Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates

Status
Not open for further replies.

Abraham Gubler

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
A bit more information about the Vigor/Ulstein bid for the USCG’s new OPV.

It is the Ulstein SX151 design which is 100 metres long and 16.4 metres wide and has a top speed of 22 knots. Propulsion is combined diesel and diesel electric. The ship accommodates 124 persons. Contract award if 2014/15.

X-BOW® advantages:

- Higher transit speed in calm water due to low angles of entry and increased waterline length
- No bow flare, eliminating bow impact and slamming in foreship
- Lower pitch and heave accelerations due to foreship volume distribution and slender hull water line
- Reduced noice and vibration levels in foreship due to soft entry into waves
- Less spray
- Negligible occurrences of green water on bridge deck
- Working deck and deck equipment better protected due to hull extended to full beam in
accommodation area
- Higher transit speed in head and following sea, giving reduced power consumption and/or
higher fuel efficiency in waves and still water
 

Volkodav

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
A bit more information about the Vigor/Ulstein bid for the USCG’s new OPV.

It is the Ulstein SX151 design which is 100 metres long and 16.4 metres wide and has a top speed of 22 knots. Propulsion is combined diesel and diesel electric. The ship accommodates 124 persons. Contract award if 2014/15.

X-BOW® advantages:

- Higher transit speed in calm water due to low angles of entry and increased waterline length
- No bow flare, eliminating bow impact and slamming in foreship
- Lower pitch and heave accelerations due to foreship volume distribution and slender hull water line
- Reduced noice and vibration levels in foreship due to soft entry into waves
- Less spray
- Negligible occurrences of green water on bridge deck
- Working deck and deck equipment better protected due to hull extended to full beam in
accommodation area
- Higher transit speed in head and following sea, giving reduced power consumption and/or
higher fuel efficiency in waves and still water
Paint it orange, make sure all reference to amrament is consealed and suggest that the RAN never ever wants one and Smith will buy twenty.

A very interesting design, I wonder how hard they are to build.......
 

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
These XBOW hull shapes have been getting a flogging in the trade mags for the last 18months

Heavily promoted in the oil and gas maritime role

They had an article solely devoted to them last year in MR.
 

John Newman

The Bunker Group
HMAS Choules - Update

Just came across this on the Defence website:

Defence News and Media » HMAS Choules – Update

It appears that on futher inspection all of the transformers are suffering from "premature ageing" problems.

The other interesting line is "Should HMAS Choules be further delayed in her return to service ....." etc.

Sounds like PR spin for another announcement soon of a lot longer delay in her return to service.

Maybe when our Spanish friends loan us SPS Cantabria for 2013 they could also throw in a Galicia LPD for the year too!!
 

ASSAIL

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Blue Marlin Canberra update

As of 0430Z Today, Blue Marlin and Canberra are 124nms SW of Mauritius and headed for Port Louis at 9KTS so will be in port early tomorrow morning.
(marine traffic)
 

Marc 1

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
Where would Blue Marlin and Canberra be now? And when are they due in Australian waters?
First part is easy to answer - Googled: "Ship position Blue Marlin" and got this page: BLUE MARLIN - Vessel's Details and Current Position - 9186338 - 306589000

Clicked on the map co-ordinates and found that it is south of le Tampon (Sacre bleu!) Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions


Doing 9.3 knots on a heading of 64 degrees (doesn't state is this is grid or magnetic)

Edit: Should be now in or has left Port Louis in Mauritius - the info above is 4 days 9 hours old. WTF? Are the updates sent by carrier pidgeon?
 
Last edited:

ASSAIL

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Should be now in or has left Port Louis in Mauritius - the info above is 4 days 9 hours old. WTF? Are the updates sent by carrier pidgeon?[/
Marine Traffic will only show her position when the ship is in VHF range.
Hence she was tracked as she passed The Canary Is, The Gambia, Capetown and then Mauritius.
She's in the mid 20's South latitude and staying away from the large Southern Ocean winter swells. I would interpret that as ensuring that there were no large hogging stresses (downwards bending of Canberra's bow as the stern of the lift ship rises) imposed upon the large overhang (55mtrs IIRC)
Anyway thats how I see it with no insider info!

The big disadvantage of this course in the Indian Ocean is that she will be pushing the S Equatorial currents all the way to Aus and could loose up to 1.5kts

I guess the next time she is in VHF range will be as she passes SW Australia.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

hauritz

Well-Known Member
In todays Australian there was confirmation that Australia was seeking access to Japanese technology to power its next generation submarine fleet.

Cookies must be enabled. | The Australian

No surprises, other than it now seems to be official that the RAN will be either be seeking access to the Soryu class propulsion system or perhaps an OTS purchase of the submarine itself.

Of all the contenders the Soryu would seem to be the best match and lowest risk option for the Collins replacement. A re-engined,upgraded version of the Collins sub could also be a strong contender IMO.
 

Marc 1

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
Marine Traffic will only show her position when the ship is in VHF range.
Hence she was tracked as she passed The Canary Is, The Gambia, Capetown and then Mauritius.
She's in the mid 20's South latitude and staying away from the large Southern Ocean winter swells. I would interpret that as ensuring that there were no large hogging stresses (downwards bending of Canberra's bow as the stern of the lift ship rises) imposed upon the large overhang (55mtrs IIRC)
Anyway thats how I see it with no insider info!

The big disadvantage of this course in the Indian Ocean is that she will be pushing the S Equatorial currents all the way to Aus and could loose up to 1.5kts

I guess the next time she is in VHF range will be as she passes SW Australia.
Thanks mate, good to know. Someone should point out to you salty types that satellites have been around since ooohhh 1959....and VHF is a tad mid last century:D
Oh and thanks for the info on Hogging - Who says ya can't learn a old dawg new tricks?:) Getting more edjumakated every day!
 

ASSAIL

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Someone should point out to you salty types that satellites have been around since ooohhh 1959....and VHF is a tad mid last century:D
No probs Marc, VHF is only for plebs like you and me, joe public. She is tracked all the way if you have sat access
 

ADMk2

Just a bloke
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
From T5C....

Interesting to see if this pans out, given all the financial hardship defence is experiencing at present.

IMHO, RAN definitely needs the warfighting boost this will bring.

Push for Adelaide to secure a fourth $2 billion air warfare destroyer


Ian McPhedran
The Advertiser
September 27, 2012

ADELAIDE is in line to secure a fourth $2 billion air warfare destroyer because the Federal Government wants a major shipbuilding project in its defence program.

The project will be included in next year's Defence White Paper.

The Government wants to help bridge the national skills gap and a fourth air warfare destroyer is the likely choice.

Three of the hi-tech destroyers are being assembled by ASC at Osborne, with the work due to end by 2019, which is several years before the next generation submarine project is due to begin at the shipyard.

According to government sources an extra destroyer would provide enough work for ASC at Osborne and several other yards, including BAE Systems in Melbourne and Forgacs in Newcastle, to maintain skills until the submarine build begins.

The destroyer project is valued at $8 billion and is a major technological step forward for Australia.




The ships are equipped with the most advanced radars and a modern missile and fire control system.

The government plan could also include an acceleration of the $30 billion new submarine project so that the design and construction work can begin before the original 2025 start date.

This would provide the Osborne yard and Adelaide with a strong pool of skilled workers for the next 30 years.

In the past, vital national skills have been lost and then rehired at great cost because of gaps between major defence projects. Further funding flexibility is being created by delays to the $16 billion Joint Strike Fighter project that could free up hundreds of millions for another warship.

Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare told an industry conference in Canberra yesterday that the nation could not afford to lose the skills acquired during the destroyer and amphibious ships build.

According to previous schedules there was a gap of several years between the end of the destroyers and the start of the submarines that will be assembled in Adelaide.

"We need to build a bridge across this valley of death," Mr Clare said. "We can't let this happen again, not in preparation for a project as large and complicated as the future submarine project."

The Government has already slowed down the destroyer project to buy itself and industry an extra year, but another major ship build is required to prevent another skills debacle between 2019 and 2025.

An extra air warfare destroyer or a third amphibious ship would fit the bill.

Industry experts said the long-term future of Australian shipbuilding was bright, with up to 48 new platforms including submarines, frigates, offshore patrol vessels and patrol boats on the drawing board.

They will be built around the country, including Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth.

"The next white paper will be realistic and affordable and provide significant incentives to invest," one source said.

The 12 new submarines will be built under a rolling schedule, with three or four coming out at a time over a total period of 25 years or more.

Senior officials, including chief defence scientist Dr Alexander Zelinsky and head of the navy's new submarine program Rear Admiral Rowan Moffitt have been to Japan recently to discuss technology transfers, including a revolutionary Japanese propulsion system and new generation lithium batteries.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith this week revealed that talks were well advanced on an agreement regarding the submarine propulsion system.

--ends--
 

weegee

Active Member
From T5C....

Interesting to see if this pans out, given all the financial hardship defence is experiencing at present.

IMHO, RAN definitely needs the warfighting boost this will bring.

Push for Adelaide to secure a fourth $2 billion air warfare destroyer


Ian McPhedran
The Advertiser
September 27, 2012

ADELAIDE is in line to secure a fourth $2 billion air warfare destroyer because the Federal Government wants a major shipbuilding project in its defence program.

The project will be included in next year's Defence White Paper.

The Government wants to help bridge the national skills gap and a fourth air warfare destroyer is the likely choice.

Three of the hi-tech destroyers are being assembled by ASC at Osborne, with the work due to end by 2019, which is several years before the next generation submarine project is due to begin at the shipyard.

According to government sources an extra destroyer would provide enough work for ASC at Osborne and several other yards, including BAE Systems in Melbourne and Forgacs in Newcastle, to maintain skills until the submarine build begins.

The destroyer project is valued at $8 billion and is a major technological step forward for Australia.




The ships are equipped with the most advanced radars and a modern missile and fire control system.

The government plan could also include an acceleration of the $30 billion new submarine project so that the design and construction work can begin before the original 2025 start date.

This would provide the Osborne yard and Adelaide with a strong pool of skilled workers for the next 30 years.

In the past, vital national skills have been lost and then rehired at great cost because of gaps between major defence projects. Further funding flexibility is being created by delays to the $16 billion Joint Strike Fighter project that could free up hundreds of millions for another warship.

Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare told an industry conference in Canberra yesterday that the nation could not afford to lose the skills acquired during the destroyer and amphibious ships build.

According to previous schedules there was a gap of several years between the end of the destroyers and the start of the submarines that will be assembled in Adelaide.

"We need to build a bridge across this valley of death," Mr Clare said. "We can't let this happen again, not in preparation for a project as large and complicated as the future submarine project."

The Government has already slowed down the destroyer project to buy itself and industry an extra year, but another major ship build is required to prevent another skills debacle between 2019 and 2025.

An extra air warfare destroyer or a third amphibious ship would fit the bill.

Industry experts said the long-term future of Australian shipbuilding was bright, with up to 48 new platforms including submarines, frigates, offshore patrol vessels and patrol boats on the drawing board.

They will be built around the country, including Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth.

"The next white paper will be realistic and affordable and provide significant incentives to invest," one source said.

The 12 new submarines will be built under a rolling schedule, with three or four coming out at a time over a total period of 25 years or more.

Senior officials, including chief defence scientist Dr Alexander Zelinsky and head of the navy's new submarine program Rear Admiral Rowan Moffitt have been to Japan recently to discuss technology transfers, including a revolutionary Japanese propulsion system and new generation lithium batteries.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith this week revealed that talks were well advanced on an agreement regarding the submarine propulsion system.

--ends--
Well lets hope this is true and hopefully that the build/bust projects are a thing of the past. To be honest I don't know how that way of shipbuilding has been allowed to go on for that long, I suppose it just takes a government with enough guts to start the process and to continue it as well (this goes for incoming governments too).
On the 4th AWD I thought that the time to make a decision on the 4th AEGIS system had pasted about 6 months ago? Perhaps the government approved the purchase and never told anyone? (wishful thinking much?)

I just wonder how much of this is true but a 3rd LHD or a 4th AWD either way they would look cool in Sydney harbour I just hope it happens.
 

hauritz

Well-Known Member
Next year is an election year ... just saying.

Given that the Defence minister was happy that the destroyer program will now stretch out to at least 2019 will probably help something like this get through. It will be a long time before they have to start paying anything.
 

Raven22

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Its amazing how much money this government is willing to spend at some indeterminate time in the future. Its like the CH-47F purchase, which has been pushed two years into the future to save money now. Never mind that the acquisition will now actually cost far more than on the original timetable, as long as the bill doesn't come until after November next year.
 

Abraham Gubler

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
Its amazing how much money this government is willing to spend at some indeterminate time in the future. Its like the CH-47F purchase, which has been pushed two years into the future to save money now. Never mind that the acquisition will now actually cost far more than on the original timetable, as long as the bill doesn't come until after November next year.
Also the willingness to pick capabilities from the hat rather than what the ADF needs. If they want a big shipbuilding project to announce for the next election what about the LCH replacement, new AOR or SEA 1180 patrol combatants. These are projects they could go to contract by the election or at least RFT if they could pull the proverbial finger out.
 
Last edited:

StingrayOZ

Super Moderator
Staff member
Well interesting to hear a 4th AWD is on the cards.

With a tight relationship with the US and another vessel in asia pacific waters, and US economy so weak defence contractors hurting, I'm sure a late purchase could be pushed through, even is if means jumping ahead of the USN.

Im sure 3rd LHD could be offered to us for cost price only the way things in Spain are going. Maybe less than cost price.

But which to pick AWD or LHD? Both? The cost is not outrageous and both have merit. We are talking about assets that will be around for 30-40 (or longer years).

AWD has the more local build content so you would have to say it would have the most political power. With automotive jobs looking dodgy in Melb and Adelaide, jobs will be big agenda items.
 

aussienscale

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
In todays Australian there was confirmation that Australia was seeking access to Japanese technology to power its next generation submarine fleet.

Cookies must be enabled. | The Australian

No surprises, other than it now seems to be official that the RAN will be either be seeking access to the Soryu class propulsion system or perhaps an OTS purchase of the submarine itself.

Of all the contenders the Soryu would seem to be the best match and lowest risk option for the Collins replacement. A re-engined,upgraded version of the Collins sub could also be a strong contender IMO.
It would not be the Soryu, they will be long gone by then, but the follow on from them, the Japanese have a good program in place where they basically continually evolve their subs, with regular updates and changes about 3 or so sub's with their industry in constant production, no gaps :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top