The Royal Canadian Navy acquires a new large patrol ship as a future surface combatant for the Pakistan Navy hits the water. The US Navy places an order for three new steel-hulled landing craft. Finally, a UK firm introduces a new class of unmanned surface vessel for naval use.
Royal Canadian Navy takes delivery of fourth Harry DeWolf-class patrol ship
Canada's Irving Shipbuilding has handed over the Royal Canadian Navy's fourth Harry DeWolf-class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS), the future HMCS William Hall.
The AOPS has a length of 103.6 metres, a beam of 19 metres, and accommodations for 65 crewmembers and 20 additional personnel.
A diesel-electric propulsion system allows William Hall to achieve a top speed of 17 knots in open water. At a cruising speed of 14 knots, the vessel can sail up to 6,800 nautical miles.
The armament consists of one 25-millimetre autocannon and two 12.7-millimetre machine guns.
Future Pakistan Navy patrol vessel launched in Romania
Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania has launched the future PNS Hunain, a new offshore patrol vessel slated for the Pakistan Navy.
The third Yarmook-class patrol vessel is being built as a multi-purpose surface combatant that is also equipped to carry a helicopter, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and two rigid inflatable boats (RIBs). Armament will include a 30mm naval gun and 12.7mm machine guns.
The OPV will also have deck space for two 20-foot containers housing mission-specific equipment modules.
US Navy awards construction contract for new landing craft
Austal USA has been awarded a US$91.53 million fixed-price incentive and firm-fixed-price type contract for the construction of three landing craft utility (LCU) in a series for the US Navy.
The contract follows a previous contract for the detail design of the vessels and includes options for manufacture of an additional nine vessels and associated support arrangements.
The steel-hulled LCUs will possess heavy-lift capability with a 170-ton (154-tonne) payload capacity. The craft will be deployed with the navy's amphibious assault ships to support a range of military operations including the delivery of tracked and/or wheeled vehicles, troops, and cargo from ship to shore, shore to shore, and back to ship.
Each LCU will have a roll-on/roll-off monohull configuration, a crew of 13, a top speed of 11 knots, and a range of 1,200 nautical miles at eight knots.
UK firm unveils 80-metre USV for naval applications
UK ship design firm BMT has unveiled the first images of a proposed large unmanned surface vessel (LUSV) to be marketed to naval customers.
The 80-metre-long vessel will be capable of operating under high sea states and will be of modular design to accommodate various payload configurations.
Control of the vessel will be from a shore operations centre. Propulsion options will meanwhile also include those powered by future alternative fuels.
