Task Force 72

This one snuck in under the radar. I had no idea it had been completed...

New Generation-Ready: Serco delivers Multi-role Aviation Training Vessel
22 September 2016


Serco has proudly delivered the Australian Navy its first Multirole Aviation Training Vessel. This 94 metre long ship has a flight deck for training of crews of most types of helicopters used by the Australia Defence Force. The new ship, SYCAMORE, was launched in Vietnam on 30 August.

“The vessel’s primary role will be to support Defence helicopter training,” Serco Defence Managing Director Steve Richards said. “This is a multi-role vessel, designed to fulfil a range of training functions, including sea familiarisation training for new officers, and training in mine warfare, torpedo recovery, consort duties and unmanned aerial vehicle support.”

The MATV is part of the upgraded Helicopter Aircrew Training System, HATS, which will train Army and Navy pilots to operate new generation naval combat and battlefield helicopters. Known as Air 9000 Phase 7, the $157.1million project will meet the future rotary wing training needs of the Australian Defence Force. While

Serco is delivering the platform, Boeing and Thales are supplying the aviation component of the project.

The ship will undergo sea trials and then arrive in Sydney in 2017.

Serco Defence has already overseen the construction in Vietnam of the 83-metre submarine escape gear ship, EGS BESANT, and the 93-metre submarine rescue gear ship, RGS STOKER, both of which Serco Defence now operates and maintains.


(L-R): Denis Mole, AM - EGM Military Support & Marine Services, Serco Defence, CAPT Allen Whittaker, AM, CSC, RAN – Director Aviation Capability, Roland Briene, Area Director – Asia Pacific, Damen Shipyards



Additional shots and info on the RAN's newest ship, the Aviation Training Vessel Sycamore.



Line drawings





Flight Deck layout



SYCAMORE specifications
Vessel Particulars
Damen Design, Built of steel in Vietnam (2015 - 2017)
AMSA / Civilian – Special Purpose Ship – Aviation Capable
LOA 93.96m Draught (max) 3.96m Gross 3254 tonnes
Civilian Crew 22 max
Commonwealth (RAN) personnel 71 overnight + 20 day only
Speed (SS4) (twin VP propellers) 17kts max / 16.2kts @85% MCR
Range @ 85% MCR in SS4 4400 nm
Aviation Flight Deck (No Hangar) Modelled on FFH (modified Perth)
Aircraft EC135, MH-60R and MHR90
Aircraft Ship Integrated Secure and Traverse (ASIST)
Aviation Radar TERMA Scanter 6002 with Mode S / ADS-B receive

Aviation Fuel Pressure / Gravity /full HIFR fuelling (77m3 F44 storage)
_________________________________________________
Acquisition / Background / Operations
Acquired for the Commonwealth by DMS under the Fleet Marine Services Contract (FMSC) CAAP
Commonwealth Acceptance of MATV platform – Q3 2017
First of Class Flight trials (EC135) in support of
Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) program – Q3 2017
Transition of roles from MV Horizon – 2017
HATS Flying Operations begin – Q1/Q2 2018

Normal area of operations East Australian Exercise Area (EAXA)
Tasking planned through the Fleet Activity Schedule (FAS)
Tasking executed through the Fleet Exercise Program (FXP)
MATV available for tasking at approximately 280 days annum
___________________________________

ATV Capability
MATV is a civilian contracted crewed and maintained, RAN training platform
RAN provided Flight Deck Teams and procedural aircraft controllers (PAC)
Tailored embarked Aviation Training for
Aircrew Deck Landing Qualifications (with the Joint Helicopter School training as priority 1 – HATS)
Flight Deck Operations Training (including HIFR and VERTREP)
Procedural Air Controller (PAC) / Helicopter Control Officer (HCO)
Other Training roles / Tasks
Sea Familiarisation / NEOC training
MCD support (Mine warfare / Diving)
Consort Duties
Navigation Training / Target Towing
Practice Weapon Recovery
Government Direction / HADR / SAR
Fitted for Un-manned Aerial System (UAS) / EW through air threat sim



Wonder if anyone might decide to build her in 1:72?

Mike

Seems a bit ridiculous that she is an aviation training ship however she doesn't have a hanger which is one of the jobs of flight deck crews, folding and stowing aircraft at sea in difficult conditions.

Now don't go getting all logic and common sense Russ...

Russ, stowing the damn thing isn't a currency. Just the amount and types of deck landings which waste a lot of a Warship's time. For both deck team and the flight crew. Just wonder if it can simulate the movement.

Nice Video, she looks better afloat than on 'the hard'.
I wonder why they have 'fuzzed out' the Port of Registration (Sydney) and her IMO Number on the Transom

Nige

Assuming you took this from the Website 'Ship-Bucket' Mike?
If so it will probably be no-where near accurate.

Some of their fanciful products, e.g OPV's armed like Battleships, with enough top-weight to capsize in Sea-State 1 are vaguely amusing, but it ends there.

Nige

Understood Mike, guess it's the 'Flights of Fancy' that get my Goat, so to speak. Otherwise, the others are, I admit, a good basic representation of what might have been.
Certainly not a criticism of your effort in posting.

Nige