Kirkhill said:
Thanks RC.
So, short form, as a General Duties platform the AOPS has at least the range of capabilities apparently allowed for in the vessel described in the CAMM(M) video. It may not be able to carry as many TEUs, or LCVPs, or land as large a helicopter as the CH-147, or launch boats in as high a sea state, or carry as many vehicles but it has some of all of the above capabilities. As well as having secure communications and potentially offering a platform for UAVs.
The afterdeck of the AOPS is specified to be able to stow (Draft SRD Sept 2010):
Would that allow a single AOPS to transport and launch 3 LCVPs similar to the 24 kt/200 NM
LCVP Mk5s if no TEUs were carried? How about a pair of
CBH-90s and an LCVP Mk 5?
I would challenge you on most of the limitations mentioned if you are comparing AOPS directly to the BMT concept.
Helo-ops:
I see very little chance the BMT Venator would be able to land a CH-149 (much less a CH-147) on that deck (it looks like a 6T deck and the spec mentions
light helos), and they wouldn't be able to house a CH-148 with the hangar. The AOPS can in theory house a CH-148 and land a CH-149 at the same time in an emergency, which the BMT concept would not be able to do. (Sidebar: is there any ship other than a helo-carrier that can land a CH-147? That thing is a monster!). AOPS would be slightly worse for horizontal launch UAVs due to turbulence on deck created by the full size hangar, but the hangar would offer better stowage and maintenance space for same.
Boat ops:
The BMT concept has only two davits, fairly close to the water. That is half the capacity of AOPS and likely less capability in high sea state. Their only visible advantage is having a pure open water hull form. I don't count the ramp as an advantage as it is more limited in sea state than a davit. I'm not really sure what the advantage of a ramp is other than being new and flashy...
Cargo capacity:
The BMT concept limits TEU's to one high and loses the center stowage to the ramp. AOPS can carry up to 8 containers /w 6 on the aft deck and 2 on the flight deck. The BMT concept can carry 2 on the aft deck, maybe three in the cargo hangar, and none on the flight deck without a crane to handle them, so I'd put the tally at 8 for AOPS and 5 for the Venator. As mentioned, the lack of a crane on the BMT concept is a severe disadvantage for cargo.
LCVP:
I think the BMT concept, if they are able to proceed with the cargo bay doors open might be able to carry one, but they have no clear way of launching it. The LCVP Mk5 was in the original AOPS SRD as the landing craft, but it can't be carried anymore due to its length (15m vs. 12m aft deck space). The AOPS landing craft will be a barge type like the CCG uses, suitable for unloading in the shallow arctic waters.
Vehicles:
The AOPS does have a dedicated vehicle garage, with multiple ship vehicles, whereas the BMT concept would be a flex fit (ie. carry a TEU
or a truck), so it's hard to compare. In terms of a cargo mission fit, AOPS has the potential to carry 8 containers, a truck, several snowmobiles, and loose fit cargo, whereas the BMT concept would probably be limited to 3 containers, a truck, snowmobiles, and minimal loose cargo.
In short, here is a brief summary of things AOPS does well and things it does not so well:
Well:
Carry cargo, vehicles, boats, and helos. This is what it is designed for.
Balance ice-breaking and open water performance.
Not so well:
Go fast.
Handle in open water.
Look pretty.