Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ships (LPD) (RN)

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SKB
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Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ships (LPD) (RN)

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Image
^ HMS Albion (L14)

The Albion-class LPD or 'Assault Ship', is the newest type of amphibious warfare ship in service with the Royal Navy. The class consists of two vessels, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, ordered in 1996 to replace the ageing Fearless class. Both ships were built by BAE Systems Marine at the former Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd yard in Barrow-in-Furness. Albion was commissioned in 2003 and Bulwark in 2004. Thirty-one large trucks and thirty-six smaller vehicles and main battle tanks can be carried inside the vehicle deck. To disembark troops and vehicles, the vessels are equipped with eight landing craft.

The Albion class LPDs have a length of 176 metres (577 ft), a breadth of 28.9 metres (95 ft), and a draught of 7.1 metres (23 ft). They have a normal displacement of 14,000 tonnes (14,000 long tons; 15,000 short tons), 19,560 tonnes (19,250 long tons; 21,560 short tons) at full load and 21,000 tonnes (21,000 long tons; 23,000 short tons) when the dock is flooded. The ships have a crew of 325 and can accommodate up to 405 troops, including their vehicles and combat supplies, in overload conditions. Propulsion is provided by two Wärtsilä Vasa 16V 32E diesel generators driving two electric motors, two shafts, and a bow thruster. This is the first diesel electric propulsion system to be used in a Royal Navy surface ship. It reduces the engine room crew by about 66 per cent compared with the preceding Fearless class of ships. The diesel electric system can propel the ships to a maximum speed of 18 knots and have a range of 8,000 miles (13,000 km).

The aft flight deck has two landing spots for aircraft the size of a Chinook, although it has no hangar or aircraft storage facility. Below the flight deck is the dock and vehicle deck. The latter has the capacity to hold thirty-one large trucks and thirty-six smaller vehicles or six Challenger 2 tanks and thirty armoured personnel carriers. The dock can hold four Landing Craft Utility MK10, each large enough to carry vehicles up to main battle tank size, which are then launched by flooding of the dock area. Four smaller LCVP MK5 that can carry thirty-five men or two light trucks are carried on davits, two each side of the ships superstructure. Each ship also carries a fifty-two ton tracked beach recovery vehicle for assisting with landing craft recovery, as well as two tractors: one that can lay a track-way across a landing beach, and the second fitted with an excavating bucket and forks.

For defence against missile attack, the Albion class LPDs have two 30 mm Goalkeeper CIWSs mounted fore and aft on the superstructure and two 20 mm guns. Defensive countermeasures include the Outfit DLJ decoys, eight Sea Gnat radar reflection / infra-red emitting decoy launchers and a BAE Systems DLH off-board decoy. When commissioned, the ships were fitted with two Kelvin Hughes Type 1007/8 I-band radars, for navigation and aircraft control. For air and surface search, a Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems Radar Type 996 E/F band radar was fitted. From 2013 on, RT996 will be gradually replaced by the BAE Systems Maritime Services Artisan 3D E/F-band (designated RT997). HMS Iron Duke will be the First of Class and RT997 will be fitted to Albion and Bulwark by 2015. There is also an ADAWS 2000 combat data system and a UAT/1-4 Electronic support measures (ESM) system.

Extended readiness
To cut the running costs of the Royal Navy, the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review concluded that one of its two Albion class LPDs should be placed into extended readiness, or docked, while the other is held at high readiness for operations. The vessels will alternate between extended readiness and high readiness throughout their service lives.

It was confirmed that Albion would be the first of the two vessels to be placed at extended readiness, for a cost of £2.5 million, as Bulwark had recently finished a major refit. Running costs while in extended readiness are estimated to be £300,000 per annum to keep the vessel available for reactivation at short notice. HMS Albion will re-enter high readiness when HMS Bulwark is put into extended readiness, expectedly around 2016. In 2014 Albion will enter a regeneration refit and will rejoin the active fleet in 2016. The running costs of one of the Albion class vessels at high readiness ranged from £17.7 million to £38.6 million per annum from 2007 to 2011.

1. HMS Albion (L14) Commissioned 2003. Currently in 'Extended Readiness'.
2. HMS Bulwark (L15) Commissioned 2004.

Class and type: Amphibious transport dock
Displacement: 19,560 tonnes (19,250 long tons; 21,560 short tons)
Length: 176 metres (577 ft)
Beam: 28.9 metres (95 ft)
Draught: 7.1 metres (23 ft)
Propulsion:
2 × Wärtsilä Vasa 16V 32E diesel generators
2 × Wärtsilä Vasa 4R 32E diesel generators
2 × electric motors
bow thruster
Speed: 18 knots (21 mph; 33 km/h)
Range: 8,000 miles (7,000 nmi; 13,000 km)
Boats and landing craft carried:
4 × LCU MK10
4 × LCVP MK5
Capacity: 67 vehicles
Troops: 405 Royal Marines (710 overload)
Crew: 325
Sensors and processing systems:
2 × Type 1007/8 I-band radars
1 × Type 996 E/F band radar
1 × Type 997 E/F-band radar (from 2011)
Armament:
2 × Goalkeeper CIWS
2 × 30 mm guns
4 × General purpose machine guns
Aircraft carried: Two landing spots for helicopters up-to the size of a Chinook.

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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by The Armchair Soldier »

HMS Bulwark and Merlin helicopters ready for operations in the Mediterranean
HMS Bulwark and three Merlin helicopters are now ready to operate in the Mediterranean, working closely with the Italian Navy, and coordinated via Rome.

The 19,000 tonne amphibious ship will work in tandem with the surveillance helicopters to provide a wide ranging search and rescue capability.

The aircraft, from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, are currently stationed at the Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily, to be called upon when needed by the Italian coastguard. Supported by over 80 UK personnel, including air and ground crew, they have commenced their first training sortie, to familiarise themselves with the area. From Tuesday, they will also begin flying operations with HMS Bulwark.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hms- ... um=twitter

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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

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RN ship HMS Bulwark has rescued over 300 migrants crammed into a wooden boat (w/ video)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... rants.html

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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

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Babcock Begins Maintenance Work on UK Royal Navy’s HMS Albion
Babcock has started maintenance work on the UK Royal Navy's Albion-class amphibious transport dock, HMS Albion, at its Devonport Royal Dockyard.

The two-year contract for upkeep and upgrade will include more than 100 alterations and additions, to enhance the vessels' capabilities.

Babcock will also carry out overhaul of all engines and a complete strip-down and extensive maintenance work on all systems.

The upkeep period will cover the blasting and preservation of more than 20,000m² of tank, installation of new electrical cables, and new pipework.

[...]

The vessel is expected to start sea trials in early 2017 With plans to replace HMS Bulwark as one of the navy's key capital ships.
Read More: http://www.naval-technology.com/news/ne ... on-4592169

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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by marktigger »

I see bulwark still has Goalkeeper

they really should have been built with hangers like the Rotterdam class

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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by shark bait »

marktigger wrote:I see bulwark still has Goalkeeper

they really should have been built with hangers like the Rotterdam class
Yep, amphibious operations without a dominant air power is just stupid these days. However we do have the carriers which may or may not be able to pick up some of that slack
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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by marktigger »

the Lift capability should be integral to the ships not reliant on other vessels and spread across the force not just in terms of decks but in terms of support facilities as well.

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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by Ebro »

Blame the treasurey for that, the hanger was removed from the design to save pound notes.

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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by marktigger »

like most things...could we have made savings and gone dutch?

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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by Ianmb17 »

Albion in refit has goalkeeper been removed for phalanx or maintenance

http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h35 ... xihuoa.jpg

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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by Gabriele »

Ianmb17 wrote:Albion in refit has goalkeeper been removed for phalanx or maintenance

http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h35 ... xihuoa.jpg

Albion's Goalkeepers were dismantled a long while ago, actually, judging from earlier photos at the time of the opening of the Tamar Royal Marines base. She was already without them while parked up in mothball.

It is Bulwark what should lose her own soon, hopefully receiving Phalanx instead. Goalkeeper was expected to go out of service this year... unless they are now waiting for Bulwark to be replaced by Albion in active service.

I hope to fucks that Bulwark isn't just sailing around with non-working Goalkeepers...
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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by Foxbat »

Gabriele wrote:I hope to fucks that Bulwark isn't just sailing around with non-working Goalkeepers...
Well the Type 42s ended their days without Sea Dart actually being operational so I wouldn't put it past them.

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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

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Navy Rescue Ship Breaks Down Due to Too Many Migrants
HMS Bulwark, the Royal Navy vessel spearheading a migrant rescue mission in the Mediterranean, was undergoing emergency repairs last night after the strain of carrying thousands of migrants took its toll.

The 19,000-tonne vessel, the Royal Navy’s flagship, was understood to have reported problems with its evaporators, which turn seawater into drinking water.

Navy chiefs ordered a ten-strong team, including contractors from Babcock Defence, to fly out to assist and co-ordinate the work, which sources say is vital to the operational effectiveness of the ship.

[...]

A Royal Navy source told the Sunday Express: “Warships usually have two evaporating systems onboard which produce fresh water for the ship’s company. Salt water is used to flush toilets and clean decks, while fresh water is used for showering, cooking and drinking.

“Those evaporator systems have come under immense strain with the volume of refugees onboard in recent weeks."

It comes as Navy chiefs and Whitehall ministers were last night pitched in a battle over the future of Britain’s contribution to Europe’s Mediterranean migrant crisis.

The row centres on suggestions by commanders at Permanent Joint Headquarters that HMS Ocean, capable of carrying 18 helicopters, should replace HMS Bulwark when she is retired from the operation next month.
Read More: http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/584300 ... n-migrants

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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ships (LPD) (RN)

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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by RichardIC »

Thank you. At 2:06 there seems to be various Goalkeeper "bits" lying on the dockside.

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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by Gabriele »

If i'm not mistaken, she is to be involved in a large amphibious assault exercise alongside the french to validate the Joint Expeditionary Force (amphibious) in October. The french will deploy their own amphibious battlegroup with two of their three Mistral-class LHDs.
A graphic released earlier by the Royal Navy suggested that Bulwark would be loaded up to the max for the exercise, and embark two Merlin HC3. We'll see.
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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by GibMariner »

We keep hearing about these "joint" or NATO exercises, what about Cougar 15? Have they decided to just give up after last year's pitiful deployment? Is there planning going on to develop a new deployment schedule?

Is this due to the upcoming SDSR and not wanting to deploy large vessels which might be cut midway through a deployment, avoiding another Ark Royal embarrassment?

Do we no longer have the ability or ambition to deploy a sovereign, UK task group (never mind individual carrier strike and amphibious task groups) to what essentially is just beyond our home waters?

What about when HMS Queen Elizabeth is finally fully active? Will we only be sending her with joint EU or NATO task groups?

N.B. I haven't had time or been able to watch the video (damn site requires Flash) so my apologies if any of this is already covered in the video.

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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by Gabriele »

GibMariner wrote:We keep hearing about these "joint" or NATO exercises, what about Cougar 15? Have they decided to just give up after last year's pitiful deployment? Is there planning going on to develop a new deployment schedule?

Is this due to the upcoming SDSR and not wanting to deploy large vessels which might be cut midway through a deployment, avoiding another Ark Royal embarrassment?

Do we no longer have the ability or ambition to deploy a sovereign, UK task group (never mind individual carrier strike and amphibious task groups) to what essentially is just beyond our home waters?

What about when HMS Queen Elizabeth is finally fully active? Will we only be sending her with joint EU or NATO task groups?

N.B. I haven't had time or been able to watch the video (damn site requires Flash) so my apologies if any of this is already covered in the video.

Cougar 15, i'm guessing, will include all the exercises the task group will be doing in the Med and beyond. The task group, i'm guessing, will set sail under Cougar 15, and then go through all the stops, as usual. Hopefully some escorts will be available for it, this time around...
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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by shark bait »

I don't have a problem if we are always going to sea in a NATO task group. We should be making the most out of our friends ships around the world. At least when we turn up the the party we can bring a big ass carrier with a handful of F35 and be the boss of the task group, giving us the biggest influence over the group. Only one other NATO member will be able to do better.

If needs be we could definitely deploy a group on our own, a destroyer, a couple of frigates and an Astute could easily be spared and make for an awesome task group. However it would probably mean auxiliary's would have to pick up some of the patrol slack elsewhere, but personally I'm fine with that.
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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by shark bait »

Gabriele wrote:The french will deploy their own amphibious battlegroup with two of their three Mistral-class LHDs.
.
Perhaps the MOD are eyeing up the capabilities of the mistral and fancy picking 2 out of the bargain bin! :D
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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by Gabriele »

shark bait wrote:
Gabriele wrote:The french will deploy their own amphibious battlegroup with two of their three Mistral-class LHDs.
.
Perhaps the MOD are eyeing up the capabilities of the mistral and fancy picking 2 out of the bargain bin! :D

I wish. Oh, i so wish it was so.

But we both know it ain't so. And the Mistrals look unlikely to be a problem for long: it seems one will go to Egypt, and one to the UAE.
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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by shark bait »

Gabriele wrote: I wish. Oh, i so wish it was so.

But we both know it ain't so. And the Mistrals look unlikely to be a problem for long: it seems one will go to Egypt, and one to the UAE.
Thats I shame, I was unaware they had customers lined up. Would likely be too much effort turning them into British ships anyway.

I think we should be build them another carrier and they should build us some mistrals. Makes sense to reuse modern well thought out designs that are tried and tested through construction. A couple of mistrals would be a great improvement over the current options, but I feel the need isn't urgent enough this time around.
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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by jonas »

Gabriele wrote:
shark bait wrote:
Gabriele wrote:The french will deploy their own amphibious battlegroup with two of their three Mistral-class LHDs.
.
Perhaps the MOD are eyeing up the capabilities of the mistral and fancy picking 2 out of the bargain bin! :D

I wish. Oh, i so wish it was so.

But we both know it ain't so. And the Mistrals look unlikely to be a problem for long: it seems one will go to Egypt, and one to the UAE.
From what I have read, Saudi Arabia is funding the Egyptian bid.

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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by Gabriele »

shark bait wrote:
Gabriele wrote: I wish. Oh, i so wish it was so.

But we both know it ain't so. And the Mistrals look unlikely to be a problem for long: it seems one will go to Egypt, and one to the UAE.
Thats I shame, I was unaware they had customers lined up. Would likely be too much effort turning them into British ships anyway.

I think we should be build them another carrier and they should build us some mistrals. Makes sense to reuse modern well thought out designs that are tried and tested through construction. A couple of mistrals would be a great improvement over the current options, but I feel the need isn't urgent enough this time around.

It would probably be a lot less effort than one woudl initially think. The engines are Wartsila, so nothing outside of RN use and custom. The propulsion system is equal to that on the french units. The ship does use a different frequency of alternating current, and i don't admittedly know how much trouble it would be to change that. The russians themselves are carefully removing their stuff (for obvious reasons) so that it would be just a matter of removing stuff from Ocean, Albion and Bulwark and move it onto the LHDs...
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Re: Albion Class Amphibious Assault Ship (LPD) (RN)

Post by Pseudo »

jonas wrote:From what I have read, Saudi Arabia is funding the Egyptian bid.
Unnamed Russian sources have claimed that they will be funding Egypt's Mistral in return for Egypt purchasing an undisclosed number of Ka-52's. Though that could very well just be Russia trying to piss on everyone's parade.

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