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Background  –  Armed Naval Icebreaker / Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship

Update:  (Aug 2009) According to CP, the AOPS project has been "postponed indefinitely" pending a new Federal shipbuilding strategy.

With a contract award  for AOPS  DELMS (or  Definition, Engineering, Logistics and Management Support) came the release of conceptual artwork  for the project.  Many differences are apparent  from  Svalbard – the presumed model for Canada’s planned Arctic patrol vessel. Most obvious are the larger forecastle deck, enclosed  mast, and the aft-situated funnels and  landing deck.

The reason for changes to the landing deck and hangar area are obvious. Svalbard was designed to accommodate a Westland Lynx helicopter. AOPS must take a CH-148 which has a fuselage almost 6m longer. An artist’s impression cannot be taken as indicative of final appearance but, obviously, a Canadian requirement for a substantially larger (and heavier) helicopter will radically change the appearance of  the AOPS from that of  Svalbard.

The most dramatic changes  to the design’s appearance spring from the addition of  bow bulwarks and enlarging the forecastle (which is both raised and  extended across the full width of  the hull). The image (right) of Svalbard taking seas over the bow in rough water explains these changes. The artist shows the 57mm Bofors mounted but  the DND System Requirements Document vaguely suggests a 20-to-40mm gun. In recent years the CF has favoured smaller naval guns and there is the 40mm Bofors Mk3. AOPS is still at a very early stage in its development. Few details are firm. [1]  The designs are conceptual and changes to be expected.

[1] The major features have been outlined by the AOPS Project Management Office in the Proposed Ship Capabilities and Technical SOR.