The Australian Hunter-class will sport the AEGIS combat system and other Australian-required electronics and processing units (Thales sonar and Nulka decoy launchers to name a few). These ships will also increase the VLS count to 32-cells and focus on MU90 series impact torpedoes and support Sikorsky MH-60R "Seahawk" helicopters for the ASW requirement.
The Canadian CSC ships will also have AEGIS and solutions provided by MDA (AESA target illumination) and Ultra Electronics (torpedo countermeasures, sonar). 2 x 4-cell Naval Strike Missile launchers will also be carried as well as 2 x 324mm twin-tubed torpedo launchers and a Leonardo 127mm (5") turreted deck gun. Instead of the Lynx or Seahawk helicopters, provision will be had for the local CH-148 "Cyclone" type helicopter.
As with other modern guided-missile vessels in service today, the Type 26 will feature a broad mix of ballistic and missile weaponry. This includes 2 x 24-cell Vertical Launching System (VLS) for Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) as well as support for land-attack / anti-ship cruise missiles. Ballistic-oriented weapons will include the 5" /62 caliber Mk 45 turreted gun on the forecastle, 2 x 30mm DS30M Mk.2 series automatic cannons, 2 x 20mm Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWSs), 2 x Miniguns, and up to 4 x 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs).
Beyond this, the offensive arm of the ship will be bolstered through the carrying of one or two Westland "Lynx Wildcat" helicopters equipped for the ASW role through torpedoes, depth charges, and sonar as well as anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles. Various medium-lift helicopters will be supported through a combination hangar-helipad deck area at the stern of the ship and support for UAVs is also planned.
From artist renderings, the Type 26 will arrive sporting all the necessary stealth characteristics expected of a modern warship including a low-profile hull superstructure and smoke funnels, integrated/unbroken hull line, and enclosed main mast.
Official service of the class is set to begin in or around 2025.
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