The Hobart class Guided Missile Cruisers are American-designed, Australian-built AEGIS equipped Air Warfare Cruisers in service with the Royal Australian Navy. They are made by the Australian Submarine Corporation, in South Australia. They are copies of the Ticonderoga class guided missile cruisers. Three are named for Australian capital cities, and the last for the Leander class cruiser HMNZS Achilles, which was the first New Zealand ship to enjoy success in battle.
The ships are among the most powerful surface combatants in the world, having 122 Mk-41 VLS cells for Tomahawk, Standard missiles, VL-ASROC, and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (rarely carried). The ship also carries 8 Harpoon missiles in quad launchers.
The first of the class was laid down in 1994 and entered service in 1997. The rest followed in one year intervals.
There are four in service:
- HMAS Hobart
- HMAS Brisbane
- HMAS Perth
- HMAS Achilles
HMAS Hobart top view
Specifications[]
| Displacement | 9,750 tonnes |
| Length | 567 ft (173.9 m) |
| Machinery | 4 General Electric LM2500 COGAG; two shafts, 80,000 total shaft horsepower (60 MW) |
| Speed | 32.5 kts |
| Armament |
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| Aircraft | 2 S-70B-2 Seahawk |
Ship Profile[]
Profile of the Hobart class cruiser.