Armidale analysed
The commissioning of HMAS The commissioning of HMAS Armidale on June 24 heralds Armidale on June 24 heralds the dawn of a new era in the dawn of a new era in Australian Naval technology.

Australian Naval technology. Navy News takes a closer Navy News takes a closer look at the new patrol boat. look at the new patrol boat..

Science fiction

• The Armidale Class will be arguably one of the most advanced platforms of its kind in the world. Its design and surveillance technology will enable it to operate anywhere around the Australian coast and for extended periods.
• The Armidales will have two sea boats, instead of the single Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) onboard the Fremantles, so that simultaneous boarding operations may be conducted at extended ranges from the patrol boat. This provides a significant increase in capability and flexibility.
• The Armidale Class Patrol Boat’s main purpose will be to carry out surveillance, interception, investigation, apprehension and the escort to port of vessels suspected of illegal fisheries, quarantine, customs or immigration offences.
  
  Systems Analysis
  
  
• Surveillance — low light optical, communication direction finding and radar – eventually through BAE’s PRISM III system.
• Modular, flexible CEA supplied communications suite.
• Rafael Typhoon 25mm naval stabilised deck gun, integrated with Rafael’s-Toplite EOSS system and two 12.7mm machine guns.
• Two Zodiac 7.2m waterjet seaboats.
  
  Techo data
  
  Number Fourteen vessels are being acquired under a prime contract with Defence Maritime Services; builder is Austal Ships. It includes 15 years support.
  
  Length 56.8 m
  Displacement Approximately 30 tonnes.
  
  Hull Semi-displacement vee, with Seastate active ride control system (hydraulic stabiliser fins and stern trim tabs).
  
  Propulsion Two MTU 16V M70 2320 kW diesel’s driving twin screws through ZF transmissions.
  
  Home Comforts
  
  
• The Armidale patrol boats will have significantly enhanced habitability, where crews will enjoy greater cabin and recreation space that in turn will allow them to perform at their optimum ability while at sea. All of this will contribute towards a highly effective patrol boat force.
• The Armidale Class boats will have more modern systems than the Fremantle Class boats. The new boats will be able to operate for longer at sea and have a longer range – some 3,000 nautical miles - than the Fremantles.
• The boats will be multi-crewed (more crews than boats) using a squadron concept where a number of crews rotate across a smaller number of boats. There will be benefits in overall higher usage of the boats and a more coherent operations/training/respite regime for crews.
• Two thirds of the ACPB boats will be based in Darwin and one third in Cairns.
  
  Commissioning
  
  
• Armidale’s commissioning ceremony was held on Friday, June 24, 2005.
• Armidale carries on the proud tradition established by the original HMAS Armidale, a Bathurst Class minesweeping corvette sunk in action during World War 2.

.