Australian Stealth Ships?

Sea Shadow IX-529

Sea Shadow was originally built to test design elements for reduced radar footprint designs for USN vessels. The technology has been incorporated into the Arleigh Burke class of destroyers, the San Antonio class LPD, and some other vessels. In recent years it has been testing for the new DD(X) destroyer and the Littorial combat ship (a frigate optimized for combat situations in coastal areas [brown water]). The Australian navy is at this time planning to build an area air defense vessel similar to the Spanish F-100 series FFG. The plans are still in developement.

They built one a few years ago.. They forgot where they put it and now they can't find it!!!!!!!
LOL

Too easy ....

This infor from the Royal Aus Navy Site:
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The ANZAC Class is based on the German Meko 200 frigate design with eight ships being constructed in Australia as part of the overall plan to upgrade the Royal Australian Navy.

ANZACs are long-range escorts with roles including air defence, anti submarine warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction. The ships are capable of countering simultaneous threats from the air, surface and sub-surface. Powered by a combined diesal or gas (CODOG) propulsion plant permits speeds in excess of 27 knots with an operational range of more than 6000 nautical miles.

Each Anzac frigate is fitted with an advanced package of air surveillance radars, omni-directional hull mounted sonar and electronic support systems which interface with a state-of-the-art combat data system.

The ships' main armament comprises one five inch (127 mm) gun capable of firing 20 rounds per minute, ship launched torpedoes and a MK 41 vertical launch system for the Sea Sparrow point defence missile.

Kaman Seasprite helicopters will be embarked to enhance anti-surface and surveillance capabilities.

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a pic at:
http://www.navy.gov.au/nt/default.htm

ANZAC class isn't the new ship type. The project is called "SEA 1400". The ANZAC class' AAW weapon is the Vertical launch version of the RIM-7H. The "SEA 1400" will have an area air defense system that will utilize the USN standard SM-2MR Block3 (RIM-67C), Evolved Sea Sparrow (RIM-162), and a newer version of the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM; RIM-116). The radar system has not been decided yet. The ship will resemble the Spanish Bazan class AAW Frigate, and the German type-124 AAW Firgate. The vessel will have greater displacement and power for 30 knot speed, and will be rated a destroyer.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Vilkata A long time ago, I was chatting to a friend from Australia. He was telling me how Australia had licenced the technology of the Sea Shadow USA stealth ship, and had a sizeable fleet of them now. The Australians called them Aqua-Tanks. Now... This would appear to be completely bogus information. I'm wondering, is there even a shred of truth to it? ---Vil.

Are you talking about something like this?

The only "Stealth Ship" is a Submarine!!! The Australians were very gracious hosts when I visited one of their Oberon Class boats- the aft torpedo tube modification was really sweet (it resembled a beer tap...). Their Collins Class looks to be a real world class boat.

QUOTE: Originally posted by dwblackwell The only "Stealth Ship" is a Submarine!!! The Australians were very gracious hosts when I visited one of their Oberon Class boats- the aft torpedo tube modification was really sweet (it resembled a beer tap...). Their Collins Class looks to be a real world class boat.

That is with the exception of the los angeles class. one of my buddies is an ST on a destroyer and he mentioned that few nuclear subs are as loud as the early LA class. But i still have to agree. Granted there are ships with low radar cross section but still.

MM3 (SW/AW) Robert Beard

P.S.- the canadians are also very gracious hosts but instead of an aft facing torpedo tube that resembled a beer tap they actually have beer on their boats.

QUOTE: P.S.- the canadians are also very gracious hosts but instead of an aft facing torpedo tube that resembled a beer tap they actually have beer on their boats.

As do all Aussie ships

QUOTE: Originally posted by dwblackwell Their Collins Class looks to be a real world class boat.

That’s a sad misunderstanding I’m afraid. The Collins class has been a total dog of a boat from the time it struggled through trials. I’ve heard it called a Steinway because if you tied a grand piano to the rear of a truck and dragged it down the road that’s what a Collins sounds like underwater. The US ended up coming to the rescue because it proved to be beyond the ability of us to sort out the weapons electronics systems. Every conservable fault that you could envisage a sub (this is well into its second decade of life) class having, the Collins has had.
Last I heard they and the Sea Sprites are the equivalent of backing up to the wharf with a dump truck full of money and pulling the raise lever .
Never mind, I’m sure they will be obsolete long before we will ever have to rely on them.
crayfish

QUOTE: Originally posted by Crayfishing QUOTE: Originally posted by dwblackwell Their Collins Class looks to be a real world class boat. That’s a sad misunderstanding I’m afraid. The Collins class has been a total dog of a boat from the time it struggled through trials. I’ve heard it called a Steinway because if you tied a grand piano to the rear of a truck and dragged it down the road that’s what a Collins sounds like underwater. The US ended up coming to the rescue because it proved to be beyond the ability of us to sort out the weapons electronics systems.

We are perhaps getting a little off-topic here, but despite their problems, the Collins Class has put on a good show when put to the test.

For example, from an Australian Parliamentary research paper Getting in Early: Lessons of the Collins Submarine Program for Improved Oversight of Defence Procurement

It is the inherent stealthiness of the Collins class, due to its low noise signature in the patrol quiet mode, which has recently attracted international attention. During the RIMPAC Exercise off Hawaii in 2000 HMAS Waller 'sank' two USN nuclear attack submarines. It repeated the dose during Exercise Tandem Thrust off north Queensland in May 2001, 'sinking' two American amphibious assault ships in waters of between 70-80 metres depth, barely more than the length of the submarine itself.(78) The Collins class was a for the of described by Vice-Admiral James Metzger, Commander, US Seventh Fleet as 'a very capable and quiet submarine that would challenge any naval force in the world today.'(79) The Americans were also impressed by the Collins class' manoeuvrability, confirming claims made for the design during project evaluation,(80) and which had been said to exceed contracted requirements in practice.(81)

That these achievements were recorded by Waller, reinforces the claims for the inherently good stealth characteristics of the design. Waller is one of the class which has not yet been modified to overcome the shortcomings noted in the McIntosh/Prescott report. By exploiting these characteristics, Waller was able to perform well under exercise conditions and 'was able to operate in a way that did not expose her faults.'(82) This mode of operation was classical submarine warfare, covert patrolling of a designated area at 3-4 kts, until unwary adversaries strayed in her way.

Now, getting back to the original topic, I am wondering.... The only Australian vessels remotely resembling the Sea Shadow project are the Incat high-speed wave-penetrating catamaran designs being evaluated by the US Army TSV-1x Spearhead) and the High Speed Vessel program

Hi Phil,
That’s not very hobby like of you. I was being very general because this IS a site for relaxation pursuits .
If you do need a link to sites that take them selves much more serious than here then just ask as I can help you there (“The ABC's investigative unit has found that the Navy's most expensive fleet is riddled with structural flaws.”).
Anyway if we stick to generalizations then no ones going to get upset by the “off topic” police [#offtopic.
Are you working on any kits Phil? I’m new to ship building but already I’m finding that it’s very rewarding.
Regards
crayfish (Western Rock Lobster)
Jurien Bay, W.A.

Mate
Take it from a serving member.We have no stealth ships,any use for them or the money to purchase them!! If we finally got an aircraft carrier,however,that would make this Birdie very happy!
Mick