Endurance class – LPD
The Endurance-class landing platform dock ships (LPD) are the largest class of ships in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). They were designed and built by Singapore Technologies (ST) Marine to replace the old County-class tank landing ships (LST). The four ships form the 191 Squadron of the RSN.
RSS Persistence (209) in the Singapore Straits
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Type:
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Landing platform dock
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Displacement:
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Standard: 6,500 t (6,400 long tons; 7,200 short tons)
Full load: 8,500 t (8,400 long tons; 9,400 short tons) |
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Length:
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141.0 m (462 ft 7 in)
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Beam:
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21.0 m (68 ft 11 in)
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Draught:
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5.0 m (16 ft 5 in)
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Ramps:
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2 × (bow and stern)
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Installed power:
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4 × Ruston 6RK215 diesel generators, each producing 875 kW (1,173 hp)
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Total output:
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3,500 kW (4,690 shp)
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Propulsion:
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Combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) arrangement
2 × Ruston 16RK 270 diesels, each producing 5,500 kW (7,400 hp), coupled to two Kamewa controllable-pitch propellers |
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Total output:
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11,000 kW (14,800 shp)
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Speed:
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In excess of 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph)
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Range:
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5,000 nmi (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph)
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Boats & landing
craft carried: |
4 × 13 m (43 ft) Fast Craft Equipment & Utility (FCEU) on davits
2 × 25 m (82 ft) Fast Craft Utility (FCU) inside well deck |
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Capacity:
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18 tanks, 20 vehicles and bulk cargo
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Troops:
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> 350–500
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Crew:
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65 (8 officers and 57 men)
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Sensors and
processing systems: |
Search radar: IAI/ELTA EL/M-2238
Navigation radar: Kelvin Hughes Type 1007 (I band) Weapon control: CS Defense NAJIR 2000 electro-optronic director |
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Electronic warfare
& decoys: |
ESM/ECM: RAFAEL RAN 1101
Decoys: 2 × GEC Marconi Marine Shield III 102 mm sextuple fixed chaff/decoy launcher |
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Armament:
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Anti-air: Mistral missiles launched from 2 × Simbad twin launcher mounts
Main gun: 1 × Oto Melara 76 mm super rapid gun Autocannons: 2 × 25mm M242 Bushmaster Mk 38 Mod 2 (with stabilised Typhoon weapon sighting system, mounted amidships on port and starboard side) Machine guns: 4 × STK 50MG 12.7 mm (0.50 in) HMGs |
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Aircraft carried:
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AS 332M Super Puma or AS532UL/AL Cougar or CH-47SD Chinook helicopters
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Aviation facilities:
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Flight deck and enclosed hangar for up to 2 medium-lift helicopters
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She has the well-dock and can carry the extra troops and equipment, but the DCP states it also must have equal or more helo capability. Even after the alteration done to HMNZS Canterbury, she can still carry in the hanger 3 NH-90's and 1 SeaSprite (it use to be 4 NH-90) or mix thereof, so the helo operations are same but can not carry the extra medium-sized helo for shore operations. The other thing she can carry 18 tanks, 20 vehicles, and bulk cargo basically the same as Canterbury can now if not Canterbury could squeeze in more. The only advantage is the Well Dock however the DCP is asking for more.
Remember Canterbury's indicative cargo would encompass (as one possible loadout): 14 Pinzgauer Light Operational Vehicles, 16 NZLAV light armoured vehicles, 7 Unimog trucks, 2 ambulances, 2 flatbed trucks, 7 vehicle trailers, 2 rough terrain forklifts, 4 ATV-type vehicles and up to 33 20 ft TEU containers.
I would also point out with the budget given we could buy a few of these with cash left over.
