Australia embarks HIMARS on Canberra-class vessels

The ADF embarked its HIMARS on the HMAS Canberra amphibious assault ship as a part of sea transportability trials. (Lockheed Martin)

The Australian Army has embarked its Lockheed Martin M142 High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) on the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) Canberra-class amphibious assault ship, HMAS Canberra, for the first time as a part of sea trials.

The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) said on 2 December that the trials were conducted at Sydney Harbour, New South Wales. In addition to HMAS Canberra, the transportability of HIMARS was tested on one of the Canberra class's landing craft, the DoD added. The sea trials were conducted to test the transportability of HIMARS to support the Australian Defence Force's (ADF's) littoral operations.

According to the DoD, a resupply vehicle and trailer were also embarked onto the vessels as a part of the trials to test the sustainment activity of HIMARS.

“Having already successfully tested the ability to move via a range of airframes, it was time to work with our teammates in the RAN to ensure we can move the HIMARS as needed through a range of force projection options,” Commander of 54th Siege Battery Major Ben Hutchinson said.

HIMARS sea transportability trials follow similar tests the ADF conducted in late September. In these trials the Australian Army's M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs), Block II Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles (CRVs), and combat engineering vehicles embarked on HMAS Adelaide, another Canberra-class vessel, for the first time.

The Canberra-class vessels have a full load displacement of approximately 27,500 tonnes and are designed to carry a substantial land force and support amphibious operations.