HMAS Newcastle SM-2 Missile

This is the SM-2 Anti-Aircraft Missile system aboard HMAS Newcastle at Techport Outer Harbour Adelaide on open day during Navy week Sunday September 18 2011. Captured the MK 13 launcher twice going through its motions while standing in line awaiting to board, then while we were right next to it they reloaded the missile, one going under deck then seconds later another one coming up and replacing it on the rail. There is a still picture at the end of the deadly Phalanx CIWS (Close In Weapons System), and also the MK 75 gun capable of accurately firing a 76mm round at 80 rounds per minute to a range of 16000m(16km)! The ship is also armed with Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles that are also launched from the same MK 13 launcher as the SM-2, and just ahead of that is an 8 cell VLS (Vertical Launch System) for Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles, and she is also armed with a pair of triple torpedo tubes for anti-submarine warfare. Powered by two 15000 Kilowatt gas turbines and with the ability to carry two Seahawk Helicopters these ships are very capable. Also enjoy the Navy band with thier renditions of "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" by Split Enz and "Working Class Man" by Jimmy Barnes, good effort!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• RAN
• HMAS
• Newcastle
• SM-2
• Mk-13
• Sea
• Sparrow
• Navy
• Gun
• Phalanx
• CIWS
• Outer
• Harbour
• Adelaide
• Australia
• frigate
• 76mm
• Band
• Boat
• Ship

[defiant18]

i see the vls forward of the single arm launcher, very capable ships now.

[painJm1]

@defiant18 Unless you know what it it it would appear to be a storage area or something other than a series of launching tubes for sea sparrow missiles!

[geekstud]

Curious that the Phalanx CIWS was not upgraded to Block 1B with the improved barrel and FLIR (for anti-surface mode) when all the other costly upgrades were performed on this group of ships.

[painJm1]

@geekstud Actually the Phalanx have been upgraded to Block 1B so its good to know they didnt "corner cut" as i mentioned before. So not only are these ships extremely capable now they will be well into the future as well.

[geekstud]

@painJm1 The CIWS shown in this video is not Block 1B, which is easily recognized by the added video system and different barrel support system. Look at 3:19 for a clear view of the unit on this ship. I know the upgrade to 1B was listed as a part of the general update project, but the unit here is an older version with a different barrel support and no optics.

[painJm1]

@geekstud Good point, is clear is not the Block 1B version, am not sure why they have not upgraded this as was in the list of upgrades due to be done to these four ships. Have tried to find information on whether any of the Adelaide class ships have been upgraded to Block 1B but cannot find anything, i think the HMAS Darwin then HMAS Sydney were upgraded in that order but am not sure if they have block 1B upgrade, nor if the all the upgrades have been fully completed on all 4 ships.

[painJm1]

@geekstud I agree is a bit of "corner cutting", would be nice to be able to use this on surface targets, am sure would be very effective. I also like the idea of a controller being able to identify and target foes. Would have liked to have seen the Phalanx going through some movements too, it seemed like it was largely ignored on the tour of the ship.

[THESOVIETCRIMSON]

Dam it....i made one too