Austal Unveils New High Speed Military Support Vessel Designs

Austal unveiled a new series of high speed military support vessel designs at the Euronaval international naval force equipment exhibition held in Paris in late October. These purpose-designed high speed aluminium vessels enhance the speed at which militaries of all sizes can respond to current and emerging threats.

Theatre Support Vessels (TSV) such as the 101 metre Austal catamaran “WestPac Express” have already proved a highly reliable method of transportation that is faster and more versatile than existing sealift and airlift while simultaneously reducing capital and operating expenditure.

Based in Okinawa, Japan, “WestPac Express” was contracted in July 2001 for operations throughout the Western Pacific supporting the Third Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) of the United States Marine Corps. Capable of transporting a complete battalion of more than 950 Marines and up to 550 tonnes of vehicles and equipment in one lift the vessel covers approximately 75,000 autical miles annually under rigorous military service conditions and through waters that are often beset with typhoons and tropical storms.

Drawing on its unrivalled experience in high speed aluminium vessels including purpose-designed naval craft, Austal is extending the TSV’s impressive logistics attributes to create multi-role vessels that precisely meet Commanders’ latest needs for capacity and capability.

“These vessels are derived from well-proven technology that has seen constant evolution through in-service experience in both ferry and military applications,” said Austal Sales and Product Development Manager, Mr Glenn Williams.

“As a result they simultaneously deliver a low risk, high performance solution to a variety of operational challenges faced by both defence forces and other government agencies, making them a truly national asset.”

By incorporating a range of additional features Austal has enhanced the basic TSV to meet requirements for high speed platforms that are able to undertake and support an even wider range of military operations. In addition to being able to rapidly deploy troops and military hardware, the capabilities of these multi-mission platforms include:

• Deployment and support of helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for reconnaissance, combat, search and rescue, vertical replenishment, special warfare support, airborne mine countermeasures and other military activities
• Amphibious assault operations using small boats and amphibious vehicles
• Co-ordination and command of other vessels including Unmanned Underwater and Surface Vehicles (UUVs and USVs)
• Reconnaissance, surveillance and patrol duties
• Afloat support of smaller vessels including connected replenishment
• Deployment of police and customs teams and their supporting vehicles and logistics
• Disaster and humanitarian relief operations including the provision of medical facilities, supplies and evacuation of personnel and equipment

“While large high speed vessels have changed the face of transportation for United States forces, nations with other demanding requirements can also derive immeasurable benefits from the use of vessels based on the same proven Austal technology,” Glenn Williams said.

Recognising that not all countries have a requirement for vessels capable of transporting tanks and whole battalions in a single lift, Austal offers high speed military vessels across a broad range of capacities and capabilities.

“Austal will custom design and build the vessel to meet the specific requirement – from transporting a small special forces unit and its equipment through to ships able to deploy in excess of 1000 troops, vehicles and helicopters,” Glenn Williams said.

“That process extends well beyond simply reconfiguring a commercial ferry platform with different layouts, equipment and systems. These vessels are engineered from the keel up to ensure they meet the specific rigours and performance requirements of military operations, which are clearly different to those of a standard fast ferry application.”

To this end designs unveiled at Euronaval range from a 45 metre catamaran with capacity for 285 troops and six utility vehicles through to a 127 metre, 38 knots, trimaran complete with flight deck, helicopter hanger, command and control spaces, berthed accommodation for 100 crew, seats for 260 transit personnel and a 1900 square metre deck for vehicles and cargo.

In addition to designing vessels of all sizes, Austal offers platforms based on both catamaran and trimaran hullforms. The catamaran platform dominates the commercial fast ferry market and Austal’s highly developed hullform is recognised as the market leader. The more recently developed trimaran has been applied to both ferry designs and the US Navy’s major Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program.

Consolidating the best seakeeping qualities of monohulls and catamarans, the trimaran offers improved operability in high sea states. This is particularly relevant where long open water transits or operations involving the launch and recovery of vessels or aircraft in exposed conditions are envisaged. Both hullforms provide low resistance, excellent strength and durability and greater deck space than monohull alternatives.

Regardless of its size or hull configuration the vessels can offer a choice of medium speed diesel engines, gas turbines or combination arrangements. Each vessel is provided with sufficient fuel capacity for ocean transits and, where required, can be equipped for replenishment at sea.

The various designs have a number of common features that are considered central to the majority of military applications.

Chief among these is the mission deck which, depending on vessel size, provides space for a range of military hardware including wheeled vehicles, tanks, amphibious vehicles, helicopters and small boats. Ship based ramps enable fast and efficient loading and discharge of this deck even in the most basic of ports and also facilitate the launch and retrieval of amphibious vehicles at sea. A separate boat launcher is used for small boats and unmanned underwater and surface vehicles.

Throughout the complete range of vessels troops are provided with Business Class-style reclining seating with armrests and tray tables to ensure comfort in transit and thus operational readiness. To suit the changing needs of Mission Commanders seating can be quickly removed to make way for temporary berths required for long haul transport. A dedicated galley and servery ensures the troops are well catered for en route to the fight. A first aid room, showers and storage for personal equipment provides comforts far removed from the traditional troop transport aircraft.

For the ship’s crew permanent cabins, mess and recreational areas, showers and laundry facilities are provided, as is an office for administration and planning. Command and control spaces are configured according to user needs.

All the new designs also have an aviation capability. On the TSV style vessels this is limited to a vertical replenishment deck while the larger multi-mission platforms can fully support helicopter operations with a full flight deck and hangers for two aircraft. In each case cargo delivered to the vessel by helicopter can be transferred to the mission deck using cranes. These cranes are also used for over-side cargo handling.

Glenn Williams stressed that the capability and capacity available to military organisations was not limited to the specific characteristics of the designs unveiled at Euronaval.

“These designs represent the great benefits our high speed vessel technology has to offer in defence and related roles, but our product offering is certainly not limited to the few configurations we have released. They are intended to provide a starting point for discussions with prospective customers so that together we can develop a solution to their particular operational needs,” he said.

ENDS