Bay class landing ship dock
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 RFA Cardigan Bay |
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Swan Hunter and BAE Systems Naval Ships |
| Operators: | Royal Fleet Auxiliary  |
| Preceded by: | Round Table class LSL |
| In commission: | 2006 – current |
| Completed: | 4 |
| Active: | 4 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Landing ship dock |
| Displacement: | 16,160 tonnes |
| Length: | 176 metres |
| Beam: | 26.4 metres |
| Draught: | 5.8 metres |
| Propulsion: | Diesel-Electric propulsion systems with 2 azimuthing thrusters and bow thruster. 4 main diesel generating sets: 2 × Wärtsilä 8L26 engines (2,240 kW each), 2 × Wärtsilä 12V26 engines (3,360 kW each). 1 auxiliary Wärtsilä standby diesel generating set. Dynamic positioning system |
| Speed: | 18 knots (33 km/h) |
| Range: | 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h). |
| Boats and landing craft carried: |
2 x LCVP or 1 x LCU Mk10; 2 x Mexeflote powered rafts |
| Capacity: | 1,200 Linear metres of vehicles (e.g. 32 Challenger 2 tanks or 150 light trucks); 12 × 40 TEU or 24 × 24 TEU containers |
| Troops: | 356 |
| Complement: | Approx 60 |
| Armament: | None, but fitted to receive military weapons and self defence systems, including Phalanx CIWS |
| Aviation facilities: | Chinook capable flight deck, hanger could be fitted if required |
The Bay class are a class of landing ship dock (LSD) operated by the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Together with the Albion class they provide the Royal Navy with a significantly enhanced amphibious capability. In November 2006 the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band said, "These ships represent a major uplift in the Royal Navy's war fighting capability." All four ships of the class are presently fully operational.
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[edit] Characteristics
The Bay-class are based on the Royal Schelde Enforcer design, similar to Dutch and Spanish LSDs. They were at first classified as Alternative Landing Ship Logistics (ALSL), to replace the Round Table class Landing Ship (Logistics). However, they have been reclassified as Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) (LSD(A)), as they developed into a form very much more like an LSD, with a large flight deck aft and a docking well in the stern capable of accommodating a LCU Mk 10. The large flight deck is capable of operating heavy helicopters including the Chinook. The military lift includes the capacity to load and transport up to 32 Challenger 2 tanks. They will have capacity to carry a normal load of 356 trops, or overloaded with 500.
[edit] Construction
Largs Bay and Lyme Bay were built by Swan Hunter on the River Tyne, whilst Mounts Bay and Cardigan Bay were built by BAE Systems Naval Ships at Govan on the River Clyde. On 13 July 2006 it was announced that, due to delays and cost over-runs, fitting out of Lyme Bay would be transferred to BAE Systems Naval Ships at Scotstoun.[1] Lyme Bay arrived on the Clyde on July 22, 2006.[2]
[edit] Service
Mounts Bay was involved in the Vela Deployment in 2006. This was the first involvement of a Bay-class vessel in a Royal Navy Amphibious Task Group operation. After a service of dedication on 17 December 2006 Largs Bay joined Mounts Bay to become the second Bay class vessel active in the fleet. Cardigan Bay was commissioned 6 March 2007 and in mid April 2007 sailed for Operation Orion 07, a four month deployment to the Mediterranean. The fourth and final ship of the class, Lyme Bay was handed over to the RFA on completion of sea trials on 2 August 2007.
(As of April 2008) RFA Largs Bay is currently on counter-narcotics duties in the caribbean, also ready to provide humanitarian assistance to British and foreign territories during the hurricane season. RFA Lyme Bay has recently completed OPERATION ZEST; critical repairs to the harbour of Tristan De Cunha, a remote mid-atlantic British territory. RFA Cardigan Bay is on station in the Persian Gulf, supporting British and coalition units improving maritime securtiy as part of OPERATION TELIC.
[edit] Ships
- RFA Largs Bay (L3006)
- RFA Lyme Bay (L3007)
- RFA Mounts Bay (L3008)
- RFA Cardigan Bay (L3009)
[edit] References
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Satellite images of coordinates show a Bay-class module being constructed at BAE Systems Naval Ships, Govan
- Satellite images of coordinates show a Bay-class ship being fitted out at BAE Systems Naval Ships, Scotstoun
- Bay Class Landing Ships. Royal Navy website. Royal Navy. Retrieved on 2008-04-27.
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