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Albion LPD(R) Design

Equipped with a well dock, large stern gate (97 tonnes) and side access ramps, they operate 4 Landing Craft Utility (LCU Mk 10s) and a further 4 Landing Craft Vehicles Personnel (LCVP Mk 5s) from davits. Able to operate two Merlin sized helicopters from the two-spot 64m flight deck, they are also equipped with a modern combat system, integrated communication suite and close in weapons system. The ships are designed for a range of approximately 8000 miles, with a speed of about 18 knots, a complement of up to 387 and an Embarked Military Force (EMF) of 305 with a further 405 in overload.

The ship takes advantage of "stealthy" design measures to reduce its radar signature. Number 1 Deck and above on the LPD(R) - the ship's superstructure - includes the Command and Control areas with some accommodation. Number 2 Deck is predominantly accommodation for the Ship's Company and Embarked Military Forces with some office space and the galley. The Vehicle Deck is on 3 and 4 Decks forward. The floodable amphibious dock extends from 3 to 6 Deck aft. Stores, offices and ballast tanks are located to either side of the Vehicle Deck and the Dock. Number 5 Deck and below forward of the well dock consists primarily of machinery spaces and stores.

The biggest single improvement is to the command systems which support the two men who are in charge of amphibious operations, the Commander Amphibious Task Group (COMATG) and the Commander Land Forces (CLF). The 73-work station Command Support System (CSS) which will be used by the staffs of both COMATG and CLF is simply light years ahead of anything in UK amphibious forces. It will be the most sophisticated force command system and operations room the UK has afloat and it will help give us an operational edge and will permit Forces to reap significant operational benefits. The CSS uses the latest full color flat-screen display technology and is located in the ship's superstructure, along with a very sophisticated and powerful Integrated Communications System (ICS) which is the first digital system of its kind to go to sea in the Royal Navy. ICS will permit a wide range of communications between the assault ships and forces on shore, other ships in a task group and the UK.

Alongside these systems is the ship's own command system, which has six workstations and is a development of those in service on Invincible class carriers. It controls the operation of the ship's weapons and sensors to provide a sophisticated self defence capability.

The propulsion system represents the first fitting of integrated full electric propulsion to an RN surface warship. Electric propulsion reduces the number of marine engineering personnel by nearly two-thirds (compared with Fearless), to around 60. Overall ship's company numbers are reduced through new technology and automation from 550 to 325 ­ - a reduction of around 40 per cent.

Troop accommodation is connected to embarkation stations by assault routes wide enough for Commandos carrying full Arctic kit and weapons. Dedicated assembly areas are connected by assault trunks to landing craft points and the flight deck. Together these changes double the speed of troop disembarkation.

New roll-on roll-off "drive through" LCU Mk10 landing craft that can carry a Challenger 2 tank. The Ro-Ro design means the LCUs do not have to manoeuvre to re-enter the dock and this dramatically speeds vehicle disembarkation. The floodable amphibious dock can accommodate four LCU Mk10s. The dock is fully enclosed.

Munitions and stores are moved around from magazines and stores areas to the landing craft using a system of overhead rails and gantries, significantly speeding the work of stores disembarkation. Vehicles can embark from the dockside over a Ro-Ro side ramp on the starboard side, considerably speeding the loading and unloading processes in port. There is a ramp from the vehicle deck to the flight deck to enable vehicles to be transported as helicopter underslung loads.

Fully laden at 18400 tonnes, Albion and Bulwark are 176m x 29 x 6.1m and powered by two 6.25MW and two 1.56MW diesel generators driving two AC motors through twin shafts and a bowthrust unit, all operating at 6.6KV. Bulwark and Albion are the Royal Navy's first Integrated Full Electric Propulsion ships.

LCU Mk10 is a very capable craft, with a range of around 600 nautical miles - more if auxiliary tanks are added - and is designed to operate independently for 14 days with its seven man Royal Marines crew in both arctic and tropical climates. All the crew members have bunk accommodation and there is a galley and store rooms. The LCUs are designed for world-wide operation, in the arctic or the tropics and with their new drive through design - featuring both bow and stern loading ramps - they will have a dramatic impact on the speed with which equipment can be disembarked from the assault ships.

Embarked Military Force

Vehicles- A significant volume of the hull is taken up by the need to carry the Embarked Military Force with their vehicles and supplies. The bulk of the vehicles are stowed on a single vehicle deck, which has direct access, via the internal beach, down to the fully enclosed welldock.

Logistics- AF munitions are embarked and struck down to the magazine complex on their transit package using mechanical handlers and an ammunition lift. Pallet ports located port and starboard at vehicle deck level also provide a means of embarking stores and munitions. A system of monorails and a gantry crane enable the transfer of munitions and stores from stowage's to embarkation points.

Troops/Assault Routes - Troops are accommodated above the well dock in messes that also serve as their assault stations. These are connected to embarkation points via dedicated assault routes designed for a fully equipped Royal Marine.

Landing Craft/Welldock - The welldock in the after end can accommodate four Landing Craft Utility (LCU). The Ro-Ro configuration will dramatically increase the speed of on and off load by enabling vehicles to load and offload from the LCU without having to turn round or reverse. The Welldock is closed by a bottom-hinged door, which may also be used as a ramp when welldock is not flooded. An inclined beach is provided at the forward end of the Welldock to permit vehicles to embark/disembark from the Vehicle Deck, which is immediately forward. LCU ramps can be linked to permit vehicles to embark onto the aft LCUs via those forward. The dock is flooded by filling ballast tanks located throughout the vessel. This is achieved by a careful controlled combination of pumping and equalisation with the external hydrostatic head.

Four LCVPs and two rescue boats are stowed on davits/gantries alongside the superstructure. These are designed to allow embarkation and disembarkation of personnel at No 1 deck level for direct access from/to the assault trunks and the medical complex. Command , Control, Communications and Computers (C4)The Command, Control Communications and Computer complex is configured as a tiered arrangement on three deck levels within the same fire zone. Two-way access for personnel is provided between the Combined Operations Room, communications and planning spaces and the bridge by means of forward facing double ladders.

Aviation Arrangements

A flight deck is provided aft for sequential operation over 360 degrees at two in-line spots principally by medium support helicopters (Sea King and Merlin). The flight deck is also suitable for use by one heavy lift helicopter (Chinook). A further aircraft can be stowed, folded, at the forward end of the flight deck. A Flying Control Position (FLYCO) is cantilevered over this forward extension of the Flight Deck and has a clear view for flight deck operations.

No hangar is provided however the design does include provision for the various spaces and equipment needed to support aircraft operations such as Flight Service Control, Ground Support Equipment Handlers/Maintainers Ready Room, and an Aircrew Briefing Room.