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HMAS Hobart and HMAS Sheean have engaged in a military exercise off the coast of South Australia to test the Navy’s submarine detection capabilities.
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Guided missile destroyer HMAS Hobart and Colins Class submarine HMAS Sheean have linked up off the coast of South Australia for a military exercise, designed to test the Royal Australian Navy’s submarine detection and tracking capability.
Crew aboard HMAS Hobart attempted to visually identify Sheean, submerged at periscope depth.
Able Seaman Boatswain’s Mate Ricki-Leigh Viney was the first person to detect the Collins Class submarine from the bridge wing of HMAS Hobart.
“The upper decks were full with people using binoculars,” AB Viney said.
“No one thought it would be that hard to spot the periscope, but it was really difficult.”
Upon completion of the naval exercise, the crew of HMAS Hobart conducted tests and trials of the ship’s integrated sonar system, with the ship patrolling the gas and oil platforms in the Bass Strait.
This formed part of the Commonwealth government’s commitment to maintaining a military presence in the region.
HMAS Hobart is now en route to Fleet Base East in Sydney, where it is expected to gear up for Exercise Tasman Shield in March.
[Related: Navy, JFD demonstrate submarine rescue capability]
