HMAS Brisbane : Gun Plot Room : Data Processing Set AN/UYK-20(V)

The front of the Data Processing Set (DPS) is a square metal unit with a right hinged door at the front, which is called the control monitor. A small control panel containing several switches and indicators for energizing and operating the DPS is mounted on the outer side of the door. The outer door also has 12 small air vents at the base of the door, and a small red warning sign which reads 'DANGER ' DO NOT ENERGIZE THIS EQUIPMENT UNLESS FRAME AND ALL METAL PARTS ARE GROUNDED'. The door also has a small nomenclature plate in the top right hand corner which reads `AN/UYK-20 (V) Data Processing Set, Serial Number B2990. Naval Sea Systems Command ' Contractor ' Sperry Univac, St Paul Minnesota.' The inner side of the door supports a maintenance panel with provision for selecting various DPS registers to display or modify their contents. At the base of the DPS are two heavy machined alloy mounting beams, which allow the unit to be attached to the GPR compartment floor via four bolts.

This component was removed from HMAS Brisbane after the ship was de-commissioned in 2001. The Data Processing Set (DPS) is located in the Gun Plot Room. Functionally, the DPS is a general purpose digital computer with a 16-bit, 65, 536 Word Memory. The computer performs coordinate conversion, predicts target motion, and solves the ballistics problem. Although it can accept data inserted at the CSC panel, in addition to data inputs from other Gun Weapon System (GWS) components, it is controlled by the Gun Fire Control System (GFCS) operational resident in the DPS memory. The GFCS operational program causes the DPS to process designation data, to develop director position and stabilisation orders, to process target data from the director or the Target Designation Transmitter (TDT) Mk 24 Mod 2, and to compute gun orders. HMAS Brisbane [II] was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy in December 1967 and was the second vessel of that name to serve in the RAN. Known officially as DDG-41, Brisbane was the third of the RAN's American-built "Charles F. Adams" class guided-missiles destroyers. This class were the first major Australian warships designed and built in America, and were constructed by the Defoe Shipbuilding Co. The original complement of the Brisbane was 20 officers and over 300 sailors. Main armament was two 5-inch/54 calibre guns and anti-submarine torpedoes. The Ikara missile system was subsequently added. In later service the ship was known by the nick-name ‘the Steel Cat’. The HMAS Brisbane saw operational service in two conflicts. During the Vietnam War the ship undertook two tours of duty with the United States Seventh Fleet, in 1969 and again in 1971. The ship’s major task was to provide gunfire support for the land campaign. During the Gulf War (1990-91), Brisbane was one of four Australian warships to serve a tour in Gulf waters. The Brisbane arrived in the Gulf in December 1990 and operated there until March 1991, performing a number of roles. Apart from contributing to the anti-aircraft defences in the carrier screen, the ship also kept watch for mines and ensured that small civilian craft kept well away from the carrier group. Later, during Operation Desert Storm, the Brisbane controlled fighter combat air patrols and tanker aircraft. The ship’s final role was as an escort for US replenishment ships. In 2003 HMAS Brisbane was retired from service in the Royal Australian Navy. The Brisbane was the last steam powered ship in the RAN. HMAS Brisbane was sunk as a recreational dive wreck off the coast of southern Queensland in July 2005.