Bay Class

Bay Class Statistics

Type	Amphibious Warfare
Classification	Landing Ship Dock (LSD)
Laid down	28 January 2002
Launched	18 July 2003
Builder	Swan Hunter, Wallsend shipyard
Commissioned	28 November 2006 as Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Displacement	16,190 tonnes16,190,000 kg 16,190,000,000 g 35,692,830.18 lb 571,085,444.78 oz
Length	176 metres17,600 cm 0.176 km 0.109 mi 577.428 ft 6,929.134 in
Beam	26.4 metres2,640 cm 0.0264 km 0.0164 mi 86.614 ft 1,039.37 in
Draught	5.8 metres580 cm 0.0058 km 0.0036 mi 19.029 ft 228.346 in
Aircraft	2 large helicopters
Main Machinery	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.
Cargo Capability	356 troops (standard) up to 700 troops (overload) 32 Abrams tanks 150 light trucks Two LCVP LCM-8
Speed	18 knots9.26 m/s 33.336 km/h 0.00926 km/s 1,822.835 ft/min 30.381 ft/s
Company	158 officers and sailors
Range	15,000 kilometres at 15 knots (28 km/h)

The Bay class was designed as a replacement for the Round Table class logistics ships operated by the RFA. The new design was based on the Royal Schelde Enforcer design; a joint project between the Dutch and Spanish resulting in the Rotterdam class and Galicia class amphibious warfare ships. The main difference with the British ships is the lack of a helicopter hangar.

The ships were originally designated "Auxiliary Landing Ship Logistics" or ALSL, but this was changed in 2002 to "Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary)" or LSD(A), better reflecting their operational role. Four ships were ordered; two from Swan Hunter, and two from BAE Systems Naval Ships.^[1]

At the end of 2010, RFA Largs Bay was marked as one of the vessels to be removed from service under the UK Strategic Defence and Security Review. On 17 March 2011, the Department of Defence announced that the Royal Australian Navy would be bidding for Largs Bay. This was followed on 6 April by news that a A$100 million (£65 million) bid had been successful.

ADF Ship Choules was formally handed to the Australian Defence Force in October 2011 following extensive sea trials to confirm the condition of the vessel. The ship also underwent a major refit to make her suitable for RAN service as was commissioned as HMAS Choules on 13 December 2011.

The Bay Class has a large flight deck aft which can accommodate two large helicopters and a docking well in the stern capable of operating a LCM-8 or two LCVP landing craft.

The military lift includes the capacity to load and transport up to 32 Abrams tanks, or 150 light trucks. They can carry a normal load of 356 troops, or overloaded with 500. They are designed to operate over the horizon using helicopters and landing craft, to get men and equipment ashore.

Related Stories

• Largs Bay officially handed over to Australian Defence Force
• Release of the 2011 On Line Public Defence Capability Plan
• Naming of Ex RFA Largs Bay - HMAS Choules
• Navy Capability Updates
• Navy Farewells Faithful Servant
• Amphibious Ship Update
• Capability boost as Navy acquires new ship

References

1. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RFA_Largs_Bay_(L3006)