NUSHIP Canberra, the first of two Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships being built for the Australian Defence Force, returned from her final contractor sea trials before delivery to the Australian Government. The ship returned to BAE Systems Williamstown today after being away on sea trials for two weeks.
In the meantime, Canberras' new Landing Craft were tested by RAN personnel on Sydney Harbour and local waterways.
The LHD Landing Craft (LLC) are scheduled to be handed over to Canberra in the coming months. In the mean time, the Canberra teams who will be driving, crewing and maintaining the vessels are undertaking further contractor training based at HMAS Waterhen.
Designed and built by Navantia, the LCM-1E landing crafts are the same type used by the Spanish Navy. With a length of 23.3 meters and a breadth of 6.4 meters they can reach 20 knots and have a range of 190 miles. They are fitted with two water jet propulsion units giving the LLCs a longer range, outstanding manoeuvrability, increase speed and more power compared to current in-service ADF landing craft.