Tide Class Tankers (MARS) (RFA)

[marktigger]

there is a thread on phalanx suggest the conversation moves there

[shark bait]

since the tide class build appears to be going well should the model of design and fit out in the UK, build in Korea be followed for future vessels, both RFA and RN

[marktigger]

lets see what the delivered product is like

[The Armchair Soldier]

[marktigger]

when is first one due to arrive in UK?

[Gabriele]

when is first one due to arrive in UK?

Tidespring (in the photo) is due to be handed over to the MOD, in South Korea, on 15 october this year. She will then sail to the UK with a RFA/RN crew on board, and head into Falmouth (?) for fitting out of the "sensible" equipment (weapons, comms, armor where applicable, etcetera) and will enter in service next year, by sometime in the summer. RFA Gold Rover will be returning from the South Atlantic in roughly the same period, and she'll decommission as Tidespring enters service.

[The Armchair Soldier]

Some more images:







More here:

[hovematlot]

when is first one due to arrive in UK?

Tidespring (in the photo) is due to be handed over to the MOD, in South Korea, on 15 october this year. She will then sail to the UK with a RFA/RN crew on board, and head into Falmouth (?) for fitting out of the "sensible" equipment (weapons, comms, armor where applicable, etcetera) and will enter in service next year, by sometime in the summer. RFA Gold Rover will be returning from the South Atlantic in roughly the same period, and she'll decommission as Tidespring enters service.

Does that mean one of the new Tides will be permanently based in the South Atlantic as a replacement for Gold Rover?

[Gabriele]

when is first one due to arrive in UK?

Tidespring (in the photo) is due to be handed over to the MOD, in South Korea, on 15 october this year. She will then sail to the UK with a RFA/RN crew on board, and head into Falmouth (?) for fitting out of the "sensible" equipment (weapons, comms, armor where applicable, etcetera) and will enter in service next year, by sometime in the summer. RFA Gold Rover will be returning from the South Atlantic in roughly the same period, and she'll decommission as Tidespring enters service.

Does that mean one of the new Tides will be permanently based in the South Atlantic as a replacement for Gold Rover?

Not permanently, but logically the Tides and the Waves, once alone as the other old tankers all decommission, will have to take up the usual standing tasks and operating areas, and that includes the South Atlantic. And that will happen quickly, since Orangeleaf will go out of service this year and Gold Rover the next, leaving only Black Rover.

[marktigger]

we'll still be short of RFA's but then we're short of Warships as well/

[~UNiOnJaCk~]

we'll still be short of RFA's but then we're short of Warships as well/

Surely we are actually 'gaining' an whole tanker compared to our present roster? 4 Tides and 2 Waves against 2 Waves and the odd-ball assortment of the three other vessels we have presently.

[marktigger]

10 years ago there was

2 waves
4 Assorted Leaf
3 Rover
2 Fort Victoria

[Gabriele]

10 years ago there was

2 waves
4 Assorted Leaf
3 Rover
2 Fort Victoria

To be fair, there were also a lot more warships, a fair share of which also were much more thirsty than the Type 23 and Type 45.

I wouldn't worry about tankers now. The Tides and Waves will more than do. I worry about fixing the manpower shortages; and eventually launching the next phase of MARS to replace the Solid Stores ships by around 2025. Those are the real issues at hand.

[ArmChairCivvy]

wouldn't the better solution to go for a bigger calibre like 30mm. I know goal keeper wasn't popular because of deck penetration.

Haven't they put them on the Albion class, building the big boxes under them, to see to that "several decks" penetration factor?

[marktigger]

its not several decks its about 3

[ArmChairCivvy]

a couple is two, then above it "several", pls advise where the cut-off that is

[ArmChairCivvy]

I made the Goalkeeper comment mainly bcz according to announcement they should not be around any more
- is the CWS demand outstripping the number of available Phalanx units (or is their upgrade process running so slow that some are still tied up in it, on the factory floor?)?

[jonas]

As far as deck penetration is concerned, it's not several, it's not a couple either, it would appear to be one deck :


Specifications



Weight

6,372 kg with 1,190 rds of ammunition (above deck), 9,902 kg (total).



Height

3.71 m (above deck) 6.2 m (including deck penetration)

[The Armchair Soldier]

A nice photo of Tidespring:

[ArmChairCivvy]

Can't make out any slot for the H-RAS kit (to be installed in the UK?), is it all on one side or is the picture angle just hiding it?

Forgot that the Tides have their own thread, so the little attempt at a joke this morning would sit here better than with SSS (not that moving it makes the joke any better, but...):
Shall we decide the "R"in the AOR designation stands for a Reefer, as the dry goods capacity is mainly deck stored (and chilled) containers, optimised for food, in addition to doing the Oiler function?

Also wondering if normal containers can take the stresses when they are swinging on the H-RAS line between two ships in heavy seas... and therefore, will there be a special, RN breed of containers (obviously with unchanged dimensions)?

[shark bait]

Can't make out any slot for the H-RAS kit (to be installed in the UK?), is it all on one side or is the picture angle just hiding it?

H-RAS? Is that heavy replenishment at sea? If so the tide class wont have that kit, which is for transferring pallets not fuel.

Also wondering if normal containers can take the stresses when they are swinging on the H-RAS line between two ships in heavy seas... and therefore, will there be a special, RN breed of containers (obviously with unchanged dimensions)?

I dont see why not. It isn't much different to loading by one of those massive cranes at ports. Not entirely sure if that will take ISO containers, cant think ive ever seen it. Need TD in on this one!

[jonas]

Test rig at HMS Raleigh :-

http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/upd ... y-fuelled/

[shark bait]

Test rig at HMS Raleigh :-

http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/upd ... y-fuelled/

I believe that's only for the solid support ships.

[jonas]

Test rig at HMS Raleigh :-

http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/upd ... y-fuelled/

I believe that's only for the solid support ships.

Well yes it is, doubt you will be seeing the heavy rig on the oilers, why would you ? Sorry I am getting confused with these two threads running side by side. O'h well bed time.

[shark bait]

Well yes it is, doubt you will be seeing the heavy rig on the oilers, why would you ?

You wouldn't. Some on asked where where they on these ships, either got the ships or the thread mixed up