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HMS OCEAN
HMS Ocean was built by Kvaerner Govan on the Clyde taking advantage of
commercial build methods and facilities, before sailing from Barrow-in-Furness
for fitting out prior to acceptance into service with the Royal Navy. She was
launched on 11 October 1995 and named by Her Majesty The Queen on 20 February
1998, at the yard of the prime contractor Vickers Shipbuilding Engineering
Limited, prior to the delivery voyage to her base port of Devonport. The
Amphibious Helicopter Carrier was originally conceived in the mid 1980's to
provide the sort of amphibious assault capabilities last offered by HM Ships
Albion and Bulwark. The ship's primary role is to carry an Embarked Military
Force (EMF) supported by 12 medium support helicopters, 6 attack helicopters and
4 Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) Mk 5 Landing Craft. Her secondary roles
include afloat training, a limited anti-submarine warfare (ASW) platform and a
base for anti-terrorist operations. The electronic support measures system is
the Royal Navy's UAT from Thales Defence Ltd. UAT is a radar warning receiver
and electronic surveillance system which provides targeting data and
identification of hostile radar threats. Also fitted is the Thales Type 675(2)
ship-borne jammer, which has two antenna mounts to provide 360° azimuth
coverage. Maximum elevation is 50° and the range is 500km.HMS Ocean, carrying
300 Royal Marines and 400 air crew, was deployed as part of the UK task force
supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Between March and May 2004, trials of the
British Army's new Apache AH Mk 1 helicopter took place aboard HMS Ocean. The UK
is the first nation to test the Apache at sea. Trials included over 750 take-off
and landings in various sea states. Eight Apaches are planned to replace Lynx
helicopters as part of the Commando Helicopter Force.
SENSORS
HMS Ocean is equipped with the BAE SYSTEMS Type 996 air and surface search
radar. Surface search and aircraft control radar is provided by two Kelvin
Hughes Type 1007 systems.
PROPULSION
Propulsion is provided by two Crossley Pielstick 16 PC2.6 V 200 medium-speed
diesel engines, rated at 23,904hp, with two independent shafts and a five-bladed
fixed-pitch propeller. A 450kW KaMeWa bow thruster is fitted. The maximum speed
is 18 knots and the range is 8,000 miles. HMS Ocean is the sixth ship to bear
the name, the most recent being a Light Fleet Carrier also built on the Clyde
and commissioned on
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