HMForces.co.uk

Education >> Browse Articles >> The Royal Navy Fleet

The Vessels of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary

Ensign of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary

RFA Wave Knight

Built by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd (VSEL) at Barrow-in-Furness was launched in September 2000 and commissioned in April 2003.

RFA Wave Ruler

Wave Ruler was built by BAE Systems at Govan on the River Clyde was launched in February 2001 and commissioned into service in April 2003.

• Bay Class Landing Ship Dock (LSD)

The Bay Class LSD were designed to replace the Round Table Class of Landing Ship (Logistics), probably better known as the RFA’s Sir Lancelot, Bedivere, Galahad, Geraint, Percivale and Tristram. A much larger and versatile ship than their predecessors the LSD operates both Merlin and Chinook Helicopters from its flight deck and has a floodable dock capable of operating one Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Mk 10 or two Landing Craft Vehicle and Personnel (LCVP) Mk 5’s. These vessels, when combined with the Royal Navy’s Albion Class LPD’s, HMS Albion and Bulwark, provide an amphibious capability of substantial proportions.

Capable of supporting an Embarked Military Force (EMF) the LSD can accommodate approximately 350 fully equipped troops under normal operating conditions or up to 700 troops when deployed on a wartime footing. Bay Class vessels are fitted with a vehicle deck accessible from both stern and side ramps. This deck can accommodate 24 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks or approximately 150 wheeled vehicles of varying sizes. Two 30 Tonne cranes, capable of transferring freight and cargo onto either Mexefloats secured alongside the ship or landing craft, are fitted to the upper deck.

Bay Class LSD’s are fitted with Diesel-Electric propulsion systems capable of producing speeds of up to 18 knots (33 km/h) and 2 azimuthally adjusted thrusters with positioning systems to ensure directional stability when operating landing craft. LSD’s have a range of 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km) when cruising at 15 knots (28 km/h).Bay Class LSD’s are fitted with Diesel-Electric propulsion systems capable of producing speeds of up to 18 knots (33 km/h) and 2 azimuthally adjusted thrusters with positioning systems to ensure directional stability when operating landing craft. LSD’s have a range of 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km) when cruising at 15 knots (28 km/h).Bay Class LSD’s are fitted with Diesel-Electric propulsion systems capable of producing speeds of up to 18 knots (33 km/h) and 2 azimuthally adjusted thrusters with positioning systems to ensure directional stability when operating landing craft. LSD’s have a range of 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km) when cruising at 15 knots (28 km/h).

Self defence systems comprising 30mm gun positions, Phalanx Close in Weapons System (CIWS) and launchers for chaff and infrared flare rounds can be fitted as and when required.

LSD’s are capable of operating independently and as such have carried out anti-narcotics patrols in the Caribbean and the provision of humanitarian relief to British and foreign dependant territories during the hurricane season. They have also been deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of British and Coalition Forces as part of ‘Op Telic’ as well as providing support to amphibious exercises.