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Hunter (class)

2027 MODERN NAVY

The Hunter's Tale (Class)

As the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) continues to look to the future of its surface fleet, the Hunter-class combat frigate is finally in focus. The class is expected to consist of nine units in total to replace the aging post-Cold War Anzac class group (of which ten have already been built).

The new Hunter-class ships are expected to enter service between 2025 and 2030. The Hunter-class program was launched in 2009 to modernize RAN surface capabilities to address more modern threatsthose from submarines.

approached three of Europe's best known shipbuilders for offers to design, develop and build new ships: BAe Systems in the UK, Fincantieri in Italy and Navantia in Spain. Ultimately, BAe Systems was awarded the contract with the participation of ASC Shipbuilding Pty Ltd in Australia.

Construction is scheduled to start in 2020, with first commissioning in 2027.

The first three ships of this class are called HMAS Hunter, HMAS Flinders and HMAS Tasman.

The Hunter class is based on the new "Type 26" guided missile frigate design developed by BAe Systems and modified to meet the local needs of the Royal Australian Navy. The ship was developed as part of the UK's Future Surface Warfare programme and has evolved into a global combat ship.

For budgetary reasons, the Royal Navy has reduced its participating ships from 13 to eight.

These warships are classified as "frigates" and are multi-role warships capable of operating in a "blue water" environment independently or as part of a larger integrated force. As such, they can carry a mix of weapons and perform a variety of mission types, including airspace deterrence, naval support, and anti-submarine warfare.

The key to the Hunter class will be its missile-carrying capability, which includes a full-fledged vertical launch system (VLS) array embedded in the front and rear surfaces of the fuselage, as well as a robust surface-to-air or surface-to-surface system - home aircraft - surface missiles (land attack cruise missiles). The ship will be equipped with 48-cell and 24-cell Mark 45 Mod 4 dual-purpose barrels, as well as 5-inch turret deck guns and 20mm Close-Range Gatling Weapon System (CIWS) usually mounted above the forecastle.

Other legacy features include a full-service hangar at the stern and a helipad (to support the MH-60 Seahawk or similar medium Navy helicopter. Torpedoes will also be added, as will an advanced anti-submarine warfare suite including hull sound Nano, towed arrays and variable sonar systems.

There are around 180 crew members on board in peacetime, but can increase to more than 200 in war - the interior space also allows the warship to carry out humanitarian missions when they arise.

Current published structure dimensions include a run length of 492 feet multiplied by a width of 67 feet. When fully loaded, the displacement will reach about 9,700 tons.

The structure will employ the usual "stealth" approach to modern warships: hull side panels, limited surface obstructions/protrusions, closed main mast and shallow funnel. There is also survivability in the form of electronic and physical countermeasures. The American "AEGIS" system joins this.

The propulsion scheme is centered on a CODLOG (combined diesel-electric or gas) arrangement, which includes systems similar to the CODOG scheme but including electric motors, diesel generators and gas turbines. This arrangement is designed to reduce operating and maintenance costs and maintenance of power generation.

Estimated performance specs include a top speed of over 27 knots and a range of up to 8,100 miles.