Tag Archives: HMAS Adelaide (L01)

Navy

Adelaide enters service

HMAS Adelaide (L01), the second of two Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs) built for the Royal Australian Navy, was commissioned into the Fleet 04 December 2015, alongside Garden Island, Sydney. The Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove, together with the Minister for Defence, Senator the Honourable Marise Payne, and Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, attended the traditional ceremony held on Adelaide’s aircraft hangar deck.

The Governor General of Australia, His Excellency General, the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK, MC, (Retd), receives a Royal Salute from the band and Commissioning Guard during HMAS Adelaide's Commissioning ceremony
The Governor General of Australia, His Excellency General, the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK, MC, (Retd), receives a Royal Salute from the band and Commissioning Guard during HMAS Adelaide’s Commissioning ceremony

Around 1,000 guests made up of family, industry and government representatives from Australia and Spain watched the proud Commissioning crew of Navy, Army and Air Force members march onboard and saw the Australian White Ensign being raised for the first time, signifying Adelaide’s entry into naval service.

Commanding Officer of HMAS Adelaide (L01), Captain Paul Mandziy, said it was a historic day. «This is a proud and momentous occasion that symbolises the culmination of the amount of time, support and hard work that has gone into realising this capability», Captain Mandziy said. «As the second of class, lessons learnt from HMAS Canberra (L02), our sister ship, has sped up our introduction into service, but a lot of effort and energy was still required from my ship’s company to get us prepared for today», Captain Mandziy said. «Our work doesn’t stop with commissioning. In the New Year we will conduct further trials at sea before commencing our work-up cycle. It is humbling to bring back the proud name Adelaide into the Fleet for a third time», Captain Mandziy said.

Commanding Officer of HMAS Adelaide (L01), Captain Paul Mandziy, CSC, RAN, addresses guests during the ship's Commissioning Ceremony
Commanding Officer of HMAS Adelaide (L01), Captain Paul Mandziy, CSC, RAN, addresses guests during the ship’s Commissioning Ceremony

Seaman Sahara McClellan, the youngest member of Adelaide’s crew at age 19, was selected to cut the commissioning cake with the Commanding Officer and says it will be a lasting memory. «It’s such an experience. I’ve only been in for just over a year so to be part of a commissioning crew in that amount of time – it is a pretty big deal», Seaman McClellan said. «Cutting the commissioning cake beside the CO was a proud moment and one I’ll look back on».

The capable air-land-sea amphibious asset joins her sister ship HMAS Canberra (L02) in service and marks the transformation of Navy capability. The LHDs are the next generation of Navy ships and are the first ships in a major fleet expansion.

Over the coming decades, the Navy will undergo its most significant period of recapitalisation since World War II, with new submarines, frigates, offshore patrol vessels and other specialist vessels. In 2016, the first of three Hobart Class Destroyers will also join the fleet.

The 757 feet/230.8 metre long LHDs are the largest ships ever built for the Navy. The 27,831 tonne amphibious assault ships are designed with the shallowest possible draft to manoeuvre in littoral waters and ports and can deploy an embarked force of over 1,000 personnel and their equipment, landing ashore via landing craft or helicopters. In addition to two operating theatres, the LHDs have an eight bed Critical Care Unit, resuscitation, and a variety of wards, pathology, radiology, x-ray, pharmacy and dental facilities.

Members of the ship's company of HMAS Adelaide (L01) raise the Australian White Ensign up the ship's mast for the first time, during the Landing Helicopter Dock's Commissioning ceremony
Members of the ship’s company of HMAS Adelaide (L01) raise the Australian White Ensign up the ship’s mast for the first time, during the Landing Helicopter Dock’s Commissioning ceremony

 

Characteristics

PLATFORM CHARACTERISTICS
Length Overall 757 feet/230.8 m
Length Waterline 680 feet/207.2 m
Beam 105 feet/32 m
Design Draft 23.5 feet/7.18 m
Full Load Displacement 27,831 tonnes
Crew and Embarked Forced Accommodation 1,403
MACHINERY
Propulsion 2 × Siemens 11,000 kW PODs
Bowthruster 2 × 1,500 kW Brunvoll/Siemens motors
Stabilisers 2 × Fincantieri
Generators 1 × 22,000 kW GE LM2500 Gas Turbine and 2 × 7,680 kW Diesel
Integrated Platform Management System Navantia – Sistemas
Fresh Water 6 × Reverse Osmosis Plants (each 25 tonnes/day)
Sewage 2 × Treatment Plants
PERFORMANCE
Maximum Speed 20+ knots/23+ mph/37+ km/h
Economic Speed 15 knots/17 mph/28 km/h
Maximum Range 9,250 NM/10,644 miles/17,131 km
Endurance 45+ days
CAPACITY
Flight Deck 51,128.57 feet²/4,750 m²
Dock (including ramp) 12,540 feet²/1,165 m²
Heavy Cargo Garage 12,270.86 feet²/1,410 m²
Light Cargo Garage 20,236 feet²/1,880 m²
Hangar 10,656.27 feet²/990 m²
Garages, Hangar and Well Dock 1,350 lane meter (2.9 m wide)
General Store Rooms 11,614.26 feet²/1,079 m²
Future Growth Margin 672 tonnes
HMAS Adelaide's Ship's Company marches out during their Commissioning ceremony, alongside Garden Island, Sydney
HMAS Adelaide’s Ship’s Company marches out during their Commissioning ceremony, alongside Garden Island, Sydney
Navy

Four LLC to Australia

Navantia has the pleasure in delivering to the Commonwealth in Sydney the final batch of four LLCs. This is a major achievement, where Navantia has played an important role – that of Prime Contractor for the first time in an Australian program. Since 2007, Navantia has been working in three important programs for the ADF, namely the Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs), Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs), and the LHD Landing Craft (LLCs), under different contractual schemes to deliver to the best of its ability.

HMAS Canberra docks down in Sydney Harbour in order to receive the ship’s LHD Landing Craft for the very first time
HMAS Canberra docks down in Sydney Harbour in order to receive the ship’s LHD Landing Craft for the very first time

On 16th December 2011, Navantia signed a contract with the then Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) under JP 2048 Phase 3 to build and deliver twelve LHD Landing Craft (LLCs) to the Commonwealth. All twelve have now been delivered to HMAS Waterhen in Sydney on or ahead of schedule and to budget. The LLCs were built and tested in Cádiz, Spain, and shipped out to Australia.

Navantia understands that the first eight units are in operation with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and are performing to the full satisfaction of Navy, having achieved various missions during sea trials with HMAS Canberra (L02), which has also been commissioned into the RAN. Her sister ship, HMAS Adelaide (L01), is due to be commissioned in Sydney on 4th December 2015. Since delivery of the LLCs, Navantia has provided in-country support and is committed to ensuring its availability for service at all times. This commitment will be maintained by Navantia Australia Pty Ltd, which is also assisting BAE Systems with Through Life Support of the LHDs.

Navantia is fully committed to Australia and will contribute to projects as far as possible within its proven capacity and ability to supply. We look forward to working with the Commonwealth and industry even more closely than before, to achieve the program goals that we totally share. In this regard, Navantia is currently engaged in the SEA 1654 Phase 3 Maritime Operational Support Capability tender process, and is working in a collaborative environment in the SEA 5000 Future Frigate program and the SEA 1180 Offshore Patrol Vessels project.

The Royal Australian Navy's first four LCM-1E landing craft for the LHD have arrived at their new home HMAS Waterhen in Sydney
The Royal Australian Navy’s first four LCM-1E landing craft for the LHD have arrived at their new home HMAS Waterhen in Sydney

 

LHD Landing Craft (LLC)

The LCM-1E is a class of amphibious Landing Craft, Mechanized (LCM) manufactured by Navantia who also build the LHD hulls. In Royal Australian Navy service these craft are purpose built for the Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) and are referred to as LHD Landing Craft (LLC).

These landing craft are intended to deliver troops and equipment onshore where there are no fixed port facilities. They have the ability to be used Over The Horizon, which means that the LCM-1E can transport between the ship and the coast starting at a distance greater than that marks the horizon, i.e. greater than 20 nautical miles (23 miles/37 km). To perform this type of landing, the LCM-1E are equipped with a radar navigation, GPS, gyro needle/magnetic and HF communications equipment, VHF and UHF.

Another important point is the speed and autonomy. The propulsion is by two engines MAN of 806 kW and two water jet propellers (waterjets), offering a speed of 22 knots/25 mph/41 km/h without load and 13.5 knots/15.5 mph/25 km/h laden, with a range of 190 nautical miles (219 miles/352 km).

The LCM-1E incorporates a stern gate, facilitating the loading/unloading of rolling stock within the flood levee, not necessary the output of the front two boats to load/unload the rear, with a limit of 12 tonnes maximum for the transfer of vehicles one barge to another.

The watercraft will enable transport of troops and equipment from the LHDs to the shore including where there are no fixed port facilities.

 

Characteristics

Type Amphibious Warfare Ancillary Craft
Displacement 56.6 tonnes (light)
110 tonnes (full load)
Length 76.4 feet/23.3 m
Beam 21 feet/6.4 m
Main Machinery 2 × MAN D-2842 LE 402X diesel engines (809 kW each)
2 × waterjets
Speed 22 knots/25 mph/41 km/h (light)
13.5 knots/15.5 mph/25 km/h (full load)
Company 4
Range 190 NM/219 miles/352 km

 

Navy

Final Sea Trials

HMAS Adelaide (L01), Australia’s second Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ship, is successfully completing her second and final sea trials in Port Phillip Bay. The 27,800-tonne warship will return to BAE Systems’ Williamstown shipyard later on August 28 where she will then be prepared for delivery to the Department of Defence’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

Having completed its sea trials, the future HMAS Adelaide (L01) will now be handed over to the Department of Defence’s CASG while its future crew works up (AUS DoD photo)
Having completed its sea trials, the future HMAS Adelaide (L01) will now be handed over to the Department of Defence’s CASG while its future crew works up (AUS DoD photo)

The main focus of the final sea trials was on testing the ship’s combat and communications systems. They were undertaken over a 10-day period throughout the ship’s journey from Williamstown to Jervis Bay, NSW and the return voyage. These areas were chosen to provide maximum flexibility and proximity to the Australian Defence Force assets being used.

The Royal Australian Navy will have the opportunity to perform various routine alongside exercises as it continues to build its capability for crewing the vessel while the ship compartments and systems are progressively handed over to the HMAS Adelaide (L01) crew as part of the overall ship delivery process.

The crew has already been trained for its role on the RAN’s second LHD ship. BAE Systems Australia trained all 700 crew serving on HMAS Adelaide (L01) and HMAS Canberra (L02) at the Company’s state-of-the-art training facility at Mascot, Sydney.

Director of Maritime, BAE Systems Australia, Bill Saltzer said: «The upcoming handover will of course be a very proud day for all involved with building HMAS Adelaide (L01), but it won’t be the end of our involvement with these mighty ships. As prime contractor for LHD In Service Support, our team of experienced engineers, technicians and logisticians in both Sydney and Williamstown will continue to be the key partner to the CASG and RAN in managing the availability of these two ships at Garden Island, Sydney. Our LHD team is now focused on the final elements of work in preparing HMAS Adelaide (L01) for delivery. Some of the team members on the LHD build program will then transition to the support services group. Some have already made that transition since the time of delivery of HMAS Canberra (L02). BAE Systems has the capability, experience and facilities to support and upgrade the Navy’s ships, as we are currently successfully demonstrating on the Anzac Frigate Anti-Ship Missile Defence upgrade project and our other support activities on both Anzac and Adelaide Class Frigates, Hydrographic Vessels and systems/components installed on the RAN’s minehunters and submarines».

HMAS Canberra (L02) off the north Queensland coast with five MRH 90 aircraft on deck and her four Landing Craft deployed (AUS DoD photo)
HMAS Canberra (L02) off the north Queensland coast with five MRH 90 aircraft on deck and her four Landing Craft deployed (AUS DoD photo)

 

Characteristics

PLATFORM CHARACTERISTICS
Length Overall 757 feet/230.8 m
Length Waterline 680 feet/207.2 m
Beam 105 feet/32 m
Design Draft 23.5 feet/7.18 m
Full Load Displacement 27,831 tonnes
Crew and Embarked Forced Accommodation 1,403
MACHINERY
Propulsion 2 × Siemens 11,000 kW PODs
Bowthruster 2 × 1,500 kW Brunvoll/Siemens motors
Stabilisers 2 × Fincantieri
Generators 1 × 22,000 kW GE LM2500 Gas Turbine and 2 × 7,680 kW Diesel
Integrated Platform Management System Navantia – Sistemas
Fresh Water 6 × Reverse Osmosis Plants (each 25 tonnes/day)
Sewage 2 × Treatment Plants
PERFORMANCE
Maximum Speed 20+ knots/23+ mph/37+ km/h
Economic Speed 15 knots/17 mph/28 km/h
Maximum Range 9,250 NM/10,644 miles/17,131 km
Endurance 45+ days
CAPACITY
Flight Deck 51,128.57 feet²/4,750 m²
Dock (including ramp) 12,540 feet²/1,165 m²
Heavy Cargo Garage 12,270.86 feet²/1,410 m²
Light Cargo Garage 20,236 feet²/1,880 m²
Hangar 10,656.27 feet²/990 m²
Garages, Hangar and Well Dock 1,350 lane meter (2.9 m wide)
General Store Rooms 11,614.26 feet²/1,079 m²
Future Growth Margin 672 tonnes

 

Navy

Travelling to Sydney

NUSHIP Adelaide, one of two Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships being built for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), left BAE Systems Williamstown (17 June) to begin sea trials. After some initial trials in Port Phillip Bay, HMAS Adelaide (L01) will spend ten days on the water travelling to Sydney.

The second ship, HMAS Adelaide, is planned to commission in 2016
The second ship, HMAS Adelaide, is planned to commission in 2016

The current testing precedes a second period of sea trials in August, ahead of delivery to the Royal Australian Navy later this year. The sea trials are conducted under a number of scenarios; some require the ship in certain conditions and/or water depths while others require the ship’s systems in specific configurations.

In Sydney, HMAS Adelaide (L01) will be dry docked so her hull and flight deck can be cleaned and painted. NUSHIP Adelaide will then set sail and undertake more sea trials on the return voyage to Williamstown, arriving in mid-July. The August sea trials will focus on communication and combat systems.

BAE Systems Director of Maritime, Bill Saltzer said: «We will undertake approximately 240 hours of testing over 20 days to ensure all systems perform to their capability. Some of the trials will run concurrently and cover everything from basic systems operations such as alarms, to the ship’s manoeuvrability while at sea. We are on track to deliver NUSHIP Adelaide at the end of September this year. The ship is even more ready than HMAS Canberra (L02) was for her first sea trials, reinforcing that we have implemented lessons learned from the first of class and we have continued to improve our productivity».

The LHDs are the largest warships ever to be built for the RAN. As the prime contractor, BAE Systems has worked closely with the Defence Materiel Organization to deliver the project with subcontractors Navantia, which constructed the hulls in Spain, SAAB and L3, which supplied the combat and communications systems respectively.

These 27,000-tonne ships will be able to land a force of over 1,000 personnel by helicopter and watercraft, along with all their weapons, ammunition, vehicles and stores
These 27,000-tonne ships will be able to land a force of over 1,000 personnel by helicopter and watercraft, along with all their weapons, ammunition, vehicles and stores

 

Platform Characteristics

Length Overall                                                                          757 feet/230.8 m

Length Waterline                                                                     680 feet/207.2 m

Beam                                                                                               105 feet/32 m

Design Draft                                                                                23.5 feet/7.18 m

Full Load Displacement                                                         27,831 tonnes

Crew and Embarked Forced Accommodation         1,403

 

Machinery

Propulsion                 2 × Siemens 11,000 kW PODs

Bowthruster             2 × 1,500 kW Brunvoll/Siemens motors

Stabilisers                   2 × Fincantieri

Generators                         1 × 22,000 kW GE LM2500 Gas Turbine and                                                      2 × 7,680 kW Diesel

Integrated Platform Management System              Navantia – Sistemas

Fresh Water              6 × Reverse Osmosis Plants (each 25 tonnes/day)

Sewage                         2 × Treatment Plants

The largest ships ever built for the Royal Australian Navy, the LHDs are being built as a collaboration between Navantia and BAE Systems – Maritime
The largest ships ever built for the Royal Australian Navy, the LHDs are being built as a collaboration between Navantia and BAE Systems – Maritime

 

Performance

Maximum Speed                                   20+ knots/23+ mph/37+ km/h

Economic Speed                                    15 knots/17 mph/28 km/h

Maximum Range                                   9,250 NM/10,644 miles/17,131 km

Endurance                                                45+ days

 

Capacity

Flight Deck                                                            4,750 m²/51,128.57 feet²

Dock (including ramp)                                    1,165 m²/12,540 feet²

Heavy Cargo Garage                                       1,410 m²/12,270.86 feet²

Light Cargo Garage                                          1,880 m²/20,236 feet²

Hangar                                                                      990 m²/10,656.27 feet²

Garages, Hangar and Well Dock               1,350 lane metre (2.9 m wide)

General Store Rooms                                       1,079 m²/11,614.26 feet²

Future Growth Margin                                    672 tonnes

The flight deck has been configured with six spots on the port side for medium sized aircraft such as the NRH 90 or Blackhawk, which allows for simultaneous take-off and landing operations; alternatively it can support simultaneous take-off and landing operations of four CH-47 Chinooks
The flight deck has been configured with six spots on the port side for medium sized aircraft such as the NRH 90 or Blackhawk, which allows for simultaneous take-off and landing operations; alternatively it can support simultaneous take-off and landing operations of four CH-47 Chinooks