2.4 Key milestones and successes achieved by the MPR projects during 2010-11 are set out below.
• Super Hornet
In May 2011, Exercise Bersama Shield 11 represented the first operational deployment of the F/A-18F Super Hornet. The six Super Hornets, from No 1 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland, took part in the two week multi-national exercise in and around the Malaysian peninsula and South China Sea. This brings the project closer to declaring FMR. To 30 June 2011, 20 of 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets have been delivered to the RAAF.168
• LHD Ships
On 18 February 2011, the hull of the first of two new Landing Helicopter Deck (LHD) amphibious ships was launched at Ferrol in Spain. The LHD ships, to be known as the Canberra class, mark a significant strengthening of the ADF's amphibious capability with the first ship, eventually to become HMAS Canberra, expected to be accepted into service in 2014 with its sister ship, to become HMAS Adelaide, to follow the year after. These two ships will be the largest vessels employed by the Royal Australian Navy. 169
• C-17 Heavy Airlift
The C-17 Globemaster III heavy airlift aircraft has continued to provide the ADF with an invaluable heavy airlift capability throughout the last year. These aircraft were used extensively on operations and in response to the natural disasters in Queensland170, New Zealand and Japan to deliver personnel, heavy equipment and supplies.171 On 16 March 2011 the Government approved acquisition of an additional C- 17 Globemaster III to bring the total fleet to five aircraft.
• FFG Upgrade
The upgraded Adelaide class frigates continue to make a significant contribution to ADF capability. In February 2011, HMAS Melbourne returned from a six month operational deployment in the Middle East as part of Operation Slipper. During the six months, HMAS Melbourne responded to 14 distress calls from merchant vessels in relation to suspected piracy attacks.172
• Bushmaster Vehicles
On 26 May 2011, the Australian Government approved acquisition of an additional 101 Bushmaster vehicles; 31 to replace vehicles damaged beyond repair with a further 70 vehicles to support current and future operations.173 Bushmaster vehicles are currently on active service in Afghanistan with numerous instances where these vehicles have encountered strikes from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and have been instrumental in saving the lives of Australian soldiers.
• ANZAC Anti-Ship Missile Defence
From October 2010 through to June 2011, the ANZAC class frigate, HMAS Perth, successfully carried out harbour and sea trials of the developmental Anti-Ship Missile Defence radar upgrade developed by Australian firm CEA Technologies. The ongoing trials on HMAS Perth will be used to refine and improve the phased array radar before installation of the system onto the remaining ANZAC class frigates174.
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168 Defence Media Release, 9 May 2011
169 DMO Bulletin, April 2011
170 Defence Media Release, 5 February 2011
171 Defence Media Release, 22 March 2011
172 Defence Media Release, 18 February 2011
173 Defence Media Release, 16 June 2011
174 Australian Associated Press, 31 May 2011