CASR

Canadian
American
Strategic
Review

Armed Naval Icebreakers (A/OPS)  –  Vessel Capabilities/TSOR  –  DND Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship  —  Proposed Ship Capabilities  & Technical Statement of  Operational  Requirement  Features Update: (August 2009) According to Murray Brewster of  CP, the AOPS project has  now been "postponed indefinitely" pending a new Canadian shipbuilding strategy. Proposed Ship Capabilities  [ from PMO AOPS ] The following high level draft requirements are presented as an indicative indication of the capabilities required of the Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ship. These requirements will be studied and refined during Project Definition. The primary characteristics of the Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) are fully inclu- sive of the following capabilities: 1. sufficient flexibility to operate independently and effectively in Canada's Exclusive     Economic  Zones  (EEZ),  including  such  diverse environments as  the Canadian     Arctic,  the Grand  Banks of  Newfoundland and  off  the Northwest coast of  the     Queen Charlotte Islands [Haida Gwaii]. The ships would also be capable of  navi-     gating the St- Lawrence River on a year round basis and berthing in Quebec City; 2. can operate year-round in medium first year ice which may include old ice inclus-     ions as well as the open ocean areas in the Atlantic and Pacific Canadian EEZ; 3. ice capability exclusively for its own mobility and not to provide icebreaking     services to others; 4. sustain operations for up to four months; 5. range of at least six thousand nautical miles; 6. sufficient organic situational awareness to ensure safety of navigation and flight; 7. sufficient  command, control and  communication (C3)  capability to provide and     receive  real-time  information  to/from  the Canadian Forces' Common Operating     Picture (COP); 8. cruise speed of at least 14 knots and a maximum speed of at least 20 knots; 9. gun armament; and 10. remain operational for 25 years beyond Initial Operational Capability (IOC). Additionally, the AOPS may be required to be capable of embarking and operating, in up to sea state 3, an on-board organic helicopter, up to and  including a CH 148 CYCLONE, with one flying and one maintenance crew. Key features of  the Draft   Technical  Statement  of  Operational  Requirement [Full  TSOR  text available in pdf format for the PMO AOPS] •  "limited operational support" for the Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone – "sheltering" [ ie:     an enclosed hangar for the helicopter ], onboard maintenance, and  refuelling •  support 12 person dive team •  deck area for 3 x ISO TEU containers [ ie: three 20 foot shipping containers ] •  minimum turbulent air flow over flight deck (reason for moving stacks??) •  speed not less than 20 kts in sea state 3. Draft 9.5m or less. •  enclosed mast with interior access to the top •  one small-to-medium calibre gun  [ remote controlled and stoppage clearing but,     otherwise, main gun type is not specified. System Requirements Document 728,     (pdf ) mentions calibre, saying “between 20mm and 40mm is likely appropriate”.] •  at least one RCHMG 50-cal Browning  [ Remote Control Heavy Machine Gun ] •  tow JSS (Joint Support Ship) at 2 kts in sea state 2 •  two (diesel-powered waterjet) fast rescue RHIBs 35 kts, self-righting •  one fast, fully-enclosed boarding party boats [insertion] 35 kts, 10 man boarding     party  [ see Danish Absalon class  for an example of a fast insertion craft ] •  one landing craft 15 kts, can carry 10 tonnes and accommodate a Bv206