AMPHIBIOUS FORCES

AMPHIBIOUS TRANSPORTS (LPA)

Former Newport Class Ships, Kaminbla and Manoora served with the USN as USS Saginaw and USS Fairfax County. These ships were bought from the US navy in 1994 for conversion to Amphibious Transport (LPA) and Training Ships.

 

Both ships have been refitted with a helicopter hangar amidships capable of accomodating up to four Seahawk/Blcakhawk size helos or three of the larger Sea Kings.

Also theyl have an enlarged helo platform aft. To ensure accomodation for the forward operating helos or carriage of two Army LCM8s (landing craft) both ships have had the original 34 metre bow ramps removed. Access through the stern gate will provide 810 square metres of storage space on the tank deck.

Manoora is fitted with a modern medical facility with the availablitiy of a forty bed hospital.

Both ships will also undertake a training role for Junior Officers seamanship and navigation. As well as training cruises for junior sailors.

No. Name Laid Down Launched Commissioned
51 Kanimbla 24MAY69 07FEB70 29AUG94
52 Manoora 28MAR70 19DEC70 25NOV94

Builder: National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. San Diego, California, USA.
Displacement: 8450 Tons
Length: 159 Metres
Beam: 21.2 metres
Armament: One 20mm Phalanx Mk15 CIWS.
Machinery: Six ALCO 16-251 deisel engines driving two shafts, variable pitch propeller
Speed: More than 20 Knots
Landing Craft: Two LCM8s as deck cargo
Aircraft: Up to four Helos
Complement 178 RAN plus 18 Ship's Army Detachment. Troops 450.

 

LANDING SHIP HEAVY (LSH)

HMAS Tobruk provides the Australian Defence Force with a heavy lift capability. She is designed for carrying troops, stores and vehicles and to be able to land them without the requirement for port facilities.

She is equipped with a roll on roll off hull and a strengthened deck. Tobruk can carry up to 18 Leopard tanks on this deck. For combined RAN/Army operations an 'Operations Room' is available with facilities for both an Amphibious Group Commander and Land Force Commander. It is fitted with comprehensive communications equipment to support complex joint operations and is staffed both by Army and Navy personnel. The landing force Tobruk can carry varies on the length of time the troops are embarked for. A total of 350 can be accomodated for lengthy periods at Ship's Company standards or up to 500 troops for shorter periods.

No. Name Laid Down Launched Commissioned
L50 Tobruk 07FEB79 01MAR80 23APR81

Builder: Carrington Slipways, Newcastle, NSW
Displacement: 5,800 Tonnes
Length: 126 Metres
Beam: 18 Metres
Armament: Two 40mm Bofors Guns
Machinery: Two Mirrlees Blackstone K Major Deisels
Speed: 17 Knots
Aircraft: Up to three helos
Landing Craft: Two LCVPs on Davits, Two LCM8s as deck cargo
Complement: 130. Troops up to 500

 

LANDING CRAFT HEAVY (LCH)

The R.A.N possesses 6 LCHs. The LCH is able to transport cargo and supplies from ships lying off shore to water terminals or the beach.

Maximum cargo is governed by fuel-load balance and varies between 140 - 180 tonnes. Army equipment capable of being carried by the 6 LCHs is 3 Battle tanks, 23 quarter tonne trucks or thirteen armoured personnel carriers.


No. Name Laid Down Launched Commissioned
L126 Balikpapan MAY71 15AUG71 24SEP74
L127 Brunei JULY71 18OCT71 08JAN73
L128 Labuan OCT71 29DEC71 09MAR73
L129 Tarakan DEC71 16MAR72 15JUN73
L130 Wewak MAR72 16MAY72 10AUG73
L133 Betano SEP72 05DEC72 08FEB74


Builder: Walkers Ltd. Mayborough, Queensland
Displacement: 316 Tonnes
Length: 44.5 Metres
Beam: 10.1 Metres
Armament: Two .50 Cal Machine Guns
Machinery: Two GE Deisels
Speed: More than 9 Knots
Complement: 13.

Previous Page

 



www.gunplot.net
© 1997 - 2003 Gun Plot. All rights reserved

This web site is protected by copyright. Users of the web site shall only be entitled to copy the web site for their own personal use and may not republish or reproduce any substantial part of the web site in any manner whatsoever without the prior written permission of the owner. An acknowledgment of the source must be included whenever the author's material is copied or published - Contact Webmaster Here.