CHOULES dock landing ship (2006/2011)
Choules 2015
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Choules (ex-Largs Bay) | L100 | Swan Hunter, Wallsend, UK | 28.1.2002 | 18.7.2003 | 28.11.2006 // 13.12.2011 | in service (2019) |
|
Displacement standard, t |
10000 |
|
Displacement full, t |
16160 |
|
Length, m |
168.0 pp 176.6 oa |
|
Breadth, m |
26.4 |
|
Draught, m |
5.80 max |
|
No of shafts |
2 azipods |
|
Machinery |
2 Wärtsilä-Vasa 12V26 diesel-generators + 2 Wärtsilä-Vasa 8L26 diesel-generators, 2 electric motors |
|
Power, h. p. |
9000 |
|
Max speed, kts |
18 |
|
Fuel, t |
diesel oil |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 8000(15) |
|
Armament |
6 x 1 - 7.6/90, helicopter deck |
| Military load | 1 LCM or 2 LCVP Mk 5, 24 TEU containers or 32 tanks or 150 light trucks, 70 t cargo, 356 troops |
|
Electronic equipment |
2x navigation radars |
|
Complement |
158 |
Project history: Budget cuts forced early retirement of this ship from Royal Navy in April 2011 after only six years of service. Transferred to Australia 2012 as a stopgap measure, replacing retired Manoora. The design is based on Royal Schelde's Rotterdam-class LPD. Has 1,200 lane-meters of vehicle accommodation internally and on the flight deck, and can transport 200 tons of combat cargo such as fuel, ammunition, and stores. Two Mexiflote-powered pontoons are stowable on the hull sides. A large helicopter/vehicle/container deck is fitted, but no helicopter hangar; has one large or two small helicopter landing spots. Not capable of beaching. A stern docking well can hold one LCU, though no landing craft are carried in davits. A typical vehicle load could include 36 main battle tanks or up to 150 light trucks. Employs azimuthal propellers and has no rudders. Two 30t vehicle- and cargo-handling cranes are fitted amidships.
Modernizations: None.
Naval service: No significant events.
Choules 2012
© Ivan Gogin, 2017-19