered by the former ADI Ltd, now trading as Thales Australia.

This Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile firing is the first from an FFG-7 class frigate, a class in service with many navies around the world. HMAS Sydney is undergoing a multi-million dollar upgrade including its combat system. The ship now is equipped with two missile systems to combat anti-ship missiles and aircraft.

This successful firing is a significant achievement for the FFG Upgrade Program. It justifies confidence in the current upgrade of the Australian Distributed Architecture Combat System (ADACS) software used to support this first-of-class firing of the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile from the installed Vertical Launch System.

The FFG Upgrade Project is scheduled for completion in December 2009.

Source : DoD Australia

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