Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ships (LPD) (RN)

[Poiuytrewq]

both staying in service.

In what form of readiness I wonder?

[Jake1992]

both staying in service.

In what form of readiness I wonder?

That’s going to be the question but keeping both in service is already better than what most of us expected

[Tempest414]

Same 5 year rotation I would say. The RN has worked Albion quite hard over the past 3 years and we know that Bulwark will return to the fleet in 2023 as plans stand. At this point Albion will go into extended readiness or a year long refit

[Poiuytrewq]

That’s going to be the question but keeping both in service is already better than what most of us expected

If the future direction for the Royal Marines was clearly mapped out then they may have both gone but until that is finalised they really can't be decommissioned.

Lots could be done to the Albions to add aviation which would totally transform the vessels capabilities, especially for short endurance Littoral Ops but the addition of a Rubb hanger would be an instant fix for a modest outlay.

[SKB]

(Navy Lookout) 27th January 2021

After HMS Ark Royal was (prematurely) decommissioned in 2010, HMS Albion, HMS Ocean and HMS Bulwark performed the Fleet Flagship role.

After more than a decade, an aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth is once again the Royal Navy Flagship.

[Bring Deeps]

US PR machine leaving RN in the shade:

https://www.dvidshub.net/search/?q=Hms& ... ublishdate

[SW1]

[wargame_insomniac]

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british ... rce-group/

[Tempest414]

so LRG North are back out as of last night and POW sailed this morning for 3 weeks of work up not a bad start to the year

[SKB]

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/18189235/ ... y-warship/

[wargame_insomniac]

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/18189235/ ... y-warship/

Whilst the actual news story is bad news, and further indication that we need to need to tighten security, the positive is that seems that Bulwark getting a refit, whih is great news if getting back into full active service.

[Poiuytrewq]

great news if getting back into full active service.

Was Bukwark not due to re enter active service in 2022/2023?

If so Albion will probably replace Bulwark in extended readiness.

[Tempest414]

great news if getting back into full active service.

Was Bukwark not due to re enter active service in 2022/2023?

If so Albion will probably replace Bulwark in extended readiness.

That is the one Bulwark will re enter after refit and Albion will go into extended readiness however Albion could go straight into refit and come out early as LRG-S flagship

[Jensy]

An interesting photo of the internal ramp that the Albion Class have:



Has been reported that they are 'theoretically' capable of using it to move a medium sized helicopter from the cargo deck to the flight deck. Have never heard of it being used in practice.

[mrclark303]

An interesting photo of the internal ramp that the Albion Class have:



Has been reported that they are 'theoretically' capable of using it to move a medium sized helicopter from the cargo deck to the flight deck. Have never heard of it being used in practice.

Interesting Jensy, I've never heard that before...

[Jensy]

Interesting Jensy, I've never heard that before...

The first mention I saw came from a blog or forum so I wouldn't bet the farm on it. That said I've seen it repeated, though possibly from the same source. It was in relation to Lynx, so some years ago.

Perhaps other members might know more.

[Tempest414]

What is the slope on that 1 in 5 or so. Fuck trying to tow an aircraft up that the talk and grip needed would be massive one slip and it is all over. Going down will be harder than going up as the tow vehicle will always need to be up hill of the aircraft also the load on the nose gear and I could go on as why this should be a none starter

[mrclark303]

What is the slope on that 1 in 5 or so. Fuck trying to tow an aircraft up that the talk and grip needed would be massive one slip and it is all over. Going down will be harder than going up as the tow vehicle will always need to be up hill of the aircraft also the load on the nose gear and I could go on as why this should be a none starter

I would think a more useful use would be for smaller Drones, rather than heavy Helos.

[Caribbean]

What is the slope on that 1 in 5 or so. Fuck trying to tow an aircraft up that the talk and grip needed would be massive one slip and it is all over. Going down will be harder than going up as the tow vehicle will always need to be up hill of the aircraft also the load on the nose gear and I could go on as why this should be a none starter

The only way I could see it working is with a winch at the top of the slope, for both directions. I can't see a tow vehicle working tbh.

Probably something that was tried once, then filed in the "let's not try that again" category.

[Tempest414]

Even with a winch it is going to be outside safe limits the norm is when moving an aircraft under tow is to have someone on the brakes it would be under safe to have someone in that space

Yes maybe someone looked at the ramp size and wight limits and said it could take a Lynx and someone who knew better said jog on

[SKB]

(Forces News) 21st September 2022

Forces News has been on board HMS Albion as the ship's crew were put through their paces ahead of deploying to the Mediterranean.

The amphibious warfare ship was training alongside RFA Mounts Bay, 45 Commando Royal Marines and Merlin helicopters in Plymouth Sound earlier this month.

This report was produced prior to the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

[Poiuytrewq]

Such a fantastic design, just lacks the ability to embark 4-6 medium helicopters.

64091BED-48E7-4CA1-936C-A27C253D7A8F.jpeg

[donald_of_tokyo]

Such a fantastic design, just lacks the ability to embark 4-6 medium helicopters.

I've been wandering that if we can add a "2 Merlin long" hangar in place of port-side LCVP davits.

Maybe some additional width (sponson) will be needed, by 1-2m extension. But, by having a long-box 32 m long, 6-7 m wide, and 6 m height, we can embark 2 Merling within. If 48m long, 3 Merlin. As MRSS has been postponed, NOW we can modify these LPDs.

[Poiuytrewq]

Such a fantastic design, just lacks the ability to embark 4-6 medium helicopters.

Just add Argus

[Repulse]

Such a fantastic design, just lacks the ability to embark 4-6 medium helicopters.

I've been wandering that if we can add a "2 Merlin long" hangar in place of port-side LCVP davits.

Maybe some additional width (sponson) will be needed, by 1-2m extension. But, by having a long-box 32 m long, 6-7 m wide, and 6 m height, we can embark 2 Merling within. If 48m long, 3 Merlin. As MRSS has been postponed, NOW we can modify these LPDs.

I’m sure it’s possible, but the reality is that both the LPDs and LSDs will be operating as a group, part of which should be a dedicated Aviation Support Ship (be it Argus, a QE or another converted RFA). We should focus on preserving funds to ensure all 2 LPDs and 3 LSDs are kept operational (at different levels of readiness) to always be able to form a LPD, 2 LSD and an ASS within 30 days for the LRG(N).