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HMAS Collins (SSG-73)

1996 MODERN NAVY

HMAS Collins (SSG-73) History

Compared to today's world's leading maritime power, Australia's underwater commitment is easily overlooked, currently ranked in the top 20 in the world. One of the vessels tasked with enforcing Australian sovereignty in key Pacific waterways is HMAS Collins (SSG-73), a conventionally powered missile attack submarine leading six Collins-class ships.

The class is based on the Swedish Kockums "Type 471" in collaboration with Collins, laid by shipbuilder Australian Submarines (Adelaide) in February 1990 and launched at sea on 28 August 1993. She was completed in June 1994 and officially put into use on July 27, 1996 after prop proofreading. At this time (March 2014) HMAS Collins was in service with the Australian Fleet, operating under the motto "Pioneer" from the West Fleet base.

Collins, out of power, is expected to serve in the 2020s.

HMAS Collins is named after Vice Admiral Sir John Augustine Collins during World War II. Under his command, his crew sank the Italian destroyer Espero in the Mediterranean in June 1940. Further action brought him command during the Battle of Spada in July of the same year. Collins was later injured in the Japanese kamikaze attack on the flagship HMAS Australia (III).

Collins ended his career as Navy Chief of Staff and officially retired in February 1955 after a distinguished career.

When built, the Collins displaces 3,350 tons when surfaced and 3,700 tons underwater. With a crew of 48 (10 officers, 38 soldiers), she has enough stamina to sail her at sea for about 70 days. Dimensions include a barrel length of 254 feet, a beam of 26 feet and a draft of 23 feet.

The submarine uses conventional power sources (as opposed to nuclear power) and relies on combined diesel-electric units for surface/subsea operations. Power is provided by 3 Garden Island-Hedemora type V18B/14 diesel engines for ground work and 3 Jeumont-Schneider generators for underwater travel. Both sources drive the power as a single wave. Emergency power is provided by a MacTaggart Scott DM 43006 series hydraulic motor.

With this arrangement, Collins was able to achieve a surface speed of 10 knots and a diving speed of 20 knots. The range is 11,500 nautical miles on the surface and 400 nautical miles underwater.

As a modern attack submarine, HMAS Collins is equipped with a variety of systems and processing suites to take on this role. These include the GEC-Marconi Type 1007 surface search radar system and Thales bow and tow sonar arrays. The ArgoPhoenix AR-740-US serves as the interceptor array, while the Raytheon CCS Mk 2 (AN-BYG-1) suite manages the combat system. Countermeasures are self-defense measures for the ship and crew.

Navigation is by means of a Kelvin Hughes Model 1007 I-band radar system.

Coupled to the electronic system are physical weapons, including 6 x 21" (530mm) torpedo tubes mounted on the bow. Typically equipped with 22 x Mk 48 Mod 4/6/7 torpedo reloads, Collins can also fire McDonnell Douglas UGM-84C Sub-Harpoon anti-ship missiles, active radar-guided missiles, and as many as 44 "Stonefish" Mark III mines are released as needed.

The image of HMAS Collins is common in the attack submarine world. The hull is tubular and well contoured for navigating through unforgiving seas. The bow is slightly spherical and houses a sonar system and torpedo launcher.

The sails are mounted amidships and contain the diving aircraft, optics, sensors and communications equipment needed for clandestine submarine operations in remote parts of the world. The stern includes a rudder fin as well as a single axle mount. With the help of computer design, the boat uses modern "noise reduction" features to be as unobtrusive as possible. When Collins was tried off Alaska with the help of the U.S.

Navy, he was found to be almost silent as he ran at "patrol speed." Automation also supports a minimal crew, and a fully digital combat system helps increase efficiency.

HMAS Collins, commissioned in 1996, made headlines when it hired a "mixed" crew of men and women in May 1997. This opened the door for women's submarine training in 1998.

In August 2000, Collins conducted her first test, launching the UGM-84C submarine Harpoon anti-ship missile, further extending its tactical value to the Australian Navy. From April 2001, she entered the refit and repair phase.

In July 2009, she suffered an engine problem and was dispatched again for evaluation and follow-up repairs.

Since then, HMAS Collins has been involved in various training efforts. As the situation in the Asia-Pacific region appears to be heading for instability and an all-out arms race against China, HMAS Collins continues to be promoted as a deterrent to all-out war.