FAQs
RAN ASSETS
REPLENISHMENT SHIP: HMAS SUCCESS
Link http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Success
With a coastline as long and an area of interest as large as Australia's, our ships have to be able to stay at sea for relatively long periods. In fact, it has long been common practice amongst all of the world's major naval powers for fleet units to be refuelled and replenished at sea.
The Royal Australian Navy's afloat support capability is provided by the ships HMAS Success and HMAS Sirius. The Afloat Support Force provides operational support for the rest of the fleet by providing fuel, food, stores and ammunition, thus significantly extending the RAN's reach and endurance at sea. Both ships are capable of replenishing ships at sea day or night.
LANDING PLATFORM AMPHIBIOUS (LPA)
Link: http://www.navy.gov.au/Landing_Platform_Amphibious
HMA Ships Manoora and Kanimbla were originally built for the United States Navy and acquired by the Royal Australian Navy in 1994. Both ships have undergone extensive modifications for their new roles as helicopter capable amphibious transports.
Their primary roles are to transport, lodge ashore and support an Army contingent of 450 troops, their vehicles and equipment. Kanimbla and Manoora are fitted with helicopter hangers capable of supporting up to four Army Blackhawk or three of the larger Navy Sea King helicopters. Two helicopters can operate simultaneously from the aft flight deck, while a third can operate from the flight deck located forward of the bridge.
Two Army LCM8 landing craft can also be carried on the forward flight deck to provide ship to shore transport. They are lifted on and off by a 70 tonne crane. Accessed through a stern door, 810 square metres of storage space is available on the vehicle deck for Army vehicles and other large items of equipment.
For Army and Navy exercises the ships have additional operations and planning rooms that provide for both an Amphibious Group Commander and a Landing Force Commander. A comprehensive and modern array of communications equipment is fitted to support these joint operations.
Both ships are fitted with the largest and most comprehensive medical facilities in the fleet.
HMAS
KANIMBLA
LANDING SHIP HEAVY
Link: http://www.navy.gov.au/Landing_Ship_Heavy
The heavy lift ship is the first purpose built major amphibious ship in the Royal Australian Navy providing the Australian Defence Force with a heavy lift capability not available in any other Australian-owned ship.
Essentially the ship is a multi purpose troop and roll-on / roll-off, heavy vehicle carrier. The design includes facilities for bow and stern loading, a drive through capacity and inter-deck transfers via ramps. It is capable of transporting 18 Leopard Main Battle Tanks in the Tank Deck and 40 Armoured Personnel Carriers on the Vehicle Deck. The Vehicle Deck has been reinforced to enable the transportation of two Landing Craft Mechanical-8 (LCM-8) on specially designed cradles. In addition, davits on either side of the superstructure secure two Landing Craft Vehicular Personnel (LCVP).
There are also facilities for helicopter and landing craft operations and a 70-ton capacity derrick. The upper deck forward of the bridge and the after deck can serve as helicopter flight decks. Up to two Sea King helicopters can be embarked.
HMAS TOBRUK
LANDING CRAFT HEAVY
Link: http://www.navy.gov.au/Landing_Craft_Heavy
The Heavy Landing Craft is an extremely important vessel, capable of moving large amounts of cargo, personnel and equipment from larger ships to shore. A very shallow draft allows these ships to deliver troops and equipment to areas otherwise unreachable.
Six LCH's form part of the Royal Australian Navy today. HMAS Brunei commissioned into the Fleet in January 1973 while HMAS Balikpapan, the prototype LCH, was originally operated by Army Water Transport. She transferred to the RAN in September 1974.
The LCH is an all-welded twin-screw vessel, able to trans-ship cargo and supplies from ships lying offshore to water terminals or across the beach. Maximum cargo load is governed by the load-fuel balance and varies between 140 and 180 tonnes. A typical load of 175 tonnes gives the LCH a range of 1300 nautical miles, increasing to 2280 nautical miles for a load of 150 tonnes.
Usual Army equipment lift can comprise three battle tanks, twenty-three quarter-tonne trucks or thirteen armored personnel carriers.
All six LCHs are currently active, with two based in Darwin and four in Cairns.
HMAS TARAKAN
SURVEY VESSELS – LEEUWIN CLASS
Link: http://www.navy.gov.au/Leeuwin_Class
The RAN Hydrographic Service has responsibility for charting more than one eighth of the world's surface, stretching as far west as Cocos Island in the Indian Ocean, east to the Solomon Islands, and from the Equator to the Antarctic. The RAN has six ships and one aircraft engaged in this paramount and vital task.
The nautical charts developed from data gathered by the Hydrographic Service are essential for safe navigation at sea.
Around Australia, less than half of the area has been surveyed to acceptable standards, however the two Leeuwin Class ships, with multi-beam echo sounders, will greatly reduce this figure, making passage of vessels safer and further protect Australia's ocean environment.
Leeuwin class ships, HMA Ships Leeuwin and Melville have the ability to support a helicopter, and carry three 9 tonne survey motor boats.
Ships
HMAS Leeuwin
A 245
Leeuwin
Class
245169227 May 2000
HMAS Melville
A 246
Leeuwin
Class
245169227 May 2000
Hydrographic Survey
Hydrographic surveys traditionally result in the nautical chart and include all observations required to ensure safety of navigation. The fundamental difference between a nautical chart product and a map is that the user of the chart is unable to verify the detail that is hidden beneath the sea surface. The responsibility of the hydrographer is therefore to cover a survey area so that no feature remains undiscovered. This will allow the military commander maximum freedom of manoeuvre to prosecute his mission. The hydrographer as the Navy's geospatial specialist also has a warfighting role to present environmental information to the commander providing him with situational awareness.
The prime requirement of a hydrographic survey is to measure spot depths below the surface of the sea at a density that gives thorough coverage. Sounding techniques ensure that the natural relief of the seabed is adequately surveyed and all hazards to the military mission are identified. The common form of presenting this information is a chart with contoured soundings. However, modern systems provide for a variety of two and three-dimensional visualisations for the user.
Horizontal Control
Hydrographic soundings have to be collected with a consistent position framework. This framework is the horizontal control. Most modern surveys utilise satellite navigation, however, units are also equipped with the means to establish horizontal control from sites ashore.
Sounding
Sounding is the operation whereby an area is methodically covered by depth measurement in order to portray the relief of the seabed. It consists of obtaining parallel profiles across the survey area. Echo sounding systems provide a depth profile of water beneath the survey vessel. Aligning a series of parallel profiles will enable the drawing of contours and provide a sense of the relief of the seabed. Side scan sonar technique utilises a towfish towed behind the survey ship, and trailed above the seabed. The transmission from the side scan sonar enables the detection of features between profiles. This system cannot determine depth accurately. Modern survey ships fitted with multibeam systems are capable of determining depth and feature detection. The multibeam system transmits a swath similar in concept to 'mowing the lawn' collecting depth information and conducting feature detection simultaneously.
Any depth measurement must be related to a common datum level. A datum may be any arbitrary level defined by its relation to a permanent mark ashore or connected to a level that can be retrieved at any time. In the Australian area of charting responsibility this datum is linked to the lowest astronomical tide (recoverable by calculation). Depths on a published chart are shown as a depth below the chart datum. As all sounding are measured by ships effected by the tide; tidal observation must be recorded at the time of sounding to correct the depth for the height of tide. Therefore tidal observation becomes a critical aspect of depth measurement; the survey ship will be required to deploy tide gauges at sea or ashore for the duration of the survey.
The texture of the seabed is valuable information in maritime warfare. Seabed texture has an influence on the performance of sonar systems and therefore has an influence in mine counter measures and anti submarine warfare. A systematic process of bottom sampling across a survey area can determine bottom texture. The result of this work is a bottom texture sheet.
HMAS LEEUWIN
SURVEY MOTOR LAUNCH
Link: http://www.navy.gov.au/Survey_Motor_Launch
Four 360 tonne Survey Motor Launches (HMA Ships Paluma, Mermaid, Shepparton and Benalla) are fitted out for work in shallower and more constrained waters. These ships generally operate in pairs and are designed for operations in the shallow waters of northern Australia. Their twin hulls provide good stability in heavy conditions, along with good living room and space below the main deck.
Each Survey Motor Launch carries the latest in survey and computerised hydrographic data processing equipment and is fitted with the latest navigation aids.
Ships
HMAS Benalla
A 04
Survey
Motor Launch
244797120 March 1990
HMAS Mermaid
A 02
Survey
Motor Launch
24478654 December 1989
HMAS Paluma
A 01
Survey
Motor Launch
244758527 February 1989
HMAS Shepparton
A 03
Survey
Motor Launch
244791624 January 1990
HMAS MERMAID
HUON CLASS
Link: http://www.navy.gov.au/Huon_Class
Originally designed in Italy as the Gaeta Class for the Italian Navy, the RAN Huon Class has been modified to suit Australian conditions, including improved accommodation and mine hunting capabilities.
The Huon Class feature a unique hull design, outstanding shock resistance and an inherently low magnetic signature, allowing the ships to operate in hostile mine environments. Each single skin monocoque hull has been designed with no ribs, frames or stiffeners, avoiding local stress points that could separate under shock conditions.
For their mine countermeasure operations the ships are fitted with a Variable Depth Sonar capable of detection ranges in excess of 1,000 metres ahead of the ship. When a mine is detected in a water column or on the seabed, the ship will 'hover' about 200 metres from the contact. A mine disposal vehicle or clearance divers will then be sent to investigate and neutralise the mine threat.
Each ship is fitted with a pair of electrically powered Bofors Underwater Systems Double Eagle mine disposal vehicles equipped with a searchlight, closed-circuit low light television camera and an on-board close range identification sonar. Commands are relayed via a fibre optic link inside the vehicle's tether, which also relays sensor images for display on the ship's multifunction console in the operations room.
Each Double Eagle vehicle is fitted with either a disposal charge slung beneath or an explosive or mechanical cutter designed to sever the wire rope or chain holding moored mines.
Ships
HMAS Diamantina
M 86
Huon
Class
24523994 May 2002
HMAS Gascoyne
M 85
Huon
Class
24520632 June 2001
HMAS Hawkesbury
M 83
Huon
Class
245158712 February 2000
HMAS Huon
M 82
Huon
Class
245131415 May 1999
HMAS Norman
M 84
Huon
Class
245178326 August 2000
HMAS Yarra
M 87
Huon
Class
24527001 March 2003
HMAS YARRA
ADELAIDE CLASS FRIGATE
Link: http://www.navy.gov.au/Adelaide_Class
The RAN originally had six of these multi-purpose warships divided between its two main bases; Fleet Base East in Sydney and Fleet Base West in Perth. There are now only four ships still in service, with HMA Ships Adelaide and Canberra decommissioning in recent years.
These Adelaide Class frigates are based on the US Navy Oliver Hazard Perry design. The first four ships were built in the USA with subsequent modifications undertaken in Australia. The last two were constructed in Australia with all modifications incorporated.
Each FFG ship is a long-range escort ship with roles including air defence, anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, interdiction and reconnaissance. The ship is capable of countering simultaneous threats from the air, surface and sub-surface.
These ships were the first RAN ships to be powered by gas turbine for the main propulsion and can be underway from cold in less than 30 minutes. Two forward mounted, retractable auxiliary propulsion units provide a secondary means of propulsion plus excellent manoeuvrability in confined waters.
The FFG's principal weapons are the Standard medium range anti-aircraft missile and the Harpoon anti-ship missile. A 76mm gun to counter both air and surface threats is fitted forward of the funnel and one 20mm Phalanx close-in-weapon system for anti-missile defence is located above the helicopter hangars.
For long range anti-submarine tasks, the FFG is equipped with a flight deck and hangars for two S-70B-2 Sea hawk helicopters. For close in anti-submarine defence, the ships are fitted with two Mk32 triple torpedo tubes.
The FFG's sensor package includes long range radars for air and surface surveillance, electronic warfare surveillance sensors and a medium range sonar for the detection of submarines. A computer based command and control system processes information as well as target data received by data link from other ships and aircraft.
Ships
HMAS Adelaide
FFG 01
Adelaide Class
244455915 November 1980
245448519 January 2008
HMAS Canberra
FFG 02
Adelaide Class
244468521 March 1981
245369015 November 2005
HMAS Darwin
FFG 04
Adelaide Class
244590321 July 1984
HMAS Melbourne
FFG 05
Adelaide Class
244866815 February 1992
HMAS Newcastle
FFG 06
Adelaide Class
244933311 December 1993
HMAS Sydney
FFG 03
Adelaide Class
244536429 January 1983
HMAS NEWCASTLE
ARMIDALE CLASS PATROL BOATS
http://www.navy.gov.au/Armidale_Class
Ships of Australia's Armidale Class patrol boat fleet are named after Australian cities and towns with close links with Navy heritage.
The Armidale Class were named to coincide with the 60th commemoration of the sinking of the original HMAS Armidale (I).
The Armidale Class provide Navy an improved capability to intercept and apprehend vessels in a greater range of sea conditions than the earlier patrol boat classes; the Fremantle Class and the Attack Class.
Multi-Crewing
The Armidale Class Patrol Boats operate as multi-crewed vessels that are formed into:
· Four divisions each comprised of four ships,
· Each Division has six crews, which rotate amongst the ships of the division;
· Three Divisions will be home ported in Darwin and One in Cairns;
The story of how the Armidale Class came into being is found in the following Semaphore article "Welcome to the Armidale Class".
Boats
HMAS Albany
ACPB 86
Armidale
Class
245393215 July 2006
HMAS Ararat
ACPB 89
Armidale
Class
245405010 November 2006
HMAS Armidale
ACPB 83
Armidale
Class
245354624 June 2005
HMAS Bathurst
ACPB 85
Armidale
Class
245377710 February 2006
HMAS Broome
ACPB 90
Armidale
Class
245414210 February 2007
HMAS Bundaberg
ACPB 91
Armidale
Class
24541633 March 2007
HMAS Childers
ACPB 93
Armidale
Class
24542897 July 2007
HMAS Glenelg
ACPB 96
Armidale
Class
245451922 February 2008
HMAS Larrakia
ACPB 84
Armidale
Class
245377710 February 2006
HMAS Launceston
ACPB 94
Armidale
Class
245436622 September 2007
HMAS Maitland
ACPB 88
Armidale
Class
245400829 September 2006
HMAS Maryborough
ACPB 95
Armidale
Class
24544438 December 2007
HMAS Pirie
ACPB 87
Armidale
Class
245394629 July 2006
HMAS Wollongong
ACPB 92
Armidale
Class
245427523 June 2007
ANZAC CLASS
http://www.navy.gov.au/Anzac_Class
The Anzac Class is based on the German Meko 200 frigate design with eight ships being constructed in Australia as part of the overall plan to upgrade the Royal Australian Navy.
Anzacs are long-range escorts with roles including air defence, anti submarine warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction. The ships are capable of countering simultaneous threats from the air, surface and sub-surface. Powered by a combined diesel or gas (CODOG) propulsion plant permits speeds in excess of 27 knots with an operational range of more than 6000 nautical miles.
Each Anzac frigate is fitted with an advanced package of air surveillance radars, omni-directional hull mounted sonar and electronic support systems which interface with a state-of-the-art combat data system.
The ships' main armament comprises one five inch (127 mm) gun capable of firing 20 rounds per minute, ship launched torpedoes and a MK 41 vertical launch system for the Sea Sparrow point defence missile.
The Anzac Class can embark a multi-role Sikorsky S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopter to enhance anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare and Search and Rescue capabilities. Embarkation of a helicopter also provides the ship with the capability to deliver air-launched torpedoes.
Take a tour of Australia's latest major surface combat vessels - the ANZAC Class Frigates
Ships
HMAS Anzac
FFH 150
Anzac
Class
245022218 May 1996
HMAS Arunta
FFH 151
Anzac
Class
245116012 December 1998
HMAS Ballarat
FFH 155
Anzac
Class
245318326 June 2004
HMAS Parramatta
FFH 154
Anzac
Class
24529174 October 2003
HMAS Perth
FFH 157
Anzac
Class
245397426 August 2006
HMAS Stuart
FFH 153
Anzac
Class
245250417 August 2002
HMAS Toowoomba
FFH 156
Anzac
Class
24536528 October 2005
HMAS Warramunga
FFH 152
Anzac
Class
245200031 March 2001
HMAS STUART
MINE WARFARE AND CLEARANCE DIVING GROUP
http://www.navy.gov.au/Mine_Warfare_and_Clearance_Diving_Group
Australian Clearance Divers have always been the Australian Defence Forces' specialist divers and have, since the inception of the Branch, operated all in-service diving equipment to the full extent of its operational capacity. Nevertheless, the primary focus of a Clearance Diver is to perform Explosive Ordnance Disposal. This role is conducted at sea in ships, in the oceans (particularly the vulnerable approaches to ports and anchorages), and onshore in port facilities, installations and the littoral environment associated with amphibious operations. The Australian Clearance Diving community represents the largest single ADF organisation with a direct and primary interest in the conduct of EOD.
All personnel joining the Branch, including Officers, must undergo acceptance testing and complete the arduous requirements of the Clearance Diving qualification course. These demands placed on potential applicants to a category are probably not seen anywhere else in the ADF outside of the Special Forces. In the present international climate of uncertainty and widespread threat of terrorism, Clearance Divers represent a valuable and extremely flexible asset of the ADF.
Australian Clearance Diving Team 1
Australian Clearance Diving Team One is one of two commissioned Clearance Diving Teams in the Royal Australian Navy. Clearance Diving Team was created 18 March 1966 at HMAS Waterhen to support the Eastern based fleet. Australian Clearance Divers have always been the Australian Defence Forces' (ADF) specialist divers and have, since the inception of the Branch in 1951, operated all in-service diving equipment to the full extent of its operational capacity.
The primary focus of a Clearance Diver is to perform Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and are capable of locating and destroying or recovering underwater ordnance and Improvised explosive device disposal (IEDD). This role is conducted at sea in ships, in the oceans (particularly the vulnerable approaches to ports and anchorages), and onshore in port facilities, installations and the littoral environment associated with amphibious operations. The Australian Clearance Diving community represents the largest single ADF organisation with a direct and primary interest in the conduct of EOD. The RAN Clearance Diving Branch's equipment has been state of the art and their techniques are regarded as world leading.
Clearance Diving Team One consists of a headquarters element and three operational elements that specialise in Maritime Tactical Operations (MTO), Mine Counter-Measures (MCM) and Underwater Battle Damage Repair (UBDR). All elements are capable of performing IEDD and EOD operations and are capable of being deployed independently or as a combined task unit.
AUSCDT One personnel have been involved in numerous operations including; Vietnam , Gulf War One and Two (through the formation of AUSCDT Three). Team One is regularly involved in major international exercises such as RIMPAC, Tri-Crab, Talisman Sabre and Bersama Lima.
All sailors joining the Diving Branch must undergo acceptance testing and complete the arduous requirements of the Clearance Diving qualification course. The Basic Clearance Diver Course spans 37 weeks whilst the Advanced Clearance Diver Course and the Clearance Diving component of the Mine warfare and Clearance Diving Officers course spans 41 weeks. The demands placed on potential applicants to this category are not seen elsewhere in the ADF except with the Special Forces.
Australian Clearance Diving Team 4
Australian Clearance Diving Team Four is one of two commissioned Clearance Diving Teams in the Royal Australian Navy. They are the Australian Defence Force's specialist divers, who operate in-service diving equipment to the maximum permissible depths. They also conduct explosive ordnance disposal for the Navy are capable of locating and destroying or recovering underwater ordnance or maritime assets.
The Australian Clearance Diving Branch was created in 1951 and for many years much of its activities were based on the east coast of Australia. Then, in 1962, a Reserve Diving Team was formed at HMAS Leeuwin in Fremantle. Eventually, this unit was absorbed into Australian Clearance Diving Team Four when it was established as an operational unit at HMAS Stirling in 1978.
Australian Clearance Diving Team Four has always been at the forefront of operational activity. Between 1980-1985, it provided personnel to the counter-terrorist squadron of the Special Air Service Regiment. Personnel to the Team also formed the bulk of the specially formed Clearance Diving Team that served in the 1991 Gulf War. Team members also deployed to East Timor as part of the International Force East Timor (INTERFET) in 1999. On 1 December 2001, Australian Clearance Diving Team Four became a commissioned unit of the Royal Australian Navy.
The Team consists of a headquarters element and three operational elements that specialise in tactical operations, mine countermeasures and battle damage repair. All elements are capable of performing explosives disposal and can be deployed independently or as a combined task unit. The Team operates specialised diving and explosive ordnance disposal equipment and can be deployed independently or as a combined task unit. The Team operates specialised diving and explosive ordnance disposal equipment that enables it to locate and dispose of modern mines that feature sophisticated arming and targeting systems. Australian Clearance Diving Team Four personnel are also trained in field craft and the use of wide range of small arms, enabling them to deploy to remote operating areas under varying levels of threat.
Retrieved from "http://www.navy.gov.au/Australian_Clearance_Diving_Team_4"