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The ''Armidale'' class patrol boats are {{convert|56.8|m|ft}} long, with a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|9.5|m|ft}}, a maximum draft of {{convert|2.25|m|ft}}, and a [[Displacement (ship)|displacement]] of 270&nbsp;tons.<ref name=Wertheim22/><ref name=JanesKerr>Kerr, ''Plain sailing''</ref> The semi-displacement vee hull is fabricated from aluminium alloy, and each vessel is built to a combination of [[Det Norske Veritas]] standards for high-speed light craft and RAN requirements.<ref name=JanesKerr/> The ''Armidale''s can travel at a maximum speed of {{convert|25|kn}}, and are drien by two propeller shafts, each connected to an MTU 16V M70 diesel.<ref name=Wertheim22/> The ships have a range of {{convert|3000|nmi}} at {{convert|12|kn}}, allowing them to patrol the waters around the distant [[States and territories of Australia|territories of Australia]], and are designed for standard patrols of 21 days, with a maximum endurance of 42 days.<ref name=Wertheim22/><ref name=JanesKerr/>
The ''Armidale'' class patrol boats are {{convert|56.8|m|ft}} long, with a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|9.5|m|ft}}, a maximum draft of {{convert|2.25|m|ft}}, and a [[Displacement (ship)|displacement]] of 270&nbsp;tons.<ref name=Wertheim22/><ref name=JanesKerr>Kerr, ''Plain sailing''</ref> The semi-displacement vee hull is fabricated from aluminium alloy, and each vessel is built to a combination of [[Det Norske Veritas]] standards for high-speed light craft and RAN requirements.<ref name=JanesKerr/> The ''Armidale''s can travel at a maximum speed of {{convert|25|kn}}, and are drien by two propeller shafts, each connected to an MTU 16V M70 diesel.<ref name=Wertheim22/> The ships have a range of {{convert|3000|nmi}} at {{convert|12|kn}}, allowing them to patrol the waters around the distant [[States and territories of Australia|territories of Australia]], and are designed for standard patrols of 21 days, with a maximum endurance of 42 days.<ref name=Wertheim22/><ref name=JanesKerr/>


The main armament of the ''Armidale'' class is a [[Typhoon Weapon System|Rafael Typhoon stabilised {{convert|25|mm|in|adj=on}} gun mount]] fitted with an [[M242 Bushmaster]] cannon.<ref name=Wertheim22/> Two {{convert|12.7|mm|in|adj=on}} machine guns are also carried.<ref name=HeronPowell132>Heron & Powell, in ''Australian Maritime Issues 2006'', p. 132</ref> Boarding operations are performed by two {{convert|7.2|m|ft|adj=on}}, waterjet propelled [[rigid-hulled inflatable boat]]s (RHIBs).<ref name=JanesKerr/> Each RHIB is stored in a dedicated cradle and [[davit]], and is capable of operating independanly from the patrol boat as it carries its own communications, navigation, and safety equipment.<ref name=JanesKerr/><ref name=HeronPowell131>Heron & Powell, in ''Australian Maritime Issues 2006'', p. 131</ref>
The main armament of the ''Armidale'' class is a [[Typhoon Weapon System|Rafael Typhoon stabilised {{convert|25|mm|in|adj=on}} gun mount]] fitted with an [[M242 Bushmaster]] cannon.<ref name=Wertheim22/> Two {{convert|12.7|mm|in|adj=on}} machine guns are also carried.<ref name=HeronPowell132>Heron & Powell, in ''Australian Maritime Issues 2006'', p. 132</ref> Boarding operations are performed by two {{convert|7.2|m|ft|adj=on}}, waterjet propelled [[rigid-hulled inflatable boat]]s (RHIBs).<ref name=JanesKerr/> Each RHIB is stored in a dedicated cradle and [[davit]], and is capable of operating independently from the patrol boat as it carries its own communications, navigation, and safety equipment.<ref name=JanesKerr/><ref name=HeronPowell131>Heron & Powell, in ''Australian Maritime Issues 2006'', p. 131</ref>


[[File:LauncestonArmidale.jpg|thumb|left|HMAS ''Launceston'' alongside at Garden Island, Sydney]]
Each patrol boat has a standard ship's company of 21 personnel, with a maximum of 29.<ref name=Wertheim22/><ref name=JanesKerr/> The ''Armidale''s do not have a permanently assigned ship's company; instead, they are assigned to divisions at a ratio of two vessels to three companies, which rotate through the vessels and allow the ''Armidale''s to spend more time at sea, without compromising sailors' rest time or training requirements.<ref name=JanesKerr/><ref name=theausdefrep>Kerr, ''Patrol boats shake down fuel faults''</ref> A 20-berth auxiliary accommodation compartment was included in the design for the transportation of soldiers, illegal fishermen, or unauthorised arrivals; in the latter two cases, the compartment could be secured from the outside.<ref name=Mckenna10>McKenna, ''Gas risk remains for navy boats''</ref> However, a malfunction in the sewerage treatment facilities aboard {{HMAS|Maitland|ACPB 88|6}} in August 2006 pumped [[hydrogen sulfide]] and [[carbon monoxide]] into the compartment, non-fatally poisoning four sailors working inside, after which use of the compartment for accommodation was banned across the class.<ref name=theausdefrep/><ref name=Mckenna10/>
Each patrol boat has a standard ship's company of 21 personnel, with a maximum of 29.<ref name=Wertheim22/><ref name=JanesKerr/> The ''Armidale''s do not have a permanently assigned ship's company; instead, they are assigned to divisions at a ratio of two vessels to three companies, which rotate through the vessels and allow the ''Armidale''s to spend more time at sea, without compromising sailors' rest time or training requirements.<ref name=JanesKerr/><ref name=theausdefrep>Kerr, ''Patrol boats shake down fuel faults''</ref> A 20-berth auxiliary accommodation compartment was included in the design for the transportation of soldiers, illegal fishermen, or unauthorised arrivals; in the latter two cases, the compartment could be secured from the outside.<ref name=Mckenna10>McKenna, ''Gas risk remains for navy boats''</ref> However, a malfunction in the sewerage treatment facilities aboard {{HMAS|Maitland|ACPB 88|6}} in August 2006 pumped [[hydrogen sulfide]] and [[carbon monoxide]] into the compartment, non-fatally poisoning four sailors working inside, after which use of the compartment for accommodation was banned across the class.<ref name=theausdefrep/><ref name=Mckenna10/>



Revision as of 07:55, 10 October 2011

HMAS Launceston docked at Riverside in Brisbane, March 2009
History
Australia
NamesakeCity of Launceston, Tasmania
Commissioned22 September 2007
HomeportHMAS Cairns, Cairns
Motto"Progress With Prudence"
Honours and
awards
Four inherited battle honours
StatusActive as of 2011
BadgeShip's badge
General characteristics
Class and typeArmidale class patrol boat
Displacement270 tons
Length56.8 m (186 ft)
Beam9.5 m (31 ft)
Draught2.7 m (8.9 ft)
Propulsion2 x MTU 16V M70 2,320 kW diesels driving twin screws through ZF transmissions
Speed25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Range3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried
2 x Zodiac 7.2 m (24 ft) RHIBs
Complement21
Sensors and
processing systems
Low light optical equipment, communication direction finding and radar
Armamentlist error: <br /> list (help)
1 x Rafael Typhoon 25 mm naval stabilised deck gun
2 x 12.7 mm machine guns

HMAS Launceston (ACPB 94) is an Armidale class patrol boat of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

Design and construction

The Armidale class patrol boats are 56.8 metres (186 ft) long, with a beam of 9.5 metres (31 ft), a maximum draft of 2.25 metres (7.4 ft), and a displacement of 270 tons.[1][2] The semi-displacement vee hull is fabricated from aluminium alloy, and each vessel is built to a combination of Det Norske Veritas standards for high-speed light craft and RAN requirements.[2] The Armidales can travel at a maximum speed of 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph), and are drien by two propeller shafts, each connected to an MTU 16V M70 diesel.[1] The ships have a range of 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph), allowing them to patrol the waters around the distant territories of Australia, and are designed for standard patrols of 21 days, with a maximum endurance of 42 days.[1][2]

The main armament of the Armidale class is a Rafael Typhoon stabilised 25-millimetre (0.98 in) gun mount fitted with an M242 Bushmaster cannon.[1] Two 12.7-millimetre (0.50 in) machine guns are also carried.[3] Boarding operations are performed by two 7.2-metre (24 ft), waterjet propelled rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs).[2] Each RHIB is stored in a dedicated cradle and davit, and is capable of operating independently from the patrol boat as it carries its own communications, navigation, and safety equipment.[2][4]

Each patrol boat has a standard ship's company of 21 personnel, with a maximum of 29.[1][2] The Armidales do not have a permanently assigned ship's company; instead, they are assigned to divisions at a ratio of two vessels to three companies, which rotate through the vessels and allow the Armidales to spend more time at sea, without compromising sailors' rest time or training requirements.[2][5] A 20-berth auxiliary accommodation compartment was included in the design for the transportation of soldiers, illegal fishermen, or unauthorised arrivals; in the latter two cases, the compartment could be secured from the outside.[6] However, a malfunction in the sewerage treatment facilities aboard HMAS Maitland in August 2006 pumped hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide into the compartment, non-fatally poisoning four sailors working inside, after which use of the compartment for accommodation was banned across the class.[5][6]

Launceston was constructed by Austal at their shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia.[1] She was commissioned in Launceston, Tasmania on 22 September 2007.

Operational history

She is based in Cairns and performs border protection and fisheries protection patrols.

Launceston was used for pick-up filming during the creation of the second season of Australian drama series Sea Patrol in 2008.[7] The footage was conflated with the main footage of sister ship HMAS Broome to create the fictional HMAS Hammersley, the ship the series is set on.[7]

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wertheim (ed.), The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World, p. 22
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Kerr, Plain sailing
  3. ^ Heron & Powell, in Australian Maritime Issues 2006, p. 132
  4. ^ Heron & Powell, in Australian Maritime Issues 2006, p. 131
  5. ^ a b Kerr, Patrol boats shake down fuel faults
  6. ^ a b McKenna, Gas risk remains for navy boats
  7. ^ a b Idato, Michael (31 March 2008). "All ship shape". SydneyMorningHerald.com.au, Entertainment (TV and Radio) section. p. 2. Retrieved 10 April 2008.

References

Books
Journal and news articles
  • Kerr, Julian (1 January 2008). "Plain sailing: Australia's Armidales prove fit for task". Jane's Navy International. Jane's Information Group.
  • Kerr, Julian (8 December 2007). "Patrol boats shake down fuel faults". The Australian: Defence Special Report. News Corporation. p. 8.
  • McKenna, Michael (2 January 2010). "Gas risk remains for navy boats". The Australian. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
Websites and other media