The Australian and United States navies have created history by successfully testing a new communications system that allows them to share information from sensors and real-time combat system data.
HMAS Hobart (pictured) has successfully tested a communications capability, proving her ability to share sensor information and real-time combat system data with the US Navy.
Minister for Defence, Christopher Pyne said that during training and testing near Hawaii, the Hobart established secure data links with the USS John Finn and shared tracking and fire control data across the two ships.
“The trials were a significant milestone in the testing and qualifying of Hobart’s combat and weapons systems,” Mr Pyne said.
“These trials are the culmination of 12 months of preparations and demonstrate Hobart’s formidable capability.”
He said Australia was the first country outside the United States with Cooperative Engagement Capability, and this demonstration marked the first time this capability was proven between two navies.”
Commanding Officer of the Hobart, Captain John Stavridis said the visit to the US had proven how closely the Australian and US navies could work together.
“Connecting and sharing data with the US Navy like this is an important step in increasing our interoperability with them, especially during linked task group operations at sea,” Captain Stavridis said.
“Sharing information like this between ships at sea means that ships in a task group can know and respond to what is going on, including sharing tracking and targeting data.”
