The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) air warfare destroyer, Hobart, has begun its first series of sea trials.

During these trials, the ship’s propulsion, maneuvering, auxiliary, control and navigation systems performance will be validated.

The builder’s sea trials will be conducted off the coast of South Australia throughout this month.

"The ship will be operated under the command of a civilian master and crew, and key equipment suppliers."

During this period, the ship will be operated under the command of a civilian master and crew, and key equipment suppliers who will perform the system testing and trials.

Before the ship is put to sea, the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance will evaluate Hobart in a bid to ensure the safety of the ship, embarked personnel, the environment and other seafarers.

While the builder’s sea trials are being carried out, a dedicated shore support team will remain in constant communication with the ship’s master to assist the ship and ensure successful trials.

The AWD Alliance will also carry out a series of dock trials simultaneously, which include measuring the ship’s stability and vertical centre of gravity, and bollard trials, testing the ship’s propulsion system.

Upon completion of the builder’s sea trials, Hobart will undergo further trials early next year to test and demonstrate the ship’s more advanced systems and the combat system performance.

The Hobart-class ships are fitted with Aegis Weapon System Baseline 8, AN/SPY-1D(V) Phased Array Radar, Horizon Search Radar, Advanced Harpoon Weapon Control Systems, two quad launchers.

Image: Hobart being turned with tug assistance to enable further testing on her port side. Photo: courtesy of Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance.