Choules Class Australian Landing Ship, Dock (LSD)
Choules Class
Landing Ship Dock (LSD)
Other
Basic Information
Name
Choules Class Australian Landing Ship, Dock (LSD)
Designation
Choules Class
Alternate Designation
Choules Class; The vessel was built as RFA Largs Bay. At the end of 2010, Largs Bay was marked as one of the vessels to be removed from service under the Strategic Defense and Security Review. She was offered for sale, with the RAN announced as the successful bidder in April 2011. After modifications to make her more suited for Australian operating conditions, the vessel was commissioned in December 2011 as HMAS Choules.
Equipment Type
Landing Ship Dock (LSD)
Manufacturer
—
Date of Introduction
2011
Description
The Choules Class Australian Landing Ship, Dock (LSD) is designed to operate using helicopters and landing craft to get landing forces and equipment ashore. Choules has a large flight deck aft which can accommodate two large helicopters and a docking well in the stern capable of operating an LCM-8 or two LCVP landing craft. The military lift includes the capacity to load and transport up to 32 Abrams tanks, or 150 light trucks. HMAS Choules can carry a normal load of 356 troops, or overloaded with 700. Depending on the situation Choules can operate either close to shore or over the horizon using helicopters and landing craft, to get personnel and equipment ashore.
Ground Specifications
Crew
158
System
Alternative Designation
Choules Class; The vessel was built as RFA Largs Bay. At the end of 2010, Largs Bay was marked as one of the vessels to be removed from service under the Strategic Defense and Security Review. She was offered for sale, with the RAN announced as the successful bidder in April 2011. After modifications to make her more suited for Australian operating conditions, the vessel was commissioned in December 2011 as HMAS Choules.
Type
Landing Ship, Dock (LSD)
Builder
Swan Hunter, Wallsend, Tyne
Crew
158 officers and sailors
Cargo Capacity
356 troops (standard) up to 700 troops (overload);
32 Abrams tanks;
150 light trucks;
Two LCVP;
LCM-8;
Two mexeflotes
Dimensions
Length
176.6 m
Height
INA
Beam
26.4 m
Draft
5.8 m
Displacement, Standard
INA
Displacement, Full Load
16,190 tons
Propulsion System
Engine Name
Diesel-electric propulsion systems with 2 azimuthing thrusters and bow thruster.
Engine Type
Diesel Electric
Engine Power
INA
Generator
4 x main diesel generating sets: 2 × Wärtsilä 8L26 engines (2,240 kW each), 2 × Wärtsilä 12V26 engines (3,360 kW each).
Auxiliary Generator
1 x auxiliary Wärtsilä standby diesel generating set.
Maximum Range
15,000 kilometers at 15 knots (28 km/h)
Maximum Speed
18 knots (33 km/h)
Main Weapon System
System
Name
1 × Phalanx CIWS
Type
Close-In Weapon System (CIWS)
Caliber
20 mm
Barrel Length
1,520 mm
Weight
6,200 kg
Barrels
6-barrel (progressive RH parabolic twist, 9 grooves)
Guidance System
Ku-band radar and FLIR[
Elevation
−20°/+80°
Traverse
150° from either side of centerline
Rate of Fire
3,000 rpm
Muzzle Velocity
1,100 m/s
Maximum Firing Range
5,500 m
Effective Firing Range
1,486 m
Ammunition
Type
Projectile
Caliber
20×102mm
Shell
Naval: Armor-piercing tungsten penetrator rounds with discarding sabots.
Land: High-explosive incendiary tracer, self-destruct
Aviation Facility
Flight Deck
Flight deck can operate helicopters up to Chinook size. Temporary hangar can be fitted as required.
Aircraft
Not routinely embarked
Protection
Countermeasures
No
NBC Water Washdown System
Yes
EW Intercept
No
Details
Country of Origin
Australia
Category
Naval
Naval
Filter Label
C
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
176.6 m
Width
—
Height
—
Weight
—
Operators (1)
Australia
Something went wrong. Please reload the page.
Reload