Royal Australian Navy Frigate HMAS Anzac test fired MU90 Torpedoes

: Posted On Wednesday, 12 November 2014 08:14

Naval Forces News - Australia

Royal Australian Navy Frigate HMAS Anzac test fired MU90 Torpedoes

After a long period out of the water and alongside conducting her Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) upgrade, HMAS Anzac has sailed from Fleet Base West and made a big splash, firing two MU90 Practice Delivery Torpedoes (PDTs) in pursuit of her Sea Qualifications Trials. The last week of October was a busy one, with the ship's crew completing her Mariner Skills Evaluation (MSE) which allowed the ship to safely proceed to sea.

HMAS Anzac fires a Practice Delivery Torpedo from the starboard launcher while underway, in preparation for Sea Qualifications Trials. Picture: RAN

The MU90 firing was an exciting affair for Team Anzac. Co-ordinating all the moving parts to ensure that the evolution ran smoothly was the Tactical Anti-Submarine Officer, Lieutenant Ken Brown.

“Although a PDT firing doesn’t appear to be as attractive as other warfare spheres, a lot of planning goes into what is essentially a minute or two of the serial. The Operations and Electronic Technican crews planned this well, which resulted in a very successful trial after a long period in refit,” he said.

In order to fire a torpedo there are a number of checks that need to be accomplished by specialist personnel. As a former Torpedo Systems Instructor, at HMAS Cerberus, Petty Officer Electronic Technician Jeffree Dillon finally got his chance to prepare and launch his first MU-90 torpedo.

“To have a successful firing of the new MU90 after such a long break made me pretty happy,” he said.

HMAS Anzac fires a Practice Delivery Torpedo from the starboard launcher while underway, in preparation for Sea Qualifications Trials. Picture: RAN

Seaman Electronic Technician Jack Chilvers was the communications conduit between the Operations Room and the torpedo tubes and was impressed with his first exposure to a firing.

"I didn’t really know what to expect, all went off without a hitch, all-in-all a good day at sea,” he said.

Over the next few months Anzac will continue to test her combat system, after a short visit to Albany for the centenary commemorations of the departure of troops for the First World War.