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HMAS Melbourne '98

This standalone expansion builds on the HMAS Melbourne (1984) mod and represents the final operational configuration of Australia’s iconic light carrier at the end of her extended alternate-service life. She is tired, at the edge of her operational limit and due for decommissioning by late 1999. But with her upgraded systems and upgraded air wing, she is still very potent for her size and punching above her weight.

In this timeline, Melbourne received continuous upgrades through the late 1980s and 1990s to maintain relevance alongside newer RAN vessels and emerging regional threats. This mod introduces her final configuration as of 1998, prior to her decommissioning towards the end of the 90's — including new weapons, sensors, and air wing enhancements.

• Revised CIWS suite: A third Phalanx Block 1 CIWS has been added on the starboard quarter (as was common with other upgraded light carriers globally), and the four remaining crew-intensive obsolete 40mm Bofors mounts have been replaced with a pair of manually operated 25mm Mk 38 Mod 0 autocannons, fitted ahead of Desert Storm to improve close-in defence
  (features a kitbashed Bushmaster mount)
  
  
• Updated sensors & radar systems: Final upgrades to onboard electronics and radar performance.

• A-4AU Super Skyhawk Mk.3 — Improved radar, engine overhaul, targeting pod integration, revised loadouts with upgraded Harpoon, AIM-9M, upgraded Mavericks and laser-guided bombs (features a kitbashed laser pod and ECM pod in a few loadouts, new, modern low-vis livery with tail art)
  
  
• S-2T Mk.1 Tracker — Turboprop engines, new radar, improved ASW and patrol capabilities (upgraded stats only to reflect Turbo upgrade, visually the same as S-2G)
  
  
• Sea King Mk.50B (ASW) — Ocean Master radar, upgraded sonar and electronics also fully replacing the Wessex by 1989 - now can perform the SAR minigame
  
  
• Sea King Mk.50B AEW.5 — Searchwater 2000 radar for long-range airborne early warning

Scenarios with this mod can now reflect late Cold War and post–Cold War conflicts, including Desert Storm and East Timor (1999), the latter being one of Melbourne’s final operational sorties before potential retirement. Although ultimately you can decide on including her in general 1990's era scenarios or if she stays on longer into the early 2000's or whatever other missions she might undertake.

✅ Cold War, Gulf War, and 1990s scenarios
✅ Blue water operations and carrier group deployments
✅ Commonwealth-themed naval campaigns and alt-history builds
✅ Pairs well with the Gallipoli class DDG mod if you want to give her a high end Australian escort
✅ Create the ultimate alt-history two-carrier RAN fleet and pair with the 1998 variant of the HMAS Australia mod

Whether supporting coalition forces in the Gulf or flying overwatch off East Timor, HMAS Melbourne (1998) represents the final evolution of a Cold War veteran — she might be tired and pushed to the edge of her operational limit, but she is upgraded, refitted, and ready for a few more missions.

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Royal Australian Defence Forces - by Skyblazer
Invincible Class Carrier (AEW Sea King asset)- by petrouvis01
New Threat Upgrade - by nuclearstonk
RAN and RCN Sea Kings MOD - by plasm@n

Please let me know of any issues, leave a bug report!


(You will need to look these up on YouTube, I am not sure if the automated content checker is still having issues with links)
Simple Install Guide by Skyblazer
Sealifter and Anchor Chain guide by Brothermunro