Catamaran Aircraft Carrier.
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FA18
Only because the US Navy is buying them. Knowing our lot, if anything is built they will place the order with the US Manufacturer or ask that the Submarine Corp does it in Adelaide
But to be honest, I believe the eyes of a number of Navy's in the world were opened when one was used for the Timor deployment ? Is that correct ?
Considering a fair number of boats used in the Army and Navy for Water Ops Safety boats are Small Cats for use in the open seas, it's a wonder they didn't catch on earlier.
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Only because the US Navy is buying them. Knowing our lot, if anything is built they will place the order with the US Manufacturer or ask that the Submarine Corp does it in Adelaide
But to be honest, I believe the eyes of a number of Navy's in the world were opened when one was used for the Timor deployment ? Is that correct ?
Considering a fair number of boats used in the Army and Navy for Water Ops Safety boats are Small Cats for use in the open seas, it's a wonder they didn't catch on earlier.
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The US Navy is buying about a dozen of them after a joint Army/Navy trial of a couple of Incat and Austal built 'Joint High Speed Vessels', or JHSVs. They started the trials based on the work we did in 99/00 with the 92(?) metre Incat-built HMAS Jervis Bay.
The interest in the RAN operating such a vessel has remained, but has been hard to justify with Manoora, Kanimbla & Tobruk in service. Now that Manoora is gone and Kanimbla has been relegated to a training vessel, the door is open for two or three of these things to be acquired.
There are really only two manufacturers of these vessels in the world, so the chances of buying overseas or ASC doing them is nil.
Austal has a really interesting 132 metre concept with a crew compliment of only 45, a top speed of 47 knots fully loaded, a large flight deck capable of operating two MRH size helos, enough space for ~150 light trucks, ~100 medium trucks or ~40-50 armoured vehicles, and an integral folding ramp capable of unloading an MBT on a dock.
The interest in the RAN operating such a vessel has remained, but has been hard to justify with Manoora, Kanimbla & Tobruk in service. Now that Manoora is gone and Kanimbla has been relegated to a training vessel, the door is open for two or three of these things to be acquired.
There are really only two manufacturers of these vessels in the world, so the chances of buying overseas or ASC doing them is nil.
Austal has a really interesting 132 metre concept with a crew compliment of only 45, a top speed of 47 knots fully loaded, a large flight deck capable of operating two MRH size helos, enough space for ~150 light trucks, ~100 medium trucks or ~40-50 armoured vehicles, and an integral folding ramp capable of unloading an MBT on a dock.
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FA18
I agree, I was just joking re our ADF buying OS or ASC doing the work.
I see maintenance and corrosion is a bit of an issue with the Cats, I hope our Navy lifts it's game if they buy Aluminium Cats.
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I agree, I was just joking re our ADF buying OS or ASC doing the work.
I see maintenance and corrosion is a bit of an issue with the Cats, I hope our Navy lifts it's game if they buy Aluminium Cats.
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FA18, I think you will find that both Austal and Incat have links to US shipyards because there is legislation in the US that prevents their armed forces buying anything but locally built. Certainly it is the US that both Australian builders are looking to for future orders.
The concept carrier that Incat showed back in about 1980 was capable of operating SHARS and was more akin to a "through deck cruiser" but on a cat hull(s).
The concept carrier that Incat showed back in about 1980 was capable of operating SHARS and was more akin to a "through deck cruiser" but on a cat hull(s).
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Austral certainly has a shipyard (or are a part of one) in the US that are building the US Navy ships.
Might do a bit more research on this, it could be interesting.
A Big Cat carrier a la the Chinese drawings with 2 straight landing areas and 4 launchers certainly looks interesting.
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Might do a bit more research on this, it could be interesting.
A Big Cat carrier a la the Chinese drawings with 2 straight landing areas and 4 launchers certainly looks interesting.
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