Bay Class Replacement Vessel

[Gubler, A.]

The functional performance specification (FPS) and operational concept document (OCD) of the Bay Class Replacement Vessel (BCRV) have been released providing the information for this ship. Definitely looking like a modified Austal Armidale class or Tenix Protector class by specification and also the proven ship requirement. The longer range than these vessels (4,000 NM vs 3,000 NM) combined with the 50 person detainee transport capacity might even require a bigger boat. Also with a design life of 20 years the Armidale would need to be beefed up (15 year design life).

Some of the specification data for the eight new BCRVs are:

Max speed: 25 knots in sea state 3
Endurance: 4,000 NM at 12 knots in sea state 4, 28 days for 22 embarked personnel
Sensors: X and S Band surface search radars, 3D depth sounder, ESM (comms and radar), EOS (incl FLIR)
Weapons: Mini Typhoon (govt. furnished), 2x 12.7mm QCB with ballistic protection for crew, water cannon, >5,000 rounds 12.7mm in main magazine with ballistic protection and >400 rounds 12.7mm ready use at each weapon, armoury for 3x 12.7mm QCB MG with 6x barrels, 2x 12.7mm QCB Hvy Duty MG (Mini Typhoon) with 4x barrels, 16x Glock 17A pistols, 4x Remington 870 shot guns
Comms: 3G, UHF, VHF (2x marine, 1x air, 1x mil), HF (with ALE), SATCOM, WGS (govt. furnished), crew wireless internet
Boats: 2x RHIB (twin engine) with davits and boarding party preparation space
Design Life: 20 years
Dimensions: Required: draft <3m, beam <11m, length <60m, displacement <400 tonnes. Preferred: beam <10.8m, length <55m, displacement <300 tonnes
Accommodations: 1 CO cabin, nine (or more) twin cabins (2 larger), transportee accommodation for 50
Exhibition Models: 4x in scale 1:75 to be provided

[JimWH]

Those look like pretty capable vessels they're describing. A bit bigger than the Armidales and with a basically similar armament (i.e. a RWS and two heavy MGs). Nice adjunct to the RAN's OCV program.
What's the decision making timeframe?

[SteveJH]

Entering service when? Arent the Bay's less then 10 years old?

[Gubler, A.]

Entering service when? Arent the Bay's less then 10 years old?

The aluminium Austal patrol boats are only built for 15 years.

[Gubler, A.]

Jeez I should have done this to begin with!

[SteveJH]

The aluminium Austal patrol boats are only built for 15 years.

So the Armidale class at 25 Million apiece will need replacement by 2020 or so as well? Well isnt that just brilliant....

[Deks]

^^ Yes, but that was always the plan ala SEA 1180.

[Gubler, A.]

So the Armidale class at 25 Million apiece will need replacement by 2020 or so as well? Well isnt that just brilliant....

As Deks said: SEA 1180 which has IOC in 2021. As to the cost of the Armidales they were a cost cutting endeavour. $25m is peanuts for this kind of ship. The Navy did want to spend ~$100m a piece on the Tenix OPC but the pre 911 budget cutters of the Howard government reduced this to something as cheap and easy as the BCPBs. The previous Fremantles were also designed for a 15 year life and cost about $8 million each in 1980 dollars.

[Gubler, A.]

Now to be known as the Cape class patrol boat and the RFT is expected end of this week.

Hopefully the following cape names will grace these ships:

Cape Grim, Tas
Cape Arid, WA
Smoky Cape, NSW
Cape Upstart, Qld
Cape Howe?, NSW/Vic
Cape Tribulation, Qld
Cape Schanck, Vic
Rocky Cape, Tas

[rawcs]

This could be fun....

CAPE BORDA - seems appropriate
CAPE BOWLING GREEN - for those close to retirement
CAPE CATASTROPHE
CAPE DON - is Don, is good
CAPE DELIVERANCE - can you have a banjo on the badge? or maybe a pig
CAPE NATURALISTE - for those balmy days and nights
CAPE WHISKEY - for those who appreciate the superior brown spirit
CAPE WESSEL - Australian vessel Wessel

[jacktar]

How about Smoky Cape for when things go up in flames

[Unicorn]

I rather like the modified Saettia class, the Diciotti class, which were Forgac's entry for the Armidale contest.



The RAN version would have looked similar.





I am planning on building one later this year, in conjectural Australian Coast Guard colours.

Unicorn

[Milne Bay]

Nice looking ships.
They seem to tick most of the boxes for the Bay class replacements except for that enormous draft - 5.4m (surely wiki is wrong here)
The requirement is for <3m.
Even the Anzacs only draw 4m

[Gubler, A.]

I am planning on building one later this year, in conjectural Australian Coast Guard colours.

Not until you do the DDL so I can have my story in Navy!

[Chauvel]

Milne Bay

Do you make models for a living or as a hobby?

Do you only make naval models?

If you are into contemporary armour i might have some for you that i no longer need that i could let you have.

I tried to sell them but there is no market even through groups such as IPMS!!!

Cheers

Chauvel

[Milne Bay]

Thanks for the offer Chauvel,
I think it is Unicorn who is the model builder.
I am interested in built models of course, and see these sometimes at the Port Macquarie model boat show which often includes armoured models as well..
Cheers
MB

[Unicorn]

If you visit the Port Macquarie show then you would have seen the Task Force 72 display featuring a vast array of WW2 ships last year.

Unfortunately it has been cancelled this year. :(

I build 1:72 scale R/C ship models as a hobby.

Abe, I have almost completed Kokoda, she is awaiting deck lights, which have just arrived, flight deck nets and the completion of guard rails.



Its been slow going this year due to a succession of personal crises.

Unicorn

[Milne Bay]

If you visit the Port Macquarie show then you would have seen the Task Force 72 display featuring a vast array of WW2 ships last year.

Unfortunately it has been cancelled this year. :(

I build 1:72 scale R/C ship models as a hobby.

Abe, I have almost completed Kokoda, she is awaiting deck lights, which have just arrived, flight deck nets and the completion of guard rails.



Its been slow going this year due to a succession of personal crises.

Unicorn

Unicorn, was it you that built the model of HMAS Hobart, sister ship to the Sydney in her late war livery as AA specialist?
If so I have spoken with you at the show.
MB

[Gubler, A.]

Its been slow going this year due to a succession of personal crises.

I know you can't rush genius! She's looking good. Perhaps the worst 'lost opportunity' of the modern RAN - at least within the affordable category is the ole DDL.

[Unicorn]

No, that would be Tim Amos. He does lovely work.

I am looking forward to his current projects, he is building WW2 hulls for sale of the RN's Dido class cruiser, the French Gloire class light cruiser and the USN's Atlanta, Cleveland and Baltimore class cruisers.

Eagerly anticipated I can tell you.

Unicorn

[Unicorn]

I know you can't rush genius! She's looking good. Perhaps the worst 'lost opportunity' of the modern RAN - at least within the affordable category is the ole DDL.

Thanks for the kind words, but I am far too basic and workmanlike for that description. You're thinking of people like Russ French of Defence Models and Graphics, for whom that description does apply.

His model of the new AWD is sensational and the upgraded Anzac he is building will be outstanding.

Unicorn