HMS Albion has been testing her versatility in the harsh Arctic environment of northern Norway’s fjords, say the Royal Navy.
The Royal Navy’s flagship is currently off the Norwegian coastline, deep inside the Arctic Circle, and has carried commandos plus specialist vehicles and equipment ahead of amphibious landings as part of demanding winter exercises, say the Royal Navy.
“She has embarked Royal Marines conducting shore raids, loaded Vikings onto her vehicle deck and invited trial teams on board to test the latest drone technology as part of Future Commando Force experimentation.”
“After a brief stop in Stavanger, where she gathered with Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland, survey ship HMS Echo, and Dutch ship HNLMS Johan de Witt, HMS Albion sailed north where temperatures can reach -30C. In the freezing conditions, the amphibious transport warship embarked Royal Marines of 45 Commando to undertake wader training – drills that ensure forces can move from the ship to shore rapidly using landing craft or helicopters.”
The Royal Navy say that her expansive loading dock means she can take on board a variety of vehicles and equipment needed by commandos to operate in the region.
Hasn’t QE been designated flagship yet?
Very impressive reading this; the amphibious role is morphing with tech as we live. Talking about living; nothing on here about the CV19 outbreak. The Armed Forces could be called on to do quite a bit. Support for the emergency services, policing (soldiers on the streets?), regular medical Regts supporting the NHS (not reserves because they are already in the NHS) and possibly selected regs & reserves supporting vulnerable people with supplies and some love. It is ‘our Army’ and should be used to support the people who pay for it. Notice in the USA the National Guard are already mobilised. The PM & defence sec need to use all the power we have in the new war.
This deployment was part of Operation Cold Response which has been cancelled by Operation Coronavirus Response.
Rob ……Boris can announce that due to Tory Defense Cuts the military are to small now to help out ……… But all the countries that receive Foreign Aid are lining up to help to show their gratitude
Well good job Corbyn didn’t get in then as the military would have all received a p45 by now to help pay for his fantasy budget.
Of course they can help out, 145,000 full time servicemen & women, and a heep more reserves.
That was not a criticism of our military…..but of defence cuts…
Impressive but vulnerable until the LCU has the speed to effectively carry out over the horizon operations Albion & Bulwark will only have a matter of seconds to respond to missile air attack.
Large, static and close to shore. What a target it is. We need something smaller and cheaper, and more of them.
Static?
LPDs manouver when docked down.
If you are in a Fjord it matters little if your big or small you are in restricted waters.
If you have small vessels they cannot support the ashore forces as well as a current largish LPD.
You need to provide fresh water (an LPD can manufacture 600 tones a day on top of the extensive fresh water tankage they have )
Ammo provision. An LPD has 3 huge embarked stores magazines. They can carry almost 1/3 of the UKs readily deployed ammunition for infantry. Small arms, 105mm shells, missiles,, 82mm mortars, pyros, smoke(various colors and shades)
Provision for Battle staff and command elements. 2 spot chinook flight deck. Linear meterage for big heavy vehicles.
When doing amphibiosity… Big is better. We should have bigger vessels not smaller although more probably is not going to happen.
LCU have a very long range. They have a galley bunks water and heads to support the crew and could conduct a landing from over 100 miles away if needed.
Irrespective of where the vessels are you only get seconds to respond to a sea skimmer any way… That’s the joy of the radar horizon. LPDs did have Goalkeeper and now have Phalanx for this very reason.
More speed Means more fuel and more frequent refuel. LCACs are really fuel hungry but fast. LCUs not that fast but miserly on the fuel.
It’s all a nice balancing act for the STOM to manage during a landing.