Australia aquires two tankers by Stealth

[ThePuss]

Well seeing that the Aus navy thread is having some "Quite Time". I thought I would start this thread to move the discussion in a different direction.

The R.A.N is soon have four RAS-L supply capable ships. The LHD's are equipped with a single Ras-L rig on the aft STBD side of the Island.

Whilst being a tanker is clearly nowhere near the top of the priorities for the LHD's I do think it is a very handy capability to have if only to provide training to accompanying escorts. From the "Sin Binned" thread it is clear the LHD does not have extensive bunkerage for aviation fuel but I doubt it would have the same issue with F-76 (Diesel). Of course it would not have anywhere near the bunkerage of our AO or AOR but It cleary has some (limited) reserves it can transfer to its escorts.

Being able to supply one or two escorts on longer peace time deployments would be very handy.

Thoughts?

GF and other mods, I am happy to have this thread merged when things have settled down a bit:kar

 

[StingrayOZ]

I think its a win for the RAN.

If a AOR is ever damaged or hit, the LHD could perform a simular mission for some of the smaller ships. Think about high speed cats and simular small vessels like patrols, OCV etc.

I think we should have a set of enhanced bunkerage tanks for the LHD. Even for helo fuel its a tad light.

Can't be that expensive to make a few extra tanks to go inside to hold a few 1000 t of fuel. Atleast pencil up the design and look at aquiring a few long lead items just incase.

 

[StevoJH]

Run the piping to the dock so you can put additional tanks there. Then mount fuel tanks on barges designed to fit within the dock. Store a few of them at each base, when they are needed, flood the dock and float them in, make the connections and you have a makeshift tanker.

I'm guessing the most expensive part would be running the piping, if it isn't already part of the design.