Design and construction HMAS Launceston (ACPB 94)



the armidale-class patrol boats 56.8 metres (186 ft) long, beam of 9.7 metres (32 ft), draught of 2.7 metres (8 ft 10 in), , standard displacement of 270 tons. semi-displacement vee hull fabricated aluminium alloy, , each vessel built combination of det norske veritas standards high-speed light craft , ran requirements. armidales can travel @ maximum speed of 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph), , driven 2 propeller shafts, each connected mtu 16v m70 diesel. ships have range of 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) @ 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph), allowing them patrol waters around distant territories of australia, , designed standard patrols of 21 days, maximum endurance of 42 days.


the main armament of armidale class rafael typhoon stabilised 25-millimetre (0.98 in) gun mount fitted m242 bushmaster autocannon. 2 12.7-millimetre (0.50 in) machine guns carried. boarding operations performed 2 7.2-metre (24 ft), waterjet propelled rigid-hulled inflatable boats (rhibs). each rhib stored in dedicated cradle , davit, , capable of operating independently patrol boat carries own communications, navigation, , safety equipment.


each patrol boat has standard ship s company of 21 personnel, maximum of 29. armidales not have permanently assigned ship s company; instead, assigned divisions @ ratio of 2 vessels 3 companies, rotate through vessels , allow armidales spend more time @ sea, without compromising sailors rest time or training requirements. 20-berth auxiliary accommodation compartment included in design transportation of soldiers, illegal fishermen, or unauthorised arrivals; in latter 2 cases, compartment secured outside. however, malfunction in sewerage treatment facilities aboard hmas maitland in august 2006 pumped hydrogen sulphide , carbon monoxide compartment, non-fatally poisoning 4 sailors working inside, after use of compartment accommodation banned across class.


launceston constructed austal @ shipyard in henderson, western australia. commissioned in launceston, tasmania on 22 september 2007.








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