Operational History
The submarine participated in RIMPAC 02, where Sheean was able to penetrate the air and surface anti-submarine screens of an eight-ship amphibious task force, then successfully attacked both the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa and the dock landing ship USS Rushmore. During two weeks of combat trials in August 2002, Sheean demonstrated that the class was comparable in the underwater warfare role to the Los Angeles class nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Olympia. The two submarines traded roles during the exercise and were equally successful in the attacking role, despite Olympia being larger, more powerful, and armed with more advanced torpedoes than Sheean.
In 2006, Sheean was presented with the Gloucester Cup for being the RAN vessel with the greatest overall efficiency over the previous twelve months.
Sheean was docked for a long maintenance period in 2008, but workforce shortages and malfunctions on other submarines requiring urgent attention have drawn this out: RAN and ASC officials predict that she will not be back in service until 2012.
Read more about this topic: HMAS Sheean (SSG 77)
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