HENSOLDT Australia Revamps HMAS Canberra’s Combat Identification System

The initial antenna and pedestals of the Navy’s IFF system from Canberra Class ships have been revitalized at HENSOLDT Australia’s state-of-the-art overhaul facilities located in Canberra. This marks the beginning of refurbishing four antennas and pedestals scheduled for repair and comprehensive maintenance within Australia.

The HENSOLDT facility currently assists the IFF interrogator for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) but has been enhanced to facilitate local testing, refurbishment, and repairs of this substantial equipment. This antenna system stands over 2.4m tall and measures 2.6m wide, weighing approximately 350kg, which necessitated the deployment and setup of specialized lifting apparatus, along with power and mechanical interface systems.

Thanks to this Australian cohort of skilled technicians, along with specialized equipment and an onsite inventory of parts, HENSOLDT Australia is equipped to repair, refurbish, and activate this essential naval capability, efficiently bringing it back into action with enhanced cost effectiveness.

“When HENSOLDT Australia was commissioned to enhance the interrogator on HMAS Canberra, routine evaluations revealed issues with the pedestals and antennas,” states Jon Wachman, Managing Director. “Investigations determined that the equipment was malfunctioning and impairing operational efficacy,” he elaborated.

“After reviewing overseas repair alternatives and timelines with the Navy, and as specialists in sensor technologies, we decided to broaden our Australian capabilities to fully support the antenna system onboard the LHD, underpinned by a local supply network and expertise.”

The preliminary phase of the restoration involved performing a thorough evaluation of the antenna and pedestal, then disassembling the systems to tackle corrosion, alongside a heavy-duty repaint in the new navy gray to further safeguard it from future degradation in the marine environment. It was meticulously reassembled and positioned on a test stand in the warehouse, where HENSOLDT technicians evaluated it with the simulated control system used onboard the vessels. This included electrical, mechanical, and rotational assessments of the antenna.

The antenna and pedestal have now been successfully reinstalled on HMAS Canberra, and HENSOLDT has finalized the onboard integration and testing, reinstating the IFF system to its full operational capacity.

HENSOLDT Australia’s enhanced overhaul capabilities are now accessible for both naval and commercial testing and refurbishment of a diverse array of antenna and pedestal systems.