25.06.2005, 14:35
von :hand: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=936600&C=navwar">http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=936600&C=navwar</a><!-- m -->
Zitat:Australian Navy Commissions New Patrol Boat
By CHRISTOPHER P. CAVAS
HMAS Armidale, first in a new class of 12 patrol boats under construction for the Royal Australian Navy, was commissioned June 24 at Darwin, Australia, during a ceremony attended by Defence Minister Robert Hill.
The 56.8-meter, all-aluminum vessel was built at Austal’s shipyard at Henderson, Western Australia. The ship’s design features a “hard-chine, semi-planing” hull that, according to the builder, minimizes resistance and provides superior sea-keeping performance. Although the vessel was designed for a maximum speed of about 25 knots, Austal claimed the Armidale topped that by two knots.
Defence Maritime Services (DMS) is developing the Armidale design, with Austal subcontracted to build the 12 ships. DMS also is providing integrated maintenance, logistic and crew-training support to the vessels throughout their operational lives.