CONFIDENTIAL
General Characteristics of Replacement Patrol Craft
ANNEX
1. Replacement craft must be robust, seaworthy and simple to operate and maintain. They should be capable at low speed of patrolling Hong Kong waters, boarding suspect vessels and close manoeuvring; at high speed they should be able to react quickly to any incident and to counter-mark an adversary. This capability of operating at either a high or low speed would increase operational flexibility and reduce reaction time.
2.
To meet the low speed requirement the craft should be capable of cruising at 8 knots, with a maximum speed of at least 20 knots. A craft study will be undertaken to determine the cost and other implications of incremental increases in maximum speed from 20 to 40 knots, in view of the desirability of a speed higher than 20 knots when countermarking. The craft should have an endurance of 2500 miles at an economical cruising speed of 12 knots, and Diesel engines would be preferred.
3. In addition to the communications appropriate to a military vessel of this size and type, special communications facilities to meet the local circumstances will be required. A communications study will be carried out. The provision of a simple commercial VHF DF is desirable for SAR purposes. Radar is required for surface surveillance and navigation, and it would be desirable to have low-light or infra-red surveillance and a searchlight. A standard fit of navigational equipment sufficient to enable the craft to operate up to 400 miles offshore is required.
4. A suitable deck area clear of all major vertical obstructions is required for vertical replenishment operations in daylight.
5. The patrol craft's weapons should be able to sink or incapacitate minor Chinese Communist Public Security and Militia vessels at a range of approximately 5000 metres. They should also be seen to be capable of inflicting such damage as will deter the crew of a boarded vessel from counter-measures. weapons should be simple to operate and need only a low level of routine maintenance. A weapons study will be undertaken.
6.
The
The availability for sea of the existing craft is 70% of ship life averaged over the last 5 years, and an improvement on this is sought with the replacement craft. The number of men required to operate and maintain new craft should be the minimum. There should be sufficient accommodation for the crew plus up to 2 more. Some extra accommodation will be required for training billets. Operational spaces, including the machinery control room and accommodation should be air-conditioned.
7. Three studies will be carried out in support of this NST:
(a) Craft This should identify a range of craft options to meet the requirements. It should examine UK off the shelf designs, quantify the cost of incremental increases of speed and seakeeping capability and assess the implications for through life costs and in-service up-keep. The study should provide for each option estimates of in-service date, spread
CONFIDENTIAL