The next two are of the USS Mesa Verde ...
As for choppers on such a ship, Canada has chosen to go with the Sikorsky H92 (CH-148 Cyclone) ...
Posted on 10/17/2005 6:06:07 PM PDT by NorthOf45
Canadian navy readies proposal to acquire amphibious assault ships
Murray Brewster
Canadian Press
October 16, 2005
HALIFAX (CP) - The Canadian navy is drafting a plan to acquire two large amphibious assault ships capable of transporting thousands of troops and dozens of tanks and trucks across the seas.
The idea, which merited a passing reference in last spring's defence policy statement, is expected to go before the federal Treasury Board next year for consideration, said the director of the navy's maritime requirements.
"We're looking at being more engaged on a global scale," said Capt. Peter Ellis.
"I think it's a critical requirement, especially if we're going to conduct operations at short notice."
The acquisition of the ships, that can resemble small aircraft carriers, are in addition to the navy's $2.1-billion project to build three regular supply ships.
As yet, the navy has not come up with a price tag for the landing ships.
Ellis said the amphibious ships and supply boats serve different purposes.
The transports, complete with a detachment of attack helicopters and landing craft, give the army an ability to land on an empty or partially defended beach anywhere in the world.
Regular supply ships require a port to load and unload.
Defence analyst David Rudd said the navy needs to better explain their planned purchase.
"If want to go in this direction and spend quite a bit of money - you would think that the capability would be quite literally leaping off the pages of their defence policy statement," said Rudd, president of the Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies.
[b]Adding to Rudd's concern, the federal Conservatives supported the concept of the landing ships in the last election. But Prime Minister Paul Martin dismissed the idea during the televised debate, saying Canadians had a choice between a party that supported health care and one that wanted to buy aircraft carriers.[/b]
In April, Ottawa laid out a sweeping new plan for its Armed Forces, promising a better-equipped, more efficient and more effective military at home and abroad - all within five years.
The document, which promises to effectively double Canada's overseas capability, includes the purchase of new ships, new aircraft and new vehicles.
But even if the project passes the political hurdles, Rudd says he sees potential problems in selecting a design.
The U.S. is constructing a new class of amphibious assault ships called the San Antonio class, but may not commission all of them. Talk within the Defence industry is that two of the yet-to-be constructed ships could be sold to another country, possibly Canada.
Such a move would be another strike to Canada's struggling shipbuilding industry.
In Rudd's view it would also be a mistake given the size and complexity of the ships, which require a crew of 300 or more to sail.
Ellis said the navy has not settled on any specific design at this time.
Canadian Military Ping
Anyone know the % speed increase in a bulb bow vs. a V bow?
The real question is why they even bother, they gave up having a real military long ago.
Maybe they're planning a move against Denmark...
I have another question ... if you have nothing worth posting, why bother? </rhetorical>
Do the Canadians have armed forces in sufficient numbers to warrant two of these?
And if both were at sea at the same time, might Vermont get ideas to seek a little lebensraum?
Thanks, but no thanks. : )
Just trying to help...might be more practical than the bigger ships if you guys want to invade Chicago via Lake Michigan.
Sorry, I'll sing 4 verses of O Canada for penance.
Anyway, does Canada plan on having an Armed Force or two sometime soon.
Geez, I hope so ... Denmark is making me nervous.
Actually is doesn't increase speed so much as it reduces resistance as the ship cuts through waves. Reducing resistance means that the ship requires less horsepower for the same speed and that increases fuel efficiency. It also decreases pitch which is helpful when conducting flight ops.
They need something like another few copies of the "Maid of the Mist" if they ever hope of taking the American Falls.
Canada has a navy? Who knew?
I was about to make my own slam about the lack of Canadian commitment for overseas operations-- but I just got done with an online chat with a Canadian chopper pilot just back from Afghanistan. I don't want to malign the men and womand of the Canadian Forces just because the Canadian voters keep the Liberal Party scum in office.
But I find myself asking the same question that I ask about the Bundeswehr. Just who are they expecting to fight?
Most NATO forces in Afghanistan are doing purely defensive peacekeeping work. Most of them don't go up into the yamas looking to send the jihadists to meet Allah. So after Afghanistan is more pacified-- just who do the NATO powers figure on fighting?
Check out the specs on all of the world's carriers and Amphibious Assault ships at my new site dedicated to that purpose. The San Antonios are included there.
But is is pretty much a joke now, with the punchline being the 4 submarines that they bought used.
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